Commission's jazz a bluesy treat

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The three principal players of the five-member Warren Commission are, from left, harpist Kevin McKay, vocalist Suzi Marsh and keyboardist/songwriter Daniel Warren. They play this weekend on O'ahu. The Warren Commission 10 p.m. Saturday Hard Rock Cafe $10 general, $50 VIP-seating package 780-2998 Also at BayFest, 8 p.m. Sunday at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i near Kane'ohe

I wouldn't exactly go that far.

But if it's an uncomplicated, smooth, bluesy jazz soundtrack you're after for a late-evening supper or a top-down midnight cruise, The Warren Commission's upcoming release "Lessons of Love" is a fine-enough listen. The five-member Detroit-based combo is on O'ahu this weekend for a couple of performances: Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe and Sunday at BayFest (strangely enough, opening for country vocalist Jo Dee Messina).

Keyboardist Daniel Warren, harpist Kevin McKay, bassist Al Turner, drummer Ron Otis and vocalist Suzi Marsh are road-tested players on the Midwest jazz scene. So since simply regurgitating jazz and blues standards would likely be a cakewalk for these skilled musicians, keyboardist Warren ups his band's cachet by writing his own.

With a remarkably trained ear for the instrumental nuances of smooth jazz, blues, swing and quiet-storm styles and lyrical phrasing, he largely succeeds in getting the mood right. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Warren's lyrics — all but one of the CD's 12 songs are originals — are interpreted by an enviably versatile vocalist such as Marsh.

One minute sensual jazz seductress ("I Can't Wait," "Lessons of Love"), the next uptempo blues jam growler ("Herdin' Cats"), Marsh digs into her lyrics with rapturous, infectious joy. In Marsh's hands, even the odd medley match-up of the Goffin/King/Wexler classic "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and Kenny Loggins' gooey holiday hit "Celebrate Me Home" somehow works.

Marsh's Warren Commission mates provide sublime, solid accompaniment throughout "Lessons." Warren, in particular, impresses on a smart selection of synths, organs and pianos.

"Lessons Of Love" is slated for a mid-July release on Russell Simmons' Therapy/Entertainment label, but copies of it will be on sale at the Hard Rock Cafe. And fair warning, folks. Given the intimacy of the Warren Commission's music, the Hard Rock is probably a better venue to enjoy them in than BayFest.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.