What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Moondance -- CD

Van Morrison

1970/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Van Morrison went a long way towards defining his wild Irish heart with his first two classic albums: the brooding, introspective Astral Weeks (1968), and the expansive, swinging Moondance. If the first was the work of a poet, its sequel was the statement of a musician and bandleader. Moondance is that rare rock album where the band has buffed the arrangements to perfection, and where the sax solos instead of the guitar. The band puts out a jazzy shuffle on "Moondance" and plays it soulful on "These Dreams of You." The album includes both Morrison's most romantic ballad ("Crazy Love") and his most haunting ("Into the Mystic"). "And It Stoned Me" rolled off Morrison's tongue like a favorite fable, while "Caravan" told a tale full of emotional intrigue. Moondance stood out in the rock world of 1970 like a grownup in a kiddie matinee. --John Milward
Side one

1. "And It Stoned Me" – 4:30
2. "Moondance" – 4:35
3. "Crazy Love" – 2:34
4. "Caravan" – 4:57
5. "Into the Mystic" – 3:25

Side two

1. "Come Running" – 2:30
2. "These Dreams of You" – 3:50
3. "Brand New Day" – 5:09
4. "Everyone" – 3:31
5. "Glad Tidings" – 3:13

 

[Dennie]

Come Away With Me -- CD

Norah Jones

2002 Blue Note Records

Amazon.com

It is not just the timbre of Norah Jones's voice that is mature beyond her 22 years. Her assured phrasing and precise time are more often found in older singers as well. She is instantly recognizable, blending shades of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone without sounding like anyone but herself. Any way you slice it, she is a singer to be reckoned with. Her readings of the Hank Williams classic "Cold Cold Heart" and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" alone are worth the price of the CD. Jones's own material, while not bad, pales a bit next to such masterpieces. They might have fared better had she and producer Arif Mardin opted for some livelier arrangements, taking better advantage of brilliant sidemen such as Bill Frisell, Kevin Breit, and Brian Blade; or if the tunes had simply been given less laconic performances. Jones has all the tools; what will come with experience and some careful listening to artists like J.J. Cale and Shirley Horn is the knack of remaining low-key without sounding sleepy--sometimes less is not, in fact, more. --Michael Ross

1. "Don't Know Why" Jesse Harris 3:06
2. "Seven Years" Lee Alexander 2:25
3. "Cold Cold Heart" Hank Williams 3:38
4. "Feelin' the Same Way" Alexander 2:55
5. "Come Away with Me" Norah Jones 3:18
6. "Shoot the Moon" Harris 3:57
7. "Turn Me On" John D. Loudermilk 2:33
8. "Lonestar" Alexander 3:05
9. "I've Got to See You Again" Harris 4:13
10. "Painter Song" Alexander, J. C. Hopkins 2:41
11. "One Flight Down" Harris 3:03
12. "Nightingale" Jones 4:11
13. "The Long Day Is Over" Jones, Harris 2:44
14. "The Nearness of You" Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington 3:09

 

[Dennie]

Welcome To The Cruel World -- CD

Ben Harper

1994 Virgin US

Breathtaking, February 4, 2000
By Music Lover (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Welcome to the Cruel World (Audio CD)

Let me start by mentioning Geoffrey Himes, the Amazon editorial reviewer: how does one so full of his self-importance get to be a reviewer? I thought a review should be an objective look at what is on the CD, but Himes chooses to use the review as a vehicle for his own ego. Go back and have another listen to this CD, Geoffrey; this time without any preconcieved ideas or biases.

What will be heard then is a CD that is moving, thought provoking, inspirational, and brimming with talent. Himes says that Harper has modest talent. If Ben Harper is posessed with modest talent, then that leaves a great many other musicians in the unskilled bracket! I find that Harper's voice is very unusual and with great range (trying singing along Geoffrey!) and his guitar playing is brilliant without being flashy...kind of heart-felt. And the rest of his band make this CD groove on the accompanied tracks.

You must listen to this album. It is breathtaking.

