2010-05-03
JazzWeekly.com Review by George W. Harris
He’s got a tone that is as clear and open as the desert of JUDAH
JazzWeekly.com Review by George W. Harris
Roni Ben-Hur
Fortuna
By George W. Harris
Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has put out a couple of records already, and
I’ve enjoyed both of them tremendously; his debut Keepin’ It Open, and
Jazz Therapy (with Gene Bertoncini). He’s got a tone that is as clear
and open as the desert of JUDAH. On this disc Ben-Hur is able to
play strong and forceful with RAMMING SPEED on his own “Guess Who” and can sprightly gallop like a CHARIOT RACE as Arlen’s “A Sleeping Bee.” He takes Jobim’s “Modinha” and treats it like a mournful and plodding MARCH OF A CHAIN GANGTunes like “Granada” and “So Tinha De Ser
Com Voce” have a BEDOUIN mystique about them, as Ben-Hur bends, plucks
and strums his strings to excellent effect. The backing team of Ronnie
Mathews/p, Rufus Reid/b, Lewis Nash/dr and Steve Kroon/p has the power
of the ROMAN EMPIRE throughout, but particularly on an electric reading
of Ellington’s “Intimacy Of The Blues.” Great release from a guy we
need to hear more from.
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