It is difficult not to be impressed with the playing of guitarist Charlie Hunter. By using an extra string, Hunter is able to create his own basslines and have a very self-sufficient bassless (and keyboardless) trio with tenor-saxophonist Dave Ellis and drummer Jay Lane that has all of the parts covered. The music on Bing, Bing, Bing! crosses over between straight-ahead jamming to '70s retro-funk (à la Eddie Harris) that is infectious enough to fit into an acid jazz setting. However, even at its funkiest, the rhythms are subtle and the improvising reasonably creative, making this a potentially popular group who should still interest jazz listeners.
Track listing
"Greasy Granny" – 4:34
"Wornell's Yorkies" – 3:58
"Fistful of Haggis" – 6:44
"Come as You Are" (Cobain) – 6:08
"Scrabbling for Purchase" – 4:49
"Bullethead" – 5:34
"Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing!" – 7:56
"Squiddlesticks" – 4:03
"Lazy Susan (with a client now)" – 6:15
"Elbo Room" – 5:58
Personnel
Charlie Hunter - 8-string guitar
Dave Ellis - Tenor saxophone
Jay Lane - Drums
David Phillips - Pedal steel guitar on tracks 3 and 7
Ben Goldberg - Clarinet on tracks 5 and 9
Jeff Cressman - Trombone on tracks 5 and 9
Scott Roberts - Percussion on tracks 2 and 3
