Jonatha Brooke: My Flowers Grow Green

Track

My Flowers Grow Green

Artist

Jonatha Brooke (vocals, guitar)

CD

The Works (Bad Dog Records BDR 60808)

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Musicians:

Jonatha Brooke (vocals, guitar), Joe Sample (piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ), Christian McBride (bass), Steve Gadd (drums).

Composed by Jonatha Brooke; words by Woody Guthrie

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Recorded: New York, February 9-10, 2008

Albumcoverjonathabrooke-theworks

Rating: 90/100 (learn more)

While this track isn't jazz in the strict sense (so you sticklers will just have to relax), the underlying spirit certainly heads in that direction. Jonatha Brooke wraps Woody Guthrie's lyrics in a blanket of lilting, waltz-time warmth and light swing that actually leans more toward gospel-inflected country than jazz (thanks in part to Joe Sample's B-3). By "spirit," I refer to the history of jazz, where the actuality of the American melting-pot was reflected in the progression of the art form. All I know is that Woody would have been pleased with the clarity and passion of Brooke's voice, to say nothing of the Charlie Haden-esque solo that Christian McBride gives us.

Reviewer: Mark Saleski

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