Now here’s
a winning hand: Dave Stryker’s organ trio, 10 of the world’s finest tenor
saxophone players, and the legacy of Stanley Turrentine. You could call it a tribute to the late great
tenor, but given Stryker’s audacious title, Mister T looms here more like an
enduring challenge that an icon of past glories. The Pittsburgh native died 15 years ago, but
he remains synonymous with soulfulness.
Messin’
with Mister T is Dave Styker’s personal homage to Turrentine, whom he toured
with for over a decade and recorded twice.
Dave says that being hired by Stanley was a “real validation” of his
playing, and he’s had it in mind,”ever since he passed to do something like
this tribute.” One sure sign that the
time was right is that everyone he asked to appear on that date came “immediately
on board. Stanley meant so much to all
of us.” Deciding who would play which
tune fell into place without a hitch, too, as did the material, which basically
reflects Turrentine’s set lists from over the years Stryker toured with
him.
The
greater challenge that Stryker faced on Messin’ with Mister T was to pay proper
respects to his mentor while still managing to make a “Dave Stryker record.” I’d say he’s succeeded from start to finish,
and Chris Potter, who joins him here for a phenomenal take on “Impressions,”
knows why. “There’s no better person to
pay tribute to Stanley than Dave because the musical values Stanley always
stood for – swing, soulfulness, taste, melody, and beautiful sound – are carried
forward in everything that Dave plays.”
Messin’
with Mister T is the latest in the brilliant series of recordings that Stryker
has led over the past 25 years, and a follow-up to his hugely successful Eight
Track. The guitarist seems never at a
loss for inspiration and the array of styles he commands and the flow of ideas
he executes is truly impressive. Dave
says that Turrentine’s influence was especially strong in showing him how
important it was to establish a sound of his own, and to “communicate to
people. Stanley had an audience, and he
never left them behind.”
Tracklisting:
1. La Place Street w/Houston Person
2. Pieces
Of Dreams w/Mike Le
3. Don’t Mess With Mister T w/Don
Braden
4. In A Sentimental Mood w/Jimmy Heath
5. Impressions w/Chris Potter
6. Gibraltar w/Bob Mintzer
7. Salt Song w/Eric Alexander
8. Sugar w/Javon Jackson
9. Sidesteppin’ w/Steve Stagle
10.Let It Go w/Tivon Pennicott
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