Tell the Truth

Phil Upchurch | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Evidence
• ASIN: B00005J9WP
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,925 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Jive Samba

2. Jack Of Speed

3. La Costa

4. Manhattan

5. Take Five

6. Home Again

7. Long Gone Bird

8. Tell The Truth

9. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again

10. St. Louis Blues

11. Girl Talk

12. She's Alright

13. Misty

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For the four decades he's been on the scene, the Chicago-born guitarist Phil Upchurch has made music with the best and brightest in the business: from Curtis Mayfield to Quincy Jones to George Benson. With that impressive résumé, Upchurch knows how to move and groove and rock the house, and Tell the Truth offers ample aural evidence of his skills. Blessed with a rich tone that blends the earthiness of Albert King with Kenny Burrell's finesse, Upchurch delivers a radio-friendly program that samples the best of straight-ahead and contemporary jazz, progressive rock, and urban contemporary genres. Upchurch swings Steely Dan's "Jack of Speed" and brings out the Latin flavor of "La Costa," a '70s hit by his former employer, Natalie Cole. With his South Side edge and downtown sophistication--as evidenced by his stirring solo take on W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues"--Phil Upchurch knows and plays a good groove when he hears it. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The sweet "Truth", July 8, 2001

By 

Jeffrey Harris (South San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tell the Truth (Audio CD)

In his four decades in the music business, guitarist Phil Upchurch has established himself as an extremely versatile player. First making his mark as a session player for the legendary Chess label in his hometown of Chicago, he also penned the instrumental hit "You Can't Sit Down" which later became a huge hit for the Philly vocal group The Dovells. He also played on George Benson's classics "Breezin'", and "In Flight". In recent years he's released albums on Ben Sidran's Go Jazz label, but his latest album for the Evidence label is one of his best. Combining tasteful, well chosen covers with original tunes, Upchurch sounds very relaxed and home on "Tell The Truth". The best cuts on the album are "Jack Of Speed", "Take Five", "Manhattan", "Long Gone Bird" and the title track. One of the best jazz albums of 2001, and one not to be missed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!!!!!!!!!, November 23, 2001

By 

Peter Harrison (TAMPA EFF ELL A) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tell the Truth (Audio CD)

Didn't even know this outstanding Jazz Guitar CD was out until I heard the super version of Take Five on local Jazz radio KUAZ! Immediately ran out and picked up the CD, laid back, and took it all in! This is 75:55 seconds of some cool, relaxing, yet exciting quartet action! Kudos to Mr. Upchurch and his awesome backing band, great stuff!!!! Do yourself a favor, pick it up, you'll be glad you did.......

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond 12 bars and three chords, January 26, 2004

By 

Duane D. Smiley "smiley33157" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tell the Truth (Audio CD)

Phil Upchurch is a Chicago native who was heavily influenced by the fertile Chicago Blues scene. In much of his playing you can hear the Blues, but he takes it beyond the traditional 12 bars and three chords. This a very Good Jazz CD. I loved it from the moment I listened to it. Lately mmost cds have 12 or more songs but only about three to four songs are worth listening to. However, all 13 songs on this CD are great. Mr. Upchurch and the other members of the band sound great together and they all do some good improversation. While Phil is considered a Blues guitarist by many he shows why the lines between blues and Jazz can be easily blurred. After listening to this CD I could see why Mr.Upchurch was sought after as a session guitarist by Whitney Houston, George Benson, Michael jackson, Grover Washington Jr., Bobby "Blue" Bland, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Carmen McCrae, Marvin Gaye, and the list goes on. I highly recommend this CD it will appeal to Jazz, Blues, and R&B lovers. Don't delay order your copy now.