Blake Tartare - More Like Us

Artist:

Tartare, Blake

UPC:

663993060125

Description:

Blake Tartare/Michael Blake (Sax): Michael Blake (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Soren Kjaergaard (piano, Wurlitzer piano); Jonas Westergaard (bass instrument); Kresten Osgood.
Personnel: Teddy Kumpel (guitar, baritone guitar); Jeppe Kjellberg (guitar); Jane Scarpantoni (cello); Steven Bernstein (slide trumpet); Soren Kjaergaard (Wurlitzer organ); Jonas Westergaard (acoustic bass); Kresten Osgood (drums).
Audio Mixers: Scott Harding; Teddy Kumpel.
Recording information: Studio Menudio, Copenhagen, Denmark (10/31/2004-11/01/2004).
Photographer: Daniel Blaufuks.
More Like Us is Michael Blake`s follow-up to his earlier recording for Stunt as leader of the group Blake Tartare. Showing an adventurous spirit and a refusal to be pigeonholed into any one style, the multi-instrumentalist (tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, bass clarinet and ghost flute) utilizes a basic group including keyboardist Soren Kjaergaard, bassist Jonas Westergaard and drummer Kresten Osgood, with a number of guests added. Vocalist Marie Lorette Friis and cellist Jane Scarpantoni are added to the haunting "Hush" a dark waltz with a few twists. The loopy "Happy Old Boy," written by John Lurie, features Steven Bernstein (another Lounge Lizards alum), while Blake`s soprano sax dances around the intense, brisk setting of Coleman Hawkins` "Maria," with the leader switching gears at mid-point by moving to bass clarinet. Perhaps the most infectious original of the date is "Africa Used to Be Home," with Blake simulating a native singer, at first on clarinet then tenor sax, propelled by his rhythm section. Only the Slickers` tedious "Johnny Too Bad" proves to be a misfit on this otherwise compelling release. ~ Ken Dryden

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Hush
2. Meadows, The
3. Happy Old Boy
4. To Whom This May Concern
5. Maria
6. Something in the Water
7. Africa Used to Be Home
8. Interlude with Soren
9. Paddy Pie Face
10. Johnny Too Bad

Album Information

Release Date:

04/28/2006

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Jazz Instrument

Label:

Stunt

Catalog Number:

STUCD 06012

Original Release Year:

2006

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

54 : 37

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