1. The Three Of Us
2. Whipping Boy
3. Breakin' Down
4. Dont' Take That Attitude To Your Grave
5. Waiting On An Angel
6. Mama's Got A Girlfriend Now
7. Forever
8. Like A King
9. Pleasure And Pain
10. Walk Away
11. How Many Miles Must We March
12. Welcome To The Cruel World
13. I'll Rise

 

[Dennie]

The Stranger -- CD

Billy Joel

1977/1990 Columbia Records

The Stranger remains frozen in time as a great album.,
April 25, 2000
By Leonard Fleisig "Len"
This review is from: The Stranger (Audio CD)

I have always suspected that certain musicians, Bill Joel and Paul Simon come to mind, resent being told by fans that one of their earlier albums remains a great favorite. Both Joel & Simon have graduated, apparently, from musician to artist and I imagine they would prefer that their fans share and appreciate their development and evolution. However, the album listener is not burdened by the pains of artistic growth. Rather, the music that I heard at a certain time in my life remains frozen in time and memory. For me, the Stranger is the best album Joel ever recorded. It has been a long time since I actually sat down and listened to the entire Stranger album. I had forgotten how good it was. Every song works. Even "Just the way you are" which became one of the all-time vomit inducing wedding songs of the '70s sounds good in the context of this album. I still care about Brenda and Eddie. I grew up in Queens at the same time Joel was growing up in Long Island. I knew Brenda and Eddie - or lots of people who could pass for Brenda and Eddie. Only the good die young still has that parochial school resonance and lust-driven undertones that it had almost 30 years ago. So sit down - have a bottle of red, have a bottle of white - it all depends on your appetite - and enjoy this great cd.



All songs written and composed by Billy Joel.

Side 1

"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" – 3:30
"The Stranger" – 5:10
"Just the Way You Are" – 4:52
"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" – 7:37

Side 2

"Vienna" – 3:34
"Only the Good Die Young" – 3:55
"She's Always a Woman" – 3:21
"Get It Right the First Time" – 3:57
"Everybody Has a Dream/The Stranger (Reprise)" – 6:38

 

[Dennie]

20 Greatest Hits -- CD

Kingston Trio

Black Tulip Records (import West Germany)

 

[Dennie]

Chapter Two -- CD

Roberta Flack

1970/1992 Atlantic Records

One of the 5 Greatest Albums of All Time, Period., May 28, 2003
By "jeremiah256" - See all my reviews
This review is from: Chapter Two (Audio CD)

I was a child when this album came out and it has haunted me ever since. Turn the lights out, light a fire in the fireplace, select your favorite bottle of wine, kick the kids out, curl up on the couch with your loved one, put this album on and enjoy. Hell, this albums so good you don't need anyone. Kick everyone out. "Reverend Lee", with good reason, is the classic of this album. You'll feel Roberta's warm breath on your neck as she sings of sin and lust. It'll take you back in time to that someone whom you couldn't resist, even though you knew better. Other favorites are "Do What You Gotta Do", "Gone Away", and "Until It's Time For You To Go". Those three songs along with "Just Like A Woman" are beautiful in their meaning and the mood they create. "Business Goes On As Usual" is placed last. It's a haunting anti-war song and you'd think it wouldn't fit in with the other songs of love and regret but it does. That's because it too is about love and the lose of that loved one. My personal favorite is "Let It Be Me". Like "Impossible Dream", Roberta's voice, the tempo, what I believe is a French Horn in the background, all combine to make you realize how beautiful songs can be, even songs you've heard a hundred times, when given to a vocal talent such as Roberta Flack. After you've recharged your soul with this album, let the spouce and kids back in and give them a hug.

"Reverend Lee" (Gene McDaniels) 4:31
"Do What You Gotta Do" (Jimmy Webb) 4:09
"Just Like a Woman" (Bob Dylan) 6:14
"Let It Be Me" (Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, Pierre Delanoë) 5:00
"Gone Away" (Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson, Curtis Mayfield) 5:16
"Until It's Time for You to Go" (Buffy Sainte-Marie) 4:57
"The Impossible Dream" (Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh) 4:42
"Business Goes on as Usual" (Fred Hellerman, Fran Minkoff) 3:30

 

[Dennie]

Lonely At The Top - The Best of Randy Newman -- Remastered CD

Randy Newman

1987 Warner Bros. Records

All Hail King Randy, August 2, 2002
By Itamar Katz (Ramat-Gan, Israel) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lonely at the Top (Audio CD)

