Saxguy's Full Review: A Sense of Fairness by Band of Joes
I’ve known about the “Band of Joe’s” for a while. They’ve had a steady gig at Navy Pier for a few years, although I have not seen them yet. I’ve heard cuts from this album on local radio for a few months.
I was intrigued by the concept of a group of equals. They call themselves “Joe’s”, playing up the idea that this is a journeyman band. Except it isn’t. Kelly Sill on bass has long been one of the top players in the Chicago area on his instrument. The criminally underrecorded Steve Eisen on tenor and soprano sax and flute has also long been one of the top players in town on his instruments. The other regulars, Steve Million on piano and Alejo Poveda on drums and percussion are each very well regarded players. They are joined by MariAnn Jayme on vocals on two cuts and Geraldo de Oliveira on percussion on two others.
Having heard this on the radio and knowing of the players, I wasn’t at all surprised that this was a solid album. I was pleased at the length at well over 68 minutes and even more pleased to get a CD featuring lots of great solos from Eisen. What was surprising was how difficult it was to get. I was calling around town, looking in stores. I even sent an email to Kelly, since I've known him since college and I went to college and high school with his talented wife, pianist Kelly Brand. Finally, I found it at CDBaby.com, a great source for independent music.
From the start, I was thrilled with this CD. Great songs, mostly originals, and great playing. This album was dedicated to the memory of Thomas Kini, a wonderful bass player who died unexpectedly in 2004
The songs are:
El Jardin de Ella an original by Aledo Poveda which opens with a haunting flute melody followed by a more intense rhythmic montuna and flute solo. Million enters with a tasteful piano solo and then Eisen leads it out.
Fireflies, another original, this time by Million, is a lovely bossa with stunning melody and changes, with a warm vocal by Jayme, followed by a piano solo. Jayme then returns for a satisfying out chorus and conclusion.
Million and the Brazilian by Million features a simple yet infectious flute melody, solos by Eisen and Million and a great tag with the two of them playing off each other.
Star Crossed Lovers A standard and a ballad features an intro of Million, then Eisen on tenor stating the melody, a bass solo by Sill and an inspiring tenor solo and obliggato as part of the ending
Una Mas This standard by Kenny Dorham is basically latin-tinged funk. Eisen smokes on his tenor. He starts out in a controlled manner, then he just explodes – speed, intensity, bright, searching tone , volume – the total package. I cannot understand why he hasn’t recorded a bunch of albums as a leader. Million is next with a solid solo, then back to the melody and ending.
A Sense of Fairness This original by Sill is a modal composition that gives the band a change-of-pace 6-8 rhythm and plenty of space for Million and Eisen (on tenor) to stretch out after a reflective, opening solo by the composer.
Thomas on my Mind is a medium tempo bossa piece by Poveda, with an intro reminiscent of “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago, continued by Eisen on flute stating the melody, thrn opening the solos with a reflective then passionate solo. Sill follows, then Million with solos.
I Remember You a standard, is done as a bouncy samba, with a nice opening vocal by Jayme, a short but satisfying flute solo by Eisen, the same by Million on piano, then Jayme leads the band out. I could tell that they dubbed a harmony voice by Jayme on the out chorus, but that didn’t detract at all
Thomassong by Million is a sightly faster bossa. Eisen states the melody on soprano and then opens the solos. On soprano his tone is slightly nasal, yet very warm..
Zingaro/How Insensitive This medley of two tunes by Jobim opens with a rubato piano then states the melody. Eisen joins the melodic statement on alto, followed by solos by Sill and Million
Ironic Line Another individual by Sill, this with a rock rhythm. Eisen opens on soprano, sounding wonderful and showing his fluent technique through the entire range of the instrument, succeeded by Million, leading ot a second song section with Million and Eisen playing an infectious, latin-based melody.
Aquarela do Brasil This standard by Ary Barroso, has a samba feel. Eisen states the melody on tenor, opens in a relaxed groove and then picks it up and picks it up and PICKS IT UP. Million follows, then Eisen with the melody and he and Million fade out.
This is a solid album from start to finish, with plenty of solo space for Eisen on his horns. Eisen’s backed a slew of solid musicians (like Styx, Aretha Franklin and Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, among others) but there aren’t a lot of recordings with him as a featured soloist.
Really, there’s not much to complain about. I would have liked a straight ahead (swingy piece) in here somewhere. The bios and liner notes tried to hit a “hip” vibe and fell far short in spots, particularly in the bio. Plus, I do not agree that these guys are “Joe’s”. They are all solid, solid players, with Sill and Eisen among the best in town on their instruments.
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