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Dennie
Well-Known Member
Today's work truck music...
Gold -- CD
Steely Dan
1991 MCA Records
Amazon.com
Not exactly a greatest-hits package (A Decade of Steely Dan gathers, and more prudently chooses, more), not quite a sampler (it includes Donald Fagen solo tracks), but Gold is nonetheless a useful thing for those unwilling to spring for the sweeping Citizen Steely Dan 4 CD set. For one thing, it has low overlap with Decade: The two share only "Deacon Blues," "Babylon Sisters," "Hey Nineteen," and "Bodhisattva"--the last in different versions. The two compilations together do a good job of summarizing the band's high points, and in the absence of a more comprehensive domestic sampler, that'd be about the best way to go. For "Josie," however, you'll have to go back to Aja. --Gavin McNett
"Hey Nineteen" – 5:05
"Green Earrings" – 4:07
"Deacon Blues" – 7:32
"Chain Lightning" – 3:00
"FM" – 5:06
"Black Cow" – 5:08
"King of the World" – 5:03
"Babylon Sisters" – 5:51
"Here at the Western World" – 4:02
"Century's End" (Fagen, Meher) – 5:31
"True Companion" (Fagen) – 5:10
"Bodhisattva" (Live) – 7:42
Gold -- CD
Steely Dan
1991 MCA Records
Amazon.com
Not exactly a greatest-hits package (A Decade of Steely Dan gathers, and more prudently chooses, more), not quite a sampler (it includes Donald Fagen solo tracks), but Gold is nonetheless a useful thing for those unwilling to spring for the sweeping Citizen Steely Dan 4 CD set. For one thing, it has low overlap with Decade: The two share only "Deacon Blues," "Babylon Sisters," "Hey Nineteen," and "Bodhisattva"--the last in different versions. The two compilations together do a good job of summarizing the band's high points, and in the absence of a more comprehensive domestic sampler, that'd be about the best way to go. For "Josie," however, you'll have to go back to Aja. --Gavin McNett
"Hey Nineteen" – 5:05
"Green Earrings" – 4:07
"Deacon Blues" – 7:32
"Chain Lightning" – 3:00
"FM" – 5:06
"Black Cow" – 5:08
"King of the World" – 5:03
"Babylon Sisters" – 5:51
"Here at the Western World" – 4:02
"Century's End" (Fagen, Meher) – 5:31
"True Companion" (Fagen) – 5:10
"Bodhisattva" (Live) – 7:42
Kazaam
Well-Known Member
PaulyT said:
NSFW due to inappropriate language
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DNIZBhtIu0[/youtube]
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But the below video for "Gittin' Funky' is safe. And the song is pretty damn good. Excellent samples, of course; and some fine rhymes. Highly recommended.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XOqUotSQnU[/youtube]
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Singin' The Blues - Volume 1 -- CD
Bix Beiderbeck
1990 Columbia Jazz Masterpieces
Amazon.com
In jazz's childhood, Bix Beiderbecke was the only cornet player to rival Satchmo in terms of influence on other musicians and on the development of the genre. Armstrong's syncopated delivery, his blues shadings, his unique phrasing--in short, his swing--became, rightly so, the benchmark, the standard by which jazz improvisation was not only judged, but actually defined. In a way, Bix represented both a practical and symbolic alternative to Armstrong. Though he was completely self-taught and couldn't read music, Bix's tone was incredibly pure, full, and lush, and his style was cooler, more restrained (but not reserved), and more plaintive than Louis's hot, ebullient playing--even though his actual tone remained bright and his note choices forceful. All of these 20 cuts come from 1927, and many of them rank among the finest performances of that classic era nudged between Dixieland and swing. A key component of these successes is Frankie Trumbauer, a remarkably fluent and lyrical C-melody sax player who was Beiderbecke's close friend and musical kindred spirit. The septet cuts from February and May are uniformly excellent, but "Singin' the Blues" (featuring Eddie Lang's prominent single-string guitar support), "Riverboat Shuffle," "I'm Comin' Virginia," and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" are astonishing landmarks in jazz history. Also worth noting are two trio cuts featuring Beiderbecke on piano supporting Trumbauer and Lang, and "In a Mist (Bixology)," a Bix piano solo full of bold, unorthodox melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. --Marc Greilsamer
Track Listings
1. Trumbology
2. Clarinet Marmalade
3. Singin' the Blues (Till My Daddy Comes Home)
4. Ostrich Walk
5. Riverboat Shuffle
6. I'm Coming Virginia
7. Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
8. For No Reason at All in C
9. Three Blind Mice
10. Blue River
11. There's a Cradle in Caroline
12. In a Mist
13. Wringin' an' Twistin'
14. Humpty Dumpty
15. Krazy Kat
16. The Baltimore
17. There Ain't No Land Like Dixieland to Me
18. There's a Cradle in Caroline
19. Just an Hour of Love
20. I'm Wonderin' Who
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Along Came John -- Remastered CD
John Patton
1963/2000 Blue Note Records
Near definitive soul-jazz session, July 4, 2000
By Thomas Aikin (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Along Came John (Audio CD)
I would rate this album 4 1/2 stars, but thats not an option. While not quite an all-time classic its certainly first rate and a necessary buy for soul-jazz enthusiasts. Its probably the best available introduction to John Patton's talents on the Hammond B3 as well.
