Customer Reviews

Moonglow

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Long before hip hop, long before rap, long before groove, house, reggae, bop, rock, pop, fusion, disco, funk, metal or punk, long before even the Beatles or Elvis, there existed a genre of music that was above and beyond all genres: It was Classical American Music, the music of the Dorsey Brothers, Irving Mills, Bob Wills, George and Ira Gershwin, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Rogers and Hart, music that brought this great nation of ours through the Depression and World War II. "Moonglow," the CD recently released by Jerry Ashford, Beth McNamara and Joe Ross, brings Classical American Music to life. It recaptures the inventiveness, smooth harmonies, wit, and instrumental versatility that characterized this golden area of artistic achievement. Hats off to Ashford, McNamara and Ross for keeping musical greatness alive!

John Capron, attorney at law, singer-songwriter, and lover of fine American music.

Tasty, tasty stuff. Although I expected this CD to have some good music based on my past exposure to these musicians, I must admit that what Moonglow has delivered was far beyond my expectations. A splendid collection of 16 "standards" that has the feel and sway of the bygone days of the Big Band Swing era, and yet is presented in a contemporary style that demonstrates respect for the original composers, musicians and singers and the "outside-the-box" creativity of these modern day artists. Most CDs have one or two standout tunes and one or two others that fail to measure up to the rest. This collection flows from one pleasing rendition to another. I really did like the entire CD, although I must confess that there were several tunes that I found myself hitting the repeat button on...Sheik of Araby, It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing and the sassy Tico Tico. Tim Crouch and Todd Clinesmith certainly add the spit and polish to the solid musical foundation laid down by Beth McNamara, Jerry Ashford and the eclectic Joe Ross. Ok...enough raving...now back to the music.

The innovative and ever-versatile Joe Ross has gone off in a whole new direction with his latest effort, "Moonglow"-a fusion of two quintessentially American genres, swing and bluegrass and the result is a pretty pleasin' easy listenin' for folks of a certain age.

Sixteen cuts mostly of American jazz and pop standards, including the title song "Moonglow", "Everybody Loves My Baby", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Scotch and Soda", "The Sheik of Araby", "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire", "Embraceable You", and "There I Said It Again"- all made familiar and beloved by the likes of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Fats Waller, the Dorsey Brothers, Kingston Trio, and more- have been scored here for fiddles, guitar, mandolin, djembe (which is as close as this group gets to drums), steel guitar, and bass. Vocals are provided by Beth McNamara, Jerry Ashford, and Ross.

These guys aren't just noodling around after hours experimenting with different styles. The arrangements and performances are tight and polished as typified by a lively "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", a masterful "Honeysuckle Rose" and the two instrumentals- the Brazilian classic "Tico Tico" and the French waltz "Under Paris Skies". It takes nerve and verve to come up with a fresh way to treat standards that have been recorded hundreds of times over the past 50 to 80 years and it works.

I enjoyed "Moonglow". I think Benny Goodman would, too. Now, if only they could adapt "Sing, Sing, Sing" to bluegrass with djembes...

8 Piece box

Some of the best music ever comes from a different time and place; when the big band sounds captured the imagination of America and jazz and swing music were at the top of the charts and was king for many years. Moonglow music is from that era and these musicians have captured the very essence of that age with this latest CD. "Moonglow," the song, was first released in 1934 and the group's arrangement on this one is what else - a flowing, dreamy love song from the big band era. The music takes a turn with the western swing sounds of the Asleep at the Wheel favorite "Miles of Texas" with Joe Ross singing the lead. Another highlight on the CD is the 1921 immensely popular and a bit whimsical hit song "The Sheik of Araby." On this one the fiddle and guitar interplay add the energy to the great vocals and even featuring a bass solo. Beth McNamara's lead vocal is captivating as she sings "I Don't Want to Set The Word On Fire" with a smooth delivery sure to start a flame in your heart. I also enjoyed the spicy arrangement of the Duke Ellington hit "It Don't Mean A Thing" with the arrangement pretty much the same way we've heard it for years but of course on acoustic string instruments.

In all the CD contains a generous 16 songs ranging from what I call show biz songs to swing, western swing, jazz and what some call gypsy music with some melodies soft and flowing and others bright and brassy. Moonglow will entertain and delight most any fan of swing and jazz music and I expect this CD to do well for these fine musicians.

This is a really mellow CD,mixing some of the old time favorites with a bit of blue grass and country music. I particularly liked "Embraceable You" and "I Don't Wnat to set the World on Fire," because they brought back many pleasant memories, when as a teenager I hung with the local crowd at the deli and listened to these wonderful songs. Beth McNamara, Jerry Ashford,Joe Ross and the others make a great team. Their voices blend together beautifully. If you want to kick back and really enjoy some great music, this is the CD for you.

Playing Time: 49:44 - Ashford, McNamara, Ross and friends are outstanding on this wonderful collection of old jazz and swing standards. Classics like the title cut, "Everybody Loves My Baby," "Embraceable You," "Tico Tico" and more are covered very charmingly with Joe Ross on mandolin, Beth McNamara on bass, and Jerry Ashford on guitar. All trade off on lead vocal duties, and the trio blends very well on solid harmony. Sitting in are Tim Crouch on fiddles and djembe, and Todd Clinesmith on steel guitar.

This is a very appealing change of pace for Joe Ross, who for the past few years now has garnered well-deserved attention for his outstanding collections of original bluegrass material. Moonglow shows off an entirely new and exciting side of him that fans and new listeners are sure to enjoy.

Fittingly, the title cut opens the collection, with Jerry showing off his talents as a crooner, as fiddle, mandolin, and guitar weave stunning musical lines. This one sets the stage for the good things coming; "Everybody Loves My Baby," lots of fun with its tight jazz harmony and another standout lead vocal by Jerry. "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire," highlights Beth's breathtaking lead vocal, with she and Jerry sharing the narration of two star-crossed lovers. Joe shows off a fine bent for Texas swing with "Miles Of Texas" and "Wahoo." A standout piece in an album bursting with them is "There I Said It Again," Beth's vocal again gorgeous with another strong supporting effort on fiddle and guitar. From there, the band changes speeds very well and turns in another well-rounded three-part harmony on a swinging arrangement of "It Don't Mean A Thing." Beth and Jerry join marvelously on "Embraceable You," vocals trading off and uniting on the chorus on some lovely two-part harmony. The collection closes out with a haunting instrumental arrangement of "Under Paris Skies."

Moonglow is a wonderful trip back in time, harkening us back to those wonderful days of crooners and love songs. A brilliant collection of enduring classics for any fan of good music. (Joe Falletta, San Diego, CA)

Clean crisp strumming and picking, sharp violin, sweet vocals--these musicians transport you to a warm Tennessee evening--then Tico Tico comes on, and you don't know where you are. But you're smiling and grinning and your fingers and toes are keeping time, and isn't it about time for another lemonade? Or was that a scotch and soda? These sweet tunes are the perfect prescription for what ails you. Wahoo!