East to West

Tony Monaco | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chicken Coup Records
• ASIN: B000E40PVQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,213 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding B3 Album, February 20, 2006

By 

D. Lockton (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East to West (Audio CD)

Tony Monaco's new album "East to West" is his best, which is saying something. The title presumably refers to the inspired pairing of Bruce Forman, arguably the best West Coast jazz guitarist, mid-westerner Monaco, and legendary East Coast drummer, Adam Nussbaum. The discography of organ trio albums (I own 350) is replete with the first time matchings of these instruments with mixed results. This time, the chemistry obviously clicks. Monaco has been rapidly rising in the polls (3rd or 4th in the world, depending on the poll last year) and this album should further his climb.

East to West also possibly refers to the tasty mixture of hard driving East Coast B3 tunes like Monaco original, I'll Remember Jimmy, Indiana, and Rudy and the Fox. The West Coast representations are a delightful version of Benny Goodman's famous, Don't Be That Way, which is as laid back "cool" as probably ever recorded. Softly as the Morning Sunrise, and Like Someone in Love are other fresh treatments of standards. The trio is joined by Columbus sax man, Byron Rooker who fits right in on Charlie Parker's Donna Lee, arrangement on the Indiana changes. My favorite, Joe Henderson's great piece, Recorda-me, also known as No me esquerca, features a fiery solo by Bruce Forman. Roz da' Cat, another Monaco original is a catchy and unusual organ trio piece.

Whether playing hot, cool, up or down, this group really cooks, and the fun they were having clearly comes through. Bruce Forman's soloing has never been better, and that's really saying something. Adam Nussbaum's distinctive and aggressive drumming might possibly overwhelm lesser musicians, but here, who else could better drive the other two masters.

Recording the Hammond Organ, and Hammond trios/quartets, has over the years, reputably been such a major challenge that Rudy Van Gelder, the legendary recording engineer, received much of his acclaim for his ability to meet this challenge. In addition to the performances, the sound quality of "East to West" is exceptional. Not only are the complex Hammond sounds perfectly reproduced, but the mix and entire sound is exceptional. Monaco, who also produced and recorded, has leveraged his reputed passion for technology to effective use. All and all, this is simply one of the best B3 trio albums released in the last 10 years.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swingin B3 jazz at its best, November 9, 2007

By 

Steven Burgess (Santa Maria, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East to West (Audio CD)

If you love swingin' jazz, you'll love this CD. If you love the Hammond B3, you'll go nuts. Monaco has touch, style, is over the top when he should be and understated when he should be that. Great album. Smoooooooth.