This session marks Patton's first as a leader for Blue Note. Rounding out the group are Grant Green {guitar), Ben Dixon (drums), and Fred Jackson and Harold Vicks (both on tenor sax). The strength of this release lies in the rhythm section of Patton, Green, and Dixon. As a trio they backed numerous classic Blue Note groove sessions and have a competely organic interplay and sound. Their experience playing together really is evident on this session. The sound is effortless and easy. Jackson and Vick are two obscure but excellent soul-jazz saxophonists who are are in good form here with a bluesy, gritty sound.
For those not familiar with Patton, he is perhaps the best of the legions of Jimmy Smith followers on the Hammond organ. Patton may actually be a better groove player than Smith as his playing is more blues and less bop. He's certainly in top form here. Most of the tempos are moderate to brisk and induce foot-tapping.
All in all a most welcome reissue. If you like soul jazz and haven't been exposed to John Patton you simply must purchase this title. Excellent sound quality as well.
All compositions by John Patton except as indicated
"The Sliver Meter" (Ben Dixon) - 5:41
"I'll Never Be Free" (Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) - 5:03
"Spiffy Diffy" (Dixon) - 6:02
"Along Came John" - 6:03
"Gee Gee" - 6:01
"Pig Foots" (Dixon) - 5:44
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on April 5, 1963.
John Patton - organ
Fred Jackson, Harold Vick - tenor saxophone
Grant Green - guitar
Ben Dixon - drums
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Talkin' About Grant Green CD
Grant Green - Larry Young - Elvin Jones
1965/1999 Blue Note Records
Grant Green ranked alongside Wes Montgomery as the most exciting new jazz guitarist of the early 1960s. Green recorded a couple of dozen very memorable albums for Blue Note in styles ranging from modal jazz to soul jazz, bop, funk, Latin and spirituals. When Grant Green teamed up in a trio with the forward looking organist Larry Young and drummer Elvin Jones on Talkin' About, a magical musical alchemy occurred. Far from sounding like the standard organ trio, Talkin’ About showcases three master musicians in full flight. Larry Young was no longer playing Jimmy Smith licks. He was universally acknowledged as having the first new style on organ since Smith. Elvin Jones was the major drummer of the era, and Green was capable of excelling in any setting. Just listen to the guitarist on the lengthy "Talking About J.C." and the joyous version of "I'm An Old Cowhand." You’ll quickly understand why Talkin’ About is such a sought after gem of the Blue Note catalog.
Grant Green Talkin' About! Track Listing
1. Talkin' About J.C.
2. People
3. Luny Tune
4. You Don't Know What Love Is
5. I'm An Old Cowhand
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Gaucho -- DVD-A
Steely Dan
1980/2004 MCA Records
Gaucho on DVD-A, May 25, 2011
By Joe Appierto - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gaucho [DVD Audio] (DVD Audio)
This is one of my favorite DVD-A recordings because it's both a fine recording that highlights the benefits of the DVD-A medium (even in stereo which is how I listen to it) and musically. It's also one of my favorite Steely Dan albums. The price is competitive for an album of this quality and I believe it's a good choice for both music lovers and audiophiles. Heartily recommended.
