Playing
For Keeps
Savant Records 2007
SCD 2088 |
“Guitar
and composing dynamo Bob DeVos has a new CD out, "Playing for
Keeps" (Savant). Like his previous release, "Shifting
Sands" (also Savant), "Playing for Keeps" boasts a wealth
of intriguing originals that mix simplicity and complexity in beguiling
ways”.
Zan
Stewart, October 2007
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Harmonically
astute and technically accomplished, Bob DeVos has recorded an eminently
enjoyable, musically sophisticated album that infuses the music of
“Playing For Keeps” with fresh and challenging ideas.
DeVos—while adhering to the guitar-drums-Hammond B-3 tradition
—reworks several jazz standards in ways that cause the listener to hear
them from different perspectives…An example is DeVos’s free version of
“Freedom Jazz Dance” or his addition of a Latin feel to “Naima,”
altering it to still a gorgeous, more rippling version. DeVos not only
reaches out to audiences with rousing soulfulness, but also goes beyond
the technical mastery of the instrument to achieve tonal warmth and a
burnished glow that people feel, as in his most intriguing “Speech
Without Words”. Other of
DeVos’s compositions show his groups’ mastery of the infectious groove
of B-3 groups—“Pause for Fred’s Claws” is an irresistibly rocking
hand-clapper. .
Bill
Donaldson, JazzImprov, December 2007
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Entire Review |
Bob
DeVos’ fluid, sure and straight-ahead guitar rings as clear as any
superbly played horn. DeVos
comes up with a fresh take on the traditions cemented by the musical
brethren he admires. DeVos
weaves a multi-textured fabric of rich warm, modern sounds out of
standards as well as his originals; all dashingly realized by his trio:
John’s lively cymbalism amd Kostelnik’s energetic musings provide just
the right mix of spunk and spice to support DeVos’ funky groove… Many
standouts on this swinging journey, oh, it’s all good.
Laurel
Gross, AllAboutJazz-NYC-December 2007
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Entire Review |
