Sax Dreams

Amadee Castenell

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nyno
• ASIN: B00000IJH0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #330,676 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Though this blistering tenor saxman is best known for his lengthy stint playing with the legendary Allen Toussaint Orchestra down New Orleans way, only a few tracks here feel distinctly bayou. But how gloriously bluesy they are. "I Wouldn't Mind," written by Toussaint, rolls along like a Dr. John instrumental, with Castenell's low toned, seductive melody gliding over Steve Goudeau's punchy steel-guitar harmony. "Mumbo Gumbo" is a playful free-for-all jam. It features honking sax, bubbling B-3, and fiery electric-guitar riffs over a jittery, bass-driven funk groove. "No Clue" centers around a slow, drawling conversation between Castenell's dreamy cool and a distant, distorted steel-guitar response. The rest of the time, Castenell - who varies his tenor approach from the lighthearted, soulful style of Richard Elliot to the romantic sizzle of Gato Barbieri - plays things closer to the smooth-jazz vest, simmering tenderly over easy, bouncing, mid-tempo grooves. On occasion, he'll jump out with a percussive high squeal in the middle of one of these tunes ("Night Vision," for instance) just to see if we're paying attention. Toussaint proves to be a great producer for his protege. His multi-faceted keyboard contributions are typified by the jumpy "Catch Me," where his synth strings embrace Castenell's hypnotic improvisations before giving way to a spirited piano solo. As strong as Castenell's playing is, it's a shame he didn't put even more of a regional stamp on this recording.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't get it out of my head!, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

Why isn't this guy a big star? This is the second great album from Amadee Castenell, who can, one minute, play it funky, like on "Mumbo Gumbo" or "Raggedy Funk", and the next minute, smooth-jazz it with the best of them, like on "Night Vision" or "Would You Be My Sweetie". The supporting musicians give him strong support on every cut here and producer Allen Toussaint keeps everything cooking (or percolating, as the case may be), as well as contributing a number of catchy melodies that keep rattling through my head.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taste, syle, tone, soul - this CD has it all, May 25, 1999

By	Joseph Grossman (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amadee Castenell is a New Orleans sax player with a great sound. Listen to the sweet tone and feel of "Would You Be My Sweetie," then the funk and groove of "Mumbo Gumbo," for a taste of his range and style. "Style" is a good way to describe this CD, produced by Allen Toussaint (who knows a little about style himself). This is a great album by a guy who is destined to be a star - grab it now, so you can brag to your friends about having found him before the rest of world did.