Side one
"Babylon Sisters" – 5:55
"Hey Nineteen" – 5:10
"Glamour Profession" – 7:29
Side two
"Gaucho" – 5:32
"Time Out of Mind" – 4:14
"My Rival" – 4:34
"Third World Man" – 5:13
Dennie
Well-Known Member
The 6:39 minutes of "I Cover The Waterfront" with "Van The Man" is worth the price of admission alone...... (IMHO) :text-bravo:
Mr. Lucky -- CD
John Lee Hooker
1991 Virgin Records U.S.
All Star Cast, June 12, 2001
By Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Mr Lucky (Audio CD)
When one of the most revered blues guitarists asks for help on his album, there is no shortage of great talent to show up. The likes of Santana, Ry Cooder, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, John Hammond, and Robert Cray (to name just a few) come out in support of "Mr. Lucky", the follow up guest album to "The Healing". But, John Lee Hooker doesn't need all of this talent to put out a great blues album.
Robert Cray shows up on the title cut of this album providing some great leads to Hooker's rhythm. A tune that makes Hooker "... feel a little better". Albert Collins steps in for "Backstabbers" providing a powerful presence that only he was capable of. All you have to hear is one note of Collins to know it's him. "I Cover the Waterfront" is a haunting tune with Van Morrison taking over the guitar work and Booker T. Jones on organ. Morrison's voice complements the low-boom of Hooker's. Another highlight is Santana's work on "Stripped Me Naked".
Hooker's Delta Blues sound is hypnotizing, and his deep voice is lazy and sweet. There are very few that have shaped the sound of music, especially the blues, as he has. This album, a tribute of sorts, is a must for blues lovers. To hear so much talent gathered in one place playing with a legend like Hooker gives me the chills.
Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by John Lee Hooker.
"I Want to Hug You" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 2:52
"Mr. Lucky" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 4:38
"Back Stabbers" (Hooker, Smith) – 5:01
"This Is Hip" – 3:23
"I Cover the Waterfront" – 6:39
"Highway 13" – 6:32
"Stripped Me Naked" (Hooker, Benny Rietveld, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson) – 4:18
"Susie" – 4:23
"Crawlin' King Snake" (Tony Hollins, Bernard Besman, Hooker) – 3:20
"Father Was a Jockey" – 4:58
Performance Personnel:
Kenny Baker – saxophone
Gaylord Birch – drums
Bowen Brown – drums
Albert Collins – guitar
Tom Compton – drums
Ry Cooder – guitar
Richard Cousins – bass
Robert Cray – guitar, vocals
Maurice Cridlin – bass
Steve Ehrmann – bass
Terry Evans – vocals
Jeff Ganz – bass
William "Bill" Greene – vocals
Jim Guyet – bass
John Hammond, Jr. – harmonica, slide guitar
Kevin Hayes – drums
John Lee Hooker – guitar, vocals
Johnnie Johnson – piano
Booker T. Jones – organ
Deacon Jones – organ
Tim Kaihatsu – guitar
Jim Keltner – drums
Bobby King – vocals
Nick Lowe – bass
Scott Mathews – drums
Van Morrison – guitar, vocals
Michael Osborn – guitar
Karl Perazzo – timbales
Jimmy Pugh – organ
Raul Rekow – conga
Keith Richards – guitar
Benny Rietveld – bass
Carlos Santana – guitar
Larry Taylor – bass
Chester Thompson – keyboards
Johnny Winter – guitar
Mr. Lucky -- CD
John Lee Hooker
1991 Virgin Records U.S.
All Star Cast, June 12, 2001
By Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Mr Lucky (Audio CD)
When one of the most revered blues guitarists asks for help on his album, there is no shortage of great talent to show up. The likes of Santana, Ry Cooder, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, John Hammond, and Robert Cray (to name just a few) come out in support of "Mr. Lucky", the follow up guest album to "The Healing". But, John Lee Hooker doesn't need all of this talent to put out a great blues album.
Robert Cray shows up on the title cut of this album providing some great leads to Hooker's rhythm. A tune that makes Hooker "... feel a little better". Albert Collins steps in for "Backstabbers" providing a powerful presence that only he was capable of. All you have to hear is one note of Collins to know it's him. "I Cover the Waterfront" is a haunting tune with Van Morrison taking over the guitar work and Booker T. Jones on organ. Morrison's voice complements the low-boom of Hooker's. Another highlight is Santana's work on "Stripped Me Naked".
Hooker's Delta Blues sound is hypnotizing, and his deep voice is lazy and sweet. There are very few that have shaped the sound of music, especially the blues, as he has. This album, a tribute of sorts, is a must for blues lovers. To hear so much talent gathered in one place playing with a legend like Hooker gives me the chills.
Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by John Lee Hooker.
