Fake Jazz & Theme Songs
Ludlow St., 2019
8/10
Listen to Fake Jazz & Theme Songs
Though Slim Gambill’s name may not immediately ring a bell, we’ve all heard his work as the longtime guitarist of the global superstar Lady Antebellum. On this first solo album, Gambill’s acts, in his words, like a tourist of jazz sounds, and he’s in some very strong company for the debut.
“Last Time Thing” starts the listen with a lively jazz sound where many instruments mesh into a precise, melodic, groove filled setting, and “Levitations” follows with a brisk pace of warm shuffling and swing jazz fun.
Elsewhere, “Silly time” offers some serious guitar playing and gorgeous interplay between the rhythm section, while “Cop Show”, with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), recruits bright saxophone for the laid back, spirited affair.
Deep in the listen, “Also Shuffle”, which brings in Kenneth Crouch (Mariah Carey), flows with a dynamic, festive tone, and “4 Guitars Having A Conversation” ends the listen with sublime musicianship that few, if anyone, could replicate.
If you’re scratching your head about why a country star like Gambill would release a mostly instrumental jazz album, well, it’s really just Gambill returning to his roots. And while he hasn’t dedicated his life to jazz like many of his peers, he does a fantastic job as a visitor to the genre, and would sound right at home on the Blue Note record label.
Travels well with: Augie Haas- Dream A Little Dream; Mike Pachelli- High Standards