...Released in 1995 on the Go Jazz label and primarily recorded at Paisley Park.


The Band...

Phil Upchurch - guitar
Ricky Peterson - keyboards
Michael Bland - drums
Paul Peterson - bass
Bashiri Johnson - percussion


The Horn Headz...

Mike Nelson - trombone & arrangements
Brian Gallagher - tenor sax
Kathy Jensen - baritone sax
Dave Jensen - trumpet
Steve Strand - trumpet



The Musical Guests...

Mavis Staples - vocal
Chaka Khan - vocal
Bob Malach - tenor sax
Ben Sidran - vocal
The Steeles (Jevetta, Fred & J.D.) - vocals
Gegé Telesforo - scat vocal


The Tunes...

1. Winds of Change

Beautiful ballad written by Mavis Staples' god-daughter (Diane Louie).
The song is sung wonderfully by Ms. Staples One thing I appreciate about her vocal track is that they didn't go back and try and doctor every vocal crack.
I might describe it as "Reality Recording" which is quite refreshing. Sounds like Dr. Phil plays a nylon acoustic on this one.


2. Midnight Blue

If the guitar playing wasn't so good, you might be tempted to drop this into the Snooze Jazz waste bin. You won't.


3. It's My Thing

For his singing debut, he's chosen to do a parody of It's Your Thing by The Isley Brothers.

It's my thing, I do what I wanna do
I tried your thing
And it didn't do what it was supposed to

It's my thing, I do what I wanna do
I tried your way, one time
And now i'm through


4. Love Is Strange

A low-down bluesy cover of the Mickey & Sylvia hit with vocals by Chaka Khan.


5. Knock on Wood

Pretty pedestrian cover with Chaka Khan on vocals. The guitar playing saves it.


6. The Long Way Home

Another almost Snooze Jazz candidate that the guitar playing saves.


7. Blues for J.O.S.

Things start getting good again with this sharply arranged snappy instrumental.
Nice sax work from Bob Malach's and Dr. Phil kills again on guitar.


8. I'll Just Keep Holding On

The Steeles are burnin', Dr. Phil is smokin' and the rhythm section is cookin on this one.
Tighten up your wigs and put the "Safety Circle (for TB)" on standby 'cause you're about to do the sanctified shout.

Gospel/Jazz chord progessions...


9. Leave No Child

From the spiritual to the secular but with a serious sermon given by Mavis Staples.
Funkiest groove on the disc.

Listen, little brother
Why you want to die so young
Nothing 'bout the fire
Warms the blood from a smoking gun
This road from knowing nothing
Leads you to believing in nothing at all

Listen, little brother
There's nothing, no how, nowhere and no one
But you and me and all these children
Got this mountain to climb
You and me gonna climb this mountain
Leave no child behind

Makin' a way out of no way

For all these children of mine
You and me gonna climb this mountain
Leave no child behind


10.It Was Groovy in There (Relaxin' at Camarillo)

The lyrics of vocalese master Jon Hendricks added to Charlie Parker's Relaxin' at Camarillo melody gives Ben Sidran an opportunity to perform with the band.


11.Bee's Blues

Nice minor Jazz/Blues (meaning they're using all those extra chords beyond I-IV-V)

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From 1990, Back At The Chicken Shack...



...Phil Upchurch with Jimmy Smith

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tA


Tribal Disorder

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