"I Want to Hug You" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 2:52
"Mr. Lucky" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 4:38
"Back Stabbers" (Hooker, Smith) – 5:01
"This Is Hip" – 3:23
"I Cover the Waterfront" – 6:39
"Highway 13" – 6:32
"Stripped Me Naked" (Hooker, Benny Rietveld, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson) – 4:18
"Susie" – 4:23
"Crawlin' King Snake" (Tony Hollins, Bernard Besman, Hooker) – 3:20
"Father Was a Jockey" – 4:58
Performance Personnel:
Kenny Baker – saxophone
Gaylord Birch – drums
Bowen Brown – drums
Albert Collins – guitar
Tom Compton – drums
Ry Cooder – guitar
Richard Cousins – bass
Robert Cray – guitar, vocals
Maurice Cridlin – bass
Steve Ehrmann – bass
Terry Evans – vocals
Jeff Ganz – bass
William "Bill" Greene – vocals
Jim Guyet – bass
John Hammond, Jr. – harmonica, slide guitar
Kevin Hayes – drums
John Lee Hooker – guitar, vocals
Johnnie Johnson – piano
Booker T. Jones – organ
Deacon Jones – organ
Tim Kaihatsu – guitar
Jim Keltner – drums
Bobby King – vocals
Nick Lowe – bass
Scott Mathews – drums
Van Morrison – guitar, vocals
Michael Osborn – guitar
Karl Perazzo – timbales
Jimmy Pugh – organ
Raul Rekow – conga
Keith Richards – guitar
Benny Rietveld – bass
Carlos Santana – guitar
Larry Taylor – bass
Chester Thompson – keyboards
Johnny Winter – guitar
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Emotion & Commotion -- CD
Jeff Beck
2010 ATCO Records
Wow! April 13, 2010
By Satchmo
Format:Audio CD
"Emotion and Commotion" is Jeff Beck's much-anticipated new release. Clocking in at just about 40 minutes, there is no wasted space on the disc. I will not go through track by track, as the other reviewers have done a nice job summarizing each song. Basically on this album, Beck leaves behind the high-powered techno and electronica flavors of his previous albums "Jeff," "You Had It Coming" and "Who Else" and goes for a more laid-back, worldly groove of classic rock fusion with classical undertones. Besides his amazing tone, these songs are wonderful. The covers are arranged well and tastefully done. Anyone who can transition from the beautiful "Somewhere over the Rainbow" to Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You" and back to Jeff Buckley's "Lilac Wine" and make it cohesive within the album is doing something right. The Beck originals, "Hammerhead" and "Serene" are also well-written.
I recently started listening to Jeff Beck a couple years ago. I admit that I am a newcomer to his music. As a guitar player, I cannot even begin to comprehend Beck's tone and virtuoso skills. I am blown away by what he is able to achieve on his instrument. This album is highly recommended to 1)Any Jeff Beck fan (obviously), 2)Anyone who plays the guitar and wants to understand what is capable on the instrument, 3)Anyone who wants to explore creative and exciting new music, produced by one of the most criminally under-rated musicians of our time. Hope this helps!
1. "Corpus Christi Carol" Benjamin Britten 2:40
2. "Hammerhead" Jeff Beck, Jason Rebello 4:15
3. "Never Alone" Rebello 4:22
4. "Over the Rainbow" Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg 3:10
5. "I Put a Spell on You" (featuring Joss Stone) Screamin' Jay Hawkins 2:59
6. "Serene" (featuring Olivia Safe) Beck, Rebello 6:05
7. "Lilac Wine" (featuring Imelda May) James Shelton 4:44
8. "Nessun Dorma" Giacomo Puccini 2:56
9. "There's No Other Me" (featuring Joss Stone) Rebello, Joss Stone 4:05
10. "Elegy for Dunkirk" (featuring Olivia Safe) Dario Marianelli 5:03
Total length:
40:19
Dennie
Well-Known Member
One Night Of Sin -- CD
Joe Cocker
1989 Capitol Records
Full of Cocker rockers and ballads., November 1, 2000
By Anthony Accordino (Massapequa Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: One Night of Sin (Audio CD)
Joe Cocker's "One Night Of Sin" was not only one of Joe's more popular modern day albums but showed the english soul shouter in fine vintage form with his voice as strong as ever. The top ten smash "When The Night Comes" is just the beginning of an album loaded with top notch songs. Producer Charlie Midnight really gets Joe rocking on tunes like"Just To Keep From Drowning" and "Bad Bad Sign"[not to many modern day singers can match this vocal performance]. Long time musical friend Chris Stainton is back on keyboards providing that hard driving piano sound that was so prominent during their Maddogs and Englishman heyday. Joe also belts out great covers of "Fever" and "Iv'e Got To Use My Imagination". The ballads on this cd are sung in typical gut wrenching Joe cocker style. A truly solid musical effort not to be missed.
