TERRY GIBBS
Feelin' Good: Live In Studio (Mack Avenue Records)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Feelin' Good: Live In Studio is Terry Gibbs' third release for Mack Avenue, and it's his best yet. Conceived as a way to way to inspire his hand picked fellow musicians, its works gloriously. Gibbs stated: "The idea was for us to set up as if it were a club where we could see each other's faces and establish rapport with each musician. We performed complete sets before an invited audience and had fun." This relaxed sense of spontaneity and enjoyment permeates the entire session.

Gibbs, at 80 years old still full of energy and creativity, assembled an outstanding group to implement his concept. Eric Alexander is on tenor saxophone, Joey DeFrancesco on organ, Dan Faehnle is on guitar, Ray Armando is on congas, and Terry's son Gerry Gibbs on drums. This group has technique to burn plus they play well together. The results are jazz of the highest order.

Gibbs contributes five swinging originals to the sessions. In addition, the covers he's chosen to play are all classics; some are given interpretations that are removed from the ordinary. For instance, "Misty," Errol Garner's timeless tune, is performed in double time. "This Masquerade" has a Latin flavor. Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic "Waves" is stripped of its bossa-nova beat and given a normal jazz treatment. Finally, Gibbs even finds something original to contribute to W.C. Handy's timeless but oft played "St. Louis Blues."

Simply put, Feelin Good: Live In Studio is one of the best contemporary jazz CDs I've heard. It cooks from the opening notes, resulting in a fully realized offering. Gibbs has seized the opportunity with relish and produced a work of sterling imagination and exquisite versatility. After listening to the entire CD, the listener can't help but feel both good and inspired. And that, my friends, is a bargain no matter what the cost.

© 2005 - Ron Saranich