[.ca] V2 Live At The Baked Potato

The Potato Cools Off:
"Live at the Baked Potato Vol 2" is the follow up to volume one and like most sequels it isn't as good as the first. Jeff Richman surrounds himself with more all-star caliber musicians again on this disc. There is more of a mellow/jazz vibe on this one than the rock/fusion of the first. The songs are a split between Richman originals and covers. The first tune is also the best. It is entitled "Kamaroon" and features Vinnie Coliauta on drums and Steve Tavaglione on Saxophone and Abraham Laboriel on Bass. On the first disc they did a killer cover of "Mercy Street" and on this Richman tune they once again are playing well. The song features the guitar work of Richman and the drumming of Vinnie. Richman's guitar work is not heavy on notes but instead is about tone and feel. His style is best suited for fans of the Carlton/Ford school of nuance and phrasing. The tune has a solid groove and then Coliauta cleans house at the end of the song. "Let This Be the One" is another Richman original and is a mellow ballad type of tune. Richman's guitar work is expressive throughout it and his playing,yet again, doesn't delve into flurries of notes. The band also shows restraint and the result is one of the better tunes on the disc. "I've Got Rhythm" is the best cover. Richman leads the band through this Gershwin composed piece. Bassist Jimmy Haslip also contributes some nice bass lines. The result is a cover that doesn't lose the flavor of the original. Although this disc isn't as good as the first one there are still some good songs on it. There are plenty of better fusion discs out there but if you loved the first volume you'll probably like this one as well.

Nearly as good as the first....:
And that's saying something. The second volume in this series focuses more on straight-ahead jazz sounds, less on the fusion aspect. Richman is an intriguing soloist and he surrounds himself with the creme de la creme of LA musicians. A real treat, great soulful playing in a live setting.

• Kamaroon - Vinnie Colaiuta, Abraham Laboriel, Jeff Richman, Steve Tavaglione
• On the Trail - Gregg Bissonette, Jimmy Earl, , Jeff Richman
• Leap of Faith - Jeff Beal, , Jimmy Earl, Jeff Richman
• Let This Be the One - Abraham Laboriel, Jeff Richman, , Peter Wolf
• Star Cycle - Brandon Fields, Tom Kennedy, Simon Phillips, Jeff Richman
• I Got Rhythm - Danny Gottlieb, Jimmy Haslip, Jeff Richman