Russ Spiegel - Nitty Gritty - New Release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nitty Gritty , from Russ Spiegel , and it's a cool release with some great tracks. Opening with Hank Mobley's Soul Station , Jim Gasior on organ, Lucas Apostoleris on drums set the foundation for Russ Spiegel's guitar lead. Nicely complimented by Gasior's organ accents a solid opener. Lennon and McCartney's Norwegian Wood gets a light redo with glistening tones from Spiegel's guitar and features a really nice bass solo by Kurt Hengstebeck. Francis Lai's pop track, A Man And A Woman , is approached with a subtle yet effective hand, pumping up it's Latin nature slightly and a soulful sax solo by Tim Armacost adds a warm richness to the track and Spiegel's lush guitar phrasing carries the melody. Consuelo Velazquez's Besame Mucho , a terrific Latin pop track, has an even more distinct Latin emphasis thanks to the drumming of Apostoleris and Spiegel's guitar approach is really clean....