"When the Night Comes" - 5:20 (Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance, Diane Warren)
"I Will Live for You" - 4:11 (Stephen Allen Davis)
"I've Got to Use My Imagination" - 4:24 (Gerry Goffin, Barry Goldberg)
"Letting Go" - 4:11 (Charlie Midnight, Jimmy Scott)
"Just to Keep from Drowning" - 4:39 (Marshall Chapman, Stephen Allen Davis)
"Unforgiven" - 3:28 (Tim Hardin, Ken Lauber)
"Another Mind Gone" - 4:44 (Cocker, Levine, Chris Stainton)
"Fever" - 3:37 (Eddie Cooley, Otis Blackwell, John Davenport)
"You Know We're Gonna Hurt" - 3:59 (Rick Boston, Nick Gilder)
"Bad Bad Sign" - 4:09 (Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight)
"I'm Your Man" - 3:52 (Leonard Cohen)
"One Night of Sin" - 3:14 (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steinman)
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Falling Up -- CD
Geoffrey Keezer
2003 MaxJazz Piano Series
Among the most beautiful jazz albums ever recorded, October 9, 2003
By Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Falling Up (Audio CD)
Jeff Keezer, the brilliant young jazz pianist, has a very personal, even idiosyncratic musical vision. Here, on what can only be described as a ravishingly gorgeous disc, it serves him unfailingly.
A number of things make this disc work, not least the artist's love of Hawaiian folk music, which is the (unlikely, for a jazz artist) starting point of this disc--and, hence, the understandable but misleading idea that it has a New Age vibe. Something much deeper is going on, something almost impossible to even talk about without sounding sentimental or weird: Hawaiian music has somehow become the most effective vehicle for Keezer to express his deepest feelings, the essence of which is a kind of glory tinged by sadness. The key is the song "Famous Are the Flowers." Originally a 19th century popular song protesting the annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii to the United States, it is here rendered with such love, such poignancy, such glorious melancholy, that the listener encounters the kind of longing that C. S. Lewis called Sehnsuct, and which pervades, for example, The Lord of the Rings. Interesting, a tune from the film version of LOTR, "Gollum's Song," is included
The three Hawaiian tunes included are simply stunning, and definitely set the musical tone for the entire disc. One thing is glaringly apparent--Keezer's genuine appreciation for the music of Hawaii. Too often artists, in their effort to add color and exoticism to their work, do not pay sufficient attention to the subtleties of the alien musical sensibilities they desire to incorporate into their own aesthetic vision. The clincher is "Navigating by Starlight," an original Keezer composition and the longest and most evocative tune at over eight minutes. Keezer, in notes to the music, describes the piece thus: "I was thinking about ancient seafaring people, and how they could travel for thousands of miles reading tides originating from even other continents. In the mysterious darkness of night, they used a highly evolved understanding of the stars to guide them. Sounds of Java, Okinawa, and Japan." These are the racial and cultural antecedents for the people of Hawaii, and he has perfectly captured that sensibility in a profound way. Aided by Anthony Brown (who co-wrote the tune) and the Asian American Jazz Orchestra, the song perfectly evokes what Keezer describes in his notes.
The other tunes on the album, though arising out of different circumstances and having a slightly different feel, seem to have somehow been drawn into the orbit of the Hawaiian sun that pervades the disc. Personal favorites include "Falling Up," with its attractive melody, slightly exotic instrumentation, and feel-good vibe, the three piano trio numbers, "Palm Reader," "Gollum's Song," and "Prelude in E-Flat." The only song that doesn't work optimally for me is "Featherfall," featuring vocals by Claire Martin. It would've best been left off the disc, but since it has deep personal meaning for Keezer, I can see why he wanted to include it.
Highest recommendation.
Falling Up
Shiny Shell Lullaby
Horsewoman, The
Palm Reader
Featherfall
Gollums Song
Navigating By Starlight
- Grace
T.G.T.T.
