Daniel Bennett Group – We are the Orchestra (EP)
DISCOGS: https://www.discogs.com/Daniel-Bennett-Group-We-Are-the-Orchestra/release/12634888
We Are the Orchestra is a project that features saxophonist Daniel Bennett in a rare duo performance with guitarist Mark Cocheo. On this release they combine a sense of humor with folk, jazz and classical music, some of which centers around 19th century opera composer Giuseppe Verdi. The end result is a marvelous free for all with mainly- Bennett and Cocheco pulling out all the stops at what they do on guitar and horns. Only some of the tracks get a Verdi credit, so most of the compositions do Bennett himself, aside from trad arrangements. And that includes the first track, “Loose Fitting Spare Tire.”
There’s so much going on it gets hard to fully describe how they weave their own instrumental glory around the classical ambiance of Giuseppe Verdi, even if I couldn’t tell where his work lies between the tracks. It’s all the same because they make anything old new here, with a contemporary flair that just won’t quit. The tracks instantly pick up on “I’m Not Nancy” which is credited to Daniel Bennett. There is no turning back after this track flies by, complete with a killer banjo performance by Mark Cocheco that must be heard behind some sweet flute flurries by Bennett himself. So good it goes beyond words to describe.
“Gold Star Mufflers” is obviously a thing of hilarity concerning the title, but the music remains nevertheless pretty-serious, with another winning combo that includes some more banjo and overall classical inflections. “These From Ernani” gets a Verdi credit, but I’d never know the difference because they manage to seamlessly exist where Bennett and Cocheco come in and stamp their own fine signatures on one of the more accessible tracks before they get back to some Bennet penned experimenting on “Refinancing For Elephants.” It’s evident thus far it is a smoking CD without question.
“Inside Our Pizza Oven” is obviously a modern title but the music dates into old Indian themes with a lot of percussive values going for it. The entire track is heavenly rich with spicy acoustic beats and busy string, a real eastern-flavored treat. The comical vibe is mostly in the titles, but the music also reflects every mood imaginable. This is one of my favorites, but they all have something compelling to offer and leave you wanting to hear much more by these musicians, Bennett and Cochen.
“Theme from Il Trovatore” by Verdi, takes the journey into yet more distant territory for one of the overall most enjoyable moments of the EP, which gets extra credit for playing like a full-length album. And don’t miss the also humorously-titled “Carl Finds His Way,” which takes things out in perfect fashion on this excellent release, and where they probably get the jazziest of all and go the distance with everything to contrast the opening track which doesn’t have quite the impact of this awesome closer. You can even play these songs in reverse and it wouldn’t change a thing about it, as I experienced when I put it on loop for this review.
CD BABY: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/danielbennettgroup5
Mindy McCall
