THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND

PROG VS FUSION: A WAR OF THE AGES

Sky Cat Records

For this project, the listener must have an open mind, along with a clear sense of humor.  On “Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages” bandleader Ed Palermo crafts a musical battleground between two musical genres: progressive rock and jazz fusion.  Obviously, throughout this album, you recognized that Palermo has a big sense of humor and a youthful spirit.  His album cover, full of cartoon images, portrays ‘the boy’ in this master musician, as do some of these unusual and captivating arrangements.

Before forming The Ed Palermo Big Band, Ed toured and recorded with a who’s who of American music icons.  They include Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Lou Rawls, Melba Moore and even the R & B group, The Spinners.  Clearly, Palermo loves all kinds of music.  His big band reflects, using unique arrangements, their preoccupation with a varied number of genres and tunes sewn together like a musical quilt.

They open with a bombastic arrangement of John McLaughlin’s “Resolution” composition, first performed by the late, great Tony Williams and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.  Palermo has incorporated spoken word characters, rock music, a dramatic bass line, and driving drums to launch into their own interpretation of this 1973 record release.

The Ed Palermo Big Band continues to tickle our imagination with their interpretation of “Black Hole Sun” that is a medley inclusive of Steely Dan’s jazz-infused rock classic “Bodhisattva” married to a grunge anthem, originally recorded by Soundgarden. These two songs pave the way for an unfolding battle throughout this production. Bruce McDaniel adds his emotive vocals to the mix, when they play this tune absent the medley, as their 18^th track on Palermo’s album.  Yes, you get nineteen tracks of music by Ed Palermo’s Big Band.

Clearly Ed Palermo has a love for fusion jazz and Tony Williams.  It looks like Miles Davis is pictured on the cover of his album, (in cartoon form) shooting fire out of the bell of his trumpet. I enjoyed Palermo’s take on the Tony Newton tune, “Snake Oil” that Tony Williams recorded on “Lifetime the collections.”

Over time, Palermo’s interpretations of folks like Frank Zappa, Paul Butterfield, Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, Jeff Beck and many more have earned him international acclaim. Gil Evans is quoted as saying:

“He was using the instrumentation of a traditional big band, yet his arrangements and songs were anything but that! …Ed has the ability to keep that important balance between cohesiveness and unpredictability.”

On this album he covers several tunes by Frank Zappa, some by Chick Corea. Then, he adds “On the Milkey Way Express” by Wayne Shorter for good measure.  If you are a die-hard rock fan and a lover of fusion, this unusual blend of those genres, played by a big band, will expand your world.

MEMBERS OF THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND ARE: RHYTHM: Bob Quaranta, piano; Ted Kooshian, keyboard; Paul Adamy, bass; Ray Marchica, drums & Special Guest: Mike Keneally, guitar/backup vocals. WOODWINDS: Cliff Lyons, alto saxophone; Phil Chester, alto & soprano saxophone; Bill Straub & Ben Kono, tenor saxophone;  Barbara Cifelli, baritone saxophone. TRUMPETS: Ronnie Buttacavoli (lead); John Bailey, Augie Haas & Bobby Spellman. TROMBONES: Charley Gordon (lead);  Mike Boschen & Matt Ingman, bass trombone/tuba. Bruce McDaniel, arranger/vocals/guitar; Katie Jacoby, violin. Ed Palermo, arranger/bandleader.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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