JAM Magazine: February/March 1999 Issue: For the Record

Pat Morrissey
PM TIME
ChasMore Records

Personnel: Pat Morrissey, trumpet, flugelhorn; Greg Meise, piano, vocals (trk 9); Micah Herman, bass; Todd Wilkinson, tenor saxophone; Dave Stephens, vocals (trk 5); Arnold Young, drums

Tracks: Bewitched, Alone Together, St. James Infirmary, PM Time, It Had To Be You, On Green Dolphin Street, Willow Weep For Me, Booker's Blues, Flintstones, Stardust

Recorded October, 1997 at Chapman Studios, Kansas City, MO; Max Groove, producer.

On PM Time, trumpeter Pat Morrissey, a longtime stalwart of the Kansas City jazz scene, has assembled some of KC's finest musicians to produce a CD worthy of the Kansas City jazz tradition.

On the Rogers and Hart classic, "Bewitched," Morrissey and the band keep pace in a fluid motion, with outstanding piano work from Greg Meise and a lazy yet dreamy pulse from drummer Arnold Young.

The next cut "Alone Together" shows off Morrissey's flugelhorn skills as well as those of bassist and KC newcomer Micah Herman, a welcome addition to the band. Micah is someone to keep an eye on.

The Irving Mills standard, "St. James Infirmary," is done in the traditional manner, with Morrissey using the plunger mute very effectively. The whole band is clearly having the time of their lives on this one, and when tenor saxophonist Todd Wilkinson joins Morrissey at centerstage, the two wail and riff until tears come to the jazz lover's eyes.

Morrissey's "PM Time" is next and is dedicated to the late night Kansas City jam. It's jazzy, it's bluesy... everything KC jazz after hours brings to mind.

Singer and noted swing band leader Dave Stephens is spotlighted on "It Had To Be You," a track that begins with a beautiful trumpet solo from Morrissey. Stephens then chimes in with an always-silky vocal. This track had to be absolutely marvelous.

There are a couple of short but sweet solos from drummer Young on "Green Dolphin Street," and you will stop whatever you're doing and listen to every note Morrissey plays on the classic, "Willow Weep For Me."

Another Morrissey original, "Booker's Blues," is dedicated to the late Booker Samuels, once an elder statesman of Kansas City jazz, and, according to the CD's liner notes, "a trumpeter extraordinaire." Morrissey's dirty, down home performance would make Booker proud.

Next, Greg Meise, on both piano and vocals, gets a turn at centerstage on the standard, "Teach Me Tonight." Joined by Morrissey on muted trumpet, Meise makes you wonder why he doesn't sing more often. What a voice! It's followed by the upbeat "Flintstones" theme -- that's right, the "rhythm changes" standard right from the cartoon feature-- and, as club owner Rich Denny writes in the album's liner notes, this song "is generally my cue to turn up the house lights and give last call." (Morrissey is a regular at Denny's Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill at 8th and Central.)

Last is Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust," a fitting finish to this CD. Mellow and romantic, Morrissey again shines with a rich and gorgeous sound. It's another one of those "just sit and listen" tunes. Much like the CD itself.

PM Time is a worthy addition to any collection of fine Kansas City jazz. Look for it in area retail outlets or at Pat's many live appearances in and around KC.

-- Vanessa Barnard

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Pat Morrissey PM TIME ChasMore Records Personnel: Pat Morrissey, trumpet, flugelhorn; Greg Meise, piano, vocals (trk 9); Micah Herman, bass; Todd Wilkinson, tenor saxophone; Dave Stephens, vocals (trk 5); Arnold Young, drums Tracks: Bewitched, Alone Together, St. James Infirmary, PM Time, It Had To Be You, On Green Dolphin Street, Willow Weep For Me, Booker's Blues, Flintstones, Stardust Recorded October, 1997 at Chapman Studios, Kansas City, MO; Max Groove, producer. On PM Time, trumpeter Pat Morrissey, a longtime stalwart of the Kansas City jazz scene, has assembled some of KC's finest musicians to produce a CD worthy of the Kansas City jazz tradition. On the Rogers and Hart classic, "Bewitched," Morrissey and the band keep pace in a fluid motion, with outstanding piano work from Greg Meise and a lazy yet dreamy pulse from drummer Arnold Young. The next cut "Alone Together" shows off Morrissey's flugelhorn skills as well as those of bassist and KC newcomer Micah Herman, a welcome addition to the band. Micah is someone to keep an eye on. The Irving Mills standard, "St. James Infirmary," is done in the traditional manner, with Morrissey using the plunger mute very effectively. The whole band is clearly having the time of their lives on this one, and when tenor saxophonist Todd Wilkinson joins Morrissey at centerstage, the two wail and riff until tears come to the jazz lover's eyes. Morrissey's "PM Time" is next and is dedicated to the late night Kansas City jam. It's jazzy, it's bluesy... everything KC jazz after hours brings to mind. Singer and noted swing band leader Dave Stephens is spotlighted on "It Had To Be You," a track that begins with a beautiful trumpet solo from Morrissey. Stephens then chimes in with an always-silky vocal. This track had to be absolutely marvelous. There are a couple of short but sweet solos from drummer Young on "Green Dolphin Street," and you will stop whatever you're doing and listen to every note Morrissey plays on the classic, "Willow Weep For Me." Another Morrissey original, "Booker's Blues," is dedicated to the late Booker Samuels, once an elder statesman of Kansas City jazz, and, according to the CD's liner notes, "a trumpeter extraordinaire." Morrissey's dirty, down home performance would make Booker proud. Next, Greg Meise, on both piano and vocals, gets a turn at centerstage on the standard, "Teach Me Tonight." Joined by Morrissey on muted trumpet, Meise makes you wonder why he doesn't sing more often. What a voice! It's followed by the upbeat "Flintstones" theme -- that's right, the "rhythm changes" standard right from the cartoon feature-- and, as club owner Rich Denny writes in the album's liner notes, this song "is generally my cue to turn up the house lights and give last call." (Morrissey is a regular at Denny's Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill at 8th and Central.) Last is Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust," a fitting finish to this CD. Mellow and romantic, Morrissey again shines with a rich and gorgeous sound. It's another one of those "just sit and listen" tunes. Much like the CD itself. PM Time is a worthy addition to any collection of fine Kansas City jazz. Look for it in area retail outlets or at Pat's many live appearances in and around KC. -- Vanessa Barnard RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.