In The Stars
Deer Head, 2022
8/10
The composer and pianist Skip Wilkins and saxophonist Dan Wilkins join forces here for a listen that’s themed around Skip’s Covid isolation and the beauty of coming together to make music afterwards, and features selections from the Great American Songbook.
“I Walk With Music” starts the listen with flowing brass and frisky drums in the very upbeat and warm climate, and “Lost In The Stars” follows with Skip’s agile keys and Bill Goodwin’s skilled drumming making for a melodic and cozy delivery.
In the middle, Dan’s soulful sax guides the intimate and playful album highlight that is “Sweet Georgia Fame”, while “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” is full of spirited musicianship that really spotlights Skip and Dan’s respective skills amid Tony Marino’s adventurous bass lines.
Close to the end, the calm and emotive “I Was So Young” certainly does Gershwin proud with its strong attention to detail and poetic demeanor, and “Why Do I Love You?” bops and shakes with a dance floor ready appeal that finishes the listen with a swift and very memorable tune.
Skip injects new life into these old songs, and with his quartet on hand they celebrate all that is great about live music while illuminating some overlooked pieces of songwriting history.
Travels well with: Kirk Lightsey- Live At Smalls Jazz Club; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Kansas City