Swing for Bop

Swing for Bop

ASIN: B0002YCW14

Track Listings

1. Swing for Bop

2. Miroir Brisé

3. You Stepped Out of a Dream

4. Jutwals

5. Manouche

6. Siëst-A-Waltz

7. Flèche d'Or

8. Nuages

9. Belleville

10. Mystère

11. I Hear a Rhapsody

12. Cliché Dub

13. Plume de Dodo

14. Place de Brouckère

15. Mabel

16. Sanguine

Tracks:

I'm An Errand Girl For Rythm
Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
You Call It Madness
Frim Fram Sauce
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Baby Baby All The Time
Hit That Jive Jack
You're Looking At Me
I'm Thru With Love
Deed I Do
A Blossom Fell
If I Had You

Amazon.com essential recording

All for You is a tribute to the Nat "King" Cole Trio of the 1940s, when Cole performed as both a singer and a pianist. Krall, like her heroes Lena Horne and Carmen McRae, is also a singer-pianist, and she plays both roles on most of the songs here. She's able to link her singing to her piano playing in sympathetic ways and projects tremendous feeling through both. Like Cole in the '40s, Krall plays with a drummerless trio--here with guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Paul Keller. Their sense of intimate rapport is especially valuable on ballads such as "You Call It Madness" and "I'm Thru with Love," but also allows such uptempo tunes as "Hit That Jive Jack" to swing with surprising lightness. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

A lady you can never get tired of hearing.......2007-07-04

Its so good to hear a musician who doesnt force the music but rather lets it flow, lets it just drift out from within. Beautiful, soft and mellow; this is definatly chill out music. Hard day at work, in need of something to take your mind off the rat race? Just slip this CD into the player and sit back and listen to a wonderful gifted jazz musician.

a pleasure to listen to.......2007-03-08

nice voice, nice music.
When it's good there is no need to go on and on with words.

great combination.......2007-02-19

The magic of Nat King Cole's music sung by the beautiful voice of Diana Krall, a great combination.

Another great album.......2007-01-22

Diana Krall's voice is like no one else's and I love listening to her. She's very talented in her piano playing, of course, but that voice of hers and the songs on her albums --- I've never been disappointed in any of her work.

Incredible singing instrument .......2007-01-01

Most of the songs here are unfamiliar to me. But in every track one hears the remarkable singing voice of Krall. She is one of those singers like Streisand who makes the voice a musical instrument. She moves us in so many subtle ways. And there is something about the quality of her voice, its fullness, its beautiful timbre. She seems also to have such control of what she is doing , and she is always making it interesting with new little riffs here and there. She is the best 'new singer' I have heard in years.
Just a remarkable singer who it is pleasure to hear.

Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich

Average customer rating:

Burning for Buddy: What a testament!
Great!
Burning for Buddy Vol. I
For Drummers and Others
Shiping problems:(

Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best Of Buddy Rich: The Pacific Jazz Years

ASIN: B000002J2Q
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

Dancing Men
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Love For Sale
Beulah Witch
Nutville
Cotton Tail
No Jive
Milestones
The Drums Also Waltzes
Machine
Straight No Chaser
Slo-Funk
Shawnee
Drumorello
The Drum Also Waltzes
Lingo
Ya Gotta Try
Pick Up The Pieces

Customer Reviews:

Burning for Buddy: What a testament!.......2007-03-03

Having experience in Rock drumming for a little over 10 years, studying Buddy and trying to learn anything remotely similar to his technique where jazz and swing is concerned was quite humbling and frustrating all at once. Hearing this album also showed me that while the great drummers of our age also don't match up to Buddy, they do an honorable job interpreting his music in their own unique way.

It takes quite the musician to not only play Jazz, but play good Jazz. Not only play good Jazz, but play good Jazz well. Buddy Rich was the consummate musician. Drummer's loved him, horn players loved him, singer's loved him, everyone loved him. This tribute album is a testament to the impact he has had on music and humanity. All of the drummers involved did an amazing job. The entire Band [from what I understand all but 2 members are Buddy's original band members] did an amazing job.

Every song is great and provides a wonderful listen both to the musician and casual music lover alike. God bless Neil Peart and everyone involved for putting this together. I love it!

Great!.......2006-11-10

Just great! The best drummer ever played by some of the greatest drummers actually! You just can't miss it...

Burning for Buddy Vol. I.......2006-08-11

This is a great recording if you like bona-fide big band without the crackle of the 40's and 50's and also without the overprocessing so many newer recordings suffer from. I really enjoyed this!

For Drummers and Others.......2006-08-03

You can come at this album from a number of possible directions: as a drummer wanting to sample the styles of some of the best in the business; as a rock or pop fan curious about big-band jazz; as a jazz fan curious as to how well rock drummers handle jazz arrangements; as a Buddy Rich fan, to see whether there's any drummer in either jazz or rock that is a threat to his exhalted position in the pantheon.

I don't know of any 2-CD set that will give you a more diverse sampling of who's who in both jazz and rock drumming. Most other samplers are of either rock or jazz drummers, and seldom is there any overlap. One thing you find, especially if you read the interviews, is that many rock drummers have been aware of jazz drumming, and of Buddy Rich in particular. His appeal transcends genre when drummers have been open-minded enough to look past the fact that he came from jazz.

For the rock fan unaware of big-band jazz, or who thought it was only nostalgic "wrinkle music," this album, put together by Rush drummer Neal Peart, will have to be a surprise. Granted, the kind of "edge" in the music of a dozen or so horns is different from the "edge" of loud electronic effects; but there is definitely all the edge you could want in the Buddy Rich band. Nor do the arrangements sound archaic or out of date.

The jazz lover who thought there was little real talent among rock drummers will be pleasantly surprised and enlightened also. Many of the arrangements in the Rich book were pretty demanding, but none of the rock drummers on this tribute seem to struggle at all. Some even show some real chops, and all are enjoyable to hear.

Now for the Buddy Rich fan. Of these, there is more than one kind. There are those who, while they love Rich's work, also love that of a number of other great drummers; and there are those who simply think no one can touch him in any aspect of drumming. It really depends what you look for in big-band drumming. Some truly great drummers do best with a smaller group or with a more sedate type of band. They simply do not provide the DRIVE that a hot jazz big band needs.

In this one aspect of drumming at least, Rich was without peer. Anyone who doubts this should take this two-volume set, and find the originals of the same tunes done by the band with Rich himself on drums. Play the cut (for example, "Dancing Man") from this tribute CD, then play the orginal with Rich on drums. Do this with each of the cuts on both, and see which you find more exciting to listen to.

Notice the little ways Rich adds to and embellishes what the band is doing. While most of the tribute drummers are very good, you hear things like where a tribute drummer may do a couple of rimshots for a signal kick, Rich will do a crisp, quick little roll INTO a rimshot. Either is acceptable, but the things Rich does are often less cliched and more technically demanding.

The Rich fanatic will find himself reassured that no one threatens Buddy's place in the pantheon. But the open-minded listener will also be introduced to some fine drumming talent he may not have been aware of, from both jazz and rock. The CD is a must, not only for drummers, but for anyone who enjoys good drumming and/or good contemporary big-band music.

Shiping problems:(.......2006-02-27

The cds were send two months ago, by a normal shiping method(the cheapest way) and they are still somewhere in the system. I offer not to choose the normal shiping if you live in europe...

Average customer rating:

Superior Jazz-Pop
Stunning!
Toots & Vocals
Masterful Stuff
One for the road

One More for the Road
Toots Thielemans
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
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Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner
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Only Trust Your Heart
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From This Moment On

ASIN: B000EQ4G50
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Come Rain Or Come Shine
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Last Night When We Were Young
Ill Wind
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
I Wonder What Became Of Me
That Old Black Magic
This Time The Dream's On Me
Stormy Weather
It's Only A Paper Moon
Over The Rainbow

Customer Reviews:

Superior Jazz-Pop.......2007-02-03

I don't think you can find a better "duets' album than this one. From it's cool, retro-styled cover photo to its impeccable selection of Harold Arlen tunes, this album strikes all the right notes.

The arrangements are (for the most part) fresh-sounding, and the orchestration is never intrusive, but supple and buoyant--which allows the songs to 'breathe'. The strings have a nice shimmer and sheen that will transport the listener. Best of all, the album may introduce you to several sparkling young vocal talents. I myself am particularly smitten with Lizz Wright's vocal (so authoritative, warm with a little smolder)---I think there is a reason why she is featured in the opening track ("Come Rain or Come Shine"). Madeline Peyroux on "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" for once sounds more like Ella Fitzgerald than Billie Holiday. Beth Hart's reading of "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues'" is so spirited and slinky that I think it is the friskiest and most fun track by far.

I have only one or two quibbles: "It's Only A Paper Moon" is given a fairly predictable, tepid arrangement. And, sorry folks, but I can't count myself among the fans of Jamie Cullum. He sounds like a young Michael J. Fox trying to do Sinatra ("One For the Road").... and he can't resist throwing in the Elton John-ish turn of phrase. But these are two minor detractions from what is overall a smashingly good album. Toots Thielemans is still at the top of his game, and his harmonica provides delicious sounding seasoning on the vocal selections, and unrestrained lyricism in the instrumentals.

Perfect accompaniment for travel.

Stunning!.......2007-01-11

This is one of the most beautiful albums of all time. All the various vocal contributions are wonderfully combined with glorious syphonic arangements and, of course, Toot's magical harmonica. My 80 year old parents adore this, my 20 year old kids love it and I love it!!! Put it on, relax, pour yourself a nice glass of wine, light the fire and be prepared to be wrapped up in sonic beauty.

Toots & Vocals.......2006-12-11

The liner notes in Toots Thielemans' CD accurately state that the songs of Harold Arlen (with an assortment of lyricists, including the great Johnny Mercer) are widely known, even though they don't enjoy the same kind of popular reverence as say those of composers Cole Porter or Irving Berlin. "One More for the Road" is designed, in part, to place Arlen center stage. Toots does this ten times over. But he does something else.

Thielemans and producer Ruud Jacobs' decision to showcase less-well-known vocalists is also a master stroke. Most of these superb vocal talents enjoy limited airplay, but are certainly worthy of astounding acclaim. Some stand out more than others: Lizz Wright, a Georgia native (USA) with a smoky contralto is warm and sultry on "Come Rain or Come Shine." Madeleine Peyroux's Billie Holiday-esque vocals shine on "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Oleta Adams full-bodied vocals expand the meaning of Lena Horne's signature "Stormy Weather." The vocal standout, however, is Trijntje (pronounced "Train-cha") Oosterhuis' burnished vocals on the nearly forgotten Arlen/Johnny Mercer masterpiece "I Wonder What Became of Me." Thielemans is correct when he says Trijntje deserves greater exposure in the United States.

For some diehard Thielemans fans, this CD may have too little of Toots (He plays without vocals only on four tracks.) Yet he manages to pull off three important things: First, he superbly highlights the masterful compositions of Harold Arlen. Second, he displays exquisite good taste in vocalists. And third, he perfectly blends Jazz and Traditional Pop so much so that a Jazz purist and a Pop music dilettante would be equally pleased. This CD is a perfectly pleasant ride with the master of Jazz harmonica and his astounding new friends.

Masterful Stuff.......2006-09-27

The list of guest vocalists mostly work, with the first track, featuring Lizz Wright, worth the price of the disk by itself. Arlen's tunes, of course, are all winners, and Toots is in fine form, with help from some very good and a few outstanding arrangements.

One for the road.......2006-08-25

An excellent album. One of Toot's best. A keeper for sure.

Average customer rating:

Good but too literal and too classical
French Brubeck
BACH & JAZZ LOVERS
Treat yourself nice with Loussier's music...
An authentic masterpiece

Jacques Loussier Plays Bach

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Plays Debussy
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The Four Seasons

ASIN: B000003D5Q
Release Date: 1996-08-27

Tracks:

Fugue No.5 In D Major
Italian Conerto: Allegro
Italian Concerto: Andante
Italian Concerto: Presto
Pastorale In C Minor
Air On A G String
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor
Gavotte In D Major
Concerto In D Minor: Allegro
Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Concerto In D Minor: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Good but too literal and too classical.......2007-02-24

This, when you boil it down to its essence, pretty much sounds like classical music played with a jazz beat rather than any extended jazz improvisations on classical pieces akin to the Wayne Shorter band's interpretation of "Valse Triste" on the "Soothsayer" album. In fact, this sounds less jazzy than Brubeck's 1950s classical themed album "Jazz Impressions of Eurasia" or Stan Getz's interpretation of Michel Legrand's "Back to Bach" on "Communications '72."

