John Previti: Swinging Lullabyes for My Rosetta

Maryland bassist John Previti has backed rockabilly guitarist Danny Gatton as well as jazz plectorists Charlie Byrd and Herb Ellis. But Swinging Lullabyes for My Rosetta (Mapleshade), his first album as a leader, is a dyed-in-the-wool swing record. Featuring D.C.-area vibraphonist/pianist Joe Cocuzzi and guitarist Rick Whitehead, and the vocals of drummer Big Joe Maher and Marianna Previti, Lullabyes conveys an earnest and straightforward vibe that offsets its occasional rough patches. While the interplay between Cocuzzi and Whitehead is a strong point, there’s an amateurish quality to the singing that sets the album back a bit. This one will probably be of primarily local interest.

Originally Published July 1, 2003