Jackie Orszaczky – Ready to Listen

Ready to Listen – Jackie Orszaczky

By Chris Peken

There are many people, particularly in this digital downloading age, who believe music should be freely available to all. Long before anyone had heard of the Napster or file sharing Jackie Orszaczky was was freely sharing his knowledge of and talent for music. For five decades Jackie played with hundreds if not thousands of musicians around Sydney and the world. The common memory that all share of him is a man with boundless generosity and a glorious love of music. So what more fitting tribute to a man who passed away earlier this year than this collection of 12 songs recorded over the last few years with drummer Hamish Stuart and bass player Dave Symes. How seamlessly they slide from Jackie’s smooth soul jazz originals Burnin’ and sexy sweet Lights Off to covers of Hendrix’ Manic Depression or the classic I Heard It Through the Grapevine is a testament to both Jackie’s songwriting and simply some of the best jazz-soul playing you will hear anywhere, anytime. Jackie O, you are much missed. Outstanding.

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