Joey DeFrancesco - All Of Me (1989)

Organist Joey DeFrancesco's debut as a leader would be impressive even if he had not been 17 at the time! DeFrancesco, whose sound has always been strongly influenced by Jimmy Smith (sounding like an exact duplicate on "All of Me"), is backed by an eight-piece horn section on two songs and a 16-piece string section on three others but more important to the music is the playing of guitarist Lou Volpe, drummer Buddy Williams and the electric bass of Alex Blake. Houston Person's tenor is also a strong asset on two of the eight numbers in a program that ranges from swing to more modern funk. A strong start to a colorful career. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 44463, 1989
Recorded at Mastersound Studios, Astoria, New York 

Musicians:
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3], Ensoniq Keyboards (#5,6)
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#7,8)
Lou Volpe - Guitar
Alex Blake - Acoustic Bass (#3,4), Electric Bass (#2,5-8)
Buddy Williams - Drums
Bashuri Johnson - Percussion
16-Piece String Section (#2,4,6)
8-Piece Horn Section (#8)
Horace Ott - Conductor

Tracks:
1. Blues For J. {Jimmy Smith} (4:20)
2. [They Long To Be] Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:31)
3. Carbon Copy {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:00)
4. All Of Me {Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks} (7:03)
5. 30th Street Station {Joey DeFrancesco} (4:06)
6. One For C.C. {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:16)
7. L.G. Blues {Joey DeFrancesco} (5:58)
8. Pétala {Djavan} (6:19) 

Total Time: 44:39 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger, Conductor - Horace Ott
Executive Producer - Dr. George Butler
Engineer - Tom Roberts
Music Copyist - Frank Zuback
Art Direction - Howard Fritzson
Photography - Mark Malabrigo
Liner Notes - Al Pyror

LINK

L.G. Blues

The JazzTimes Superband (2000)

When a tune has a catchy sound to it, the melody lingers on. Paul Bollenback, Randy Brecker, Joey DeFrancesco and Bob Berg each contribute memorable compositions to this album; compositions that catch your ear and leave you happy to hear them again. Berg placed his tune "Friday Night at the Cadillac Club" on two previous albums as well as on Dizzy Gillespie’s 1992 Rhythmstick album. The piece works. Like Brecker’s "The Ada Strut" and Eddie Harris’ "Freedom Jazz Dance," Berg’s song stays with you and brings a smile of recognition every time it’s played. The all-star band performs hard-hitting, straight-ahead material with nods to Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Jack McDuff and Larry Young. Brecker and Berg each wrote three of the session’s tunes, while both DeFrancesco and Bollenback contributed one. Since it’s an organ combo, the Superband needs no bass; DeFrancesco’s bass line is fast and without distinct edges. Brecker plays his part bright and fluid. He’s at the top of his form. Always taking care to produce a proper sound column, rich in overtones, the trumpeter also plays each number loose and expressive. DeFrancesco is upbeat, always propelling the unit. The organist builds each solo into a fiery peak; quite fast and furious when appropriate. Saxophonist Berg is mellower, respecting a good clear tone, while keeping it round for a loose blues honk. Berg uses the instrument’s full range. His feature role on "Oleo" runs fast and expressive, catching fire at the end of his solo. Bollenback’s work is articulate with attention to tone quality. His solo work remains fluid, while his solid accompaniment plays a key role in the ensemble’s highly successful program. Drummer Dennis Chambers provides clear and crisp coloring. He takes a few drum breaks, but for the most part prefers to steady the unit’s rhythm as a constant force. The JazzTimes® Superband employs a straight-ahead format with innovative solos all around and fours with the drummer. The formula works quite well. ~ by Jim Santella, AAJ. 

Concord Music Group, CCD-4889-2, 2000
Recorded 28th & 29th January, 2000 at Avatar Recording Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Bob Berg - Tenor Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#4,7)
Joey Defrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Paul Bollenback - Guitar
Dennis Chambers - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Dirty Dogs {Randy Brecker} (6:17)
02. Silverado {Bob Berg} (8:25)
03. Jones Street {Randy Brecker} (6:08)
04. Oleo {Sonny Rollins} (5:36)
05. Friday Night At The Cadillac Club {Bob Berg} (4:47)
06. Soho Sole {Bob Berg} (7:14)
07. The Ada Strut {Randy Brecker} (6:16)
08. Blue Goo {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:24)
09. Seven A.M. Special {Paul Bollenback} (6:08)
10. Freedom Jazz Dance {Eddie Harris} (8:12) 

