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| Trumpeter Paul Litteral is backed by a large ensemble called the Outrageous8 and they are swingin! Paul Litteral has been an in-demand trumpeter for decades. He founded the Uptown Horns with saxophonist Arno Hecht in 1978 and he has since worked with many rock and soul groups (including such names as J. Geils, the Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Tom Waits, Joe Cocker, James Brown, Pat Benatar and Ray Charles) and appeared on over 150 albums. While originally based in New York City, Litteral's work in Los Angeles as a trumpeter, arranger-composer, and musical director resulted in him gaining the nickname of "Hollywood Paul." He currently performs with Angela O'Neill and the Outrageous8 and many others. On Legacy, Hollywood Paul's first solo record, Litteral is very much in the spotlight augmented by talented guests. The opening number, David "Fathead" Newman's soul/jazz hit "Hard Times, " sets the standard for what is to come. Litteral's trumpet playing, even when simply stating the melody, is outstanding and complimented by short solos from baritone saxophonist Sam Morgan, keyboardist Rocky Davis, and altoist Colin Kupka. Johnny Mercer's witty and optimistic "Accentuate The Positive" features guest singer Lenny Goldsmith capturing the essence of Dr. John. "Lonesome Suzie" changes the mood with Litteral's trumpet (displaying a beautiful tone and a wide range) paying tribute to the late Lew Soloff's playing of this song with Blood, Sweat and Tears. A swinging "There Will Never Be Another You" gives the trumpeter an opportunity to stretch out and play some heated yet melodic jazz with Tony Pia (drs), Bill Bodine (bs) and Rocky Davis (kys). Angela O'Neill's vocal on that standard is a bit reminiscent of Chet Baker. She returns for a heartfelt rendition of the Bodine arranged ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me" which also includes some warm Flugelhorn from Paul. During the classic "Makin' Whoopee, " Anna Orbison's soulful vocal is backed by six horns in a big band-type arrangement by Michael Mull, that recalls Ray Charles. Following is Litteral's muted statement (backed by strings) on a rare instrumental version of the Eagles' "Desperado." A joyous Harry Smallenburg arrangement of "For Once In My Life" has impressive solos by Litteral and Colin Kupka on tenor. The enjoyable and wide-ranging program heads home with Beth Andersen singing another Bodine arrangement of Tom Waits' "Shiver Me Timbers, " a funky Davis arrangement of Steely Dan's "Do It Again" mixed beautifully by Greg Kupka - don't overlook the fiery guitar solo from Ken Rosser!), and finally, a brief rendition of "The Moon Is Made Of Green Cheese." Hollywood Paul Litteral's Legacy is full of variety and spectacular trumpet playing. Hopefully there will be encores in the future. By Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian Hollywood Paul Litteral Legacy produced by Angela O'Neill and Bill Bodine for Outrageous8 records TRACKS, COMPOSER, PLAYERS 1. Hard Times. Run Time: 4:48 Composer - David "Fathead" Newman. Arr. - Bill Bodine. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass. Michael Rosen - Drums. Rocky Davis- Keys. Sam Morgan - Bari Sax. Colin Kupka - Alto Sax. Produced at The Treehouse and Rosen Studios. Engineered by Michael Rosen. Mixed by Bchill Bodine. Inspiration: ''Hard Times" was the song the Uptown Horns opened with at The Uptown Horns Jam at Terry Dunes "Tramps"… a Great memory. 2. Accentuate the Positive. Run Time: 2:52 DEDICATED TO RONNIE CUBER Composers- Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer. Transcription- Michael Mull. Lenny Goldsmith - Vocals. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass/Trumpet. Michael Mull - Alto. Colin Kupka - Tenor. Sam Morgan - Bari Sax. Harry Smallenburg- Trombone. Michael Rosen - Drums. Rocky Davis - Keys. Engineered at Michael Rosen's Spot and Mixed by Greg Kupka at Kupka Studios. Inspiration: Originally inspired by a Dr. John record. It's a New Orleans take on an old classic. 3. Lonesome Suzie. Run Time: 3:58 DEDICATED TO DICK HALLIGAN AND LEW SOLOFF. Arr.- Dick Halligan. Transcription - Darren Thompson. Composer - Richard Manuel/The Band. