John Pizzarelli salutes composer
Richard Rodgers with this songbook including a dozen of his works. The vocalist/guitarist is accompanied by his trio, with
Larry Fuller replacing
Ray Kennedy, bassist
Martin Pizzarelli, and drummer
Tony Tedesco.
Pizzarelli adds a personal touch to "I Like to Recognize the Tune" by altering
Lorenz Hart's lyrics a bit, while also scatting up a storm in unison with his guitar.
Bucky Pizzarelli is an added guest and soloist for "It's Easy to Remember," an intimate duet with the vocalist playing rhythm.
Cesar Camargo Mariano takes over at the piano for the breezy bossa nova setting of "Happy Talk." Arranger
Don Sebesky wrote the charts for the six tracks and a quartet of brass and reeds, highlighted by the snappy scoring of "The Lady Is a Tramp," recalling
Pizzarelli's previous Telarc salute to
Frank Sinatra (
Dear Mr. Sinatra, in which he trades fours scatting with each of the horns). This release is a little short in the CD era, clocking in at just over 43 minutes, but there's never a dull moment. ~ Ken Dryden