Basie Rocks!
Green Hill, 2025
10/10
The jazz vocalist Deborah Silver has enjoyed a chart topping career, and here we’re treated to 11 interpretations of songs we all love, where The Count Basie Orchestra and plenty of guests are in attendance.
“Paint It, Black” opens with Arturo Sandoval’s bright trumpet and Pedrito Martinez’s lively percussion complementing Silver’s smooth voice, and “Bennie & The Jets” continues the fun with animated brass and light drumming amid the elegant singing.
Further along, the frisky “Tainted Love” welcomes Steve Jordan’s agile drumming and John Clayton’s plucked bass via the soulful climate, while “A Hard Days Night” welcomes Monte Croft’s precise vibes for a real charming reimagining of the classic.
Close to the end, “Every Breath You Take” offers an intimate moment of warm keys and George Coleman’s always impressive sax that suits Silver’s powerful voice, and “Life’s Been Good” exits and bursts into a colorful and timeless jazz finish that recruits Scotty Barnhart’s meticulous trumpet.
Silver’s performance here is flawless, and the instrumentation inserts a Big Band presence that gives already great songs another dimension to enjoy.
Travels well with: Deborah Silver- Glitter & Grits; Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra- Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra