Rarum, Vol. 4: Selected Recordings

Rarum, Vol. 4: Selected Recordings

ASIN: B0000646VB

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Gary Burton's selection for ECM's rarum series anthologizes nine selections he recorded for the company between 1972 and 1987. Burton chose them himself (he also contributes an incisive and stylish essay surveying the music and the bands represented), and the result is an absorbing, wide-ranging portrait of his middle years, by the end of which he was well on the way to being the only vibist to seriously rival Milt Jackson. Amongst others he is joined by bassists Eberhard Weber and Steve Swallow, guitarists Mick Goodrick and Pat Metheny, and pianist Makoto Ozone--that last foreshadowing more recent collaborations--and the performances are in keeping with the musicians' heavyweight reputations. So consistent is the music despite its variety of mood and texture that it is difficult to nominate highlights, but the Charles Mingus composition "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" is outstanding, as is "La Divetta" with Ozone and the excellent saxophonist Tommy Smith. The playing throughout is of the highest quality, transcending the somewhat dated quality of a few of the arrangements or conceptions, and in all respects that matter this is timeless fare. If you're new to Burton, this is the perfect introduction to a great jazzman, and so satisfying is the compilation that it is hardly less recommended to those who may have one or two of the tracks already. --Richard Palmer

Tracks:

Four Or Less
The Colours Of Chloe
Dreams So Real
Ictus - Syndrome - Wrong Key Donkey
B&G (Midwestern Nights Dream)
Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love
Syndrome
Ladies In Mercedes
La Divetta

Amazon.com

Gary Burton's selection for ECM's rarum series anthologizes nine selections he recorded for the company between 1972 and 1987. Burton chose them himself (he also contributes an incisive and stylish essay surveying the music and the bands represented), and the result is an absorbing, wide-ranging portrait of his middle years, by the end of which he was well on the way to being the only vibist to seriously rival Milt Jackson. Amongst others he is joined by bassists Eberhard Weber and Steve Swallow, guitarists Mick Goodrick and Pat Metheny, and pianist Makoto Ozone--that last foreshadowing more recent collaborations--and the performances are in keeping with the musicians' heavyweight reputations. So consistent is the music despite its variety of mood and texture that it is difficult to nominate highlights, but the Charles Mingus composition "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" is outstanding, as is "La Divetta" with Ozone and the excellent saxophonist Tommy Smith. The playing throughout is of the highest quality, transcending the somewhat dated quality of a few of the arrangements or conceptions, and in all respects that matter this is timeless fare. If you're new to Burton, this is the perfect introduction to a great jazzman, and so satisfying is the compilation that it is hardly less recommended to those who may have one or two of the tracks already. --Richard Palmer

Customer Reviews:

Another :rarum goodie.......2004-05-08

This disc includes nine tracks from 1973 to 1986 with Gary Burton in different group situations. The first track, "Four Or Less", is a quartet recording from the album "Gary Burton, The New Quartet". Gary Burton had just moved from New York to Boston and looked for musicians. Manfred Eicher had met Burton backstage after a concert, and he wanted him to record for ECM. That was the beginning of Burton's career with ECM which lasted for about 15 years.

The next track, recorded the following summer, is a sextet with among others Steve Swallow, Pat Metheny, and Eberhard Weber, and it's thus a strong band. The two next tracks is from the album "Dreams So Real", and it features two guitars - Pat Metheny plays a 12-string guitar, and Mick Goodrick plays an regular guitar, but it works. Tracks 7-9 is a bit different than the others in that they include a piano. Track 7 and 8 is from the album "Real Life Hits", which features Makoto Ozone on piano, Steve Swallow on bass, and Mike Hyman on drums. These last tracks is more like one would call "regular jazz", but all tracks on the cd gives a good overview of Gary Burton's music. Gary Burton has written 7 pages in the linear notes about his working with ECM and the groups; that's also gives the broad overview. I had never heard him play before, and if you're in that situation, it's a good idea to buy this release.

A journey.......2002-12-27

This is a good collection of Gary Burton's work (so far)and contains some very interesting choices (all made by Burton himself).Burton's chosen instruments(Vibes and later on some Marimba) are difficult to be really expressive on but he suceeds almost effortlessly.While Burton is not a composer himself he takes us on a journey with him to find his music through other writers that is equal parts fascinating ,frustrating and joyous.
As a player he is delicate and linear rather than wild and free and his choice of music and musicians reflects this.His playing at his best is exquisite and will certainly have you returning to this disc.

Non-composing vibesman.......2002-06-06

The vibraphone has never really caught on in a big way. Maybe we associate it too readily with hotel muzak. A number of artists (e.g. the Pat Metheny Group on their recent tour) use tuned percussion for background atmospherics, but there are very few bands in my CD collection where a vibraphone, xylophone or glockenspiel is to the forefront. Essentially those bands are Gong and the Gary Burton Quartet/Quintet.

Besides choosing an unpopular instrument, the other problem Gary Butron has faced throughout his ECM career is his inability to pen great tunes. A bandleader who cannot write is a rare beast. Interestingly, three of the nine tunes on this compilation are by bassists (Swallow, Mingus and Weber). Another three are by Carla Bley. But perhaps the strongest composition here is Pat Metheny's 'B&G (Midwestern Nights dream)' from Burton's masterpiece album, PASSENGERS.

It would be sad for two reasons if, in the annals of jazz history, Gary Burton was labelled as the vibesman who discovered Pat Metheny. Firstly because Pat Metheny would have broken through to the big time with or without Burtons midwifery. And secondly because he's led some great bands, as this CD shows.

As per the other :rarum compilations, the remastered sound quality is excellent, and the sleevenotes highly informative. (It made me aware of how minimalist ECM album covers have been in terms of delivering biographical information.)

I hope you like this album. I suspect it won't be incessantly on my turntable, but it's a very pleasant listen. (In spite of that last sentence, it really isn't muzak!) As I previously hinted, the Burton album you should head for next is the brilliant PASSENGERS.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music