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| David Boswell "I Like That" |
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www.smoothjazz-de Review of "I Like That"
After
listening to David Boswell's album I Like That one discovers his
affinity to Pat Metheny's music. No wonder, David was influenced by
this great musician. After a Pat Metheny concert he decided to start a
career as guitarist, attended the Grove School of Music in L.A. and
played with various rock bands. He also studied under Pat Metheny, Jack
DeJohnette, John Abercrombie and Dave Holland keeping the music of John
Coltrane, Keith Jarett and Miles Davis in sight.
His first solo
album was Hold Tight To Your Dreams (2004), followed by Bridge Of Art
(2006) and in 2009 I Like That. This new album features Jimmy Haslip
(bass), Nelson Rangell (saxophone), MB Gordy III and his brother John
Boswell on the piano.
David Boswell's style on I Like That is
innovative and intensive. He directly captures the spirit of Pat
Metheny's music and plays with the sultry and high appealing theme. Yes
David, we recognize you. Jimmy Haslip adds his brilliant bass line.
Tightrope
features sax legend Nelson Rangell with his remarkable and high
energetic performance. The ideal addition to David's furious guitar
play.
One also finds contemplative moments on this album like
the mellow It's Possible following a melodic path and revealing
Nelson's romantic vein. It wouldn't be a David Boswell album, when
David and Nelson wouldn't fuse the melody with jazzy elements.
Awaken
The Gentle Giant is David's second approach to Pat Metheny's music with
great guitar sound and extensive use of the Roland GR-300 and GR-33
guitar synthesizers. I love it!
Some critics say about David
Boswell that he uses his guitar like a voice. Did I Tell You is
certainly a good example for this assumption. For every musician starts
the career with Little Steps On A Long Road. David has certainly
reached that degree of mastership all musicians are striving for.
Come
And Get Me is a captivating tune with a great potential. The haunting
riff will immediately infiltrate your brain and never leave it again.
David calls it "a soundtrack to our adventures."
Across The
Plains is David's personal soundtrack to the rides he shared with
Rikki, an incredible young woman and a talented equestrian. Foremost
it's definitely a great song.
In Westward Path David filters the
essence of Western romantic. Instrumentation, arrangement and melody
cry "Go West!". Shake 'n' Bake is the last extensive and epic tune on
this album with all ingredients we love in Pat Metheny's music and now
especially in David Boswell's music.
The album closes with radio edits of I Like That and Tightrope reminding us not to take the CD from our player.
Many
factors speak well for this excellent album, melodies, guitar sound,
arrangement, the nearness to Pat Metheny's music. Simply one of the
best guitar albums of this decade.
http://www.smooth-jazz.de
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Smoothjazzvibes.com
David Boswell -- I Like That
Here’s a brow-raising meld of jazz styles that clearly spells fusion in a most interesting manner. In some places resembling the stylings of Craig Chaquico and rocker Neil Schon (on the couple of fusion projects that Schon produced, that is), I Like That, is also very close to the tight fusion triumphs of the Mike Sterns and Yellowjackets of the world (Jimmy Haslip sits in here, as well, btw). David Boswell has a good grip on, as he deems it, “coloring outside the lines.” Crisp, skilled, and well composed pieces easily elevate this offering as one to be taken seriously. Having studied under the likes of Pat Metheny, you’ll have no trouble identifying the innovativeness of his music.
There are enough intricacies to easily impress and convince the true “at the edge” fusion fan (the melodies and riffs can get a bit complex and involved), but the “meat & potatoes” smooth jazzer who prefers to keep it simple and close to the ground should find some satisfaction in this finely tuned production, as well. Boswell’s nifty hooks (check out “It’s Possible” and “Did I Tell You” for great examples) will appeal to anyone who truly appreciates good jazz, and Haslip’s expressive bass is, well, as usual, expressive. Nelson Rangell offers his tell-tale sax work, and it fits in here perfectly like that hard-to-find note in a five-part harmony vocal group.
This album possesses so many pieces that are just very there. To put it another way, I Like That is like one long but entertaining story told without a lot of words but with all the expression in the world needed to get the point across. That story is nowhere better represented than on cuts like “Shake and Bake” a potpourri of sound, and the very electric title track (both the opener and the “radio edit” versions—but especially the latter!). All in all, the mood, the aura, and the phrasing all place this piece of work in that special category with many of the great fusion pieces.
Not to be confused with conventional smooth jazz as many of us know it, I Like That carries its own smoothness and character with it. While some may choose to pass on it, many more will love its daring and its pure freshness. It’s got clear definition and direction, and I like that.
Ronald Jackson - Smoothjazzvibes.com
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Smoothjazz Therapy
David Boswell - I Like That
The third release from Los Angeles based session guitarist David Boswell hit record stores across the USA on January 12, 2009. Titled ‘I Like That’ it features guest performances from Yellowjackets mainstay Jimmy Haslip, smooth jazz saxophonist Nelson Rangell, new age pianist John Boswell and rock drummer M.B. Gordy III who has played with the likes of Frank Zappa, REO Speedwagon and The Doobie Brothers.
While Boswell’s guitar remains center stage, the contributions from his collaborators are significant. Commenting on the making of ‘I Like That’, and his approach to the creative process, Boswell explains his passion is to make music that inspires uplifts and creates emotion within the listener. With the slinky yet melodic title track and the tight, in the pocket ‘Tightrope’ (that features great sax from Rangell) he has done just that and made ‘I Like That’ very worth checking out.
