The BBB Featuring Bernie Dresel: Bern Bern Bern

Let’s just get this straight, Bernie Dresel is one hell of a jazz drummer. His work in the Los Angeles music scene is extensive; everything from session work to television to film scores, this guy has seen it all. He has worked with many musicians, perhaps of most interest to me is his fifteen year stint in the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

On his first studio album titled Bern Bern Bern, Dresel is backed by a massive band including five saxophone players and four players each on trumpet and trombone. Also appearing on two tracks is The Los Angeles Clarinet Choir with no less than nine clarinetists. Let’s just say this album oozes brass through all fourteen tracks.

The album begins with “BBB Opener� and its drum/percussion intro which Bernie describes in the liner notes. The horns are nothing short of brilliant and the bass playing of Johnny Hatton is exceptional. Some of his sounds are even a bit spacey. The next track is the Cole Porter composed “It’s Alright With Me� and is bursting with pure joy. The trumpet and saxophone solos by Carl Saunders and Rob Lockhart respectively are a thing to behold. The slinky groove and big band shuffle of “Got Groove?� is another great track. The upright bass, Hammond play and trombone solo are highlights. The swinging title track features the Los Angeles Clarinet Choir one last time and is propelled by Dresel’s busy drum work. And for good measure Saunders lays down another great trumpet solo. The Latin infused “A Night In Tunisia� is another winner featuring yet another great sax solo, this time by Tom Luer and trombone courtesy of Jeff Bunnell. The last track “Suite B� is a fifteen plus minute romp with no less than seven solo spots. The mood is exuberant and the band is in top form bursting with energy but when the need arises for soft and slow these musicians are up for the task.

Big band fans cannot go wrong here. Bern Bern Bern is a must purchase and comes highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. BBB Opener (2:55)
2. It’s Alright With me (4:05)
3. Got Groove? (4:43)
4. Bern Bern Bern (4:57)
5. A Night In Tunisia (4:49)
6. Anything Goes (4:08)
7. Body And Soul (5:24)
8. The Summit (3:08)
9. New Dell Inn (3:40)
10. ALL The Things! (4:47)
11. The World Is A Ghetto (4:50)
12. Early Spring (5:11)
13. Zuit Soot (4:26)
14. Suite B (15:25)

Added: February 4th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 931
Language: english

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