Rewarding loyal fans after years of anticipation, Acoustix presents a cache of songs guaranteed to please a wide variety of listeners. Their opening statement, the title tune "Jazz, Jazz, Jazz," is performed in homage to the greats of the era: Nat, Benny, Frank, and of course, the Four Freshmen, to whom Acoustix pay tribute throughout this album. This is not music for barbershop fans only, though the characteristic purity of the voices and seventh chords endemic to the genre are still very much in evidence. Indeed, five of the songs feature orchestral accompaniment in the big band style: "Jazz, Jazz, Jazz," "Day by Day," "Poinciana," "Graduation Day/It's a Blue World" and "Route 66." Guest vocalists Jim Clancy, Greg Clancy and Wendy Wilson DeCrow (of Vocal Majority) augment the much-anticipated Gene Puerling arrangement of "Unforgetable" (Jim and Greg) and "The Nearness of You." (Other arrangements on the CD were done by the renowned Greg Volk.) The closing medley of Simon and Garfunkel hits reveals yet another side of this amazing quartet's range and prowess. |