Mirrim
Prelude in e Flat
Geoffrey Keezer: piano, rhodes, vibraphone, marimba
Scott Colley: bass
Karriem Riggins: drums, percussion
Keola Beamer: acoustic guitar
Paul Bollenback: acoustic guitar
Claire Martin: vocals
Ingrid Jensen: trumpet and flugelhorn
Joe Locke: vibraphone
Steve Wilson: alto flute
Tim Garland: bass clarinet
Laurence Cottle: acoustic bass guitar
Richard Cottle: keyboards
Moanalani Beamer: ka 'eke'eke (bamboo pipes)
Dennie
Well-Known Member
About 15 minutes left of Summer, I'm looking forward to Autumn! :banana-dance:
Vertical Vision -- CD
Christian McBride Band
2003 Warner Bros. Records
The celebrated jazz educator, master bassist, composer, and arranger, Christian McBride provides a new recording, told in a language of blazing originality. Vertical Vision is a multi-layered musical story that features beautiful solos, great grooves, funky riffs, and virtuosic performances by each bandmember. The recording also reveals McBride's passion for strong writing, brilliant accompaniment, and eclectic melodic voicings that stay with listeners long after the record ends. On this, his debut for Warner Brothers Jazz, McBride creates a dazzling weave of passionate rhythms, musical forms, and bass voicings with his longtime bandmate Ron Blake on saxophones and flute. Geoff Keezer on piano and keyboards, Terreon Gully on drums, David Gilmore on both acoustic and electric guitars, and Danny Sadownick on percussion add their flavorful interpretations, which elevate their performances to another level at each subsequent listen. The songs were inspired by and reflect a variety of subjects including the beautiful original "Song for Maya," which is played superbly by the ensemble and features the splendid flute work of Ron Blake. It is the most beautiful of all and the one that makes its way, like the family it has come to represent, into your heart. "Lejos de Usted" -- which is filled with beautiful horn voices and the vertical visions of McBride on acoustic bass -- is overflowing with Latin nuance and it is there, melding the borders between jazz and Latin rhythms. Top picks: "Technicolor Nightmare,""Tahitian Pearl," "Song for Maya," and "Boogie Woogie Waltz." Overall, Vertical Vision is a masterpiece that is beautiful, spirited, brimming with energy, and meets the same high standards set and achieved on Sci-Fi. ~ Paula Edelstein
Track Listing
1. Circa 1990
2. Technicolor Nightmare
3. Tahitian Pearl
4. Wizard of Montara, The
5. Ballad of Little Girl Dancer, The
6. Lejos de Usted - (Spanish)
7. Precious One
8. Song Foy Maya
9. Boogie Woogie Waltz
Christian McBride (acoustic & electric basses); Ron Blake (soprano & tenor saxophones, flute); Geoffrey Keezer (piano, keyboards); David Gilmore (acoustic & electric guitar); Terreon Gully (drums); Danny Sadownick (percussion).
Vertical Vision -- CD
Christian McBride Band
2003 Warner Bros. Records
The celebrated jazz educator, master bassist, composer, and arranger, Christian McBride provides a new recording, told in a language of blazing originality. Vertical Vision is a multi-layered musical story that features beautiful solos, great grooves, funky riffs, and virtuosic performances by each bandmember. The recording also reveals McBride's passion for strong writing, brilliant accompaniment, and eclectic melodic voicings that stay with listeners long after the record ends. On this, his debut for Warner Brothers Jazz, McBride creates a dazzling weave of passionate rhythms, musical forms, and bass voicings with his longtime bandmate Ron Blake on saxophones and flute. Geoff Keezer on piano and keyboards, Terreon Gully on drums, David Gilmore on both acoustic and electric guitars, and Danny Sadownick on percussion add their flavorful interpretations, which elevate their performances to another level at each subsequent listen. The songs were inspired by and reflect a variety of subjects including the beautiful original "Song for Maya," which is played superbly by the ensemble and features the splendid flute work of Ron Blake. It is the most beautiful of all and the one that makes its way, like the family it has come to represent, into your heart. "Lejos de Usted" -- which is filled with beautiful horn voices and the vertical visions of McBride on acoustic bass -- is overflowing with Latin nuance and it is there, melding the borders between jazz and Latin rhythms. Top picks: "Technicolor Nightmare,""Tahitian Pearl," "Song for Maya," and "Boogie Woogie Waltz." Overall, Vertical Vision is a masterpiece that is beautiful, spirited, brimming with energy, and meets the same high standards set and achieved on Sci-Fi. ~ Paula Edelstein
Track Listing
1. Circa 1990
2. Technicolor Nightmare
3. Tahitian Pearl
4. Wizard of Montara, The
5. Ballad of Little Girl Dancer, The
6. Lejos de Usted - (Spanish)
7. Precious One
8. Song Foy Maya
9. Boogie Woogie Waltz
Christian McBride (acoustic & electric basses); Ron Blake (soprano & tenor saxophones, flute); Geoffrey Keezer (piano, keyboards); David Gilmore (acoustic & electric guitar); Terreon Gully (drums); Danny Sadownick (percussion).