This is more like a jazz version of what Emerson, Lake & Palmer do with rock music. Loussier's technique is formidable and his band are total virtuosos on their instruments and the album as a whole is impressive and fun to hear when you're in a more upbeat and non-introspective mood but the deepness of the Bach pieces are definitely trivialized by doing it in the jazz idiom this straight. Jazz gets deep through improvisation. I think Loussier needed to give himself freer rein to express himself and improvise. If I want straight Bach I can go listen to the original pieces done by the best classical players of all time.

Threfore, this is a higher-than-average recommendation only if you don't mind some high-energy classical-light with overtones of cool-jazz hipness but if you want something state-of-the-art that really digs deep go listen to Brad Mehldau's trio offerings.

French Brubeck.......2005-09-25

If you like the fusion of classical with jazz(Forinstance"Jazz impressions of eurasia"you will love this disc.

BACH & JAZZ LOVERS.......2000-12-31

Being a huge fan of Bach's (I could honestly listen to his piano and vocal music all day long!) this album was a natural for me. After reading the other reviews online and hearing two friends rave about it, I decided to buy this CD and am awfully glad I did. What wonderful arrangements! This is definitely an album for both Bach lovers and jazz lovers. The source music is, of course, powerful and innovative; Loussier takes Bach and doesn't so much "transform" him as he does take the music to another level...keeping all the beauty. My personal favorite would be the very familiar "Air On A G String." Not better, mind you. Simply wonderful!

Treat yourself nice with Loussier's music..........2000-10-27

My best friend introduced this CD to me, the very first time for me to explore how fantastic someone can make for classic music! I am a lover for both classic and jazz music. Loussier is the master for this beautiful combination! Treat yourself nice every now and then, and enjoy this CD with friends or along with a good bottle of wine! I can't help it but fall in love with his music, eventually become a collector of Loussier's work. And I am glad to tell you that friends around me start to appreciate classic music because of the Loussier... You will love him too!

An authentic masterpiece.......2000-05-21

If Bach himself could listen Loissier version of his music, he would say "he understood the escence". I'really enjoyed this cd, and I recommend it to every Bach lover, and to every good jazz lover.

Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Channel One, Not so Suite [If ya know what I mean]
Burning for Buddy Vol.II
Should have been a 2-CD set instead of separate albums
A Teaching Tool
Channel One Massacre

Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002JD4
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Moment's Notice
Basically Blues
Willowcrest
In A Mellow Tone
Time Check
Goodbye Yesterday
Groovin' Hard
Big Swing Face
Standing Up In A Hammock
Take The A Train
One O'Clock Jump
Them There Eyes
Channel One Suite

Customer Reviews:

Channel One, Not so Suite [If ya know what I mean].......2007-03-03

I have both Vol. 1 & 2 and I must say they are fantastic and an excellent homage to the man, Buddy Rich. Volume 2 is a wonderful piece of work, save for track 13. I looked forward to hearing this piece remastered and polished with Buddy's original drum track and unfortunately for a tune that should have been the highlight of the volume set, it was completely butchered by ridiculous vocals. It really is that bad. There is nothing you can do but cringe as you try to enjoy this piece of work. I honestly do not know how it made it out of the studio. Someone, anyone could have saved the day and spoke against the tragedy that is track 13. You can rest assured Buddy would have gone on one of his tirades had he heard this cut of the song.

Don't let this stop you from buying the second edition to the set. If you have vol. 1, you need vol. 2. They are both excellent listens. At the end of the day I love the set. =] 4 Stars because of Track 13. Had it not been for the vocal it would have been 5 stars. Cheers!

