Simply Said

Simply Said

Simply Said

ASIN: B00000JC6E

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There's no denying that Kenny Garrett is a tremendous saxophonist, whether on alto or the much less manageable sopranino and soprano. But Garrett established this fact long before this odd mix of tunes. His Triology was a sophisticated, intricate pianoless trio date, and Pursuance was a moving, apt tribute to John Coltrane. So Simply Said isn't about Garrett's talent, and that's too bad. The music's consistently mired in what seems confusion. Does the saxophonist want to be considered an ace smooth-jazzer? Too often, there's only the acoustic band setting--with pianists Shedrick Mitchell or Mulgrew Miller, drummers Chris Dave or Jeff Watts, and even Pat Metheny--to set this apart from synth-enhanced pop jazz. If Garrett envisions this as his smooth jazz record, it's entirely stronger than most music in that genre. But if it's to be considered in light of Garrett's other work, it's a distinct disappointment. The melodies are too simply stated to be memorable, the saxophones too thin and their phrases not even dented with the convolutions Garrett's earlier work hints at. If it's the burning, creative Garrett you're after, this recording is probably going to be a bummer for you. But if you're wondering what this Kenny "G" can add to the smooth mix, then the good truth is Simply Said here. --Andrew Bartlett

From Jazziz
"The idea of the album is that, sometimes, I would rather express a musical idea more directly and subtly instead of always approaching it with a high-powered flurry of notes or specific improvisations," says alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett about the approach to his new CD, Simply Said. Garrett shows this more subdued side and pays close attention to nuance throughout the recording. "'Conversation With Hutcherson' [featured] was written with Bobby Hutcherson in mind, someone who has influenced me musically," Garrett explains. "I used unique chord clusters that I know he puts into the music he plays that make him unique."

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Simply Said,Kenny Garrett,Warner Bros / Wea,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
Simply Said
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Simply Wonderful !
  • No, no, no, no, no, no, Kenny, no...
  • Kenny Garret's Masterpiece
  • "Simply Said", Simply wonderful.
  • don't judge on "superficial" sound
 Simply Said
Kenny Garrett
Manufacturer: © Warner Bros. Records Inc., / WEA International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern PostbebopModern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
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  1. Black Hope
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  3. Triology
  4. Songbook
  5. Standard of Language

ASIN: B00000JC6E
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

  1. G.T.D.S.
  2. Charlie Brown Goes To South Africa
  3. Delta Bali Blues
  4. Conversation With Hutchinson
  5. Words Can't Express
  6. Back Where You Started
  7. Sounds Like Winter
  8. Can I Just Hold Your Hand?
  9. Organized Colors
  10. 3rd Quadrant
  11. Simply Said

Amazon.com

There's no denying that Kenny Garrett is a tremendous saxophonist, whether on alto or the much less manageable sopranino and soprano. But Garrett established this fact long before this odd mix of tunes. His Triology was a sophisticated, intricate pianoless trio date, and Pursuance was a moving, apt tribute to John Coltrane. So Simply Said isn't about Garrett's talent, and that's too bad. The music's consistently mired in what seems confusion. Does the saxophonist want to be considered an ace smooth-jazzer? Too often, there's only the acoustic band setting--with pianists Shedrick Mitchell or Mulgrew Miller, drummers Chris Dave or Jeff Watts, and even Pat Metheny--to set this apart from synth-enhanced pop jazz. If Garrett envisions this as his smooth jazz record, it's entirely stronger than most music in that genre. But if it's to be considered in light of Garrett's other work, it's a distinct disappointment. The melodies are too simply stated to be memorable, the saxophones too thin and their phrases not even dented with the convolutions Garrett's earlier work hints at. If it's the burning, creative Garrett you're after, this recording is probably going to be a bummer for you. But if you're wondering what this Kenny "G" can add to the smooth mix, then the good truth is Simply Said here. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Simply Wonderful ! .......2007-02-16

