What's New on WDCB... with Paul Abella

Oscar Peterson - A Time For Love (Mack Avenue)

The latest entry in the “new albums from old artists” category is this two-disc winner from Oscar Peterson (piano), Joe Pass (guitar), Dave Young (bass) and Martin Drew (drums) called A Time For Love. This is exactly what you expect from Oscar Peterson in the late 80’s: expertly swinging, down to earth and bluesy, even during a 20 minute Salute to Bach. A Time To Love is blessed with a setlist that should make nearly any Oscar Peterson fan happy, with a few of Oscar’s originals, standards (“How High the Moon” and “Soft Winds” for example) and a few extended excursions as well.

Anthony Wonsey - Lorraine’s Lullaby (Cellar Live)

Pianist and Chicago expatriate Anthony Wonsey has a new album out on Cellar Live called Lorraine’s Lullaby. The album kicks off with a nice and lightly swinging solo take on “Sweet Lorraine.” There’s also a duet with bassist Dmitri Kolesnik, five piano trio selections, a pair featuring a quintet with the addition of trumpet and tenor sax, and finally, a vocal featuring another one-time Chicagoan, Milton Suggs. The net result is an album where there’s a little something for every Jazz lover, and it’s a perfect fit to hear on DCB Jazz!

The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All-Stars - A Gift to Pops (Verve)

The band name “The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All-Stars” might be an unwieldy mouthful, but it’s truthful, that’s for sure. On their album A Gift to Pops, Herlin Riley plays drums and does the Satchmo-esque vocals, with Wycliffe Gordon on the trombone, Reginald Veal on bass, and a revolving crew of trumpeters which includes Wynton Marsalis and Nicholas Payton. This is a mellow and fun affair that features a greatest hits level batch of songs like “Up a Lazy River,” “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue,” and of course, “What a Wonderful World.” We also get to hear Louis Armstrong himself, singing and playing on “When It’s Sleepytime Down South,” and talking for a few seconds at the end of the album. This one’s a charmer.