Ed Wiley Jr. - About the Soul (CD)

Aficionados of "Texas Tenor" saxophone know just how soulful and swinging Ed Wiley, Jr. is. This Houston native has been a hit maker with such 1950s blues chart toppers as "Cry, Cry Baby" and "Pack Up, Move Out." on his newest release, the aptly named "About the Soul," Wiley surrounds himself with an all star Jazz lineup, including such monsters as Kenny Barron and John Hicks on piano; Keter Betts on bass; Jimmy Ponder and Kevin McNeal on guitar; and Ben Riley and Mickey Roker on drums. Together, they deliver a collection of breathtakingly beautiful standards, such as "'Til There Was You," "Too Close for Comfort" and "Without a Song" and a number of Wiley's splendid original compositions including the melodious "Giselle" and the swinging "BMan".

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Without a Song - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Jimmy Ponder, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
2. Too Close for Comfort - Mike Boone, John Hicks, Kevin McNeal, Mickey Roker, Ed Wiley, JR
3. Till There Was You - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
4. Play Ray - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Kevin McNeal, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
5. Giselle - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Jimmy Ponder, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
6. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Kenny Barron, Ed Wiley, JR
7. Somebody Stole My Gal - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Jimmy Ponder, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
8. B Man - John Ozment, Mark Prince, Ed Wiley, JR
9. Bay Area Blues - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Kevin McNeal, Jimmy Ponder, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
10. Send Me Someone to Love - Kenny Barron, Keter Betts, Ben Riley, Ed Wiley, JR
11. By Bye Blackbird - Mike Boone, John Hicks, Kevin McNeal, Mickey Roker, Ed Wiley, JR
12. St. Theresa's Blues - Mike Boone, John Hicks, Kevin McNeal, Mickey Roker, Ed Wiley, JR