Les DeMerle is typical of many of the artists recording for Origin. He's a veteran drummer who's paid his dues, but probably has more of a regional following. In any case, he knows how to swing a band, mixing in standards and even singing a few bluesy vocals, though Eddy Arnold's "You Don't Know Me" isn't typical jazz fare. He thrills the crowd with his feverish solo in a romp through "Caravan," then introduces his wife, vocalist Bonnie Eisele. Her pure approach, with just a touch of vibrato, is especially effective in ...
Read More
Les DeMerle is typical of many of the artists recording for Origin. He's a veteran drummer who's paid his dues, but probably has more of a regional following. In any case, he knows how to swing a band, mixing in standards and even singing a few bluesy vocals, though Eddy Arnold's "You Don't Know Me" isn't typical jazz fare. He thrills the crowd with his feverish solo in a romp through "Caravan," then introduces his wife, vocalist Bonnie Eisele. Her pure approach, with just a touch of vibrato, is especially effective in ballads like "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?," though she dives full force into the breezy "How High the Moon" and scats up a storm as the band segues into "Ornithology." DeMerle and Eisele share the vocals in a playful "I Want You to Be My Baby" and a hip rendition of "Jumpin' with Symphony Sid." Pianist Mike Levine and bassist Ricky Ravelo provide strong support throughout the disc. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi
Read Less