Total Time: 65:49 

Credits:
Producer - Nick Phillips
Executive-Producer - Glen Barros, John Burk
Engineer - Josiah Gluck
Engineer [Assistant] - Andrea Yankovsky
Mixing Engineer - Phil Edwards
Mastering Engineer - George Horn
Design - Albert Treskin
Photography - Jimmy Katz
Photography [Assistant] - Mandy Malarczyk
Liner Notes - Bill Milkowski 

Blue Goo

Jake Langley - Diggin' In [Deluxe Version] (2011)

Guitarist Jake Langley's Diggin' In features organist Joey DeFrancesco and drummer Terry Clarke playing mostly standards in a Wes Montgomery vein. Learning that much by reading the CD cover suggests a contemporary Lee Ritenour-style treatment with enough twists from DeFrancesco's presence for an intelligent recreational listen. The sort of album, in other words, for unwinding after a long day when one isn't ready to completely submit to the mental enema of typical contemporary. Langley, 30, a Toronto resident selected as Canada's guitarist of the year in the National Jazz Awards, possesses stylings that carries over from studies with Pat Martino and Jim Hall, plus plenty of influence from the Montgomery school. Diggin' In, his third solo album, returns to the lower-key trio playing of his debut Doug's Garage after showcasing a collection of funk/acid/Latin originals with a larger cast on Non Fiction. Consistency is a good summary for this set, never venturing into uncomfortably exploration or hollow mailed-in territory. Langley keeps the melodies recognizable and his soloing elaborates rather than reinterprets. His plucking runs the range of leisurely to lively, easily absorbed without being completely predictable. Montgomery's "O.G.D." has a laid-back feel, for instance, but Langley spices it up with a rapid series of post-bop runs. He also displays a fine command for upbeat blues on "The Garage," the lone original composition on this album. His blues-ballad rendition of Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child" is a smooth change of pace, although it fails to leave any lasting impressions. The same might be said for the album as a whole - while it's pleasant, it may not linger beyond the moment the listener hits the "off" switch. DeFrancesco has more acclaimed outings on his resume, but he isn't being called upon to go all out and delivers well for the setting. His tone and a bit of extra kick compared to Langley's treatments, plus offering some extra depth as an accompanist, are what will spur listeners to pick this over similar trio discs when the mood arises. Clarke gets little time on his own, but generally his loose-style playing feels like a living organism propelling things ahead. Diggin' In doesn't cover any new territory, but does a good job within the one it does occupy as long as listeners are seeking comfort rather than a life-changing experience. It's also comforting knowing Langley is capable of mixing styles album to album, making his past and future efforts worth keeping an eye on if this one satisfies. ~ by Mark Sabbatini, AAJ. 

Alma Records, ACD14292, 2004
Tonepoet Records, Digital, 2011
Recorded in Reaction Studio, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 

Musicians:
Jake Langley - Guitar
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Byron Landham - Drums (#1-7)
Steve Gadd (#9-11) 

Tracks:
01. O. G. D. (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [6:40]
02. God Bless The Child (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [8:14]
03. Cheesecake (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [8:21]
04. The Garage (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [5:34]
05. Sugar (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [6:39]
06. Blues For Jim San (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [8:16]
07. Gibraltar (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Landham) [9:43]
08. Maya (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Steve Gadd) [6:24]
09. Continental Blues (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Steve Gadd) [5:56]
10. Bolivia (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Steve Gadd) [4:58]
11. Desert Sun (feat. Joey DeFrancesco, Steve Gadd) [6:59] 

Total Time: 01:17:44 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Jake Langley
Engineer - Ormond Jobin
Mastering - Peter J. Moore
Design, Layout Design - Howard
Photography - Denise Grant

Joey DeFrancesco - Singin' And Swingin' (2001)

