Here are graceful and sophisticated jazz retellings of rock, prog, and pop classics as spun by an orchestra of 30 musicians. Vocalist Lydia McAdams and a large collection of talented instrumentalists are joined on two tracks by special guest Jon Anderson (the voice of Yes).<\/p>\n
The striking arrangements, penned by Ryan Fraley and Ralph Johnson, show a deep love for both the source material and the conventions of modern jazz orchestration. Included are a surprising and eclectic group of songs from: Paul Simon, Ben Folds, Suzanne Vega, Yes, King Crimson, Thomas Dolby, Gentle Giant, Tom Waits, Jimi Hendrix, Fiona Apple, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, and Queen. The closing track, \u201cThe Show Must Go On\u201d was chosen by an internet poll in 2009.<\/p>\n
1. Further to Fly 6:15
\nPaul Simon arranged by Ralph Johnson
\nsolos: Ralph Johnson, Percussion – Sylvain Carton, Saxophone
\nRalph picked this. \u201cBesides being a writer of memorable lyrics, Paul Simon has provided vehicles for some of the classic rhythm section performances in the pop\/rock\/folk universe. I was attracted to the unusual and clever syncopations in \u2018Further to Fly,\u2019 and thought it deserved a little more exploration and a longer day in the sun.\u201d ~RVJ<\/p>\n
2. Selfless, Cold and Composed 5:58
\nBen Folds arranged by Ryan Fraley
\nsolos: Sylvain Carton, Saxophone – Justin Kessler, Piano
\nJustin picked this. \u201cI love Folds\u2019 ability to juxtapose whimsical musical style with melancholy lyrical content. In \u2018Selfless, Cold, and Composed,\u2019 he presents a uniquely forlorn sentiment with an upbeat jazz waltz.\u201d ~JFK<\/p>\n
3. Caramel 3:00
\nSuzanne Vega
\narranged by Ryan Fraley
\nsolo: Lyman Medeiros, Bass
\nLydia picked this. \u201cOne of my all time favorites, Caramel is sexy, yet demure and excruciatingly feminine. I always wanted to perform it but could never think of a way to improve on the original. I love Ryan\u2019s interpretation with the ominous muted trombones and lilting swing.\u201d ~LM<\/p>\n
4. Wonderous Stories 4:31
\nKeith, Ainsley, Anderson (Yes) arranged by Ryan Fraley
\nbackground vocals: Jon Anderson
\nsolo: Sylvain Carton, Saxophone
\nRyan picked this. \u201cTrue, this song was written when I was four years old. But I have admired it since I was old enough to pay attention. This is the kind of song writing that makes Yes so attractive to me \u2014 the unpredictable harmonic progression; the angular, soaring melody; and the stream-of-consciousness lyrics all meld into a trippy and rich experience.\u201d ~RF<\/p>\n
5. Heartbeat 4:05
\nKing Crimson arranged by Ralph Johnson
\nsolo: Henry Koperski, Bassoon
\nRalph picked this. \u201cOf all the King Crimson tunes from the Fripp\/Belew\/Levin\/Bruford era, \u2018Heartbeat\u2019 is the most emotionally direct and accessible for a wider audience. I like the chords at the cadence points, and the possibilities offered by the rhythms the title implies.\u201d ~RVJ<\/p>\n
6. It Will Be a Good Day (The River) 5:09
\nWhite, Howe, Squire, Anderson, Sherwood, Khoroshev (Yes)
\narranged by Ryan Fraley
\nvocals: Jon Anderson
\nsolo: Alex Noppe, Flugelhorn
\nJon picked this. \u201cAll of the performers we\u2019ve gathered here are people I\u2019ve known and admired for years. But what can I say about Jon Anderson? I grew up hearing his unmistakable voice on those iconic Yes albums. We were thrilled when Jon graciously agreed to contribute to this project. I invited him to pick any song from the Yes catalog for us to arrange, in any style. He chose this gem from 1999 and asked for a simple, organic feel. Thanks, Jon, for your spirit and grace.\u201d ~RF<\/p>\n
7. The Ability to Swing 4:37
\nThomas Dolby, Matthew Seligman [Lost Toy People, Inc.]
