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

Emily Remler – Cookin’ at the Queens (Resonance Records)

If you’ve been hearing a lot of this two-disc set recently from the legendary, and legendarily under-recorded guitarist Emily Remler, it’s with three good reasons: (1) this exists as the only live document of Remler’s prodigious guitar talents, (2) it’s really, really good, and (3) it’s the “Early Bird Thank You Gift” for our WDCB Spring Pledge Drive. The set contains two discs covering two performances... one featuring her quartet from 1984 (with Cocho Arbe on piano and Tom Montgomery on drums) and the other is a trio session from 1988 (with John Pisci on drums)  - Carson Smith plays bass on both sessions. Remler’s devotion to Wes Montgomery is evident both in her playing and in her choice of material, but she’s her own person throughout, and Cookin’ at the Queens is an exceedingly rare glimpse of what a truly special talent she was. The option to select this two-disc set with your $120 (or above) donation for this two-disc set ends next Friday (March 14). It’s a great way to support WDCB, get some great music into your personal music collection, and hear more from a formidable jazz guitarist whose recorded output was way too slim.

Caili O’Doherty – Bluer Than Blue: Celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong (Outside In Music)

Pianist Caili O’Doherty has really achieved something interesting on her latest album, Bluer Than Blue: Celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong. O’Doherty took songs written roughly a century ago, arranged them for a modern ensemble, and stuck the landing with an album that sounds at once both classic and new. Buoyed by a top flight ensemble featuring Tahira Clayton (most of the time) or Michael Mayo (on three tracks) on vocals, Nicole Glover on saxophone on a few songs, bassist Tamir Shmerling and drummer Cory Cox, Bluer Than Blue swings magnificently. O’Doherty clearly loves the source material and the subject of the disc. The whole band is definitely having fun on “Two Deuces,” Nicole Glover shows off her obvious love for John Coltrane on “Riffin’ the Blues,” and O’Doherty’s solo take on “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue” is a highlight of the disc. Bluer than Blue was recorded back in 2021; I hope we get to hear what Caili O’Doherty is up to in the present tense, because if this album is any indication, it’s bound to be a blast.

Jackson Potter – Small Things (Shifting Paradigm)

New York City guitarist Jackson Potter recently released his album Small Things. Despite the title, Mr. Potter has big things in store for him if this album is any indication. Joined by tenor saxophonist Troy Roberts, trumpeter Alex Rideout, bassist Hamish Smith and drummer Marcello Cardillo, Small Things always seems to impress, but never shock, startle or bristle. If anything, it’s a gentle thing. That’s not to say the album doesn’t build a head of steam; it certainly does. “Hey It’s Me You’re Talking To” races along at a brisk clip with its traded solos between Roberts and Rideout, but it’s rarely, if ever, jarring. “Mr. M” simmers, but never boils over. The opening track, “Trams” has the feel of an early 90’s John Scofield tune in all of the best ways, with a quirky and hummable melody that sticks in your head. That’s no small thing, indeed.