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Spellbound -- CD
Joe Sample
1989 Warner Bros. Records
Sample - everything!!!, March 2, 2008
By Marianne McDermott "classic film lover" (Lacombe, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Spellbound (Audio CD)
This CD(album) is totally like no other. By listening to this collection of soulful jazz, along with great vocals by Al Jarreau and Michael Franks, JOE SAMPLE can do no wrong. I never heard of him until I found out he worked with SIMPLY RED(Mick Hucknull) on their NEW FLAME album.
Believe it or not, Joe's album was released in March of 1989 and Simply Red's was released in April of 1989--quite a venue with these 2 GREAT albums around the same time.In fact, Sample's style blends perfectly with Simply Red's and vice-versa. But SPELLBOUND is just that, spellbinding--fresh, crisp, smooth and free as a breeze(GEORGE BENSON?) His piano can fly through anycomposition and/or style of music. Also, U-TURN is an excellent romanticpiece of piano, strings and beautiful vocals.
Either way, this CD can bring you to any place you wish to go. A real gem!!!
Track Listing
1. Seven Years of Good Luck
2. Spellbound
3. Somehow Our Love Survives
4. All God's Children
5. Leading Me Back to You
6. U Turn
7. Bones Jive
8. Luna en New York - (Spanish)
9. Sermonized
10. Looking Glass
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Joyous Encounter -- CD
Joe Lovano - Hank Jones - George Mraz - Paul Motian
2005 Blue Note Records
A Master Class May 18, 2005
By Stephen A. Smith
Format:Audio CD
Contrary to Mr. Sachs' editorial review above, recording with a mainstream rhythm section does not constitute a departure of any sort for Lovano. His first CD was in 1985 with Kenny Werner, Dennis Irwin, and Mel Lewis. Since then he's recorded no fewer than 11 CDs featuring a piano/bass/drums rhythm section, not counting his work as a sideman or this quartet's previous CD, "I'm All For You." This isn't groundbreaking music, and it shouldn't be portrayed that way. It's old school jazz in the best tradition, and it stands handsomely on that merit.
For knowledgeable jazz fans, there's no better way to sell this CD than simply to explain that it's Joe Lovano, Hank Jones, George Mraz, and Paul Motian playing standards. For everyone else, whether you're genuinely looking for an introduction to jazz or you just want a few CDs to look cool on your rack: Start here. "Joyous Encounter" is a bona fide, five-star CD.
There's absolutely nothing I enjoy more than listening to a group of seasoned jazz musicians record a session of standards. These four guys have nearly three centuries of experience between them, and the result is a master class for any jazz musician -- how to approach standards with a fresh perspective, how to build solos without blotting out the rhythm section, how to increase intensity without increasing volume... They use all the tools, and they prove themselves craftsmen. They never skate; they dig in, from the first track to the last. There's a wealth of lessons and wisdom, every moment of which is a pleasure to hear.
This year has already brought five-star releases from Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, and Kenny Wheeler; and this summer promises competition from Bill Frisell, Jim McNeely, and Wayne Shorter. By December, we may have half a dozen CDs as good as "Joyous Encounter" -- but I guarantee, none will be better. Buy this now.
"Autumn in New York" -9:57
"Bird's Eye View" - 5:28
"Don't Ever Leave Me" - 3:45
"Alone Together" - 5:24
"Six and Four" - 5:30
"Pannonica" - 8:05
"Consummation" -4:57
"Quiet Lady" - 5:25
"Joyous Encounter" - 4:17
"A Child Is Born" - 7:08
"Crescent" - 6:40
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Pop Pop -- CD
Rickie Lee Jones
1991 Geffen Records
Rickie Lee Jones's almost perfect Record, September 18, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Pop Pop (Audio CD)
If I had to choose a favorite Rickie Lee Jones record, it would be a difficult choice but Pop Pop might just be my final decision. From the first chords on an acoustic nylon string guitar on the first track you know you're in for a treat. More than any other of her albums, Pop Pop captures the magic that Rickie Lee Jones delivers on stage if you catch her in a small venue. Jazz legends Charlie Haden on bass, Joe Henderson on Sax and Robben Ford on acoustic guitar offer up jaw dropping performances throughout Pop Pop. When it comes to subtle jazz instrumentation and pitch perfect vocals, it doesn't get much better than this. Add to that, the gorgeous quality of the recording and you have the basic ingredients for a near perfect pop/jazz album that seems to have rarely left my cd player for almost a decade. Stand out tracks include: My One and Only Love, Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most, Jimi Hendrix's Up From The Skies, Second Time Around, and Bye Bye Blackbird.
