Players: Paul Betken on a accoustic accordion and a Roland RX7 Sean Brogan (double bass) Stan Sorenson (guitar) Rusty Jones (drums/percussion)  The music craft is something that takes time, passion and sacrifice. I do not know Paul Betken personally, but this certainty, I received clearly by listening to his album "Paul's Turn" that he has absorbed so well the way and the "feel" of jazz with the accordion, as an artist who seeks to transcend genres. The composers present on the album are for example; Gerry Mulligan, Lennon-McCartney, Django Reinhardt, Astor Piazzolla, Tom Jobim, Elton John, Neil Diamond and others. This speaks volumes about the musical vision of Betken as not only a purist, but an artist who brings music in various contexts based on the strength of his art (and we said before about "his music craft")  Surely, he had as a master, Leon Sash who made a great starting point for Paul. Sash, maddening many critics, has emerged to always have a very personal style, different from others, with his outbursts of unique creativity. In short, a genius. But its not enough to have a famous teacher. Maturation, over many years has led Betken from the metropolitan areas of Chicago and Phoenix, from parties, receptions, to jazz clubs to festivals until he achieved an appreciation of national level. This CD is well perceived as Paul has a good relationship with his audience: he is careful to keep the balance in the selection of repertoire and is always very measured in his approach. In addition he is a good 'team player' managing to create a very good interaction with his band. Comrades and colleagues in this "Paul's Turn" are Stan Sorenson on guitar (who played for example with George Benson), Rusty Jones on drums and percussion (played with George Shearing and also with Art Van Damme), Sean Broagan - bass sound (which has also played with Frank Marocco). So these artists were in some way involved in the US Jazz scene before recording with jazz accordion. Betken always frames good arrangements and shows great composure in the improvisations which are always pleasant and interesting, without moments of tiredness. Already the first track "If I only had a brain" shows the great potential of this band that has mastered good style and always has very balanced dynamics. The success of the Beatles' "Hey Jude" shines for the arrangement and for the playful harmonization exchanges Betken on accordion and Sorenson on guitar. The refinement of Mulligan in "Line for Lyons" was very well preserved together with a form of composure from the band as was the joyful melody of "Sweet Caroline", a song by Neil Diamond. Betken & friends are moving well in the revitalization of hit songs such as "Watch What Happens" (brought to success by Frank Sinatra) or "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (launched by The Stylistics but then also by da Mina, Simply Red and Rod Stewart). Paul Betken pays tribute to his great master with "Robinsonia" (of Sash and Ted Robinson) a song very hectic and hilarious. The success of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" gives the CD a moment of more lyrical and soft like a change of color in the palette of the painter. Betken is basically a gentleman and it is expressed in his music and well highlighted with the bossa nova: "Meditation" by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Newton Mendonça was the right song for your ears to enjoy so "gently" relying on the great harmonic richness with which it is constructed "Nuages" by Django Reinhardt is soft but with great creativity, the improvisational vein of Paul on accordion and Stan on guitar is unleashed. Betken could not miss a tribute to the great Astor Piazzolla using the enriched capabilities timbre of the Roland accordion with the song "Oblivion". "Bye Bye Blackbird", song of 1926, taken up by McCartney, closes the album and is a very pleasant walk in the purest groove of bebop improvisations by all the participants and full of very creative ideas. The album "Paul's Turn" and the artist with his talents is worthwhile to have in appreciation and recognition of its international level. Congratulations to Paul and his band. Reviewed by Paolo Picchio, September 2015 |
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