Burning for Buddy Vol.II.......2006-08-11

I enjoyed this CD quite a bit. If you are looking for good old fashioned big band with the benefit of being recorded in the 21st century, this is a great album! If you can only buy one of the two volumes get vol.I. But if you want some more modern tunes or can get both, buy this one. See my review of vol. I.

Should have been a 2-CD set instead of separate albums.......2003-12-25

If you liked Vol. I, then Vol. II is a natural choice. It is an excellent album; however, I gave it only 4 stars because it is comprised of the overflow of recording sessions that wouldn't fit onto Vol. I. Obviously, the best songs were picked for the first volume, but don't let that hinder you from buying this one as well. It is still worth the money.

A Teaching Tool.......2002-05-21

There seems to be a strong consensus that listeners should skip the over-dubbed "Channel One." Ditto, but the real clinker on this otherwise excellent CD is "Goodbye Yesterday," played by Simon Phillips. This was always one of my favorite Rich charts, one of many fine efforts by Don Piestrup in his book. I was enthused to see it included in Part II, especially since I had never heard him play it live in a dozen or so concerts. But I have to say that Simon Phillips' work left me speechless. He has absolutely NO CLUE! Just listen to Buddy's work on the "Mercy, Mercy" album and then follow up with this one. Was he kidding? Why would Neal Peart include this disastrous cut? We are not talking about the impossibility of playing up with The Master, here, but just complete misinterpretation.

This album is a great teaching tool. Novice drummers will learn much by listening to the original cuts, and then the new versions. Some very lame big band drumming can be contrasted with great work by Smitty Smith, Dave Weckle, and Joe Morello. Neal Peart clearly is the best of the rockers.

Channel One Massacre.......1999-12-26

I don't even want to know what Buddy would say about this if he were alive (especially after reading about how... umm... "well" he treated his band as it was). They destroyed the piece by trying to fit vocals where they don't fit... it's like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. They replaced the beautiful, expressive sax solo with plastic, popish vocals. It's like replacing Coltrane with Kenny G. Another thing, in a tribute to Buddy one should never used the word SMASH to describe his playing. Buddy himself said he doesn't "smash" or "bang" the drums, he PLAYS them. Well, I guess after trashing this track so much, I should say something nice about it: the remaster makes the drum solo sound a lot clearer than it is on "Mercy...". This album could've been good, five stars maybe, but I don't remember anything except the time I spent rolling on the floor laughing and crying over Channel One Suite. I've heard some great songs done in "vocalese" before (Al Jarreau's version of "Spain", a version of Caravan... I don't remember the name of the group), but this piece really left me with a horrible aftertaste. Buy the album, but remember, TRACK THIRTEEN DOES NOT EXIST!

Satie: Gymnopedies Gnossiennes / Jacques Loussier Trio

Average customer rating:

Be transported
Satie with a Twist!
A Win --- on many counts
Dumbing down Satie
Loussier takes on Satie

Satie: Gymnopedies Gnossiennes / Jacques Loussier Trio
Benoit Dunoyer De Segonzac , Andre Arpino , Jacques Loussier , Jacques Loussier Trio , and Erik Satie
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000007NGR
Release Date: 1998-05-26

Tracks:

Gymnopedie No.1 / Var. 1
Gymnopedie No. 1 / Var. 2
Gnossienne No. 3
Gnossienne No. 6
Gnossienne No. 2
Gnossienne No. 1 / Var. 3
Gnossienne No. 4
Gnossienne No. 5
Gymnopedie No. 1 / Var. 4
Gnossienne No. 1
Pas A Pas

Customer Reviews:

Be transported.......2006-12-25

In my opinion, the Jacques Loussier Trio is best at interpreting classic Impressionist masterworks.
"Satie: Gymnopedies/Gnossiennes" is haunting and atmospheric musical poetry and, I think, superior to their other attempts at integrating classical and jazz into one musical statement. The entire CD reminds me of the musical equivalent of J.M.W. Turner's Venetian watercolours. Stunning! Also, check out "JLT Plays Debussy".

