DOUG MacDONALD TRIO

LIVE IN BEVERLY HILLS

Dmac Music

Doug MacDonald, guitar/composer; Lou Shoch, bass/vocals; Billy Paul, drums.

Over Thirteen years ago, Doug MacDonald played a concert at the Beverly Hills Art Show.  It was on May 19, 2012 when his trio consisted of the dynamic Billy Paul on drums and the late bassist, Lou Shoch.  As a jazz journalist who has listened to and reviewed a long string of the MacDonald recordings, this one would have to be among the top five on my list.

There is so much good energy and musicality on this album, it just leaps off my CD player and into my listening room.  Beginning with “Samba De Orfeo” with MacDonald strumming his guitar with rhythmic clarity and joy, the trio is off and running.  Lou Soch takes the lead, playing the melody on his electric bass, followed by MacDonald’s innovative guitar solo. When they spotlight Billy Paul on drums, his mastery on the trap drums shines. This tune should get plenty airplay.

“It was a magical day.  For a musician like Doug, who has made many recordings of his own and has performed with the likes of the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Bill Holman, etc., Doug’s excitement about this project says it all,” drummer Billy Paul expressed in the liner notes.

It was Billy Paul who recorded this date and recently brought the historic moment to MacDonald’s attention.  There are two original compositions by MacDonald on this album. Both swing hard!  The first is “Unimpressed” a minor-toned gem that was inspired by “So What” and “Impressions.”  MacDonald’s third track, called “Mall Blues” is a favorite of mine and showcases each of the trio members as superb soloists.  Lou Shoch struts his walking bass tones across the room and Billy Paul’s drum solos are outstanding.

They put the pots on to boil with their arrangement of “The Night has a Thousand Eyes.”  It opens with MacDonald’s a’Capella guitar singing the melodic introduction rubato.  Then the band jumps into the mix with all six feet. They are off and running.

Every tune on this album demands attention and promises enjoyment. It’s another plume in the jazz cap that MacDonald proudly wears.  This album joins his more than thirty album releases MacDonald has recorded over his long and illustrious career.  It is definitely one of his best.

Recorded by Dee Dee McNeil

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