Dave Stryker STRYKER WITH STRINGS GOES TO THE MOVIES

December 28, 2024

DAVE STRYKER

STRYKER WITH STRINGS GOES TO THE MOVIES

Strikezone Records

Dave Stryker, guitar; Xavier Davis, piano/Fender Rhodes; Jeremy Allen, acoustic & electric basses; McClenty Hunter, drums; ORCHESTRA SOLOISTS: Sara Caswell, violin; Greg Ward, alto saxophone; Jim Pugh, trombone; Mark Buselli, flugelhorn. TROMBONES: Jim Pugh, Tim Coffman, Jeff Parker, Andrew Danforth & Richard Dole (bass trombone); Greg Ward, Alto & soprano saxophones; Mark Buselli & Jeff Conrad, trumpets & flugelhorns; Kathy Hershberger, Derek Reeves & Alex Hoberty, viola; Yoonhae Swanson & Stephen Hawkey, cello; VIOLINS: Sara Caswell (concertmaster), Michelle Black, Joseph Ohkubo, Rachel Patrick, Anna Czernik, Bryson Karrer, Noelle Tretick Gosling, Tricia Bonner, Marisa Votapek, Sage Park, Sarah Cook & Sophie Buselli; Richard Dole, string contractor; Brent Wallarab, Orchestra arranger & conductor.

Both Dave Stryker and arranger, orchestra conductor Brent Wallarab love movie themes. After their 2023 Emmy-winning PBS special collaboration on the Wes Montgomery at 100: A 100th Birthday Tribute Concert, they decided to pick their eleven favorite soundtrack songs and record again with an orchestra. The two men added a 30-piece studio orchestra to the project, starting with “In Your Eyes” from the film “Say Anything.” Right away, I miss the excitement and energy that Stryker’s rhythm section always brings to every project he records. This is laid-back, very orchestrated and pretty music, but even on tunes like “You Only Live Twice” from the film of the same name, when Stryker is out-front on his guitar improvising, I miss the heavy hitting of McClenty Hunter on drums and Jeremy Allen pumping energy into the tune on his electric bass. They do spotlight Xavier Davis on piano as he brightly improvises. He doesn’t disappoint. However, the sweet orchestration sops up the groove like biscuits dredged in Alaga syrup. This is the kind of music you put on at the end of a busy day, when you collapse, curl up on the couch, and light the fireplace. This is sleepy-time orchestration that features beautiful solos by Greg Ward on “Taxi Driver,” blowing Alto saxophone beauty into the arrangement that celebrates Martin Scorsese’s 1976 hit film that starred Robert DeNiro.

Finally, on “Theme From Shaft” I get that groove that was missing. I have several Stryker recordings, and that’s what he’s famous for, swinging and grooving. You shouldn’t have to lose that because you add an orchestra to the mix. The arrangement changes from funk to samba to swing, encouraging Stryker to stretch out on his guitar. Xavier Davis also cuts loose on his Fender Rhodes piano and sparks excitement.

Another arrangement I loved was the bluesy “Flirtibird” a tune penned by Ellington and Strayhorn that was used in the movie “Anatomy of a Murder.” Mark Buselli is featured on flugelhorn. From the same movie, Sara Caswell plays a beautiful violin solo on the “Low Key lightly” tune. It makes me happy when they swing “Moonglow” from the Picnic movie.

This is a beautifully orchestrated album of songs we know and love, plucked from our favorite movies. The Stryker with strings album will be available to the public on January 10, 2025.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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