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Chris Standring: Wonderful World

By Jack Bowers
July 29, 2021
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Wonderful World, the fourteenth album as leader by British guitarist

Chris Standring

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Standring, was no doubt recorded with the best of intentions. And make no mistake, the music is warm and lovely, furnishing an opulent showcase for Standring's mellow guitar. Aside from that, however, there's not a whole lot to say. Standring's "orchestra" consists of a nineteen-member string section, while

Geoff Gascoyne

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Geoff Gascoyne's syrupy arrangements call to mind popular string-laden sessions from the 1950s and '60s, "easy listening" albums for "late-night lovers" designed by Percy Faith, Jackie Gleason,

Bobby Hackett

trumpet
1915 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hackett and others, except this time there's a guitar leading the way instead of a trumpet, oboe or English horn. It's a step removed from Mantovani or the 101 Strings orchestra.

Besides the strings, Standring is supported on various tracks by bassists Gascoyne,

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Berghofer or

Darek Oles

bass
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Darek Oles and drummers

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine,

Harvey Mason

drums
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Harvey Mason or

David Karasony

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">David Karasony, but their primary task is to keep time while the orchestra plays and Standring solos. Berghofer does have one brief solo, on Cole Porter's "Night and Day." Elsewhere, it's basically all Standring all the time, save for a brief guest appearance by flugelhornist

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker on Standring's slow-breaking "Sunrise." Of the album's eleven tunes, only one—"On Green Dolphin Street"—pushes forward more rapidly than a ballad.

The others—from Jobim's "How Insensitive" to the standards "Autumn in New York," "Falling in Love with Love" and "My Foolish Heart" to "Estate," Burt Bacharach/Hal David's theme from "Alfie" and

Donald Fagen

piano and vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Fagen's "Maxine"—assume the same hushed and reposeful stance, calmly awaiting the entrance of Standring's genteel and melodious manifestos. The atmosphere is so even-tempered that the drummers could have left their sticks at home, as brushes alone—even "On Green Dolphin Street"—are more than adequate. There is one vocal, by

Kathrin Shorr

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Kathrin Shorr on the title song. As noted, the music is charming, and Standring is a splendid guitarist, but Wonderful World is best suited for those who are happiest living on a diet comprised solely of tender ballads and love songs.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

How Insensitive; Night and Day; Autumn in New York; Estate; What a Wonderful World; On Green Dolphin Street; Alfie; Falling in Love with Love; Sunrise; Maxine; My Foolish Heart.

Personnel

Chris Standring

guitar

Geoff Gascoyne

bass

Randy Brecker

trumpet

Peter Erskine

drums

Harvey Mason

drums

David Karasony

drums

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic

Darek Oles

bass

Kathrin Shorr

vocals

Album information

Title: Wonderful World | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Ultimate Vibe

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