I Cannot Believe How Many People are complaning about this cd ! , I mean , sure it does not sound like how kenny garrett usually makes a cd , but like the person before me says the way garrett plays with the group is AMAZING espically on songs like " Simply Said " and " Sounds Like Winter "
Also there is amazing Saxophone Playing on " Third Quadirant " and this cd is nothing short of GREAT ! --- The truth is that if coltrane made the same album you would be talking about how great it was ---- This cd is as good as garrett's previous album's -- listen to the musicianship and the WHOLE CD before writing a negative comment . :)

2 out of 5 stars No, no, no, no, no, no, Kenny, no..........2006-01-27

This is one of the real Kenny G's worst albums, and here he approaches the status of (gasp!) the FAKE Kenny G. Unbelievable as this sounds, this is the album that Garrett sold out on; with a few exceptions, this is entirely smooth garbage. This album begins promisingly -- GTDS is a hip tune, its got a good groove and nice intrumentation. Thats where the hippness ends for the most part. "Charlie Brown Goes To South Africa" is cheesy garbage, with lame, predictable melody and chords, "Delta Bali Blues" really makes Garrett sound like the fake Kenny G, with his soprano sax tone sounding particularly smooth jazz, "Words Can't Express" is another Gorlick impersonation, I don't know what he was thinking with "Back Where You Started" deciding to go with a horrid vocal track, it's obvious where "Sounds Like Winter" is going from the first note, and its sad, thats all that can be said, etc. etc. etc. The only other tracks that are redeemable are "Conversation With Hutcherson," "Organized Colors" and "Third Quadrant," where Garrett sounds great. I suppose its commendable that Garrett had the guts to include some real jazz on what is essentially a smooth jazz record, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy the majority of the material here. If your bag is smooth jazz, I HIGHLY reccommend picking up this album, because you'll at least get to hear some real jazz in the midst of all the overly produced... stuff. Get "Triology," "Pursuance," and "Standard Of Language" to hear why Kenny Garrett is the real Kenny G, because "Simply Said" makes him sound alot more like the fake Kenny G, something which is shameful indeed. For shame Kenny.

5 out of 5 stars Kenny Garret's Masterpiece.......2003-07-29

The widest range of stylistic and emotional expression of any recent jazz album - beautiful compositions, played masterfully by superb musicians - what's not to love? Furthermore, this is one of those rare recordings that is a composition in itself; the order of the tunes is carefully chosen so that each complements the previous, and leads you to the next.

Lots of folks put down this CD for being too "smooth jazzy". Nothing could be further from the truth.

As a contemporary musician, how can he not be aware of and influenced by R&B and funk? Kenny Garrett played with Miles Davis in a funk/jazz setting, and has appeared with Marcus Miller both live and on record. The history of jazz is intertwined with the history of popular music. Don't forget that all of the so-called "standards" are just pop tunes from Broadway shows. It's the performance that counts in jazz, and with Kenny Garrett, you will never hear anything but a superlative performance.

This is one of those few recordings that stand repeated (and repeated!) listening, each time revealing something new. I have owned 5 copies of this CD, I keep having to buy new ones because I give them away to my friends, "You have GOT to hear this!"

I own every one of Kenny Garrett's CDs (and many more upon which he appears). This is his best recorded effort; and that is surely saying something. If I could give it 100 stars, I would.

5 out of 5 stars "Simply Said", Simply wonderful........2003-06-14

I happened to hear a cut from "Simply Said" on Public Radio, and then only a small sample of the selection. After an inquiry as to who the artist was, I listened to several samples on the "net", and I had to add this CD to my collection.
A must have if you enjoy Jazz.

