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Doug MacDonald Trio: Edwin Alley

By Jack Bowers
August 15, 2023
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Los Angeles-based guitarist

Doug MacDonald

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug MacDonald, busy as ever, is comfortable in any setting, from big band to solo. On Edwin Alley, MacDonald leads a trio (

Mike Flick

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Flick, bass;

" data-original-title="" title="">Kendall Kay, drums) through eight of his bright and well-drawn original compositions and one standard, the amorous entreaty "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." The album is a follow-up to MacDonald's impressive trio date Serenade to Highland Park and is his tenth recording as a leader in the last six years.

Edwin Alley is an historic area in Old Town Pasadena where MacDonald's trio has a regular Thursday night gig. While there is no tune by that name on the album, there are some dedications, starting with the minor blues "Zoot and Pepper" (for Hall of Fame saxophonists

Zoot Sims

saxophone, tenor
1925 - 1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Zoot Sims and

Pepper Adams

saxophone, baritone
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Pepper Adams), including the ballad "Benedetto's Theme" (for guitar designer Robert Benedetto) and even encompassing an ode to Italian broccoli (the lightly swinging "Rapini"). "Eyow/This Is It" is based on Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love," "Tuned Out" on

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' jazz standard "Tune Up."

Completing the program are MacDonald's carefree and charming "JT," "Three for Two" (in 5/4 time) and frisky "Groove Blues," on which MacDonald plays a Portuguese guitar called the coimbra. No matter what he's playing or how, MacDonald has much of interest to say, always in a clear and unambiguous voice—as do his running mates, Flick and Kay, who share solo duties on most tracks and are never less than admirable. This is a first-class trio, enhanced by MacDonald's exemplary compositions, and is warmly recommended to those who appreciate unerring teamwork in the service of personable music.

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Track Listing

Zoot and Pepper; Eyow/This Is It; Benedetto��s Theme; Three for Two; Groove Blues; JT; Rapini; Tuned Out; You��d Be So Nice to Come Home To.

Personnel

Doug MacDonald

guitar

Mike Flick

bass, acoustic

Kendall Kay

drums

Album information

Title: Edwin Alley | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

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