October 2009

Peter White
Good Day
Peak Records

By Brian Soergel

It’s a Good Day indeed for fans of Peter White’s sweet-sounding contemporary jazz/pop on the nylon-string guitar, as this is his first CD of original material in five years. An accomplished musician, White doesn’t veer from paths taken before, and there’s no reason for him to.

If there’s a reason White’s songs sound more familiar than usual, it’s because he selected the majority of them from a backlog of material going back 15 years, songs that he never finished. Produced by Philippe Saisse and DC, Good Day is highlighted by “Bright,” an upbeat song that reflects the attitude of the late Wayman Tisdale, to whom it is dedicated. “Love Will Find You,” boasting a scatting Basia, was co-written by White’s brother, Danny White, Basia’s longtime musical partner. White’s treasured accordion sounds nifty on the melancholy “(Un)Forgiven,” while Saisse’s vibes add a joyful bounce to the conclusion of the cover track.

Good Day doesn’t match the power of White’s last two original works, Confidential or Glow, but it should suit his fans just fine.