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REVIEWS
Norm Douglas
By John Barrett Jr.(All
About Jazz)
The sound is simple but it is DEEP. You know the smooth
jazz cliches: limp-noodle tone, solos going nowhere
-you won't find them here. Norm Douglas has a pretty
sound, with an edge -light fuzz in his notes, a push
to his phrasing. These elements hint the old-time horns,
on songs full of contemporary spirit. His band is light
but effective, and no drippy sentimentality -his emotion
is real, and so is your enjoyment. If you've never heard
Douglas before, this is a good place to begin. After
all, they say the "First Time" is always the
best.
The tunes (most are by pianist Ron Kobayashi) come at
you stronger than your typical smooth fare. Like- wise
Norm: he charges on "Since Then", running
as the others float. His tenor is weighty, standing
bold on Kobayashi's chords. And now a transformation:
a soft groan, like the old balladeers. It all fits so
well (listen to Bob Hawkins, heard just a moment.) "Peace"
(not the Silver tune, but a gospel-tinged ballad) gets
a pipe organ and Norm a soprano. Staying in its middle
register he sounds reflective, with the sound of an
oboe. The backing has that easy touch of Memphis soul
(think of AI green) and Norm sits atop like a jewel.
Yes -it does sparkle.
"Fast Lane" is a downtown samba: bright percussion,
a piano of twinkling light. Douglas, on alto this time,
has the firm-but-gentle touch I loved on "Since
Then"; how it blends with the tune's airy breeze.
Kobayashi's turn is exotic; that goes double for the
cuicas in the background. Hawkins weaves a tapestry
on "First Time": tightly woven strings to
which Kobayashi adds color. The soprano comes in, higher
this time, minus the shrillness you often get. Ron has
a New Age feel in his tiny solo; it's his finest moment.
Norm takes to soaring, and near the end Hawkins makes
like a harp. This is fitting, as emotions are high.
"Yosemte" crackles with life: Norm's muscular
theme, and keys rolling like a stream. The tune is calm,
but isn't played that way: when Douglas hits those broad
notes, he's triumphant on a mountain top. 'Vast Blue
Sky", with a different band, tries the mood of
"Peace" with a slightly simpler tune. Brad
Cole whispers smoky and the alto. Quiet at first, comes
forward in a stately ascension -nothing fancy but everything
beautiful. Definitely "smooth", and definitely
atypical -call it music and be done with it.
"It's Just a Valentine" is a nice mix by Mick
Barton: country field vocal, elegant verse. "Take
every poem, every sonnet, every love song ever heard/
There isn't a chance I could put what I'm feeling into
words." Stronger than it seems, this grows on you,
and the sax is a ribbon on top. For further decoration,
look to "Tara's Song": dubbed saxes waltzing
with ease, and bells twinkling with magic. This belongs
in a music box, as does the album: solidly built, it's
a study in strong gentility. If you've a taste for sm:>oth,
give Norm a try: you'll "First Time", now
and the next time you hear it.
Songs: Since Then; Peace; I Can Do It; Fast lane;
First Time; Yosemte; Vast Blue Sky; It's Just a Valentine;
Left Turn Only; Tara's Song.
Musicians: Norm Douglas (soprano, alto, and tenor
saxes); Ron Kobayashi (keyboards); Bob Hawkins (guitar);
Baba Elefante (bass); Steve Dixon (drums); Kurt Rasmussen
(percussion), plus on various tracks: Matt Hocking (electric
guitar); Steve Wood (keyboards); Frank Cotinola (drums
on "It's Just a Valentine"); Mick Barton (vocals);
Tom MacFarlane (synthesizer); Phil Carillo (drums on
"Tara's Song"); Abraham Laboriel (bass); Greg
Bissonette (drums); Alex Acuna (percussion); Brad Cole
(organ).
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