George Adams - America '1990

Tracks list

Tracklist

1. America The Beautiful
2. Tennessee Waltz
3. Motivation
4. Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)
5. Gee Baby, Aint I Good To You
6. Take Me Out To The Ball Game
7. You Are My Sunshine
8. Georgia On My Mind
9. Have You Thanked America
10. The Star Spangled Banner

personnel : 

George Adams - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Vocals 
Hugh Lawson - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Mark Johnson - Drums

This is one of tenor saxophonist George Adams funnest records. He takes eight
songs, all of which now qualify as American folk songs (along with two
originals), and gives them melodic but inventive treatments. America the
Beautiful starts out with a Sousa march before Adams takes a chorus fairly
straight, leading to interesting tonal variations. Georgia is treated as a
tasteful ballad, You Are My Sunshine is given a funky background, and, best of
all, Take Me out to the Ballgame becomes an unaccompanied tenor solo -- at one
point Adams makes clicking sounds that are very similar to a ball hitting a
mitt. He sings three numbers, the rhythm section (comprised of pianist Hugh
Lawson, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Mark Johnson) is fine in support, and
Adams (who plays both his humming flute and tenor on Old Folks at Home) is heard
in top form. This CD is accessible, patriotic, and a highly recommended and
continually surprising set.~Scott Yanow

Related artists