4 out of 5 stars don't judge on "superficial" sound.......2001-03-24

Look. It ain't what we're used to hearing from Kenny Garrett. At first, I thought, man, this guy, my favortie sax player by far sold out and made a commercial album. This sucks. However, I spent the summer after my freshman year in college listening to this album almost exclusively. It grew on me slowly. I began to listen beyond to fact that it sounded like smooth jazz. I soon realized that it actually has amazing qualities in several areas. Firstly, the interaction between the members of the group is nothing short of beautiful--this is, in my opinion, the best aspect of the funk/smooth jazz vein. Also, the solos precisely fit the chordal structures. With repeated listenings, I heard the emotion that actually is coming through in this album. Though I have heard a tune or two from this album on some smooth jazz stations, I have no doubt that that was not Kenny's first motivation for making this one. It is the direction that Kenny decided to take for that album and I appreciate it in its own light. Now, I see some of the tracks as being so beautiful that, in the moment, I have a hard time seeing how anybody could not like this album.
Freelance Human Being
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One man band!
  • Understated Out of the Box
  • One of the best acoustic albums ever
  • One of the best acoustic albums ever
  • Great "back to basics"
 Freelance Human Being
James Lee Stanley
Manufacturer: Beachwood
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One man band!.......2005-11-02

I first heard James' music in 1999, when I was introduced to it by my boyfriend, who had known James and seen him play around the central California region in the 70's. It wasn't long before I was hooked.

This CD is something akin to sitting in on a master class, especially if you're a musician or ever hope to be one. Having seen James live on several occasions, I can tell you this CD comes as close as any recording could to capturing the complexity, the nuance, and the intimacies that James casts upon anyone fortunate enough to have heard him in person. He possesses a personal charisma and depth that are allowed to shine here, as it is simply the man and his guitar.

His guitar playing is utterly unique. I've never heard another like him. He voices chords much like I've always thought James Taylor did--more like a piano than a guitar. But James' style is uniquely his own; full and rich and rhythmic...even orchestral. He just doesn't need a band, because all of the necessary elements are there in his fingertips.

Then there is his voice. Delicate and subtle, he can also cut right through you and make you like it. He can damage you and heal you. He can hang a note on a cloud and you just want to go there with it. Mostly, you just shake your head and ask yourself "How'd he do that?"

If this is all sounding a bit too visceral, all I can say is you just have to hear it for yourself. Then you will be, like so many others who have heard him, another fan of this extraordinarily gifted man.

5 out of 5 stars Understated Out of the Box.......2005-06-04

Check out James Lee Stanley's collaboration with John Batdorf on an acoustic compilation of Rolling Stones songs entitled "All Wood And Stones." 'Just Vocals and guitar, with rythmic strumming creating the sole persussive effects -- beautiful work (available on Amazon).

5 out of 5 stars One of the best acoustic albums ever.......2004-04-23

This is a remarkable album...Probably the best singer/guitarist you never heard of.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best acoustic albums ever.......2004-04-23

This is a remarkable album...Probably the best singer/guitarist you never heard of.

5 out of 5 stars Great "back to basics".......2002-03-18

Like a lot of his fans, I heard of James Lee Stanley through his long time friend, Peter Tork. When I heard that ex-Monkee, Peter Tork, was still playing after thirty years, I decided to check out his current musical act with Stanley. Although I really went to see Tork, I was blown away by his musical partner, Stanley. This led me to purchase this CD.

As so much contemporary pop/rock is doctored by electronic studio wizardy, we sometimes forget how wonderful it is to hear great singing to pretty melodies. "Freelance Human Being" allows us to remember. The CD is Stanley singing original (mostly love) songs accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. The result is some beautiful, albeit not ground breaking, music. You will find yourself singing along in no time. Great "rainy day" music! James Lee Stanley's music should be more widely heard.
Simply Musicals
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    Simply Said
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Simply Said
      Bruddahkuulei
      Manufacturer: Bluewater Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      Waiting for the Hero
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        		Waiting for the Hero

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        Binding: Audio CD

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        Release Date: 2005-03-15
        Simply Said Sessions
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          Release Date: 2004-10-19
          Change
          Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
          • Innovation and Awesomeness
          		 Change
          Stephanie Smith
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          Customer Reviews:

          4 out of 5 stars Innovation and Awesomeness.......2006-01-02

          Great sophomore attempt by this upcoming star. A few of the songs on this CD are a bit too poppy and produced for my tastes (i.e. Self Portrait and Try So Hard) "Anywhere" captures best the beautiful writing and heartfelt simplicity of Stephanie's music. My favorite is "Let Me Know" for it's spirituality and storytelling.
          Simply Said
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Simply Said
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            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

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