REVIEWS
Off the Rack LIVE
Pete Vance & Mark Pradella
John Morrison & Jacki Cooper
Drummer, Big band leader & Jazz vocalist https://www.morrisonmusic.com.au
This project captures what we love most about live jazz recordings. A chance for the musicians to express their collaborative ideas on a mixture of popular standards and original material that allows the listener to enjoy the long-standing friendship these musicians share.
This quality can’t be “rehearsed”. It is the sound of years and years of experience on the bandstand. Raw and honest like all jazz should be.
Always in the moment. Mark and the band bring a freshness to the time-honoured standards as Peter weaves his magic into each story.
But our words are only an introduction.
The music will do the real talking. Enjoy.
Andy Vance
Jazz Pianist & Composer (Melbourne) http://andyvancemusic.com
I had the privilege of listening to 'Off The Rack' a live CD recording of a wonderful concert at the Brisbane Jazz Club performed by my brother Pete Vance and his exciting jazz ensemble.
The selection of music covers a broad spectrum of R&B tunes, Jazz standards and cool ballads, some of which are Pete's originals. Pete's deep lyrical interpretations shows a wide expression of lived experiences, wonderfully supported by an incredibly tight band of Brisbane Jazz Musicians.
I know you will enjoy the variety of music and songs on this tremendous live performance, my only disappointment was that I was not there to experience the atmosphere that IS generated by this wonderful recording.
ENJOY 'Off The Rack - LIVE' by Pete Vance & Mark Pradella and turn it up LOUD!
Ingrid James.
Contemporary Voice Specialist/Jazz Singer https://ingridjames.com
“Off the Rack”, with Peter Vance and the Mark Pradella Band, celebrates a 10 year collaboration with this stunning album, brimming with energy and joie de vivre.
The setting is an enthusiastic “live" audience at the Brisbane Jazz Club. One can gather from the
recording, that there's love in the room for the way in which these songs have been arranged, written and performed.
A stand out is Pete’s genuine spontaneity with the band and with the audience. “Off the Rack” gives the listener a sense that they've been privileged to share in a night full of rousing tempos and feels, led by Peter’s compelling rich, textured, full, lush tones and delicately nuanced stylings - all delivered with the sensitivity of the thoughtful and generous human being behind the voice. Every song is heartfelt, whether delivered as a pulsating 12/8 blues feel, swing, funk or bossanova.
The band which features the wonderful Mark Pradella on reeds, Sammy Pace on keys, Hal Chandler on bass, Matt Teakle on guitar and Ian Townson on percussion, retains a versatility that keeps the
listener tuned in from beginning to end.
Stu Robertson.
101FM Jazz presenter www.101fm.com.au
“Off The Rack: LIVE” is proof that it’s possible to capture the magic of live recording that actually sounds real. By definition: inviting, fun and entertaining and yet technically terrific.
Though it’s rare, because essentially its challenging. And the audience needs to be a part of it.
The Mark Pradella Band pulled it off recently at the almost acoustically perfect Brisbane Jazz Club, using experienced sound engineer Mark Smith.
It’s a full evening of “the good stuff”. A perfect blend of the Great American Songbook, reworked and overhauled Pop classics plus a couple of brand new writings. Nice.
Too much to fit onto a CD, so tough decisions had to be made for the 14 tracks chosen.
The result is a genuine listening joy to the standout material here.
Each of the numbers reveal in some part - not always in full, some hidden gem of the band’s talent. It’s worth searching for, let me assure you. Songs and tunes do that unwittingly.
For example, timekeepers Ian Townson on drums and Hal Chandler on electric bass. In classic style holding it together, at the same time making room for the other musicians to build a platform of new musical memories on top. These guys are unobtrusively professional.
Go up one sonic layer and you have Matt Teakle on a Gibson 335 guitar, with a mellow sound befitting some truly elegant tracks (check out Nature Boy). Joining him “in the zone” and in the pocket is Mark Pradella on Sax, EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) and a few other instruments to add to the vibe. Mark moves from raunchy to breathtaking in his style with ease.
Sammy Pace on keyboard plays tribute to the great Joey DeFrancesco in ‘One Hundred Ways’ and to the Doors’ Ray Manzarek in a funked version of ‘Light My Fire’ (Still smiling about that one.)
Queensland’s own Peter Vance. The man’s a legend. He delivers an earthy, scorching style as in the almost six-minute version of Buddy Johnson’s ‘Since I Fell for You’. And yet caresses other songs through to the end.
Independently – all great musos. Collectively – superb collaborators. Time to re-live 14 of the best that night. Well done Mark Pradella Band. “Off The Rack” fits me just fine!