Nobody Else But Me

AMG Review of Nobody Else But Me

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This limited-edition CD matches the great clarinetist Buddy DeFranco with the Metropole Orchestra under the direction (and playing the arrangements) of Robert Pronk. DeFranco, who ranks at the top of jazz clarinetists to emerge during the past 55 years, has been a giant since at least 1943. It is a rare treat to hear him as the only soloist while backed by a huge orchestra. Although the first few moments of the opening, "Just Friends," find the orchestra sounding quite lush, as soon as DeFranco enters, the music gets very hot. Pronk's ensemble really swings and it pushes the clarinetist, and vice versa. Together they perform two of DeFranco's originals (including "Opus III"), Pronk's "Lisanne" and a dozen standards. The clarinetist may be the lead voice throughout but his interaction with the band keeps one from losing interest for even a moment. Cooking pieces alternate with lyrical ballads and, throughout the performances (which were previously unissued and date from 1981, 1983 and 1989), the music is consistently memorable. Highly recommended.