Minors Aloud – Buddy Emmons

In this second meeting between pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons and jazz guitarist Lenny Breau, they find common ground as they venture through a session mixing jazz standards and original compositions, accompanied by keyboardist Randy Goodrum, bassist Charles Dungey, and drummer Kenny Malone. "Minors Aloud" is a mid-tempo blues jointly written by Emmons and Breau, though all of the individual solos are rather perfunctory. Breau's salute to Johann Sebastian Bach, "Bach's Bouree," opens with his gorgeous unaccompanied solo; after the band is added, it maintains its magic with understated brushwork by Malone. The interpretation of "Scrapple From the Apple" has a bizarre quiet introduction, but quickly transforms into a cooker. The pedal steel definitely gives a rather unique sound to Benny Golson's "Killer Joe," though Breau is clearly the more interesting soloist. "Compared to What," which was a huge hit for Les McCann and Eddie Harris, is an unqualified dud, with a completely forgettable vocal by Emmons. Flying Fish was always interested in mixing musicians from country and jazz; this somewhat uneven date should be considered at least a partial success. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide