Midnight at the Jazz Cafe

 

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Midnight at the Jazz Cafe

 

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Midnight at the Jazz Cafe - The Curt Sheller Trio

This is not a CD that attempts to assault the listener with ego or insistent playing. Rather, it is an album that clearly realizes the beauty of the melodies of each tune played. Tunes like “There Will Never be Another You”, “Black Orpheus”, “My Favorite Things”, “Milestones”, “Autumn Leaves”, “So What”, “Cute” and other standards, are performed with deference to the musical statements that can be found within the harmonic and melodic content of each tune, as are the two original tunes written by Sheller: “Kelle Belle” and “Midnight Café”. In other words, there is some nice playing going on here.

Sheller’s single line playing is smooth and straightforward with an effortless quality that can only be portrayed by someone who has been playing and listening for some time. And his chordal work is skillful with fat sounding voicings that work very well in this trio setting. Just check out the gorgeous chordal arrangement Sheller comes up with on the original tune “Woman Child” (written by producer Chuck Anderson). Very nice indeed.

The remaining members, Daoud Shaw on drums and Steve Beskrone on electric bass, complement Sheller’s playing by providing a strong rhythmic foundation for Sheller to play off of. However, Beskrone gets off some nice solos on a few tunes showing that he can grab the spotlight when need be.

Overall, this is a very nice CD to have in your collection and I look forward to hopefully more Midnight visits to the Jazz Cafe. ( review from JazzGuitarLife.com )

CD: $7.95 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

  • There Will Never Be Another You (3:52)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Black Orpheus (4:03)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • My Favorite Things (4:07)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • When Sunny Gets Blue (5:30)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 with a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Milestones (4:01)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Polytone Mega-Brain amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • The Shadow of Your Smile (3:01)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Wave (5:38)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Polytone Mega-Brain amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Woman Child (6:27)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Autumn Leaves (4:54)

    Gear: Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Kelle Belle (3:25) Play (File Size: 3.9 MB)

    Gear: Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • So What (3:24)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Polytone Mega-Brain amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Cute (3:57)

    Gear: Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

  • Midnight Cafe (4:13) Play (File Size: 4.8 MB)

    Gear: Benedetto Benny 7 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

CD Insert Notes

My life long love and pursuit of music through the guitar began like most kids in the late sixties and early seventies ... strumming a few chords and learning a few licks to rock and pop songs of the day. It wasn't until my introduction to jazz in my early twenties through Paul Bryne, that I started playing actual complete, recognizable songs. Paul introduced me to the style of guitar playing known for executing the melody and chords at the same time.

Paul also introduced me to jazz. This was cool stuff, creating one's own versions of a song ... creating your own melodies, improvising, spontaneous creation or at times combustion. A song could be different each time, performed in different styles each time.

So here with the help of two great musicians, I'm allowed to put together some melodies and chords and capture a little jazz for the first time on CD. I've picked some of my favorite songs and thrown in a couple of originals. I hope you enjoy this slice of time in my musical career and development.

A big thanks to my first two "real" guitar teachers, Franny Boyle and Paul Bryne. And a BIG, can't over state big, thanks to Chuck Anderson for a great song and his guidance and patience over the years.

Samples from the CD

  • curt sheller guitar
  • steve bescrone bass
  • dahoud shaw drums
  • Black Orpheus - Play (Time: :47 File Size: 936K)
  • Cute - Play (Time: :49 File Size: 972K)
  • Milestones - Play (Time: 1:07 File Size: 1.2MB)
  • My Favorite Things - Play (Time: 1:21 File Size: 1.5MB)
  • There Will Never Be Another You - Play (Time: 1:15 File Size: 1.4MB)
  • Wave - Play (Time: 1:49 File Size: 2MB)
  • When Sunny Gets Blue - Play (Time: 1:49 File Size: 2MB)

Complete Bonus Tracks not Available on the CD

  • Moonlight in Vermont (Intro) - Play (Time: :12 File Size: 192 KB)
  • Moonlight in Vermont - Play (Time: 5:22 File Size: 4.9 MB)

    Gear: Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 through a Clarus 1 amplifier head and Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinet

Comments

CD Comments

Aloha, Curt,   I received your CD in the mail yesterday and it is just great!! WOW!! It is very easy to listen to and your guitar is simply superb!!. Just a neat swinging selection of songs without getting too "complicated" like some performers tend to do. Keep up the great work and hope you have more projects in the future. Good luck and keep swinging!   Sincerely, Dave Alama

I finally got around to listen to your CD and I want you to know how much I like it. I just had to plow through about a dozen "smooth jazz: CD's and I though I was going to barf. I really appreciate how and what you play! - Roger Sadowsky, Sadowsky Guitars Ltd.

I received the CD and picks a couple of days ago. And thanks for including a few extra picks. I've really enjoyed listening tothe CD -- your sound is very pure and clear, and your arrangements are wonderful. - Tom Bloomfield (Derry, NH)

Hi Curt. I really enjoyed checking out your websites. Nice contribution to the jazz guitar community! I checked out your soundbites. "Shadow of Your Smile" sounds reminiscent of early Johnny Smith (one of my favorites). - Mike DeMicco

I stumbled on your website at jazzguitarresources.com and listened to your demo cuts from "Jazz At the Midnight Cafe". You blew me away. Your style is my absolute favorite for listening (and playing). Great stuff!! - Jim Weller

Received your CD just prior to leaving on a trip last week. Listened to it for 600 miles. Please keep me in mind should you EVER do another one of jazz standards. The only thing I'm sorry about is that I don't live close enough to come see you play live or to get lessons from you.

Also thanks for the picks. I've never used that style of pick before, but find that the notes come easier and sound better when using them. They took a bit of getting used to, but now they're all I use.

Best of luck to you. You're a great player. - Jim Weller

Lead Sheet for Midnight Cafe

Here is a PDF file of the Midnight Cafe lead sheet.
FILE: MidnightCafe.pdf ( 172 KB )

You will need Adobe Reader to view your PDF file.

Software to play mp3 files is available at www.mp3.com. Mac (and Windows) users can use QuickTime or iTunes to play mp3 files.

Thanks for visiting and checking out my site!

Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

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