By By Mike Fordham

It has been a while since a proper release has been issued from the Gabe Dixon Band. Their major label album, 2002’s On A Rolling Ball, showcased a rock group with a heavy jazz influence. Since then, Dixon himself has performed and toured with Paul McCartney. Finally, the Gabe Dixon Band returns with the six song live EP Live At The World Café.

The band’s signature mix of jazz, rock and rootsy pop is still very much intact. Thus, their sound is perfect for the Philadelphia venue, the World Café (an extension of the excellent syndicated radio program of the same name). However, the act has been whittled down to a trio-piano, drums and bass.

With Dixon manning the piano, the comparisons to Billy Joel and Elton John are inevitable. Unlike other ivory ticklers like Ben Folds or Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows, these comparisons are apt for Dixon. He has the role of a storytelling piano player down pat, as shown on “All Will Be Well” and “Ever After You.” Opener “Five More Hours” also falls into the singer/songwriter category, detailing a journey home. Dixon sometimes delves into saccharine territory, but his intentions are well-meaning.

Dixon, like fellow jazz pianist Jamie Cullum, tackles a Jimi Hendrix song, opting to cover “Hey Joe.” Dixon and company put a soulful spin on the classic adding a jazz undertone. The group gets points for originality and for not playing the song verbatim. The cover probably could have been propped up with a slight funk vibe, and the Gabe Dixon Band certainly are capable of doing so (as in the slow crawl of “More Than It Would Seem”).

Based on the strength of this release, the group might be able to parlay their jazzy folk-pop sound into mainstream success. It might not be too much longer that the Gabe Dixon Band can perform at such intimate venues as the World Café.

The Chronicle gives “Live At World Cafe” by Gabe Dixon Band three 1/2 stars out of five.