Terry Myers
Smiles
Arbors Records
www.arborsrecords.com

Bill Allred featuring John Allerd
The New York Sessions
Arbors Records
www.arborsrecords.com
By George W. Harris

Tone rules the day on these excellent releases by the straight down the middle label Arbors Records.

Tenor/soprano saxist Terry Myers leads a swinging little band with the venerable Johnny Varro/p and Joel Forbes/b Ed Metz/d right on time. His tenor is Chu Berry warm, with some lovely swinging on “Them There Eyes” and the drippingly beautiful “Blue Prelude.” A clever ¾ reading of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” sounds fresh as a daisy, while his soprano on “Oh Baby” and “Someday Sweetheart” glistens like a stained glass window. Metz snaps in support, while Varro and Forbes take some lovely and lithe solos. Fun and fantastic.

Trombonist Bill Allred leads a brassy band with Warren Vache/tp, John Allred/tb-tuba, Jeff Phillips/p-B3, Nicki Parrott/b, Ed Metz/dr and a one-off Howard Alden/g for a warmly swinging affair. The blending of horns is like an Alfredo sauce on “Lullaby of Broadway” and “Always” while the bluesy and gritty “Davenport Blues” has some rich slide work to accompany Phillips’ brooding B3. A take of Dave Frishberg’s “I Want To Be A Sideman” is hiply right on target with Parrott and Bill jiving back and forth with just the right feel. As rich as Bailey’s poured over Breyer’s Ice Cream.