Boogaloo to Beck

Dr. Lonnie Smith (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Scufflin Records
• ASIN: B000099T4I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Organist Lonnie Smith has a history of tribute recordings, including two honoring Jimi Hendrix, and one paying homage to John Coltrane. Those featured or co-billed guitarist John Abercrombie and tended to be more fusion affairs in the Larry Young mode. For his venture into the Beck repertoire he has brought aboard sax legend Dave "Fathead" Newman for a decidedly funkier approach. The set leans heavily on the young Hansen's Odelay tunes but manages to also include a smattering of songs from each of the artist's recordings. The harmonic and melodic limitations of the material are evident, but so too are its blues and funk roots. Beck's songwriting is all groove, attitude, and atmosphere making it ideal for the organ trio context. Drummer Lafrae Sci helps deepen the pocket, while triple-threat Doug Munro thickens the atmosphere as arranger/producer, and adds to the attitude with his tasteful and witty guitar work. These grease-meisters turn "New Pollution" into a stone shuffle, make "Devil's Haircut" more satanic, and often make the original recordings literally pale by comparison. As the honoree might say, this disc is "Where It's At." --Michael Ross

Product Description

Two historic jazz figures, Dr. Lonnie Smith & David 'Fathead' Newman, brilliantly celebrate the border between the insane & the funky revolution by performing the coolest soul, funk & rare groove renditions of Beck's greatest hits featuring 'Paper Tiger', 'Tropicalia', 'Nobody's Fault But My Own, & more. 11 tracks. Scufflin Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly superb album, October 20, 2003

By 

Scott Bernstein (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boogaloo to Beck (Audio CD)

I bought this CD after reading a great review of it in Rolling Stone Magazine. I sort of knew what to expect, being a fan of Beck, and also having seen the good Doctor perform live in the past, but you're always taking a chance when you buy a tribute album.

This one definitely rates in the "top-notch" category -- the arrangements get a great groove going while still keeping the flavor of the Beck's excellent originals. A few times, I was a little worried that the arrangements might venture into the dreaded "smooth jazz", but they always managed to veer off into interesting territory before that happened.

Fans of any of the new crop of "soul jazz" bands (Soulive, Medeski Martin & Wood, Greyboy Allstars/Karl Denson/Robert Walter, The Slip, Soulive, etc.), or Melvin Sparks,or Beck fans who are interested in soulful/groovy/funky jazz are highly recommended to give this one a spin -- you won't be disapponited.

This is one CD worth taking a chance on.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yowza Dowza Doooza!!!!!, May 29, 2003

By 

"mateom" (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boogaloo to Beck (Audio CD)

Anybody living in LA might have had the pleasure of hearing some super good 'ole soul groove organ music on KCRW's 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' or 'Weekend Becomes Eclectic' or some of their other spots. Yep they do that alot but this time I was like WAIT A MINUTE!! Is that ?????? Yes it is, BECK!!! Tropicalia!! I also stumbled on it in a review in June's Rolling Stone. Man this stuff is way cool. Nobody's Fault is a masterpiece ( I mean it brothers and sisters). Mind you if you hate jazz or instrumental stuff, or ole rare groove then this might do nothing for you.
Otherwise, get it!!! Super cool cover too.
I'm going to see the Doctor in Santa Cruz this July to thank him.
Sometimes it just don't feel better then this.
Party up and ENJOY!!
Peace

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome CD!!!!, June 11, 2003

By 

"monkeeee" (California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boogaloo to Beck (Audio CD)

This is by far the best CD Ive purchased this year! The amazing Dr. Lonnie Smith and David "Fathead" Newman re-work one of my favorite artists Beck, and the entire CD is simply beautiful. A must have for all music lovers. This is what I'm getting my pop for Father's Day, and I recommend you do the same.