Moonglow
Artists: Jerry Ashford, Beth McNamara, Joe Ross and guests Tim Crouch and Todd Clinesmith
Zephyr Records 96873 07072 (2008)
16 Tracks
Running Length: 50 minutes

What a fun trip to the past with this group and their renditions of classics usually sung by cabaret or ballad singers. Here, we have a touch of Sons of the Pioneers style, including precise pronunciation, wonderfully blended harmonies and a beat that just keeps going on. Instrumental accompaniment includes bass, guitar, mandolin, fiddles, steel guitar and djembe.

Highlights of the CD include the instrumental “Tico Tico,” and the Kingston Trio popular song, “Scotch and Soda.”  “The Sheik of Araby” (shades of Rudolph Valentino) is a delight, as is “Embraceable You.” The energetic ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing” got my fingers snapping. “Honeysuckle Rose” is done in rapid tempo, unlike recent versions that slowed the beat down. The last selection, “Under Paris Skies” with mandolin, is articulated instrumentally and takes one to an outside Parisian cafe, just sitting and people watching.

There is an old saying about not judging a book by its cover. True here, as the cover of the CD shows an old High Fidelity radio with three people and what one might call “western style” instruments. Don’t let that fool you. Inside the record jacket is professional musicianship that takes classic songs and gives them a new, listenable twist.

Copyright 2008 Marie Asner
Submitted 8/25/08