Track listing
1. My One and Only Love
2. Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
3. Hi-Lili Hi-Lo
4. Up From the Skies
5. Second Time Around
6. Dat Dere
7. I'll Be Seeing You
8. Bye Bye Blackbird
9. Ballad of the Sad Young Men, The
10. I Won't Grow Up
11. Love Junkyard
12. Comin' Back to Me
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Second Wind -- CD
Herb Alpert
1996 Almo Records
Welcome Back Herb!, September 30, 1998
By W. J. Bernardi (Austin, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Second Wind (Audio CD)
Herb Alpert's first release in four years - and on his new label - is a joyous one! Teaming up with keyboardist Jeff Lorber, Alpert embarks on a funk-jazz romp that showcases some of his best playing on record. He conjures up images of Miles Davis on many of the songs, yet it isn't a ripoff of Miles at all. Alpert is a smart player. He knows what he can and can't do, and stays within himself. Opening up with the aptly-titled "Second Wind" Herb and Lorber create a great groove which gives Alpert some freedom to roam around on the horn. "Driving Home" is another hot song with Herb playing some really nice jazz on. Lorber does some nice playing on "Sneakin' In" with the Hammond B3 organ, conjuring up images of Jimmy Smith. This is some of Lorber's best playing on record, too. On his own Lorber ends up playing a zillion notes per second, but under Alpert's guidance he plays only when necessary. The two combined to compose most of the songs, including the beautiful "Rendevouz", where Alpert shows his romantic side of playing. And his version of "My Funny Valentine" is also very hip. For those who haven't listened to Herb Alpert in a long time, this is a CD that will impress you.
One other note: The Japanese version of this CD contains a bonus track - a "live" version of "The Lonely Bull", which was Alpert's very first hit with the Tijuana Brass. Very funky, with great solos by Alpert and Lorber!
1 Second Wind
2 Flirtation
3 Wherever You Are
4 Sneakin' In
5 Drivin' Home
6 Can't Stop Thinking About You
7 Flamingo - Herb Albert
8 My Funny Valentine - Herb Albert
9 Side Steppin'
10 Rendezvous
11 Across the Bridge
12 Sugar Cane
Dennie
Well-Known Member
First Take -- CD
Roberta Flack
1969/1995 Atlantic Records
Although originally released in 1969, FIRST TAKE languished in obscurity until noted jazz fan Clint Eastwood chose Roberta Flack's haunting, minimalist reinterpretation of Scottish folkie Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" ... Full Descriptionto score a love scene in his 1972 film PLAY MISTY FOR ME. Latter-day fans of that single and Flack's later smooth soul hits might be surprised at the overall sound of FIRST TAKE.
Recorded with a small combo of jazz giants--guitarist John Pizzarelli, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Ray Lucas, with Flack on piano--and produced by Atlantic's house eccentric Joel Dorn, FIRST TAKE is a jazz album with soul and pop influences. The recording has more in common with Nina Simone, or even Dorn's work with eclectic reedsman Rahsaan Roland Kirk, than mainstream soul divas of the 1970s. Flack's utterly controlled, elegant vocal style and her churchy piano chords root this album, which has a stately power and deliberate grace even at its most soulful--particularly on a call-and-response version of the spiritual "I Told Jesus" and the heartbreaking "Angelitos Negros."
1. "Compared to What" (Gene McDaniels) - 5:16
2. "Angelitos Negros" (Andres Eloy Blanco, Manuel Alvarez Maciste) - 6:56
3. "Our Ages or Our Hearts" (Robert Ayers, Donny Hathaway) - 6:09
4. "I Told Jesus" (Traditional) - 6:09
5. "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" (Leonard Cohen) - 4:08
6. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ewan MacColl) - 5:22
7. "Tryin' Times" (Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson) - 5:08
8. "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" (Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf) - 7:00