By Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway
Looking for variety in song styles and versatility of performance? You’ll find it on the rewarding release named Michael Stephenson Meets the Alexander Claffy Trio. If the title suggests all parties are meeting for the first time, we must ignore that because singer-saxophonist Stephenson and bassist/bandleader Claffy have been friends since they were 13 years old. But, no matter. Listeners will be glad they met up in a studio to give permanent record to their chemistry and chameleon-like comfort with varied genres. That connection benefits a collection of classic ballads, two sizzlers written by Ray Charles, jazz, rock, soul, and the My Fair Lady favorite “On the Street Where You Live.” Read more here.