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Tania Lukic-Marx now gives the CD reviews a rating
system. This system includes a number of stars at the completion
of the review, for example 5 stars (*****) means the CD was "brilliant"
or "excellent", 4 stars = impressive, 3 stars = good,
2 stars = satisfactory and 1 star = didn't impress.
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Appassionato |
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Frank Marocco (accordion), Mark Levang
(keyboards), Bruce Atkinson (bass and vocals), Steve Distanislao (drums),
Jon Kurnick (guitar & mandolin), Luis Conte (percussion), Justo
Almario (flute and soprano sax) plus additional musicians on drums,
bass, piano, etc, on certain tracks. |
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Frank Marocco |
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June 6th 2003 |
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1. Anonimo Veneziano
2. Samba Italiano
3. Soave
4. Abril en Cuba
5. Autumn in Rome
6. Ballad for Anne
7. Oblivion
8. Bella Chitarra
9. Foog No Baile
10. Aspettami
11. Cavaquinho
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 Frank
Marocco is the most recorded accordionist in America, having played on a
vast number of movie soundtracks, television scores, commercial jingles
and record albums, in the studios of Hollywood and beyond. He has recorded
for and/or worked with artists ranging from Brian Wilson, Pink Floyd and
Madonna to Luciano Pavarotti, conductor Maxim Shostakovich and composer
John Williams.
He was nominated eight years in a row for the Most Valuable Player Award
by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and received that
award twice. Frank is also a consummate jazz artist and a gifted composer
with several of his own albums to his credit. He has played his music for
audiences all over the world.
As Frank puts it, this recording: "is more of an collection of music
from various cultures. It has everything from an Italian pop ballad to a
Cuban jazz salsa original. This CD features the accordion in a variety of
settings, most with an ethnic world music feel, much jazz improvisation,
and many original songs with different rhythmic grooves……."
Frank Marocco would be one of the best jazz accordionists I have ever heard.
The combination of Frank's velvety, full-bodied, warm tone, and his superb
improvisation skills, ensure this recording to be a real jazz treat. To
me, the music is all about the tone. The higher the tone culture - the more
tone colours the artist is able to create and the greater the variety of
emotions the artist is able to express through its performance.
The first thing I noticed about Frank's playing was his amazing tonal culture.
His tone is concentrated and concise on one hand, and on the other is warm,
even nostalgic at times. The contribution of Frank's band should be fully
recognized - they are experienced musicians, skillful and professional,
no doubt about that.
This is a recording of the highest musical standard. Jazz accordion at its
best. ***** |
