Customer Reviews

Sing & Dance

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Chuck Rainey has always been the sideman's sideman. His moving bass lines have been the driving force behind hits for more artists than most of us can name, from Aretha to Belafonte, from Louis Armstrong to the Jacksons. His bass tracks provided the human element in the otherwise intellectual efforts of Steely Dan. With his latest solo release, Sing and Dance (CharWalt Records), Rainey steps out front with a concoction that is at once infectious as well as musically compelling.

From the beginning, it's clear that Rainey isn't content to have us sit still while the tunes play out. He fully intends to move the listener, and he succeeds with aplomb. With catchy basswork that runs from tight, spare comping to incredibly lyrical passages, a warm, ultra-smooth (but not slick) vocal style, and some stellar performances from some of his D/FW compadres, Sing & Dance takes us for a rollicking trip through Chuck Rainey's musical panorama.

And that panorama is as deep as it is wide. Few musicians can play as many genres so effortlessly or so convincingly. Sing & Dance ranges from pop-funk to R&B, from blues to cerebral rock, and never loses its momentum. Rainey takes on Bobbie Gentry's "Lazy Willie" and Steely Dan's "Night By Night," but where he really shines is on his originals, like "That Good ol' Funky Music" and the title cut.

As could be expected, the chops are breathtaking. Sing & Dance boasts the sturdy drumming of such locals as Mike Gage and Bigfoot Johnson's Buzzy Gruen. Other Bigfoot Johnson alumni featured on Sing & Dance are guitarist Rusty Burns, keyboardist Rex Mauney and John O'Daniel on backing vocals. Guitarists Don Bell and Elliott Randall impress, but it is Burns' relentless guitar that soars throughout the CD. Rainey's basswork is formidable but fun, energetic, yet inspiring.

But Sing & Dance is about a lot more than musical ability. The songwriting is solid and the CD moves right along at an almost breakneck pace, urging the listener to loosen up and join the party. It is the spirit of Sing & Dance that remains after each listening, and that spirit is flat-out fun.

-Chuck Flores Buddy Magazine, Dallas, Texas

Chuck Rainey brings to this record the same cutting edge that has been his trademark for years. On track one, Chuck and drummer Bernard "Pretty" Perdie are welded as tight as their days with Aretha Franklin and The Rascals. The rest of the record follows suit. This is definitely a must have!

This is a great CD! Chuck really shows his talent. Fragile and Last 2 Dollars are hits. Other great players on this CD are Bernard Purdie, Elliott Randall and Rusty Burns. Any bass player, jazz/rock fusion lover or fan of Chuck Rainey will want to buy this CD.