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(More customer reviews)Moving Forward is an awesome CD by the great Bernie Williams of New York Yankees baseball fame. Bernie, as it turns out, can turn out a song alongside the best of them; and I'm very impressed. He can not only play guitar but he can write some pretty terrific arrangements for his songs, too! This guy's loaded with talent; and the songs on this album prove it. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and I really like that artwork, too.
The album begins with the title track, "Moving Forward" and this features Wayman Tisdale. The Latin jazzy arrangement is very well done and these guys never miss a beat! "Moving Forward" is an auspicious beginning for this album; it's quite upbeat and it will have you tapping your foot to the best almost without you even realizing it! There's another gem in "Ritmo De Otono" which features Dave Koz; Bernie plays guitar so very well--can I be just a little bit jealous?
"Addicted To You" has Bernie in his natural musical element; this tune ranks high in my book and the arrangement couldn't be better. The number is soothing despite being somewhat complex and that's grand. "Just Another Day" amazes me--this track is worth the price of admission just by itself! Bernie enlists the help of Cuban-American balladeer Jon Secada to make "Just Another Day" shine! Moreover, "Lullaby For Beatriz" is one of the sweetest guitar arrangements I've heard--ever. Bernie plays guitar with great sensitivity and just one listen proves it. "Lullaby For Beatriz" is easily a highlight of this album.
"Go For It" has that awesome jazzy Latin sound and Bernie's guitar playing enhances the number to make it take off like a rocket! I love it. If you want something truly electric just listen to "Que Rico El Mambo." "Que Rico El Mambo," which essentially means "How Rich Is The Mambo," has these guys never faltering and they don't let go of a single superfluous note! "Que Rico El Mambo" is one of my favorite tracks on the album; it's good for dancing, too.
"Chillin In The West" showcases the talents of Bernie and the other fine musicians; "Chillin In The West" has a somewhat smooth Latin jazz flavor to it and Bernie does that guitar work up right! Of course, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" has a lot of nostalgia to it; and Bernie's guitar work is very well done--how's about that guitar solo to showcases Bernie's talent? Excellent!
"Otro Día Más Sin Verte (Another Day Without Seeing You)" couldn't be better; this is a Spanish version of "Just Another Day." and the album ends strong with Bernie Williams teaming up with and Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen as they do "Glory Days." This live track from 2007 is absolutely electric; and how's about Bernie's guitar solo on "Glory Days?" This last track makes such a good ending for this album that you're invariably left wanting more.
And hopefully more is precisely what we're going to get. After these two albums I can only hope that the great Bernie Williams will continue to perform and turn out very high quality control music just like the tunes we get here. I commend Bernie for this remarkably fine artistry; and even though it's his second CD this still makes a fine starter CD for people just discovering the exceptional musical talent of Bernie Williams.
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Critically acclaimed guitarist/songwriter, famed Yankee BERNIE WILLIAMS is set for his sophomore album MOVING FORWARD. The Puerto Rico native, classically-trained musician developed his love for playing guitar alongside baseball, while listening to salsa, merengue and 80s rock. Williams played his 16-year career with the New York Yankees where he was a 4x World Series Champion and a 5x All Star (also among the Yankees all-time leaders in every major batting category). This album features original instrumentals written/performed by Williams, playing alongside musicians such as Dave Weckl (drums), Mike Stern (guitar), Scott Henderson (guitar), Dave Koz (sax), Giovanni Hidalgo (percussion). A special collaboration with Jon Secada and a track with Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa and Bernie performing Glory Days are included. MOVING FORWARD is co-produced by Williams and Loren Harriet - who also helmed Bernie's 2003 acclaimed debut The Journey Within, that debuted #3 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Album Chart, #8 on Heatseekers, while being the 11th best seller in New York that year.
