Bucky Pizzarelli • Challis In Wonderland

 

Review from AllMusic (by Ken Dryden):
Bucky Pizzarelli salutes arranger Bill Challis, who was responsible for many of the most important charts played by the Jean Goldkette Orchestra and Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, along with helping transcribe the handful of compositions by legendary cornetist Bix Beiderbecke. In his eighties at the time of these sessions, the seven-string guitarist shows no signs of slowing down, joined by bassist Jerry Bruno and on a few tracks adding his son John on guitar or a swinging string quartet led by the talented young violinist Aaron Weinstein with string arrangements by Dick Lieb. Most of the repertoire includes music of the '20s and '30s, with two exceptions. Pizzarelli's original "Challis in Wonderland" is a lush, laid-back ballad saluting the arranger performed as a guitar duet, while Bob Haggart's timeless ballad "What's New" has long been a part of the leader's repertoire. Zez Confrey penned the obscure "Romanza," played as an intimate father/son duet. The trio's intricate reading of Beiderbecke's "In the Dark" is a lyrical masterpiece. Pizzarelli is buoyed by the strings in his breezy, toe-tapping rendition of Beiderbecke's "Davenport Blues," while the cornetist's "In a Mist" has long been a brilliant, expected solo feature for the guitarist at jazz parties. Weinstein switches to mandolin for a swinging setting of "Oh Baby" with the leader and Bruno. These rewarding sessions by Bucky Pizzarelli provide ample proof that the master guitarist keeps the spirits of Bix Beiderbecke and Bill Challis very much alive.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/challis-in-wonderland-mw0002314734

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Resena de AllMusic (por Ken Dryden):
Bucky Pizzarelli rinde homenaje al arreglista Bill Challis, responsable de algunos de los mas importantes arreglos interpretados por la Jean Goldkette Orchestra y la Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, ademas de haber ayudado a transcribir las composiciones del legendario cornetista Bix Beiderbecke. En sus ochenta anos al momento de estas sesiones, el guitarrista de siete cuerdas no da senales de detenerse, acompanado por el bajista Jerry Bruno y, en algunos tracks, por su hijo John en guitarra o por un swingueante cuarteto de cuerdas liderado por el talentoso violinista Aaron Weinstein con arreglos de Dick Lieb. La mayor parte del repertorio incluye musica de los anos 20 y 30, con dos excepciones. El original "Challis in Wonderland" de Pizzarelli es una balada exuberante y relajada que homenajea al arreglista, interpretada como duo de guitarras, mientras que la eterna balada "What's New" de Bob Haggart ha sido parte del repertorio del lider desde hace mucho tiempo. Zez Confrey escribio la poco conocida "Romanza", interpretada como un intimo duo padre/hijo. La intrincada lectura del trio de "In the Dark" de Beiderbecke es una obra maestra de la lirica. Pizzarelli se apoya en las cuerdas en su alegre y animada version del "Davenport Blues" de Beiderbecke, mientras que "In a Mist" del cornetista ha sido durante mucho tiempo un brillante numero en solitario del guitarrista en las jazz parties. Weinstein cambia al mandolin para una version swinguera de "Oh Baby" con el lider y Bruno. Estas gratificantes sesiones de Bucky Pizzarelli son prueba fehaciente de que el maestro guitarrista mantiene muy vivos los espiritus de Bix Beiderbecke y Bill Challis.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/challis-in-wonderland-mw0002314734

Tracks:
1 - Sunday
2 - Sugar
3 - Challis In Wonderland
4 - Davenport Blues
5 - In the Dark
6 - Romanza
7 - Singing the Blues
8 - In a Mist
9 - Oh Baby
10 - Sugar 2
11 - Candlelights
12 - What's New
13 - I'm Coming Virginia
14 - Flashes


Credits:
Personnel:
Bucky Pizzarelli - Acoustic Guitar, 7-String Guitar
John Pizzarelli - 7-String Guitar
Jerry Bruno - Bass
Aaron Weinstein - Violin, Mandolin
Svetlana Tsoneva - Violin
Olivia Koppell - Viola
Jesse Levy - Cello

Production:
String Arrangements by Dick Lieb
Produced by Rachel Domber & Mat Domber

Label: Arbors Records
Country: US
Released: March 13, 2012
Genre: Jazz
Style: Swing, Mainstream Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Duration: 1:04:29

Sources:
https://www.allmusic.com/album/challis-in-wonderland-mw0002314734
https://jazztimes.com/articles/30100-challis-in-wonderland-bucky-pizzarelli
https://www.amazon.com/Davenport-Blues/dp/B01MPYIGWN
https://www.oldies.com/artist-songs/Bucky-Pizzarelli.html

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