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Ron Davis puts the music in high gear on Pocket Symphronica / No Depression

At first, I thought with the blast of orchestration, that this was going to be some lush, Martin Denny exotica type excursion. But, I was wrong. Ron Davis teases the ears with the introduction and then puts the music in high gear. Simple piano chords hook the listener at the onset as the orchestra builds on a compelling melody -- then, Davis starts tossing out notes in a Dave Brubeck captivating piano style. The orchestra is what gives Davis a distinctively different edge. It's not small combo -- it's almost like someone asked themselves what would Mantovani or Percy Faith sound like if their music was jazzier, edgier or challenging?

The shame of Lawrence Welk's Orchestra, back in the 50's & 60's is that many of his musicians were accomplished jazz-big band musicians and they seldom had a chance to just let loose. That's not an issue here with Ron Davis' orchestra. Not in the least. The approach has a nice provocative tint.

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