Janet Planet’s ‘Of Thee I Sing’: A Very Hip Trip

Forget that the title evokes Kate Smith and the contents include some of the potentially hokiest songs ever written–whether you’re vacationing or staycationing this summer, pack this new recording into your iPod.  If any of Janet’s work is going to get major airplay, Of Thee I Sing is it.

The basic concept is a winner–14 mostly familiar tunes chosen specifically to celebrate our country, our communities, and the people who live there.

But what makes this recording outstanding–in addition to Janet’s customary excellence and the solid musicianship throughout–is the good old American ingenuity of arrangers John Harmon, Tom Washatka, and Tom Theabo, who convert potentially somnolent tunes like “Home on the Range,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “Gary, Indiana,” and “Old Cape Cod” into high-octane jazz, fueling a very hip trip.

On the jazzical journey, which runs roughly east to west, you’ll make musical stops–some expected, some not–in Rhode Island, Manhattan, Cape Cod, New Orleans, Chicago, Gary, Wyoming, Chattanooga, Texas, and San Francisco.  You’ll also fall in love on a Greyhound bus, somewhere along Route 66.

Aside from the pitch-perfect Janet, your traveling companions include Harmon on piano, Washatka on sax, Theabo on guitar, John Gibson on bass and Danny Leuck on drums.

With drivers this skillful, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Jazz on NPR

We’ve always considered National Public Radio a national treasure.  But its Web site is also a wonderful place for jazz, featuring free, live, online concerts (which are also archived), often from the Village Vanguard, as well as great stories in both print and audio form about jazz artists.  The latest is a live concert from last week featuring trumpeter Tom Harrell’s quintet.

Just go to www.npr.org and click on Music in the left-hand column.  You can also sign up for their jazz newsletter, which keeps you informed about upcoming concerts.

Once you’ve seen what’s available on NPR.org, remember that it’s largely supported by public radio stations who purchase the network’s programs.  Please support your local station if you can.

Thanks.