Parking Lot Symphony [LP]

by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews

Overview

On his fourth studio effort and first for Blue Note Records, 2017's Parking Lot Symphony, New Orleans singer, songwriter, and brass wizard Troy Andrews (aka Trombone Shorty) fully embraces the organic '70s-style R&B he's heretofore only touched on. Ever since officially debuting in 2010 with Backatown, Andrews has moved ever closer to that '70s soul aesthetic with each subsequent album. Backatown even featured contributions from both Lenny Kravitz and legendary New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint. In fact, his previous effort, 2013's Say That to Say This, had a similarly old-school bent courtesy of neo-soul master and co-producer Raphael Saadiq. But for Parking Lot Symphony, Andrews dives into the sound full-force, paired with producer Chris Seefried (Fitz & the Tantrums, Haley Reinhart, Andra Day) on a set of songs that bring to mind the earthy, vinyl-laden vibe of '70s artists like New Orleans own the Meters. Heralding this vintage approach are several well-chosen covers, like the Meters' 1974 Santana-style groover "It Ain't No Use," and Toussaint's New Orleans funk jammer "Here Come the Girls" (originally recorded in 1970 by Ernie K. Doe). Andrews channels new life into both tunes with his vibrant jazz- and brass-infused arrangements -- ones that don't so much reimagine the originals as re-energize them with a live-in-the-studio vibe and a youthful zeal. Even his originals here, like the joyous, choir-backed title track and the yearning, organ-steeped ballad "No Good Time," find him working in the nuanced harmonic colors and hip-swaying lyricism of band's like Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. And yet it would be reductive to simply describe the album as "retro." Longtime fans will appreciate that Andrews hasn't abandoned his crossover, hip-hop-inflected sound, just integrated it deftly into songs like the buzz-bass heavy "Familiar" and minor key-tinged "Where It At?," tracks that nobody would think twice about hearing churn out of the car stereo in 1977. Also, as with past Trombone Shorty albums, he leaves plenty of room for enthusiastic, mid-song trombone and trumpet improvisations. Andrews even ambitiously bookends the album with two New Orleans funeral parade marches, showcasing his bluesy phrasing and clarion brass tone. Ultimately, Parking Lot Symphony is one of Trombone Shorty's most balanced productions, equal parts New Orleans R&B sophistication and loose, block party fun. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2017
Label:	Blue Note
UPC:	0602557431155

Tracks

1. Laveau Dirge, No. 1
2. It Ain't No Use
3. Parking Lot Symphony
4. Dirty Water
5. Here Come the Girls
6. Tripped Out Slim
7. Familiar
8. No Good Time
9. Where It At?
10. Fanfare
11. Like a Dog
12. Laveau Dirge (Finale)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews   Primary Artist,Tuba,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Tom-Tom,Trumpet,Trombone,Wurlitzer,Percussion,Vibraphone,Glockenspiel,Drums (Snare),Fender Rhodes,Piano (Electric)
Tony Hall   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Ivan Neville   Piano
Paul Cartwright   Viola,Violin
Chris Seefried   Piano,Sitar,Mellotron,Choir/Chorus,Glockenspiel,Sitar (Electric)
Leo Nocentelli   Guitar (Acoustic)
Ashley Watson   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Ramon Islas   Congas,Tambourine
BK Jackson   Sax (Tenor)
Glenn Hall   Wurlitzer
Dan Oestreicher   Sax (Baritone)
Joey Peebles   Drums
Pete Murano   Guitar (Electric)
Chrishira Perrier   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Lonel Simmons   Orchestra
Raion Ramsey   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Remonda Davis   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Tracci Lee   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Ashley Doucett   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Sabrina Hayes   Orchestra,Choir/Chorus
Faith Mack   Orchestra
India Favorite   Orchestra

Technical Credits

Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Kevin Griffin   Composer
George Porter   Composer
Seth Atkins Horan   Mixing
Chris Seefried   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Ziggy Modeliste   Composer
Art Neville   Composer
Allen Toussaint   Composer
George Porter, Jr.   Composer
Leo Nocentelli   Composer
Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews   Arranger,Composer
Keith Robertson   Composer
Alex Ebert   Composer
Misha Kachkachishvili   Engineer
Pete Murano   Composer
Ethan Gruska   Composer
Austin Anthony Hall   Composer
Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III   Composer
Glenn Patrick Hall III   Composer
Luke Foley   Composer