Reaching the Masses

Track Listings

1. When I See Your Face

2. I Know It Was the Blood

3. It's Gonna Be Alright

4. What He Done for Me

5. Nobody Like the Lord

6. Give Him the Glory

7. Jesus Is My Everthing

8. Call Me

9. He Knows How Much We Can Bear

10. Call Me [Skate Mix]

11. What He's Done [Instrumental]

Tracks:

Hone at Last
My Rival
I Got the News
Third World Man
The Royal Scam
Maxine
End of the Line
Babylon Sisters

Album Description

This is a completely new recording of some classic Steely Dan songs arranged for jazz quintet. It features some of the worlds finest jazz and studio musicians, including drummer John Guerin (of Joni Mitchell, LA Express, Michael Franks), saxophonist Tom Peterson (of the Tonight Show, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), trumpeter John Daversa (of Dr. Dre, Bob Florence Big Band, Jack Sheldon), bassist Todd Sickafoose (of Noe Venable, Scott Amendola Band), and guitarist/composer Justin Morell. This CD offers a fresh, instrumental take on these beautiful compositions, with new arrangements and lots of improvisation.

Customer Reviews:

Steely Scam.......2005-02-03

I am not a fan of the type of traditional old school jazz that Mr. Morell and company play, and really was not impressed with the jr high stage band amatuerish sound demonstrated on all tracks. These covers are not worthy of the originals, and I am curious why this got so many positive reviews. I would not reccomend this to anyone, frankly.

quite satisfying interpretations of Steely Dan standards.......2004-02-08

Since I couldn't find this CD anywhere, and Amazon has supplied no samples,(see below) I finally decided after months to take a chance on it and just buy it and I'm glad I did.

For as long as there has been Jazz, artists have played their own take off on standards. They are always on safer ground improvising on a song that listeners know than writing thier own music. But it seems lately the list of standards has become overused. So there's plenty of quality pop and rock out there to make new standards from (Beatles, Stones, Doors, etc) and what better source than Steely Dan. In the 70's & 80's Steely Dan approached fusion from the rock side, and turned out much better music than when some Jazz players, who will remain nameless, tried from the Jazz side.

So how does it sound? The lead guitar here, Justin Morrell, stays often stays close to Walter Becker's guitar lines in Steely Dan, the other guys go farther afield. Overall the CD is quite satisfying. So songs cleave close to the Steely Dan original (My Rival), in others (I Got The News) there is more invention. Similar tempos, mostly, to Steely Dan. I particularly like the warmth of Home at Last, My Rival, and Babylon Sisters. Morell and company get a little carries away with The Royal Scam, but I think those who like Cool(er) Jazz and those who like Steely Dan should all seek this CD out. Only available here, as far as I know.

Bravo! good direction, I would like to see other Jazz artists follow this path.

Recommended. Under my tough grading system 4 stars for performance, 4 stars for recording, 1 star for lack of availablity & samples.

yes, but what does it sound like???????.......2004-01-06

I'd like to buy this but I would like to hear some 30 second samples first! Unavailable from other vendors.

A breath of fresh air!.......2002-04-22

The word prolific is not a word to be associated with Steely Dan. That being said, I'll take any release that comes from anywhere regarding my favorite group, SD. Be it a 'Best of' or a 'Tribute', I'll buy it. So when I spotted this gem online I grabbed it like my life depended on it. This CD goes so much farther than Garden Party's medicore "tribute".This is REAL JAZZ played with emotion and verve. Carefully covering these classics is no small feat and TJMQ paints these portraits brillantly without straying too far off the beaten track.Highly recommended from a Steely Dan Head. If you're a fan you must buy this!

Someone got it right again!.......2002-04-17

Not since Woody Herman's 1978 LP, "Chick, Donald, Walter & Woodrow",which featured five Steely Dan covers, have I heard such a loving respect paid to the incredible writing talents of Becker and Fagan.The sound of Justin Morell's quintet reminds me of other keybordless groups like those lead by Jim Hall or Chico Hamilton. There is that intamacy but they also wail. Those of you trying to sell your copy of Garden Party's "no static at all" take heed. The last disc that came close to sucessfully doing an homage to SD was the "Me, Myself & Irene" soundtrack.

Average customer rating:

Good Gospel
Smooth
Good Soothing Gospel Music
Not the same MJ!

Reaching the Masses
Minister Michael Johnson
Manufacturer: El King Music Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000J9FY
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

When I See Your Face
I Know It Was the Blood
It's Gonna Be Alright
What He Done for Me
Nobody Like the Lord
Give Him the Glory
Jesus Is My Everthing
Call Me
He Knows How Much We Can Bear
Call Me [Skate Mix]
What He's Done [Instumental]

Customer Reviews:

Good Gospel.......2004-04-23

I love this CD, A new Voice to me and hope to find more music on this artist. Would like to know how to book him in my hometown.

Smooth.......2003-10-07

I think this is a very smooth cd and this man surely allows you to feel his conviction through his music. I feel many moods in the music, but the message is of hope and deliverance. If you'd like to experience a different voice rather than the same singers you normally hear,then you need this recording Gospel Lovers!! God Bless The Artist. I stumbled upon him on Amazon.com and recieved a blessing from this music. I did buy this one and hopefully there is more to come!!!!!!

Good Soothing Gospel Music.......2001-06-02

If you like Andrae Crouch or the Hawkins Family you will truely appreciate the soulful and soothing voice of this Artist,Is Gospel Music best kept secret, hope to hear more from him in the future!!!...

Not the same MJ!.......1999-05-27

Beware: This is not the "Bluer Than Blue" Michael Johnson. This is Gospel music.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. When I See Your Face
2. I Know It Was the Blood
3. It's Gonna Be Alright
4. What He Done for Me
5. Nobody Like the Lord
6. Give Him the Glory
7. Jesus Is My Everthing
8. Call Me
9. He Knows How Much We Can Bear
10. Call Me [Skate Mix]
11. What He's Done [Instrumental]