I’ve received permission to post the new recording of the U. S. Air Force Band of Mid America’s performance of “Sasparilla.” It’s the first “studio” recording of the piece, and I love it. They used a real accordion player (no synth, although it almost sounds like one because the intonation is unusually good for an accordion), the sax solo in the middle is swingin’, and the sound quality throughout is the best I’ve heard on any of my music since the Naxos recording of “Redline Tango.” Give it a listen. A big thank you to Captain Donald E. Schofield for not just selecting the piece, but for giving it such a satisfying performance.

[edit — I just realized that the reason this CD sounds as good as the Naxos CD is because they were recorded by the same engineer — Bruce Leek. Man alive, this guy is good.]

(Rick Blatti’s custom “Sasparilla” cover.)