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“SHIVERS” New Guitar Summit (Stony Plain) *****
Here is the second terrific disc from Jay Geils, Duke Robillard and Gerry Beaudoin, featuring special guest Randy Bachman on guitar and vocals for “Your Mind is On Vacation” and “Everybody’s Crying Mercy”. If you like vintage guitar-based jazz, this absolutely belongs in your music collection.

These three guys have been performing together since ’97, which shows in their nearly telepathic performances. “It’s about amazing communication, the three of us really like and respect each other” notes Beaudoin in the liner notes. And given Bachman’s talent as a player and recent jazz discs (he used New Guitar Summit on his acclaimed “Jazzthing II”) he fits in here seamlessly- just one of the guys.

“Shivers” is smooth, it swings and caresses like a gregarious lover you wouldn’t mind getting to know again. This isn’t the real crazy, out-there stuff, but it still possesses an undeniable vitality. It’s the kind of jazz that hasn’t really been in vogue for quite a while, but in the hands of masterful musicians such as New Gutiar Summit, it sounds as fresh as it did back in the days of zoot suits. I would’ve been tempted to call this set “The Well”- it’s deep, cool, and each draught of its magic tastes more delicious than the last.

KEY CUTS: “Blue Sunset”, “Your Mind Is On Vacation”, “Everybody’s Crying Mercy”