'Lonely At The Top' is the best possible introduction to one of the most overlooked musical geniuses of the 20th century. If you're not familiar (or only briefly familiar) with the music of Randy Newman then this compilation will give you a fantastic selection of classics from the various stages of his career, from the charming pop ballads of his first album ('Love Story', 'Living Without You' and 'I Think It's Going To Rain Today'), through the cold, sharp sarcasm of Sail Away ('Political Science', 'God's Song', 'Sail Away'), and to the fantastic 80s guitar pop of 'Little Criminals' ('Jolly Coppers on Parade', 'Short People'). Eace and every one of the songs here is memorable, great songs like 'Rider In The Rain', 'My Old Kentucky Home', 'Rednecks', the disturbing 'Christmas in Capetown' and of course the unforgettable hit 'Lonely At The Top'. Slightly odd is the exclusion of the massive hit 'You Can Leave Your Hat On'; otherwise, for the casual listener, 'Lonely At The Top' is all the Randy Newman you should need (though, of course, it lacks his lovely 90s Disney themes like 'You've Got a Friend In Me' from Toy Story and 'If I Didn't Have You' from Monsters Inc.) If you enjoyed it, though, you are more than welcomed to make a stab at his wonderful albums (the best place to start would be either 'Sail Away', 'Good Old Boys', 'Randy Newman' or 'Little Criminals').

All tracks written by Randy Newman

"Love Story (You and Me)"
"Livin' Without You"
"I Think It's Going to Rain Today"
"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"
"Old Kentucky Home"
"Sail Away"
"Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear"
"Political Science"
"God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)"
"Rednecks"
"Birmingham"
"Marie"
"Louisiana 1927"
"Baltimore"
"Jolly Coppers on Parade"
"Rider in the Rain"
"In Germany Before the War"
"Short People"
"Christmas in Cape Town"
"My Life Is Good"
"I Love L.A."
"Lonely at the Top" [Live]

 

[Dennie]

Lookout For Hope -- SACD

Jerry Douglas

2002 SugarHill Records

Amazon.com

Jerry Douglas, who's most often heard adding lustrous Dobro lines to Alison Krauss's Union Station and umpteen country and pop records, uses his periodic solo albums to stretch the stylistic boundaries of steel strings and a slide bar. Lookout for Hope begins on a sweetly familiar note with a multitracked Dobro arrangement of Duane Allman's ever-popular "Little Martha," then ventures toward bluegrass, bebop, and points between and beyond. On many tracks, drums and even a dash of saxophone enhance the core acoustic string sounds, and low-key vocal cameos from Maura O'Connell ("Footsteps Fall") and James Taylor ("The Suit") offer a nice changeup from the high-powered instrumental action. Most intriguing is the title track (written by jazz guitarist Bill Frisell), in which the interlocking mandolin chops of Sam Bush and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile create a hypnotic groove that Douglas, guitarist Bryan Sutton, and Phish's Trey Anastasio ride into a 10-minute space jam. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

All songs by Jerry Douglas unless otherwise noted.

"Little Martha" (Duane Allman) – 3:41
"Patrick Meets the Brickbats" – 3:22
"Footsteps Fall" (Annette Bjergfeldt, Boo Hewerdine) – 4:48
"Monkey Let the Hogs Out" – 1:02
"Lookout for Hope" (Bill Frisell) – 10:24
"Cave Bop" – 3:20
"Senia's Lament" – 5:25
"The Wild Rumpus" – 4:02
"The Sinking Ship" – 5:05
"In the Sweet By and By" (Traditional) – 1:59
"The Suit" (Hugh Prestwood) – 5:21


Jerry Douglas – dobro, lap steel guitar, vocals
Sam Bush – mandolin
Chris Thile – mandolin
Maura O'Connell – vocals
Jeff Coffin – saxophone
Stuart Duncan – fiddle
Viktor Krauss – bass
Barry Bales – bass
Byron House – bass
Russ Barenberg – guitar
Trey Anastasio – guitar
Ron Block – guitar
Bryan Sutton – guitar
Larry Atamanuik – drums, conga, percussion

 

[Dennie]

Jailbreak -- CD

Thin Lizzy

1976/1990 Vertigo Records

Amazon.com

Jailbreak is surely Thin Lizzy's most exciting, tough, and touching album. Simultaneously barbarous and balletic, the 1976 set boasts the totally irresistible "The Boys Are Back in Town." But the rest of Jailbreak lives up to that highlight, especially the riotous title track ("Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak, somewhere in this town"--yeah well, the jail seems a likely place). If Phil Lynott's poetic pretensions sometimes get the better of things, most of the album shows off his effortless power and economy; if heavy rock has a tendency to wrestle each song to the ground, Lynott and company were uniquely capable of delivering the knockout punch, graceful as a boxer or bullfighter. Jailbreak is testament to such skills. --Taylor Parkes

