May 1997

Richard Galliano
Laurita
Dreyfus Records

By Chuck Berg

Accordionist Richard Galliano presents an astonishing session whose ebullient joie de vivre bubbles with ingredients ranging from zydeco and gypsy to Argentina and Art Van Dam. With the inspired company of Toots Thielemans on harmonica, bassist Palle Danielsson, drummer Joey Baron, violinist Didier Lockwood and bass clarinetist Michel Portal, the accordionist lights up a sparkling repertory of tunes by Astor Piazzolla, Hermeto Pascoal and Galliano himself. This is genuine jazz at the world music cutting-edge.