構成数 | 1枚

合計収録時間 | 00:49:06

David Benoit/Russ Freeman (Guitar): David Benoit (keyboards); Russ Freeman . Personnel: David Benoit (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); David Pack, Vince Gill (vocals); Russ Freeman (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, synthesizer, guitar synthesizer); Connie Ellisor, Gerald Greer, Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer, Janet Askey (violin); Jim Grosjean, Kris Wilkinson, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Anthony LaMarchina, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen (cello); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Bobby G. Taylor (oboe); Chris Botti (trumpet); Jennifer Kummer (French horn); Peter Erskine, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Luis Conte (percussion). Additional personnel: Dave Carpenter, Byron House (bass instrument); Chris Botti, David Pack, Luis Conte, The Nashville String Machine, Peter Erskine, Vince Gill, Vinnie Colaiuta. Audio Mixer: Steve Sykes. Recording information: Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; Sound Kitchen, Nashville, TN; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN. Unknown Contributor Role: David Benoit. Creatively, David Benoit has had his ups and downs over the years. The pianist/keyboardist has recorded more than his share of forgettable smooth jazz albums, but he has also provided some decent straight-ahead discs that were greatly influenced by Bill Evans (the pianist, not the saxophonist). This 2004 release, however, doesn't fall into either category -- Benoit/Freeman Project 2, a collaboration with guitarist Russ Freeman, isn't straight-ahead acoustic jazz, but it isn't an album of mindless "elevator Muzak" either. For the most part, this CD could be described as "smooth jazz with a brain"; pop considerations are a high priority, but at the same time, jazz considerations (spontaneity and improvisation) are not ignored. Benoit/Freeman Project 2 tends to be meatier and more substantial than most of the smooth jazz/NAC releases that Benoit has been a part of, and one of the things that this album has going for it is a more organic production style. Benoit and Freeman, who produced the CD together, don't suffocate their material with excessive production -- this time, they're smart enough to let it breathe, and meaningful solos are encouraged rather than discouraged. Most of the tracks are instrumental; one of the exceptions is "Two Survivors," a likable adult contemporary tune that features singer Vince Gill. The country-pop star might seem an unlikely choice for a Benoit/Freeman encounter, but then, Gill was never a hardcore honky tonker a la Buck Owens, Johnny Cash or Lefty Frizzell -- Gill has often laced his country with big doses of pop, and he's quite appropriate for an AC tune like "Two Survivors." This album has a few throwaway tracks, but they're the exception instead of the rule -- and overall, Benoit/Freeman Project 2 is a cut above most of Benoit's other smooth jazz/NAC outings. ~ Alex Henderson

録音 | ステレオ (Studio)