Nelson Rangell › My American Songbook, Volume 1

Personnel: Nelson Rangell (vocals, whistling, flute, piccolo, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, kalimba, hand claps); Alex Nekrasov (vocals, keyboards, cymbals, hand claps, percussion, drum programming); Alex Nekrasov (vocals, keyboards, programming); Kip Kuepper (guitar, piano, keyboards, bass guitar); Brian Monroney (guitar); Chuck Loeb (acoustic guitar); Anne Beer, Anne Beer (violin); Peter Olstad (trumpet); Darren Kramer, Darrien Kramer (trombone); Chip Stephens, Russell Ferrante (piano); Jimmy Haslip (bass instrument); Christian Teele (drums, percussion); Mike Marlier, Michael Barry , Michael Shapiro (drums).

Audio Mixers: Nelson Rangell; Alex Nekrasov; Bill Douglass .

Liner Note Author: Nelson Rangell.

Recording information: Christian Teele's Place, Broomfield, CO; Chuck Loeb's Basement, Irvington, NY; Coupe Studios, Boulder, CO; CRK Studios, Castle Rock, CO; Fire House Studios, Pasadena, CA; Mile High Studio, Denver, CO; Relax Studio, Denver, CO; Russ' Spare Room, La Canada, CA.

Photographer: Galen Nathanson.

Arrangers: Nelson Rangell; Kip Kuepper; Alex Nekrasov.

Saxophonist Nelson Rangell delivers an instrumental pop tribute to America with My American Songbook, Vol. 1. Mixing original compositions, standards, and traditional songs, Rangell has crafted a heartfelt and sunny album. Tracks such as Leonard Bernstein's "America" and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" utilize synthesized strings for an orchestral touch. Similarly, tracks such as "Freda" and "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" mix synthesized sounds with various organic percussion instruments to create a pleasing pastiche that is both organic and studio-slick. Rangell, who plays many instruments here (including flute), is an adept melodicist and his takes on such standards as "Cherokee' and "Billy Boy," while not straight-ahead jazz, do swing in a contemporary fashion. ~ Matt Collar

Genre:

• Jazz

Music Categories:

• Jazz Instrument: Alto Sax