Side one

1. "Jailbreak" – 4:01
2. "Angel from the Coast" (Lynott, Brian Robertson) – 3:03
3. "Running Back" – 3:13
4. "Romeo and the Lonely Girl" – 3:55
5. "Warriors" (Lynott, Scott Gorham) – 4:09

Side two

1. "The Boys Are Back in Town" – 4:27
2. "Fight or Fall" – 3:45
3. "Cowboy Song" (Lynott, Brian Downey)– 5:16
4. "Emerald" (Gorham, Downey, Robertson, Lynott) – 4:03

 

[Dennie]

Miles Davis At Carnegie Hall -- 20 bit Remastered 2 CD Set

Miles Davis

1961/1998 Columbia Legacy Records

Simply Beautiful,
September 24, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Miles Davis At Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)

This is a very good mono soundboard recording of (indeed) a legendary concert. Miles is at the peak of his acoustic form, the rhythm section really cooks, Gil Evans and friends add some tasteful backing, and saxophonist Hank Mobley steps out of the Coltranian shadows for his moment in the sun.

And if you're wondering why "Someday My Prince Will Come" is so short, it's because Miles walked off during a protest against the concert's organisers by Max Roach at the foot of the stage. The otherwise excellent liner notes make no mention of the incident.

* Track Listings - Disc #1

1. So What - Miles Davis, Davis, Miles
2. Spring Is Here - Miles Davis, Hart, Lorenz
3. Teo - Miles Davis, Davis, Miles
4. Walkin' - Miles Davis, Carpenter, Richard
5. Meaning of the Blues/Lament - Miles Davis, Johnson, J.J. [Trom
6. New Rhumba - Miles Davis, Jamal, Ahmad

* Track Listings - Disc #2

1. Someday My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis, Churchill, Frank
2. Oleo - Miles Davis, Rollins, Sonny
3. No Blues - Miles Davis, Davis, Miles
4. I Thought About You - Miles Davis, Mercer, Johnny
5. Concierto de Aranjuez - Miles Davis, Rodrigo, Joaquin

 

[Dennie]

Switching Gears..... :auto-dirtbike:

Madman Across The Water -- CD

Elton John

1971 Polydor Records

The first of the best, April 27, 2011
By L. Lawhead "LSquared" (SW Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Madman Across the Water (Audio CD)

This was the first Elton John album I owned (on vinyl), and there was no doubt about upgrading to CD/digital. A very solid offering from what I consider his peak period. From Madman, to Honky Chateau, into Don't Shoot Me, culminating with Goodbye Yellow Brick. All excellent, all worth having. Looking back over 35+ years, I'd rate this as the least excellent of that quartet, but all are worthy. But Madman (which peaked at only #8) laid the groundwork for the subsequent string of #1 albums.

Levon was the hit, peaking at #24, and Tiny Dancer just missed the Top 40 (peaked at #41). Both were mainstays of AOR radio, as was the title track. All are classic songs.

The rest of the album is not quite as as memorable. Holiday Inn & Rotten Peaches are certainly solid. But Indian Sunset always seemed a little overblown, and I never quite got the whole think about an Englishman singing (fisrt person) about the plight of the Native Americans... All The Nasties and Goodbbye are pretty much forgettable. Not bad, but certainly not essential.

1. "Tiny Dancer" 6:15
2. "Levon" 5:22
3. "Razor Face" 4:44
4. "Madman Across the Water" 5:56
5. "Indian Sunset" 6:45
6. "Holiday Inn" 4:17
7. "Rotten Peaches" 4:56
8. "All the Nasties" 5:08
9. "Goodbye" 1:48

When this album was issued on cassette MCA swapped the places of "Razor Face" and "Rotten Peaches" on side one and two of the tape. The SACD version of the album contained a longer version of "Razor Face" which extended the song-ending jam to 6:42 instead of the early fade on the original album.

The song "Holiday Inn" was written for Adam Diaz. An additional verse in the recorded version that was originally part of the song was either omitted during recording or edited out of the final album version. It can, however, be heard on "unofficial" live recordings of the song from some of his concerts during this period, which have circulated among collectors.

