LA Jazz Scene Scott Yanow Album review of 'I Woke Up Needing Coffee'
'I Woke Up Needing Coffee'
L A Jazz Historian and Jazz Journalist Scott Yanow Album review
Buddy Love
I Woke Up Needing Coffee
(Self-Released)
Buddy Love is a fine Australian singer-songwriter who is based in Melbourne. He is a subtle vocalist who is effective at getting his message across, whether on his originals or on standards from the jazz and rock worlds, and he has a likable musical personality.
For his latest release I Woke Up Needing Coffee, Buddy Love is joined by an excellent and supportive jazz combo that is most notable for featuring pianist Kosta Glouzman. The set begins with the catchy title cut which is about a happy but necessary addiction. “Stormy” is a catchy tune that one could imagine Michael Franks writing and performing; the rhythmic piano solo is an extra plus.
Love comes up with his own fresh variations on “Good Morning Heartache,” “Light My Fire” (which has some excellent flute playing from Ann Craig), Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman” (given a joyfully funky treatment), and “Cry Me A River.” His low notes on “My Funny Valentine” recall Chet Baker (although he has a wider vocal range) and he mostly talks the lyrics on Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” which has him assisted by Alex Burns’ harmonica in the ensembles.
I Woke Up Needing Coffee, which is just one of several worthy Buddy Love albums, is available from www.amazon.com
. Scott Yanow
https://lajazzscene.buzz/jazz-cd-reviews-september-2019/