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Contemporary jazz guitarist Dr. Dave started his solo career with the album I Like It Like That in 1994. Further releases are Smooth (1995), Dr. Dave & The Housecall Band (2000), Too Cool For You (2012), Whatever Happened (2012), Love Potion (2013), The Doctor Is In (2014), Carefree (2014) and Midnight Dream (2018). His new album Carefree Revisited (2022) is a reinterpretation of his earlier album in a dynamic band version. John Rekevics, the band’s sax and flute player, re-arranged the horn arrangements to give the songs a punchier expression. Furthermore one additional cover was added to the overall song collection. The HouseCall Band is a collective comprised of bassist Cecil McBee Jr., keyboardists Kevin Flournoy, Larry Logan and Rob Whitlock; drummers Ronnie Stewart and Duncan Moore; percussionist Tony Aros, marimba player Bill Harris, and rhythm guitarists Hank Easton and Steve Wilcox, along with the aforementioned Rekevics, trumpet player Derek Cannon, and vocalists Porter, Bonaparte and Sobres. The album opens with the title song, a crispy swinging tune full of joie de vivre. Thus, the carefree attitude that we all miss so much in the pandemic is elevated to a musical credo. Why not connect this attitude with your holidays dream. Trinidad is not only a suggestion but a musical realisation. The Beatles released Come Together as opening track on their album Abbey Road (1969). The song was often covered by titans like Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and also in the smooth jazz genre by Greg Adams. Dr. Dave and The Housecall Band uses the piece as a platform for copious solo excursions. "C" Jam Blues is a jazz standard written by Jimmy Smith and released by Duke Ellington in 1942. Dr. Dave adapts the horn section as big band component but puts his guitar reflection in the spotlight. A remarkably fresh and modern take. Late Night with Dr. Dave is the result of Dave's addiction for The Tonight Show. So he built the intro to a full working piece of excellence. That behind the abbreviation G.B. stands the guitarist George Benson needs no explanation. The crucial question is how Dr. Dave approaches this legend. G.B. Style contains more of Dave's personality than one would normally expect. When a song has a woman's name, you can expect something romantic. Dr. Dave does not disappoint us with Sylvia. Heck No! sounds for me like a jazzy continuation of Booker T. & The MG's Green Onion. The tune with the aptly title Feels So Good does exactly what is intended with it. Rhythmized well-being. The album closes with two covers. Take 5 is a jazz classic by saxophonist Paul Desmond and originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for their album Time Out (1959). Even though this jazz standard is well known, Dr. Dave and his band fill it with so much life that it can be said to have a high entertainment value. Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy gets the ultimate kick from singer Ignacio "Nacho" Sorbers. We have a winner here! Dr. Dave & The Housecall Band's Carefree Revisited is phenomenal!
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Album Information
Title: Carefree Revisited
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