Ed Neumeister: Covers

MEISTEMUSIC RECORDS (RECORDED FEBRUARY & APRIL 2024)

I was excited to hear Ed Neumeister’s Covers. Not because of the familiar tunes he “covers” on this release, but because of the saxophonists noted on the back cover —
Caroline Davis, Ingrid Laubrock and Billy Drewes. Sadly, these musicians only appear on three tunes, and they don’t even get a chance to solo! On the other hand, trombonist Ed Neumeister certainly does, displaying his signature growls, slurs, fleet slides and use of mutes as he plays the role of lead singer on a set of tunes associated with the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Picket and even Taylor Swift, Neumeister approaches the tunes with the sense of groove and melody that has always set his music apart. A long-time musical partner, pianist, organist and accordionist Gary Versace is the perfect foil for Neumeister, providing him with the support and space to hint at and then expand on the ten melodies of Covers. Versace, along with bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey add a New Orleans feel to “Rocky Raccoon,” give “Dear Prudence” a classic ballad treatment and add some funk to “Blackbird.” Cameron Brown replaces Gress for a swinging take on “Try a Little Tenderness,” the quirky rhythm changes of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and an upbeat rendition of “Fool on the Hill.” The aforementioned “Covers Horn Section” adds a nice underscore to Swift’s “Last Great American Dynasty” and “Stairway to Heaven.” They are used most effectively on “Black Dog,” providing the answers to Neumeister’s bluesy calls. Although I am a child of the sixties, I never had a interest in rock and roll. My older siblings gave introduced me to jazz at an early age and I was hooked! So, although the tunes on Cover may have resonate with Neumeister’s youth, it is the sound of one of today’s more adventurous trombonist supported by a stellar rhythm section that resonates more with me.

BOTTOM LINE: “With a Little Help from My Friends” isn’t just the title of one of the tunes Ed Neumeister explores on Covers. It is descriptive of the recording itself. With the help of some capable musical friends, Neumeister applies his monster trombone chops and arranging skills to “cover” familiar ground from his youth.