MUSIC REVIEW: A SIDEMAN´S JOURNEY

The name Klaus Voormann may not immediately register with music fans, but chances are they have at one point heard his bass lines or seen his artwork. He befriended the Beatles back in their Hamburg days; designed the album covers for Revolver and all the Anthology CDs; played on John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr albums; performed at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh and Lennon's 1969 Live Peace in Toronto show; became Manfred Mann's bassist; and produced Trio's 1982 hit "Da Da Da I Don't Love You You Don't Love Me Aha Aha Aha." To celebrate his many years in music, he is joined by some of his best friends and past collaborators in A Sideman's Journey, a collection of classic songs by some of his favorite artists.

In the CD packaging, the following sentence appears: "To honor a sideman is a tribute to all sidemen." Voormann epitomizes the sideman in that he never overshadows his collaborators; instead, he simply plays solid bass, letting the lead artist hold the spotlight. True to form, Voormann's playing showcases the lead singer and other musicians; while he may not be a strong presence on A Sideman's Journey, his rhythmic is a constant reminder of his important role as a backing musician. Listeners will feel as though they are privy to a jam session among friends, performing songs they hold dear. Old buddies McCartney and Starr lend a hand for a rollicking version of "I'm in Love Again," with McCartney channeling Fats Domino in his delivery, both vocally and through his piano work. Bonnie Bramlett (best known as one half of the duo Delaney and Bonnie) brings her deeply soulful vocals to a rousing gospel version of "My Sweet Lord."

READ MORE... HERE.