Can pop hits grow up to be jazz standards? The new CD Skykomish from Craig Buhler features 10 of them, recast in fresh new settings, along with a pair of original blues charts. Buhler Covers songs by the Beatles (Eleanor Rigby), Stevie Wonder (Creepin'), Gordon Lightfoot, the Doobie Bros and more.
Foreigner's early 80's hit "Waiting For A Girl" is rearranged and spun into a jazzy shuffle that is at once familiar yet somehow pleasingly foreign (no pun intended.) Lee Thornburg uses his lilting horns to lead us through the gospel standard Oh Happy Day without getting too 'churchy'.
All in all this is a catchy and interesting release featuring familiar tunes with jazzy interpretations.
Track Listing: Roll Over Redmond, What a Fool Believes, When You Believe, Eleanor Rigby, Skykomish Shuffle, Creepin, If You Could Read My Mind, Windows of the World, Waiting for a Girl Like You, Flash Dance (What a Feeling), Oh Happy Day, Save the Best for Last.
Players: Paul Kreibich on drums, Chris Conner on bass, Jamie Findlay on guitar, Karen Hammack on piano, Brian Atkinson on vibes, Dan Barrett on trombone, and Lee Thornburg on trumpet and flugelhorn.