Album review: JEFF BERLIN – Jack Songs
jeffberlinmusicgroup.com [Release date 02.08.22]
It won’t surprise you that an artist like Jeff Berlin has a rather impressive contacts list. He’s been providing sublime bass for any number of artists over the years including Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth. On Jack Songs he assembles a veritable a-z of fusioneers including Eric Johnson and Scott Henderson.
It’s essentially a tribute to both Berlin and to Jack Bruce starting with a Cream medley suitably entitled ‘Creamed’ which has Alex Lifeson supplying the lead solo. Johnson comes in on the classic ‘Theme From An Imaginary Western’. The core band includes Ron Hemby alternating vocals with Alex Ligertwood and on ‘L’Angelico Misterioso’ a moonlighting Sammy Hagar.
On the latter track, bizarrely, it follows the original fairly closely (i.e. ‘Never Tell Your Mother She’s Out of Tune’ from 1971′s ‘Songs For A Tailor’) replete with a horn section before Scott Henderson comes in and shreds the living daylights out of the otherwise soulful sway. A strange juxtaposition even if called ‘Cream Jam’.
One of the highlights is ‘Rope Ladder To the Moon’ which is sensitively relayed via Berlin’s dreamy keyboards, Tracy Silverman’s violin, and some tasteful picking from ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal. The bass breakdown section of ‘Smiles Story And Morning Grins’ features 8 bassists (yes 8!) including Tony Levin, Billy Sheehan and Geddy Lee.
Overall, do these versions add anything to the originals? Well yes, and no. The aim has been to rearrange Bruce’s material when considered appropriate and frequently blend two different songs.
Just to confuse matters the inclusion of ‘Traintime Time’ (a Berlin original) is perhaps the most impressive piece, straight-ahead jazz-rock fusion of the highest order. Berlin rounds things off lending his own vocal to a sad refrain and essentially euology to his bass playing hero (with words by Bruce’s lyricist Pete Brown).
As with similar projects fans of the featured artists may want to take an interest along with those who like bass. Bruce lovers may also be intrigued with this well intentioned and well executed tribute. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
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