Joey DeFrancesco the jazz organist meets Joey DeFrancesco the Sinatra-style crooner on this, his first vocal outing. The album is rich in contrasts: eight of the 13 cuts feature a big band, with the likes of bassist Ray Brown, tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, and more; the rest are trio pieces featuring the leader, Paul Bollenback, on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. Vocally, DeFrancesco pours it on with beaucoup reverb (producer John Burk and engineer Bernie Kirsh could have backed off a bit), handling swingers like "Mack the Knife" and ballads like "They Say It's Wonderful" with equal poise and conviction. His organ is present on many of the vocal tracks, but it moves to the fore on the three instrumental originals: "Mr. Dennis Houlihan," a fast rhythm changes tune; "Did You Hear Him Holler," a tongue-in-cheek Cajun groove; and "The Sidewalk Is Wild," a sly big band shuffle that features the leader briefly on trumpet. DeFrancesco also gives his voice a rest on the swing classic "One Mint Julep," the penultimate "Danny Boy," done as a powerful trio ballad, and the closing standard, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." DeFrancesco's vocal affect is quite similar to Sinatra's, especially on songs closely associated with him, like "In the Wee Small Hours," one of the all-around best selections. Some won't be able to get past the hammy aspect of the album, but the fact is that DeFrancesco really can sing, and "if you've got it, flaunt it" is a worthy credo for any performer. You've got to applaud him for taking the plunge. ~ by David R. Adler, AMG. 

Concord Records, CCD-4861-2, 2001
Recorded 24th-25th January, 1999 at Capitol Records, Studio B, Hollywood, California 

Personnel:
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3], Trumpet, Vocals
Paul "Dukie" Bollenback - Guitar
Byron "Wookie" Landham - Drums 

Guests:
Mike Howard - Guitar (#7,13)
Paul Leibelshon - Drums (#7)
Dave Cook - Drums (#13) 

Frank Capp's Big Band (#1,2,5,6,8-11):
Ray Brown - Bass
Frank Szabo, Wayne J. Bergeron, Conte Candoli, Carl Saunders - Trumpet
Andy Martin, George Bohanon, Bob McChesney, Mike Millar - Trombone
Sal Lozano, Don Shelton - Alto Saxophone
Peter Christlieb, Rickey D. Woodard - Tenor Saxophone
Jack Nimitz - Baritone Saxophone
Horace Ott - Arrangements 

Strings (#1,3):
Bruce Dukov - Concertmaster
Russ Cantor, Gil Romero, Rachel Purkin, Horia Moroaica, Debbie Price,
Patricia Johnson, Darius Campo - Violin
Harry H. Shirinian, Jorge Moraga - Viola
Vage Ayrikyan, Armen Ksadjikian - Cello
Frank Capp - Conductor 

Tracks:
01. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (3:44)
02. Mr. Dennis Houlihan {Joey DeFrancesco} (3:53)
03. They Say It's Wonderful {Irving Berlin} (4:36)
04. Did You Hear Him Holler? {Joey DeFrancesco} (4:41)
05. Mack The Knife {Marc Blitzstein, Eugene Berthold, Brecht, Kurt Weill} (3:29)
06. One Mint Julep {Rudolph Toombs} (5:12)
07. In The Wee Small Hours {Bob Hilliard, David Mann} (5:29)
08. I Thought About You {Johnny Mercer} (3:38)
09. The Sidewalk Is Wild {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:03)
10. Let Me Love You Tonight {Mitchell Parish, Rene Touzet} (3:30)
11. Kansas City {Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller} (3:44)
12. Danny Boy {Fred Weatherly} (6:17)
13. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You {George Bassman, Ned Washington} (6:28) 

Total Time: 60:44

Credits:
Producer - John Burk
Co-Producer - Heather & Joey DeFrancesco
Executive Producer - Glen Barros
Recording Engineer - Bernie Kirsh
Mixing, Assembly & Mastering - Tim Hunnicutt
Production Manager - Will Rose
Art Direction - Yalitza Ferreras
Photography - John Samora
Liner Notes - Joey DeFrancesco

Danny Gatton, Joey DeFrancesco - Relentless (1994)

This was a logical matchup. Danny Gatton was a high-powered and very versatile guitarist who could play virtually any modern style. His tonal distortions and use of feedback were impressive but he could also swing as hard as anyone around. The same could be said of organist Joey DeFrancesco and, together with bassist John Previti and drummer Timm Biery, the lead voices romp on a variety of fairly basic material with lots of blues and a few standards. Although no new revelations are offered, the joyful chance-taking of Danny Gatton kept the music from ever becoming predictable or too relaxed; he certainly challenges DeFrancesco throughout this set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Big Mo Records, BIGMO 20232, 1994

Recorded 22^nd - 25^th February, 1994 At Big Mo Recording Studios, Kensington, Maryland

Musicians:

Danny Gatton - Guitar

Joey DeFrancesco - Keyboards, Organ [B-3]

