Trombonist
Dan Barrett leads his Extra-Celestials on a set of spirited small-group swing. The repertoire is full of obscurities (including
Benny Carter's "Scratch My Back" and
Red McKenzie's "Georgianna," "Mound Bayou," and "Mama, That Moon Is Here Again") and a few superior standards.
Barrett (who also plays cornet, wrote all of the arrangements, and takes a rare vocal) is joined throughout by some of his favorite musicians: singer
Rebecca Kilgore (who is heard on six of the 13 selections), pianist
Dave Frishberg, guitarist
Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Joel Forbes, drummer
Jeff Hamilton, altoist/flutist
Chuck Wilson, tenor saxophonist Brian Oglivie, and
Scott Robinson (clarinet, bass sax, alto, and tenor). In addition, trumpeter
Bryan Shaw helps out on two songs. The intelligent arrangements (which make optimal use of the many great musicians on the date) and the concise, meaningful solos result in Moon Song being memorable. ~ Scott Yanow