Wood II

by Stewart MasonThe follow-up both to 2002's Wood and 2005's thematically opposite Metal, Wood II puts jazz bassist Brian Bromberg in an acoustic small-combo format supported by a drummer and pianist. Bromberg's full, rounded tone is at the center of all of these 12 songs; on some, like his cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's funk hit "Shining Star," he uses his trademark tapping technique to play two simultaneous lines. This low-end focus makes Wood II a delight for standup bass fanatics, but for others, the idea of solo bass performances of Kansas' mildly insufferable classic rock radio staple "Carry on Wayward Son" or Paul McCartney's ultra-twee hit "Let 'Em In" will be too much to contemplate.