Dan McCarthy's New CD

Just listened to Dan’s new cd called ‘Interwords’. I really liked it alot. Dan plays great, the songs are great, and the band is great.

The tunes are really varied in their styles.

Dan’s voicings are really open and clear. I love that in a player. The ability to spread out over the instrument. It’s one thing to fit the chord in close together, however it takes some practice to spread it out and move it around.

All his 4 mallet solo playing in different parts of tunes is so relaxed and effortless. On the tune ‘Thought Again’ he comps alone for the sax player. It’s not wishy washy which is what I usually here. He’s real percussive on the instrument. Too many players ring the crap out of the instrument in a situation like that. Then there’s no rhythm when the band drops out and for me everything just dies. To be able to play rhythmically, move the time, fill things up, move voicings and melodies is a challenge on the vibes when the bass and drums drop out.

His solos are REALLY great. He has chops and can totally get around the instrument in a very musical way. Definitely not a showoff. It’s all about the music.

This is a cool cd, I just thought I’d pass along. Definitely worth checking out. It’s over on CD Baby.