Still Happy

Product Description It's evident from the get-go that Danny Bacher was born to perform. His humor, his delivery, his talent, his joie de vivre appear instantly and plentifully on his new album 'Still Happy!' - a rather odd title, considering he's just arrived on the scene and that he's, well, pretty happy already, it seems. Bacher honed his chops in the New York City jazz world, and he brings with him the confidence of someone who's weathered the storm and is now better for it. His performance on the new album is seasoned and all pro, a mix of youthful vigor and finger-popping vet. He bounces from oldies and goodies to classic takes on the Great American Songbook, all the while infusing them with dazzle and style. Produced by Jeff Levenson, the session features top talent, including Allen Farnham on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, Alvester Garnett on drums, Rolando Morales-Matos on percussion, and horn players Charles Caranicas and Harry Allen. Surrounded by quality, Bacher's voice and soprano sax truly rise to the occasion, especially on the predominantly upbeat material, like "Laughing at Life," Bernstein's "Lucky to Be Me," "Hooray for Hollywood" and the title track. Bacher is always at home on the stage and presents his case with elegance and class, not to mention a little laughter. Review Feeling down in the dumps? A bit on the blue side? Feel like life's not working out? ''Why are you downcast, oh, my soul?'' writes King David in a moment of gloom. We all go through it. So what'cha gonna do? How about pop this album by singer/soprano saxist Danny Bacher. He's put together a collection of tunes that, as they say, accentuate the positive side of life. He leads an adept team of Allen Franham/p, Dean Jonson/b, Alvester Granett/dr, Rolando Morales-Mato/perc Charles Caranicas/tp-fh and tenor sax titan Harry Allen through a collection of peppy pick me ups that swing with a smile. His voice is warm, relaxed and next door neighbor friendly singing and scatting on 'Getting Some Fun Out of Life' and softly comforting on 'Lazy Afternoon.' He brings a bit of swagger to 'In Spite of All This, I'm Still Happy' and is snappy without lyrics on 'Joyspring.' On the soprano, he teams with Franham for an assertive 'Lucky To Be Me,' is winsome on 'Laughing at Life' and sweet as apple cider on 'Cloudy/Nuages.' If you don't have a grin by the time of the final track you, you can get double your money back. --George W. Harris / Jazz Weekly O's Notes: Soprano saxophonist and vocalist Danny Bacher takes us on a swinging journey with Still Happy, his latest release. Allen Farnham (p), Dean Johnson (b), Harry Allen (sax), Charles Caranicas (t), Rolando Morales-Manos (perc) and Alvester Garnett (d) provide a well-integrated, vibrant accompaniment. We liked their bubbly take of ''Joie de vivre'', the humor on ''In Spite Of All This, I'm Still Happy'' and Bacher's earthy scatting on ''Getting Some Fun Out of Life''. This is truly a jovial encounter that will put a smile on your face! --D. Oscar Groomes / O's Place Jazz Newsletter The song titles alone on soprano saxophonist and vocalist Danny Bacher's sophomore release provide a pre-listening hint of what to expect: They contain words like joy, fun, lucky, hooray, laughing, and three separate times happy. And just to make sure you've got the idea, the CD's inner sleeve depicts the artist matching the grin on the smiley-face balloon he's holding. Yes, there is also 'Cloudy,' an update of the nearly century-old Bix Beiderbecke tune, paired in a medley with Django Reinhardt's 'Nuages,' but it's the last tune on the album, so by then the exultant mood has long been set. No room for gloom here. If that description suggests that 'Still Happy' (itself a distillation of a Bacher original called 'In Spite of All This, I'm Still Happy') might be some kind of cloying, terminally gushy affair, no worries. The positivity within these smartly arranged and superbly executed performances is often more implied than overt; if the music gets a smile out of you too, consider that a bonus. On the standards the likes of 'Get Happy' and 'Hooray for Hollywood' Bacher's loosey-goosey vocalizing (he's no Tony Bennett, nor is he trying to be) acts as a setup for the most serious thing about this Jeff Levenson-produced set: the jams. Trading licks with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen and trumpeter/flugelhornist Charles Caranicas, Bacher isn't afraid to drift out toward the edges. Pianist Allen Farnham (who doubles as arranger) and a crack rhythm section of bassist Dean Johnson, drummer Alvester Garnett, and percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos provides muscle and flavor. Whether kicking up dust on the jumpy, scat-centric original 'Joie de Vivre' or kicking back on the ballad 'Lazy Afternoon,' Bacher and company opt to shed pretense and solemnity and just play their hearts out. It's contagious. --Jeff Tamarkin / Jazz Times
ASIN: B07GRJLVWT
VSKU: DBV.B07GRJLVWT.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Bacher, Danny
Binding: Audio cd
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!