The Motown Sound has been described as the Greatest American Songbook, and who better to reinterpret these awesome melodies than pianist
and composer Geri Allen.
Come September 10, fans will be intrigued as Geri explores the Motown
catalog as well as sounds that were influenced by the sound in her CD “Grand
River Crossings: Motown and Motor City Inspirations”.
Geri
has ties to the big Detroit sound as she has experienced it
first-hand as a kid growing up in the city. According to a recent
interview, Geri said her first exposure to the Motown sound was
hearing Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight's version of “I Heard It
Through the Grapevine.” Geri said “The music and the poetry still
blows my mind each time I hear it. Marvin Gaye was a brilliant
improviser. You can see and hear his sensibility, open fearlessness
and soulful beauty on songs like What's Going On”, the iconic Civil
Rights Anthem. The music continues to connect to our lives today as
though it were just recorded yesterday.”
The
compilation is a collaborative effort of known musicians who have
been affiliated with the Motown sound for years. Mentoring Geri on
this release is Marcus Belgrave, a man described as a jazz master
laureate of Detroit. As a famed trumpeter and the last living member
the original Ray Charles' band, Marcus also appears on this album as
well.
Also
lending their hand to the CD are Detroit's own drummer Roy Brooks and
producer Greg Phillinganes.
The
CD promises jazz interpretations of pop and blues track from the
Motown era. Marvin Gaye's “Save the Children” and “Inner City
Blues” are given a fresh musical perspective without losing the
elements of the power that the originals hold. There is also music
here from Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and more.
There
are three original tracks from Geri which stand head and shoulder
with the rest of the vintage tracks. They include “Grand River
Crossings I”, “In Appreciation” and “Grand River Crossings
II.”
Grand
River Crossings: Motown and Motor City Inspirations - Track
Listing
1.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Michael Jackson)
2.
Tears of a Clown (Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby)
3.
That Girl (Stevie Wonder)
4.
Grand River Crossings I (Geri Allen)
5.
The Smart Set (Roy Brooks)
6.
Let it Be (Paul McCartney)
7.
Space Odyssey (Marcus Belgrave)
8.
In Appreciation (Geri Allen)
9.
Baby I Need Your Lovin' (Holland-Dozler-Holland)
10.
Itching In My Heart (Holland-Dozler-Holland)
11.
Stoned Love (Frank Wilson)
12.
Grand River Crossings II (Geri Allen)
13.
Inner City Blues (Marvin Gaye)
14.
Save the Children (Marvin Gaye)
15.
Nancy Joe (Gerald Wilson)
*
Marcus Belgrave, Special Guest, track 5, 7, 15
*
David McMurray, Special Guest, track 10
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