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Frank Rubolino- Cadence
Review
of Neal Miner's The Real
Neal
There is a happy blending of
instruments on the bass-led
recording of Miner on [The Real
Neal]. The blues and ballads
all receive a generous heaping
of good-time playing as Miner
and his trio/quartet romp through
original and standard material.
Miner's sound is upfront and
dominant as a leader on this
session. The program features
the bluesy rhythm guitar playing
of Bergson throughout, while
White joins the lively debate
to make it a quartet on six
cuts. Miner develops a fat sound,
dishing out large gulps of melody
and rhythm as a player in the
forefront on most selections.
He and his group color within
the lines, but the music has
the necessary vitality to keep
it interesting. Wile Miner is
very busy setting the active
pace, Bergson and White play
off each other with neatly executed,
gleeful phrases.
Although the musicians are
not intent on exploring new
ground, the ground they cover
does project a lively, lighthearted
ambiance that precludes the
music from being trapped in
retrospection. Bergson is particularly
adept at spitting out spiraling
rounds of rapid guitar fire
while Miner keeps pace in galloping
fashion. The guitar tone is
crystal clear, making the comparison
to the deep bass voice of Miner
more emphatic. White's entry
adds a rousing element, and
drummer Strasser is steady as
the pulse generator. The six
original compositions by Miner
and/or White add a further element
of freshness, but it is the
bold bass execution of Miner
that dominates the soundscape.
He uses a well-known recipe
but still manages to stimulate
the taste buds.
go
to The Real Neal
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Reviews of
The Real Neal
Greg Olwell - Bass
Player Magazine
...Neal lets his full-bodied acoustic
tone shine throughout. more...
Ray
Brown
A very good CD, I enjoyed
his playing.
Jim
Santella - All
About Jazz
A lyrical bassist, Miner blends a rich
tone and seamless phrasing into his interpretations.
more...
Frank Rubolino
- Cadence
Miner delivers a fat sound with great
gobs of melody...generous portions of "goodtime"
playing..
more...
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