 

[Dennie]

Great Ladies Of Song: Spotlight On...... -- CD

Keely Smith

1994 Capitol Records

Very Nice Capitol Spotlight Series with Keely's Top Effort., January 18, 2002
By S. Henkels (Devon, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Spotlight on (Audio CD)

The entire Capitol SPOTLIGHT SERIES is among the finest reissues of the recent past. Every one I've heard has some great 1950's-early 60's recordings that may not always have been the artists' best known. That is especially true of the Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Margaret Whiting, and Keely Smith releases. Keely's was my first purchase, and still my favorite. Sure, all the songs are tried and true, but she sings crystal clear, every note perfect. Every song is outstanding. My favorites are swing versions of THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU, and DONT TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME. Another one I'LL GET BY is a neglected gem sounding perfect here too. Plus the arrangers are all top, including Nelson Riddle and Billy May, who famously worked with Nat Cole and Mr. Sinatra himself...BTW, Keely's very recent tribute to Frank shows she's still going strong, sounding as fine as ever, even at 70 or so. One more thing, you can find two Keely- Frank duets on Frank's sensational COME DANCE WITH ME, recorded way back in 1958!

Track Listing
1. It's Magic
2. You Go to My Head
3. Stardust
4. I Can't Get Started
5. When Your Lover Has Gone
6. Sweet and Lovely
7. Stormy Weather
8. Fools Rush In
9. Song Is You, The
10. Mr. Wonderful
11. It's Been a Long, Long Time
12. I'll Never Smile Again
13. Someone to Watch over Me
14. I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)
15. Don't Take Your Love from Me
16. Lullaby of the Leaves
17. There Will Never Be Another You
18. Imagination
19. On the Sunny Side of the Street
20. I Wish You Love

 

[Dennie]

The Ultimate Most Relaxing Jazz Music In The Universe -- 2 CD Set

Various Artists

2007 Denon Records

Best of this series, September 29, 2007
By William Berg (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ultimate Most Relaxing Jazz Music in Universe (Audio CD)

I've purchases a number of the "most relaxing" series and generally liked them, but for my money this was the best so far. If you favor jazz tunes oriented around well known, classic songs, then you'll like this one. As usual, the group and soloists featured are widely varied. I believe this is the first time I've heard someone play jazz harmonica! I'm not especially a harmonica fan, and if you're not either, don't turn up your nose at this until you've heard it. I especially enjoy jazz sax, and in this regard this album doesn't disappoint. There are several nice, bluesy tracks along this line. The CD may not be serious or modern jazz, it may not satify the true jazz affectionado, but for a wonderfully relaxing, breezy, varied, and straight ahead jazz experience, grab a cool drink, lay back in your hammock, and enjoy.

Track Listing

DISC 1:
1. It's Magic - Sonny Stitt
2. Always and Forever - Charles Earland
3. Stormy Weather - Woody Shaw
4. Samba Du Bois - Phil Woods
5. I Wish I Knew - Red Garland
6. Blue In Green - Wallace Roney
7. Summertime - Duke Jordan
8. My Funny Valentine - Morgana King
9. Never Never Land - Bud Shank
10. Yesterdays - Larry Coryell
11. Dreams - James Moody
12. Moon Mist - Ricky Ford

DISC 2:
1. Kiss - Hubert Laws
2. All My Life - Marian McPartland
3. You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Sam Jones
4. My Romance - Houston Person
5. Golden Lotus - Kenny Barron
6. My Old Flame - Darrell Grant
7. Road Song - Pat Martino
8. It Could Happen To You - Kenny Burrell
9. When You Wish Upon a Star - The Drummonds
10. Round Midnight - Hank Jones
11. Del Valle - Bobby Hutcherson
12. Moments - Eliane Elias

 

[PaulyT]

Gone through both of these multiple times today, loving it!

