For his third disc as a leader,
Dan Willis offers a stunning array of originals while playing numerous different instruments, sometimes on the same song. With a potent supporting cast of musicians, including drummer
John Hollenbeck, guitarist
Pete McCann, keyboardist
Ron Oswanski and trumpeter/flugelhornist Chuck MacKinnon,
Willis leads his band through his inspired compositions, which the leader says were influenced in part by French composer Erik Satie. Yet each work is a musical adventure with many different influences; for example, "Place of Enlightenment" has a droning accordion, blistering rock guitar and an overdubbed reed section that swells as the piece reaches its climax. "Door to Yesterday" is a more accessible ballad with
Willis leading the way on tenor, while the lush harmony of the introduction to "I'm Not the Reverend" is very moving.
Willis' ominous "3:10 Local" would have anyone looking over his shoulder late at night, and "Gentle Soul" uses a combination of instruments heard infrequently in a jazz setting. With
Velvet Gentlemen,
Dan Willis has produced a powerful album that will easily stand the test of time. ~ Ken Dryden