MARK WINKLER: Sings Bobby Troup

MARK WINKLER
Mark Winkler é (mais) um daqueles excepcionais cantores de jazz que não se tornam conhecidos do grande público, a despeito do seu enorme talento, ficando limitado a um círculo fechado de admiradores. E como ele, existem nos USA centenas de cantores/cantoras na mesma situação: gravam alguns CDs, cuja vendagem fica limitada aos fans, em sua área de atuação (no caso de MW, Los Angeles); cantam em bares e clubes de jazz, são respeitados pelos músicos, etc. mas não fazem sucesso nem se tornam "blockbusters". MARK WINKLER é um "senhor" cantor de jazz, na mesma linha econômica de Mel Tormé, Joe Mooney, Kenny Rankin, Chet Baker e do próprio Bobby Troup.
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BOBBY TROUP
Durante muitos anos eu quase morria de inveja de Bobby Troup, por 2 motivos: [a] por ter composto "You´re lookin´ at me"; [b] por ser marido de JULIE LONDON....Bobby, assim como Mark Winkler, que o homenageia neste álbum, também era um cantor e pianista excepcional, que se manteve ao longo da carreira como um segredo muito bem guardado. Incensado por músicos e cantores, nunca fez o sucesso que merecia.
(CB)
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MARK WINKLER
Mark Winkler is a platinum award winning singer/lyricist who has had over 150 of his songs recorded and/or sung by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dorough and Lea Salonga. He has written lyrics for tunes by such esteemed composers as Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Joshua Redman and David Benoit. As an educator Mark has taught seminars in lyric writing at The Songwriters Guild and the Learning Annex, and he now teaches "Crafting Great Lyrics: A Songwriters Workshop" at UCLA Extension.
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ALBUM REVIEW
Ok, sure, the name Bobby Troup probably means zip to ya, but I guarantee you know his work. "Route 66?" Yeah, he's the guy who penned it, and many more besides. In his heyday, Troup was a leading example of West Coast hip -- suave, assured and cool enough to freeze water. In addition to his mannered and stylish vocals, he was an able songwriter. No mere interpreter, he wrote all the tunes for which he's known: "Route 66," "Baby, Baby All the Time" and "Meaning of the Blues." His "Walkin' Shoes," co-written with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, is a jazz standard. Contemporary vocalist Mark Winkler obviously loves the music of Troup, and this 13-cut record is a testament to the enduring nature of the work of Bobby Troup. Backed by an able jazz combo (particularly Anthony Wilson on guitar and Joe Bagg on a tasty Hammond B-3), Winkler never overshadows the music with his presence, preferring to let
the tunes sell themselves. And they do. While listening to this record straight through might be too much of a good thing (the songs all sound rather similar and are high on the "daddy-o factor") you really can't go wrong with any cut. Fans of the more popular versions of Troup's hits, such as the Stones take on "Route 66" be forewarned -- ain't no rock and roll here. Instead, this is subtly crafted martini
music, and proud of it. Get hip to this kind of trip.
Source: http://www.rhombus-records.com
By ~James Mann

*****

This is a very logical release. Bobby Troup, like Dave Frishberg and Bob Dorough in later years and Hoagy Carmichael before him, was a notable songwriter, a fine pianist, and a personable singer. His music and personality seemed to epitomize the West Coast jazz scene of the 1950s, even though he survived for decades afterwards, often working as an actor. Mark Winkler has a complementary style, is a notable songwriter himself, and, although he does not play piano professionally, he is wise enough to surround himself with top musicians. On his enjoyable set, Winkler performs some of Troup's best-known hits (including "Route 66," "Baby, Baby All the
Time," "Girl Talk," and "Meaning of the Blues"), a few joyful novelties ("Three Bears," which was a hit for Page Cavanaugh, "Hungry Man," and "Lemon Twist"), and such obscurities as "One October Morning," Troup's words to Gerry Mulligan's "Walkin' Shoes," and Troup's collaboration with Matt Dennis, "Learn to Love." In addition, Winkler closes the set with a tribute that he co-wrote with Jon Mayer, "Two Guys from the Coast." The instrumentation and personnel change from track to track. Along the way, pianist Jon Mayer, organist Joe Bagg, guitarist Anthony Wilson, tenor saxophonist Bob Sheppard, bassist Kevin Axt, and drummers Roy McCurdy and Mark Feber offer Winkler swinging and sympathetic support. Throughout the well-paced set, Mark Winkler does Bobby Troup and his music justice.
~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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MINHA OPINIÃO: como eu já disse lá em cima, MARK é um tremendo cantor de jazz: "swing" e classe não lhe faltam. Com uma voz pequena, na linha de Mel Tormé, Bobby Troup e Joe Mooney (modelos de Chet Baker e Kenny Rankin), interpreta excelente repertório de composições do grande BT. Destaques para "You´re lookin´ at me" (uma de minhas músicas preferidas), "Route 66", "Girl Talk" e outras pérolas. Quem não conhece Mark Winkler, certamente vai se encantar. Coisa finíssima!
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MARK WINKLER: Sings Bobby Troup

PERSONNEL:
Jon Mayer, piano
Joe Bagg, organ
Anthony Wilson, guitar
Bob Sheppard, tenor saxophone
Kevin Axt, bass
Roy McCurdy/ Mark Feber - drums

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
01 - Hungry Man 3:13
02 - You're Looking At Me 3:12
03 - Three Bears 2:45
04 - Lemon Twist 4:00
05 - Meaning of the Blues 3:17
06 - Route 66 3:04
07 - Baby, Baby All the Time 4:11
08 - Walkin' Shoes 2:55
09 - Learn To Love 3:44
10 - One October Morning 3:46
11 - Girl Talk 4:07
12 - A Young Man Is Gone 3:34
13 - Two Guys from The Coast 3:16