TOKYO LIVE

This album reminds me just how much I love good a good Hammond player in a jazz group. And Joey DeFrancesco may be one of the best. He certainly proves here that he can keep up with the amazing John McLaughlin. And all while also covering the bass lines with his left hand!

This album has a good helping of bluesy jazz, highlighted by the rockin' opener 1 Nite Stand and Miles Davis' No Blues. But the highlights are the spectacular speed playing by McLaughlin and DeFrancesco on Hijacked, Juju at the Crossroads, Vukovar and Mattinale. Whew! Although there is speed, the tone of the organ and guitar never allow the music to become bombastic, and for once, I like it that way.

The only song that doen't quite grab me is the romantic ballad, When Love Is Far Away, which features DeFrancesco on trumpet. WHile he can surely play the horn , he's much better at the keyboard.