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Paul Carr: Straight Ahead Soul

By C. Michael Bailey
September 7, 2010
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Track review of "Sideyard Tracks"

If saxophonist

Paul Carr

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Carr could be described in a single word, it would be durable. Carr's two previous recordings—Just Noodlin' (PCJE, 2008) and Musically Yours (PCJE, 2006)—displayed a dependable adherence to the

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles' principles of rhythm and blues. His tone and attack are made of the same precious metal as that of

Hank Crawford

saxophone, alto
1934 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Crawford and David "Fathead" Newman. On Straight Ahead Soul, Carr does his part to move adult contemporary jazz toward respectability with the fussy and hard-to-please traditionalist.

"Sideyard Tracks" is a bright example of contemporary crossed with hard bop and soul. Guitarist

Bobby Broom

guitar
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Broom is perfectly matched with Carr, his fat, round notes dissolving into Carr's tenor on the head and coda. Pianist

Allyn Johnson

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Allyn Johnson has a

Gene Harris

piano
1933 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Harris-like sensibility and grasp of the blues. Snap-bright and swinging, Carr adds just enough funk for credibility, producing a song easily accessible and readily listenable.

Learn more about our star rating system

Personnel

Paul Carr

saxophone

aul Carr: tenor saxophone; Bobby Broom: guitar; Lewis Nash: drums; Allyn Johnson: Piano; Michael Bowie: bass; Sam "Segutio" Turner: percussion.

Album information

Title: Straight Ahead Soul | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: PCJE

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