Frank Potenza: Ode To Billie Joe

Track

Ode To Billie Joe

Group

Frank Potenza Trio

CD

Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue (Capri Records 74093-2)

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Musicians:

Frank Potenza (guitar), Joe Bagg (organ), Steve Barnes (drums).

Composed by Bobbie Gentry

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Recorded: May 8 & 9, 2008

Frankpotenzatrio

Rating: 86/100 (learn more)

At first, I thought that maybe the wrong disc had been placed in my CD player. I was expecting “Ode To Billie Joe” but the initial vibe was close to “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” The organ riff being layed down by Joe Bagg sure had that slink. When the guitar kicked in though, everything began to make sense. Frank Potenza constructs some fine improvisations through these famous changes. At first he stays fairly close to the melody's envelope, but then busts out with some great runs that fly nimbly through the sonic landscape. This seems to push Bagg to new heights with his own solo.

This song has been interpreted in many ways throughout the years, but somehow Frank Potenza makes it seem fresh. Great fun to be had here.

Reviewer: Mark Saleski

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