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Ain't Misbehavin: Live at the Jazz Showcase [Live]
Ain't Misbehavin: Live at the Jazz Showcase [Live]
ASIN: B00005M0FW
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Not that it should come as any surprise that Marian McPartland--the longtime host of NPR's Piano Jazz and a leading figure in jazz piano for over four decades running--has released another fine album of piano duets, but this one is even more satisfying than longtime fans could rightly expect. Transferring the format of her radio program to the stage of Chicago's venerable Jazz Showcase, Ain't Misbehavin' matches McPartland with the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens, and the result is pure piano-jazz heaven. Right from the opening title track, the chemistry between McPartland and Pickens is electric, with McPartland's more reserved style perfectly complementing Pickens's dense and outgoing playing that at times has him sounding like two pianos all by himself. On "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" the two effortlessly trade licks and accompaniment until their styles seem to merge into a wonderfully united blur, and on "Along Came Betty" Pickens's more bluesy soloing style contrasts perfectly with McPartland's accompaniment. But it's the pair's versatility that really pushes Ain't Misbehavin' into another sphere, with the two not only trading licks on some well-worn jazz standards but also lighting up some lovely solo performances here as well, like Pickens's impressionistic "Spring Is Here" and McPartland's beautiful rendition of "Autumn Nocturne." --Ezra Gale
Ain't Misbehavin: Live at the Jazz Showcase,Marian McPartland,Concord Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
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Ain't Misbehavin: Live at the Jazz Showcase
Marian McPartland Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Live Albums
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
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ASIN: B00005M0FW Release Date: 2001-07-10 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
Not that it should come as any surprise that Marian McPartland--the longtime host of NPR's Piano Jazz and a leading figure in jazz piano for over four decades running--has released another fine album of piano duets, but this one is even more satisfying than longtime fans could rightly expect. Transferring the format of her radio program to the stage of Chicago's venerable Jazz Showcase, Ain't Misbehavin' matches McPartland with the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens, and the result is pure piano-jazz heaven. Right from the opening title track, the chemistry between McPartland and Pickens is electric, with McPartland's more reserved style perfectly complementing Pickens's dense and outgoing playing that at times has him sounding like two pianos all by himself. On "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" the two effortlessly trade licks and accompaniment until their styles seem to merge into a wonderfully united blur, and on "Along Came Betty" Pickens's more bluesy soloing style contrasts perfectly with McPartland's accompaniment. But it's the pair's versatility that really pushes Ain't Misbehavin' into another sphere, with the two not only trading licks on some well-worn jazz standards but also lighting up some lovely solo performances here as well, like Pickens's impressionistic "Spring Is Here" and McPartland's beautiful rendition of "Autumn Nocturne." --Ezra GaleCustomer Reviews:
Communion of two distinct, and fine-aged, spirits.......2002-07-03
Truth and beauty alternately flow and surge from the shared minds of McPartland and Pickens. The two of them are simply dazzling with each other--picking up each other's ideas, examining them, elaborating on them, merging them in a "wall" of sound and then softly winding down and disengaging in quiet reflection. The essence of jazz is musical conversation----spontaneous and disciplined conversation.
There are no distractions in this dialogue--just the stark beauty of twin and solo acoustic pianos. This is a live concert and the audience is very enthusiastic. Clearly, there is a spiritual "electricity" connecting Pickens and McPartland, which got transmitted to the crowd. Their response is thunderous.
Pickens and McPartland are from different jazz generations. He from Be-Bop and she from Swing. Even though their styles are well individuated from each other--they easily get "in each other's backyard" so to speak. These are old traditions; but the music on this disc is as fresh as the odor of a newborn infant. Though both musicians are "about as old as The Hills", neither one sounds "dated" in any way. This music, like most great art, is timeless.
Their solo works are mini-masterpieces. Willie Pickens' versions of "Spring is Here" and "Paper Moon" are unique and I don't think I have ever heard "Spring" done more delicately and with such quiet intensity--it's a great, romantic, mini-concerto all it's own. I can't hear enough of McPartland's "Autumn Nocturne". It makes me go "Aaahhhhhh...." each time I hear it.
I can only hope that they will do another one like this very soon.
"McPartland & Pickens glitter...are hot together!".......2001-07-18
You might try other albums by Marian Partland on Concord Jazz, all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Single Petal Of A Rose" (CCD-4895-2)..."Reprise" (CCD-4853-2)...Plays The Benny Carter Songbook" (CCD-4412)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.
Total Time: 59:02 on 9 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz CCD-4968-2 ~ (2001)
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Ain't Misbehavin' - Live At the Jazz Showcase
Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000E1A3JI |
Product Description
Ain't Misbehavin' - Live at the Jazz Showcase //Marian McPartland and Willie Pickens// 1. Ain't Misbehavin' 2. Along Came Betty 3. Close Your Eyes 4. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 5. Spring Is Here 6. Night And Day 7. (It's Only A) Paper Moon 8. Autumn Nocturne 9. Just One Of Those ThingsJazz Music: