Jazz’n’More 2019

Nancy Wright: “Alive & Blue”
***** 5 stars out of 5
Nancy Wright (sax, voc), Jeff Tamelier (guit, b-voc), Tony Lufrano (keys, b-voc), Karl Sevareid (bass), Paul Revelli (drums)
(VizzTone 634457821422)

Alive & Blue: The latest release of the US saxophonist Nancy Wright couldn’t be more appropriately titled. Twelve numbers that are greasy, dripping with soul and glowing with sparkle. Recorded in “The Saloon”, San Francisco’s oldest bar (since 1861) and since the 1980s one of the hotspots in SF North Beach that Nancy has been playing again and again. Alive like in the good old days: The evening before the gig Wright thought that the steaming band could be recorded, contacted Robby Yamilov from Greaseland and he started the recording the next evening. And so you can now also hear outside of the “Saloon” what was raging across the club stage at night. Nancy’s powerful sax in the centre, complemented by her powerful vocals in tunes with lyrics. Jeff Tamelier (ex-Tower of Power) with his funky solo and rhythm guitar. Tony Lufrano (Anthony Paule Band) on wonderfully keys. Karl Sevareid (Robert Cray Band among others) with rich bass lines. Paul Revelli (Anthony Paule Band) with precise drum structures. Nancy Wright has always been nominated for the Blues Award as the best Blues saxophonist in the last three years. “Downbeat” and other US blues sources have been enthusiastic about her for years. So are we – “Alive & Blue” really cooks!

– Schwe Schweizer, Jazz’n’More, 2019/09-10, Switzerland