The Don Lawrence Orchestra | Heavenly Jazz: Gospel Gold
Published: April 20, 2010
The Don Lawrence Orchestra of Kalispell has released a CD with a novel twist. It’s got religious tunes with a Big Band sound. Straight-ahead church numbers are interspersed with earthy spiritual pieces in a compendium that succeeds in fine style.
DLO trumpeters Mollye Faulkner and Dana Scranton conceived the album with the idea of recording long-time jazz icon Don Lawrence’s gospel arrangements. Liner notes show that at least 26 musicians participated, as well as a host of production volunteers.
The album honors Lawrence’s deceased mother, Marie, music director at Kalispell’s Church of the Nazarene for 40 years, and was recorded the acoustic haven of the Bigfork Catholic Church, which had to have made engineer Ron Reeves’s job easier!
The 17 selections are sonically well-rounded and Lawrence’s arrangements are rich in detail and ensemble dynamics. The clarion call starts us off on “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” with its sassy style recalling the feel of a revival.
“Pass It On” comes off as a sort of mellow show tune with Marlene Hanson singing, until we hit a wailin’ trumpet solo and ba-da-da horns in the background. Cool!
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee” has a soulful and introspective alto sax intro and New Orleans feel; and “The Stranger Swings,” a cool-cat takeoff of “Wayfaring Stranger,” with its memorable hook, is given the Big Band treatment that conjures visions of an opulent ’40s dance hall.
And hello! “Day by Day,” from the blockbuster rock musical “Godspell,” is given a decidedly un-raucous and tender treatment that works well here, with vocals by Hanson.
The only non-Lawrence arrangements can be found in two tunes gleaned from the Salvation Army vaults. “Blessed Assurance” is a lovely waltz, and “Deep River” gets high-hat and soft brushes punctuated by fine dynamic pacing.
“The Beauty of Montana” has a cool and harmonious wall of sound that sets the mood, and “Do Lord (Do Remember Me”) is a hand-clappin’ spiritual with vocals by Brad Seaman. Some lovely flute starts the light-hearted “Let It Shine Medley,” in which kids get to sing the lead!
Lots of great musicianship everywhere, and oodles of cool trombone licks, natch. The aptly titled CD even has a musician named Heaven (Van Valkenburg), and I say, any band with a female trumpet player is worth listening to!
Reach the group by writing to .
– Mariss McTucker
