SECOND LOOK:

Lee Rocker

Gather Round 

(Upright Records)

Briefly reviewed here previously, this disc merits a longer appraisal.

By this juncture in his career, Lee can and has turned out a thoroughly winning collection of ankle-flexers. Gather Round offers more than a little cause to locate the nearest dance floor; the grooves are alluring, the tempos motivational. 

Gathered associates all give off radiance. In particular, guitarist Buzz Campbell is reliably in pocket. His chops and pedigree are beyond question.

But of course, it's Lee who stands tallest. The man's own years of spectacular toil in the business inform his every move. From writing to slapping the doghouse to earnest vocals, he commands center stage. 

He excels at bass playing. It would be a wrong to overlook this. Lee can put down a solid line, or flutter fingers in a jazzy, triple-slapped fluctuation, whatever the material demands. And that he does so with seemimg casualness attests to his mastery.

Instrumental "A Dirty Martini" is a personal favorite. Its swinging rhythm and jumping beat are hypnotic, while all instrumentalists are allowed space in the spotlight. 

Lee can be proud of this work.

Recommended: "Gather Round," "Graceland Auction," "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat," "A Dirty Martini," "Ophelia"

Video: "A Dirty Martini"

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