With a batch of songs from the Grammy™-winning pen of their singer and songwriter Jim Peterik (with a number of the tunes co-written by the other Ides), the envelopes were pushed, and the horizons set back a few more miles. The familiar Ides brass and harmonies are abundant, but couched in new settings.
From the autobiographical title cut "Still 19" (which features a cameo from smooth jazz sax star Mindy Abair) to the R&B workout "Soul To Soul", the disc manages to sound old school and cutting edge at the same time. The band has a tradition of taking a favorite song and re-imagining it "Ides-Style", the chestnut worked up here is the Beatles "A Day In The Life", a courageous choice to be sure. The result, however, is remarkable, with the uncovered nuances a testament to both Lennon/McCartney and the Ides' arranging skill.
As a "lagniappe", the disc closes with a "Vintage Mix" of their evergreen "Vehicle", made with the digital equivalents of the equipment used to record the original.
"Still 19" is available now at http://www.theidesofmarch.com, at all Summer Ides appearances, and will be available at Best Buy Stores and iTunes in August.