John Previti - String Bass (#2,3,8,9)

Timm Biery - Drums

Tracks:

1. Fine {Danny Gatton} (4:22)

2. Broadway {Billy Bird, Henri Woode, Teddy McRae} (6:13)

3. Kindred Spirits {Danny Gatton} (7:50)

4. The Chess Players {Wayne Shorter} (9:49)

5. Gearheads {Joey DeFrancesco, Danny Gatton} (4:48)

6. Blues On The Half Shell {Chris Battistone, Danny Gatton} (6:56)

7. The Pits {Danny Gatton} (11:52)

8. Big Mo {Danny Gatton} (4:43)

9. Well You Needn't {Thelonious Monk} (6:34)

Credits:

Producer, Mixing - Danny Gatton

Producer, Mixing, Engineer - Ed Eastridge

Engineer - Greg Hartman, Ron Freeland

Mastering - John Brittain

Design - Dixie Eastridge

Photography - John Sprung, Hugh Talman

Amazing How Well They Complement Each Other

Monster players, both Danny and Joey. I'm not sure how this collaboration came about, but there are some magical moments in this recording....amazing how well they complement each other. Gatton is a Brad Paisley on jazz steroids. If you haven't heard of him before this album, you won't be disappointed. DeFrancesco is the consummate B-3 monster and has been for years now. Give it a listen. Five stars for sure. ~ bluguitarman, Amazon.com.

Joey DeFrancesco - Joey DeFrancesco's Goodfellas (1999)

Joey DeFrancesco, Frank Vignola, Joe Ascione - three musicians who go together like spaghetti, garlic bread and Chianti. And when these Italian jazzers sit down to play together, under don DeFrancesco's leadership...hey fahgettaboutit! Featuring killer chops, humor, and creative, jazzed-up versions of "Italian standards", Joey DeFrancesco's Goofellas deliver a recording you can't refuse.

======================

Try to imagine the best Italian-American wedding you've ever been to - the people, the food, the style, the love - then set it to some great jazz music, Joey DeFrancesco's Goodfellas. Add this killer band to your next wedding party and be prepared to have the time of your life. Plain and simple, this album is 55 minutes of unabated fun. Joey DeFrancesco (Hammond B-3 organ), Frank Vignola (guitar), and Joe Ascione (drums), three outstanding musicians who grew up in typical Italian-American families, play some of the music on which they were raised. Highlights abound on this brilliant concept piece: the kicked-up, jazzy "Volare," the groovy, tasty "Fly Me to the Moon," the energetic, rollicking "Malafemmena," and the beautiful slow dance "Young at Heart." Even Monk's "Evidence," taken at a blistering pace, is right at home in this setting. The Goodfellas wrote a couple of tunes for the occasion as well, none better than the bluesy, gutbucket title track. This band has big-time chops, and this music swings like mad. ~ by Brian Bartolini, AMG.

Concord Jazz, CCD-4845-2, 1999

Recorded 17^th & 18^th March, 1998 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California

Musicians:

Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Frank Vignola - Guitar

Joe Ascione - Drums

Tracks:

01. Speak Softly Love {Larry Kusik, Nino Rota} (5:31)

02. Volare {Francesco Migliacci, Domenico Modugno, Mitchell Parish} (4:16)

03. Fly Me To The Moon (Bart Howard} (5:15)

04. All The Way {Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen} (5:12)

05. Whack 'Em {Joe Ascione} (4:15)

06. Malafemmena {Antonio De Curtis} (4:06)

07. Young At Heart {Carolyn Leigh} (3:51)

08. O Sole Mio {Giovanni Capurro, Eduardo Di Capua} (5:14)

09. Evidence {Thelonious Monk} (4:33)

10. Goodfellas {Joe Ascione, Joey DeFrancesco, Frank Vignola} (6:11)

11. Ya See What I'm Sayin' {Joe Ascione} (4:44)

12. Whack 'Em [Reprise], Tarentella {Joe Ascione} (1:52)

Credits:

Producer - John Burk

Executive Producer - Glen Barros

Recording Engineer - Phil Edwards

Assistant Engineer - Ben Conrad

Mixing Engineer - Phil Edwards at PER, Hayward, CA

Mastering Engineer - George Horn

Director of Product Development - Alexis Davis

Production Manager - David Miller

Art Direction & Design - Add to the noise

Photography - John Abbott