 

[Dennie]

Giant Steps -- CD

John Coltrane

1960/1990 Atlantic Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Released in January 1960, John Coltrane's first album devoted entirely to his own compositions confirmed his towering command of tenor saxophone and his emerging power as a composer. Apprenticeships with Dizzy, Miles, and Monk had helped focus his furious, expansive solos, and his stamina and underlying sense of harmonic adventure brought Coltrane, at 33, to a new cusp--the polytonal "sheets of sound" that distinguished his marathon solos were offset by interludes of subtle, concise lyricism, embodied here in the tender "Naima." That classic ballad is a calm refuge from the ecstatic, high-speed runs that spark the set's up-tempo climaxes, which begin with the opening title song, itself a cornerstone of modern jazz composition. This exemplary reissue benefits from eight alternate takes of the original album's seven stellar tracks, excellent remastering of the original tapes, and an expanded annotation. --Sam Sutherland
Side one

1. "Giant Steps" – 4:43
2. "Cousin Mary" – 5:45
3. "Countdown" – 2:21
4. "Spiral" – 5:56

Side two

1. "Syeeda's Song Flute" – 7:00
2. "Naima" – 4:21
3. "Mr. P.C." (Mr. Paul Chambers) – 6:57

 

[PaulyT]

^--- one of the first jazz albums I ever bought!

 

[heeman]

Gone through both of these multiple times today, loving it!

It's amazing what ELP did back then. One of my all time favorite bands. (Keith Emerson type in error) Carl Palmer one of the all time best drummers.

I have their documentary, I think you would thoroughly enjoy it as well.

edit: Keith Emerson drummer in error, change to Carl Palmer.......... :text-imsorry:

 

[Dennie]

Maiden Voyage -- CD

Herbie Hancock

1965/1999 Blue Note Records

Amazon.com essential recording

In the mid-'60s, a distinctive postbop style evolved among the younger musicians associated with Blue Note, a new synthesis that managed to blend the cool spaciousness of Miles Davis's modal period, some of the fire of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and touches of the avant-garde's group interaction. Maiden Voyage is a masterpiece of the school, with Hancock's enduring compositions like "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" mingling creative tension and calm repose with strong melodies and airy, suspended harmonies that give form to his evocative sea imagery. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard was at a creative peak, stretching his extraordinary technique to the limits in search of a Coltrane-like fluency on the heated "Eye of the Storm," while the underrated tenor saxophonist George Coleman adds a developed lyricism to the session. --Stuart Broomer

All compositions by Herbie Hancock.

1. "Maiden Voyage" – 7:53
2. "The Eye of the Hurricane" – 5:57
3. "Little One" – 8:43
4. "Survival of the Fittest" – 9:59
5. "Dolphin Dance" – 9:16


* Herbie Hancock — Piano
* Freddie Hubbard — Trumpet
* George Coleman — Tenor saxophone
* Ron Carter — Bass
* Tony Williams — drums

 

[Botch]

Keith Emerson one of the all time best drummers.

:snooty: :text-lol:

 

[Dennie]

Empyrean Isles -- Remastered CD

Herbie Hancock

1965/1999 Blue Note Records

Amazon.com

Pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has had a long and varied career, during which he's enjoyed both creative and commercial success, though seldom at the same time. For many listeners, his creative peak came early, on two stunning Blue Note recordings, Maiden Voyage and the less celebrated Empyrean Isles. Recorded in 1964, Empyrean Isles is the earlier of the two and also the most radical. Hancock's quartet features Freddie Hubbard substituting a cornet for his usual trumpet, and getting a more burnished, slightly warmer sound. Without the jazz-typical saxophone present, Hancock's is almost a naked band, and the single horn blurs the lines between the pianist's mood-rich compositions and improvisation. The group uses the increased sense of space for intense collective creation, with Hancock and drummer Tony Williams pressing far beyond their instruments' usual roles and engaging Hubbard in edgy, complex dialogue, while bassist Ron Carter anchors the performances. Hubbard rises to the occasion with brilliance, responding to the stimulus with a fluency of thought and execution--a daring that built on his avant-garde experience with musicians like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Eric Dolphy. From the breezy "Oliloqui Valley" to the funky "Cantaloupe Island" and on to the dissonance of the extended "Egg," this is one of the most significant documents of the Blue Note style that emerged in the mid-'60s. It's music that tests the balance of control and risk, and Hubbard's is also one of the great performances by a trumpeter in modern jazz. --Stuart Broomer

Remastered 1999 release:

1. "One Finger Snap" – 7:17
2. "Oliloqui Valley" – 8:27
3. "Cantaloupe Island" – 5:30
4. "The Egg" – 13:57
5. "One Finger Snap" (alternative take) – 7:33
6. "Oliloqui Valley" (alternative take) – 10:45

* Herbie Hancock − Piano
* Freddie Hubbard − Cornet
* Ron Carter − Bass
* Tony Williams − drums