General Description of Music: Blues. Particular type within general description: R&B. This CD will appeal to anyone who likes big horn band groovy, rocking, blues. The material is comprised of originals and the musicianship is first rate. The instrument dominating the recording is trumpet. Calvin invited an impressive list of guest vocalists for this project all of whom are excellent. Song writing skill on this project is great.
I particularly liked the rocking, upbeat energy on this CD. The band is great and the mood is vibrant. the CD is very listenable and I was hard pressed to pick any one cut above another, however, I particularly liked the title cut, and I especially loved the vocals of Trudy Lynn on cuts 2 and 8.
I liked the cover picture of Calvin, but wished the liner notes had included more information such as contact and where to buy the CD!
Some bio or background info on artist: Calvin Owens has an extensive background as a musician. Unlike jazz, where names such as Louis Armstrong, Freddie Hubbard, and Miles Davis easily come to mind, trumpeters - apart from the legendary W.C. Handy - have not played a central part in creating the mythos of the Blues. Long time B.B. King
band member and arranger - Calvin Owens takes a step toward rectifying that situation with this CD. The Houston, Texas native Owens, recently relocated to his home town, has
formed his own blues orchestra and on 'True Blue' uses twenty-four (count 'em) musicians all told, with special guest appearances from luminaries such as Johnny Clyde Copeland and B.B. King himself, singer B.J. Scott and sax player David 'Fathead' Newman. Now, Calvin Owens deserves more than ever his title as "The Maestro".
Owens' recording credits are impressive: artist and producer for Memphis Tenn's Kiondict Recording Company; AR director and studio musician for Peacock Recording Company of Houston, Texas; Arranger for M recording studios in L.A. California.
Calvin acquired razor sharp experience gracing the greatest concert halls and music festivals throughout the world including a thrilling tour of Russia while serving as music director and trumpet soloist for famous B.B. KING. Also arranger, conductor and trumpet soloist on B.B. King's albums: Live in Ole Miss, B.B. King's Live in London, with Owens conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London. And B.B. King's'84 Grammy Award winning album Jazz In'Blues.
Meanwhile, Owens' arranging and conducting services were taped for several television programs, including the Merv Griffin Show, Jack Jones Show, Austin City Limits, Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. Calvin recently recorded 6 original compositions for the Belgian Radio Television with the B.R.T. Jazz Orchestra. He toured Europe and the States with Arnett Cobb as arranger and trumpet soloist.
Owens has finally stepped out on his own to present some of the finest Jazz 'n' Blues music for your listening pleasure.
Order information on CD: Sawdust Alley Productions
3421 Southmore, Houston, TX 77004 USA
Toll Free: 1-800-217-7361, Houston Metro: 1-713-529-8275
This review is copyright © 2001 by Louise Peacock, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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