\narranged by Ralph Johnson
\nsolos: Robert Olivera, Saxophone – Justin Kessler, Piano
\nRalph picked this. \u201cI always wondered why this tune didn\u2019t receive more popular exposure \u2014 it\u2019s a cool little ditty, with an infectious hook, and an insistent beat, written by one of my favorite mad scientists.\u201d ~RVJ<\/p>\n
8. Think of Me with Kindness 5:06
\nShulman, Shulman, Shulman, Minnear (Gentle Giant)
\n[Chrysalis Songs OBO Alucard Pub]
\narranged by Ryan Fraley
\nsolos: Neil Broeker, Alto Flute – Alex Noppe, Flugelhorn – Justin Kessler, Piano
\nRyan picked this. \u201c\u2026sort of. It was actually a well-placed request from a Gentle Giant fan in Italy. Thanks, Andrea. Gentle Giant is a superb and under-appreciated band.\u201d ~RF<\/p>\n
9. Swordfishtrombone 4:14
\nTom Waits arranged by Ryan Fraley & Lydia McAdams
\nsolos: Lyman Medeiros, Bass – Ryan Fraley, Trombone – Justin Kessler, Piano
\nRobert Stright, Vibes
\nLydia picked this. \u201cI\u2019m seduced by Tom Waits\u2019 meandering storytelling and his ability to set a scene and mood. But Tom goes beyond just using music and lyrics to tell his tales \u2014 he adopts a persona. I borrowed from his genius, intentionally using a different voice with a vintage vibe and letting the story inform my performance.\u201d ~LM<\/p>\n
10. Third Stone from the Sun 4:44
\nJimi Hendrix arranged by Ralph Johnson
\nsolos: Justin Kessler, Piano – Ryan Fraley, Trombone – Ralph Johnson, Percussion
\nRalph picked this. \u201cBefore I ever heard the Jimi Hendrix recording, I heard guitarist after guitarist quote this melody line in improvised solos \u2014 more than any other tune I can think of \u2014 and it always got a smile from the other musicians. I thought I would see if we could get a bigger smile by quoting the whole thing.\u201d ~RVJ<\/p>\n
11. Slow Like Honey 5:09
\nFiona Apple arranged by Ryan Fraley
\nsolo: Sylvain Carton, Guitar
\nLydia picked this. \u201cWhen I first heard this tune I was struck by its dark beauty and complexity. I immediately wanted to make it my own \u2014 add it to my grimoire, so to speak. The voicings are mesmerizing, and the strings and guitar add the perfect texture. I don\u2019t often listen to my own recordings, but this is one that I keep coming back to.\u201d ~LM<\/p>\n
12. Your Latest Trick 4:51
\nMark Knopfler (Dire Straits) arranged by Ryan Fraley
\nsolos: Josh Weirich, Saxophone – Alex Noppe, Trumpet – Shawn Goodman, Clarinet
\nJustin picked this. \u201cMark Knopfler is one of those few guitarists who can make me wonder if I picked the right instrument. I grew up with this song and album and even as a child I was attracted to the smoky, bittersweet and angular elements of jazz. The deliciously bleak landscape painted by Knopfler\u2019s lyrics is nicely tempered here in a beautiful arrangement by Ryan Fraley.\u201d ~JFK<\/p>\n
13. Dirty Work 3:23
\nFagen, Becker (Steely Dan) arranged by Justin Kessler
\nJustin picked this. \u201cWhile my original interest in \u2018Dirty Work\u2019 was derived from the lyrics, the recognizable hook and surprisingly simple (for Steely Dan) chord progression lent itself well to a solo piano treatment with a darker, more angular reharmonization that I think complements the sentiment of the lyrics.\u201d ~JFK<\/p>\n
14. The Show Must Go On 5:18
\nMercury, May, Taylor, Deacon (Queen) arranged by Ralph Johnson
\nsolos: Art DeQuasie, Piano – Henry Koperski, Accordion – Ryan Fraley, Trombone & Amplified Trombone
\nThe internet picked this. \u201cWe ran a poll online in 2009, shortly after the release of our first album, to select one of the tracks to appear on this album. Here is the far-and-away winner. One of Freddie Mercury\u2019s last songs, and made even more heartbreaking by Ralph\u2019s stunning orchestration.\u201d ~RF<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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