“I’ve taken some knocks over the years for being different,
But that won’t hold back the music.”
Peter Wernick
“What The” is the perfect name for this album. When I first plugged the CD into my computer, I-Tunes refused to put it into a category. When I listened to the first song, I had no idea how to help. Just listing the front men and their instruments didn’t help:
Peter Wernick on 5-String banjo pushes me towards bluegrass. Greg Harris on vibraphone pulls me towards modern jazz. Bill Pontarelli on clarinet sends me to Dixieland. But Joan Wernick on vocals tells me it’s all about the standards.
When I take a look at the artwork on the CD, I find no help as an illustration of what I assume to be the band is playing in front of an equally eclectic audience with Lady Di, Elton John and Marilyn Monroe interspersed with the regular Jane's and Joe’s along with the three Kings: Larry, Don and BB. But as I look a little longer, I see on the wall pictures of musical icons like Hank Williams, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman. Then I understand. This album is a celebration by those who love music no matter the style or affiliation.
I’d like to believe that this band formed organically by happenstance. Maybe one day Pete was sitting at his favorite coffee shop plucking away on his banjo until Bill and his clarinet wandered in, soon followed by Greg and his Vibraphone. And since they were all getting juiced on java, they probably had enough energy to blend their natural musical tendencies into an altogether new sound.
“Blue Train” is the perfect example. Pete and Greg play so well together, it’s a wonder why the banjo and vibraphone hadn’t met earlier. Also, Joan’s slightly flat delivery provides a nice counterbalance to the eternal perkiness of the banjo and clarinet.
This is a fun album. It’s nice to hear a group of players glide so seamlessly against their musical traditions.
- Dave
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