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Colin Kupka - Alto/Tenor. Craig Kupka - Trombone. Beth Andersen/Bchill Bodine - Vocals. Rocky Davis - Keys. Bill Bodine - Bass/Trumpet. Satshoshi Kirisawa - Drums. Recorded, Engineered and Mixed at Kupka Studios by Greg Kupka. Inspiration: Loved Blood Sweat & Tears, in high school and later in NYC became good friends with Lew Soloff and was inspired by the way he played on this track. 4. There Will Never Be Another You. Run Time: 2:56 Composers - Harry Warren/Mack Gordon. Arr.- Bill Bodine. Angela Mae O'Neill - Vocals. Paul Litteral- Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass. Tony Pia - Drums. Rocky Davis- Keys. Engineered and Mixed by Bchill Bodine at The Treehouse. Inspired by Chet Baker and his arrangements and his vocals. 5. I Can't Make You Love Me. Runtime: 5:39 Composers- Mike Reid/Allan Shamblin. Arr. - Bill Bodine. Angela Mae O'Neill - Vocals. Paul Litteral - Flugelhorn. Bill Bodine - Bass. Michael Rosen - Drums. Rocky Davis - Keys. Engineered by Michael Rosen at Rosen Studios and overdubbed and mixed by BChill Bodine at The Treehouse. Vocals Produced by BChill and Bill Bodine. Inspiration: This song is one of my lifelong favorites and has gotten me through a lot. 6. Makin' Whoopie. Run time: 4:08 DEDICATED TO RONNIE CUBER Composers- Gus Kahn/Walter Donaldson. Transcription - Michael Mull. Anna Orbison - Vocals. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass/Trumpet. Craig Kupka - Trombone. Michael Mull - Alto Sax. Colin Kupka - Tenor. Sam Morgan - Bari Sax. Rocky Davis - Keys. Michael Rosen - Drums. Engineered at Michael Rosen's Spot. Mixed by BChill at The Treehouse. Vocals produced by Bill and BChill Bodine at The Treehouse. Inspiration: A great New Orleans style duet with Rickie Lee Jones and Dr. John was the inspiration for this tune. 7. Desperado. Run Time: 3:21 Composers- Glenn Frye/Don Henley. Arr. - Bill Bodine. Strings Arr.- Steve Weisberg. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Marcy Vaj - Violin/Viola. Kevan Torfeh - Cello. Bill Bodine - Bass. Rocky Davis - Keys. Strings recorded by Lee Curreri at Urban Beach Studio. Mixed at The Treehouse by Bill Bodine and Greg Kupka at Kupka Studios. Inspiration: Love the Eagles version, always wanted to do this one as an instrumental. 8. For Once In My Life. Run Time: 4:45 Composers: Ron Miller/Orlando Murden. Arranger- Harry Smallenburg. Paul Litteral -Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass/Trumpet. Craig Kupka - Trombone. Tony Pia- Drums Rocky Davis- Keys. Sam Morgan- Bari sax. Colin Kupka- Alto Sax/Tenor. Mixed by Greg Kupka at Kupka Studios. Mastered by Michael Rosen. Inspiration: The Uptown Horns, also played this tune on David Letterman when they did a "Live From Vegas" performance with Sammy Davis Jr. 9. Shiver Me Timbers. Run Time: 3:50 Composer- Tom Waits. Arr.- Bill Bodine. Beth Andersen- Vocals. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Rocky Davis- Keys. BChill - Hammond Organ. Bill Bodine - Bass/Synth/Brass Choir. Engineered and mixed at Kupka Studios by Greg Kupka and at The Treehouse by Bchill and Bill Bodine. Vocal production at The Treehouse. Inspiration: When I played on Tom Waits album entitled "Rain Dogs", I always thought to myself; "I have to do one of his songs". 10. Do It Again. Run time: 5:21 Composers- Walter Becker/Donald Fagen. Arr. - Rocky Davis. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Bill Bodine - Bass. Rocky Davis - Keys. Ken Rosser - Guitar. Tony Pia - Drums. Colin Kupka - Tenor Sax. Craig Kupka - Trombone. Engineered and mixed at Kupka Studios by Greg Kupka. Inspiration: When I was at the Naval School of Music, there was an enlisted man's club on the base. Every afternoon when I would go to the club, "Do It Again" was playing. 11. The Moon Ain’t Made of Green Cheese. Run Time: 1:39 Composer - Billy Cobham. Arr. - Rocky Davis. Paul Litteral - Trumpet. Rocky Davis- Keys/Bass/Drums. Greg Kupka - Gong. Engineered and Mixed at Kupka Studios by Greg Kupka. Inspiration: My first duty station after Naval School of Music was The Brooklyn Naval Yard. When I had time off I was fortunate enough to see all kinds of great music in New York. I saw Bill Cobham with the Brecker Brothers and when I heard Billy’s record, “Total Eclipse”, this track struck me so deeply. I cannot think of a better way to end this record than with a tribute to the great Randy Brecker. Artist: Hollywood Paul Litteral CD Title: Legacy Label Name: Outrageous8 Records Street Date: April 30, 2023 Add Date: April 24, 2023 write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |