Wave Mechanics Union
Second Season
Hx Music

Wave Mechanics Union is Ryan Fraley and Ralph Johnson with singer Lydia McAdams and various guest musicians. Their debut album sees them do progressive and rock songs as jazz.

The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" gets a suave Latin treatment that actually works and shows off McAdams' impressive vocals well. Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song" gets a soft reading where McAdams' lovely vocals play well off the sophisticated instrumentation. "Eleanor Rigby" in this version gets an unusual but fresh spin with a big band arrangement. It sounds good and does the original justice.

"Istanbul (not Constantinople)" has nods to both the jazz original and the quirky cover by They Might be Giants. The cool vocal lead is handled well. This is a very impressive record proving great songs can be treated many ways.

Copyright © 2009 Anna Maria Stjärnell