CHAD McCULLOUGH

IN THESE HILLS, BEYOND

Calligram Records

Chad McCullough, trumpet/composer; Bram Weijters, piano/keyboard/composer; Dave Miller, guitar; John Christensen, bass; Kobie Watkins, drums.

This music was recorded “live” at the North Street Cabaret in Madison Wisconsin. All the songs played, except three, were composed by trumpeter, Chad McCullough. Two songs were written by his pianist, Bram Weijters. This band was in the last phase of a tour when they recorded this performance.  They are not only old friends, but they’d been on-the-road long enough to make this music pop with spontaneity, displaying a comfort level that comes from musicians trusting each other on stage.

McCullough played with guitarist Dave Miller and bass man, John Christensen shortly after he moved to Chicago from his Seattle home eleven years ago.  When they worked together, the good vibes were palpable, right from the start. Belgian pianist, Bram Weijters has been friends with McCullough for fifteen years.

“In the last 20-years, Kobie Atkins and I have shared a lot of time on the road.  He’s one of the most musical drummers I’ve ever heard,” McCullough praised his bandmate.

The opener, “Fellowship” reflects the band’s close chemistry, playing through a variety of moods, allowing time for each player to solo.  “Imaginary Folk Song” is a tune McCullough and Weijters’ played together on their first album they recorded back in 2010, called “Imaginary Sketches.”

On “Balance Wheel” John Christiansen is featured on double bass. The melody rolls off his upright bass instrument smooth as oil on glass.  There is something a little bit folksy about McCullough’s music, until they play “Handwritten” which double-times its way into an Avant-garde kind of production.  McCullough leads his band on trumpet, blowing the brains out of this tune. The mood soon changes.  Because of the mood and tempo changes, McCullough’s music is more like suites than single songs.  The one cover tune, “Magic Music Man,” composed by Scott Tinkler, is another favorite.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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