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"This is a Smooth Jazz album that's definitely got some meat on its bones! Superb musicianship and a fascinating variety of sounds and textures make this album a truly compelling breath of fresh musical air. Guitarist David Boswell (who, by the way, is famed pianist John Boswell's younger brother) uses 6-string electric, 6 and 12-string acoustic, and guitar synth variously on this impressive project, embellished with intriguing rhythm and percussion from Randy Drake and M.B. Gordy III respectively, fretted and fretless bass from Dean Taba, beautiful piano work from brother John, and even low whistle and Uilleann Pipes from Eric Rigler (Titanic, Braveheart, & Road To Perdition Soundtracks). The variety of soaring guitar voicings you'll hear on HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR DREAMS will capture you in its spell and hold you in rapt attention. This is one of those musical gems that I love to find...one that's got melody and smoothness, yes, but has so much more going for it when you open your ears and mind to its many nuances. From quiet to dynamically dramatic, this disc will get your attention and bring you back for more. From the beautifully pensive "Four Hours With A Friend" to the organic and cinematic complexity of "Path to Freedom" to the dynamically powerful "Up, Up and Away," this new collection of David Boswell guitar work comes highly recommended as an album of music you'll definitely want to have in your library." ~ Scott O'Brien-Smoothjazz.com
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CD Reviews: "Jazztrenzz within David Boswell"
“Hold Tight To Your Dreams” as smooth as it gets!
"Smooth jazz is often defined in rich descriptive flamboyance but in this case the highest accolade you can give a jazz musician trying to fly in this genre is that it is just, smooth. David Boswell has set free, out of the studios of My Quiet Moon Records, a 2004 project with an emotional roller coaster attached to it. From one track to another you fly with memories, moments and dreams of times embraced throughout your life. “Hold Tight To Your Dreams” is an excellent example of why listeners should be optimistic concerning the talent in the independent music marketplace.
David Boswell [strings] along with John Boswell [Piano], Randy Drake [Drums], M.B. Gordy III [Percussion], Dean Taba [Fretted & Fretless Basses], and Eric Rigler [Low Whistle & Uileann Pipes] together enhance the listener’s musical experience with each cut. His music transmits poetry, as each movement becomes a verse in every moving musical sonnet. Actually, a remarkable jazz talent, this troubadour of the independent set, with his original stories set to music.
Like many independent musicians education is a major factor in David’s world. A staunch believer in educating the young in jazz in order to have generations to come, embrace the world of jazz. He at the same time educates the listener with the gift he provides in this project. His guitar ensemble is unique as he master the 6-string electric, 6 & 12 string acoustic, as well as synthesized guitar, all, which make an appearance in this project.
Some highlights that deserve notice is in the cut “Path to Freedom”, the expression from of the pipes to the initiation of the drums is a powerful mix of musical emotions, soon after bonding to bring a stunning introduction. Soon to be married to the sounds of David’s strings, the piece is gentle yet robust addition.
In “Dream of the Second Attention” the string presence with the gentle background of percussion and pipes makes for a melodramatic moment in this cut. It almost brings to mind the moment you first set eyes on the only true love you ever had. One of the smoothest pieces on this project, as it does have that spiritual quality rebounding off of the production. Almost as engaging is his flowing string action in the start of “The Dancer” which in a way reminds you of a warm brook flowing into the vast forest mist. Boswell has a talent for telling a story with out the articulation of a spoken word. A musical novel!
“Celebrate” is a feel good cut with the string and percussion teaming up to increase the energy of the project. Fast yet moderately arranged, it is a true “get in the car a just drive” sound. With its different tempos playing with each other, it offers a very enjoyable audio adventure.
David Boswell is one of the very promising talents on the independent jazz circuit. It would pay you dividends to add this project to your collecting, a great listen and may just, “Hold You Tight to Your Dreams”, with every cut!"
Karl Stobber-ejazznews
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"100% High Energy Smooth Jazz"
David Boswell - Hold Tight To Your Dreams Without a doubt, this recording is pure 100% high energy smooth jazz. David Boswell is a mighty talented jazz guitarist and all of it is completely evident in his brand new recording "Hold Tight To Your Dreams". In fact, Boswell is so talented that he even plays the 6 string electric, 6 and 12 string acoustic and synthesized guitars. The recording is certainly one of the best with influences from The Rippingtons and Pat Metheny. /Hold Tight To Your Dreams/ simply takes you to places never ventured before such as the vast Amazon Jungles and more. Another reason why this recording is superior among the many indie jazz releases these days is the fact that almost each and every track in this recording is carefully written, arranged and mixed in a "high energy" fashion. It is just fantastic. The best time and place for listening to this recording? When you're cruising during daylight.
-CIM Radio Smooth Jazz-New Jork
David Boswell - Hold Tight To Your Dreams
*Track listing*
1. Noodle
2. Up, Up And Away
3. Stand Tall
4. Path To Freedom
5. Dream Of The Second Attention
6. The Dancer (16 Candles)
7. The Spirit In Us All (Zayado)
8. Four Hours With A Friend
9. Foot To Wood
10. Hold Tight To Your Dreams
11. Cafe Bohemia
12. Celebrate
-CIM Radio ® 2004 CIM Radio is a licensed ASCAP and BMI smooth jazz radio channel through Live365
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