DeFrancesco, Joey
High Note, 2010, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 16.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Pop+Jazz
Performance: 3
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Michael Jackson’s music is timeless with broad appeal. DeFrancesco puts his soul/blues hats on and adds the funk using several organs and piano. He also sings on a couple of tracks. He gets excellent accompaniment from Paul Bollenback (g) and Byron Landham (d). Highlights are “Rock With You”, “Thriller”, “Lady In My Life” and the title track. Joey makes this one special by recreating the presence of Jackson’s moves and sentiment on the organ and sharing lead lines with Bollenback. It is a daring approach that fares well on most tracks.
Publicist: Jazz Depot