Jacques Loussier Trio's "Satie" takes the listener on a trip. Gnossienne No. 4 is especially effective in transporting the listener to a quiet "cinema noir" oasis full of intrigue. This jazz trio's technique lends itself much better to interpretations of delicate impressionist masterworks rather than to classic baroque. This is NOT smooth jazz but each piece is "fluid" or "atmospheric", just as Satie would have wanted it! The haunting sound is perfect- translucent as any mountain lake. In my opinion, this is Loussier's best disc and rates as one of the top discs in the classical-jazz hybrid genre, "Third Stream".

Satie with a Twist!.......2006-01-11

I have long considered Satie's Gnossienne to be some of the most emotionally touching and versatile pieces in music. So to pass a lazy afternoon, I went searching for as many versions of them as possible. I found everything from guitar to harp to dancefloor remixes. But there was one interpretation that stood out from all of them: the Jacques Loussier Trio interpretations.

First, I disagree vehemently with what one can only describe as the dense and snobbish two star review below. Satie's music is not degraded here; it is simply reinterpreted into a new genre. But my ears (nor those of any other reviewer, it seems) detect any degredation or "dumbing down" of Satie. Rather, the Loussier Trio handle Satie's delicate pieces with all the care they deserve. They do well at playing minimalistically, using no more notes than are necessary. I can't help but think that this is the way Satie would have wanted it, as his compositions cry out for exactly that style.

While there are a few question marks on the CD (for instance, trying to fit a 3/4 Gymnopedie into 4/4)even the weaker tracks (relatively speaking) are worth a good listen. The Gnossienne (particularly the first four) take the cake, though!

A brief descriptive note before I leave you to buy the CD. Any lover of the "new" European (particularly Nordic) jazz, such as the Esbjorn Svensson trio, or the Tord Gustavsen trio, will UNQUESTIONABLY love the Jacques Loussier trio. Loussier has mastered the type of sparse and dark sound achieved by the said trios.

You are in for a treat, indeed!

A Win --- on many counts.......2004-04-03

My introduction to the Gymnopedies was hearing Blood Sweat and Tears rendition on their 2nd album. I've been entranced by them ever since. I've collected the purist renditions of the work, and then I heard the lead track of this CD on our local Jazz/NPR station, KPLU.

I was immediately obsessed with finding out who/what/where.

I did, and I purchased this disc and several others. I was not disappointed. Other writers here are far more eloquent than I about the musical content; suffice it to say that Loussier remains true to the mood and emotion of the original, and his improvizations on those themes brings a new and fresh point of view to these already beautiful works.

Last, I'll comment on a technical point. These recordings are stunning. Totally natural sounds, and a stunning mix. Everything is in its place, you hear everything. The SACD version is even better. The older recordings (like the original Bach) are not at all dated in their sound.

I applaud this artist, this work, and this recording. Few of my recent CD purchases have been this satisfying.

Dumbing down Satie.......2004-01-12

Satie's Gymnopedies are beautiful and expressive works -- that have a distinctive sound. This interpretation dilutes Satie with "soft jazz" that is oh-so-familiar -- and not very interesting.

Loussier takes on Satie.......2000-09-12

It was this recording of Loussier playing the works of Satie that got me interested in this musician. Loussier's style lends itself well to Satie (perhaps even more so than Bach), and the music is very nice as a soft jazz CD.

Average customer rating:

CONSUMMATE PERFORMANCES FROM THE GREAT MASTER
The sensational Oscar Peterson - 10 stars.
Oscar at his best
Best Peterson, Period!
A Feast of Great Music

Exclusively for My Friends
Oscar Peterson
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Live at the Blue Note
Night Train
Plays the Harold Arlen Song Book
The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival
At Zardi's

ASIN: B0000046LU
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

At Long Last Love
Easy Walker
Tin Tin Deo
I've Got A Crush On You
A Foggy Day
Like Someone In Love
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
I'm In The Mood For Love
Girl Talk

Tracks:

Robbins' Nest
I Concentrate On You/Moon River
Waltzing Is Hip/Satin Doll
Love Is Here To Stay
Sandy's Blues
Alice In Wonderland
Noreen's Nocturne
In A Mellotone
Nica's Dream

Tracks:

On Green Dolphin Street
Summertime
Sometimes I'm Happy
Who Can I Turn To?
Travelin' On
Emily
Quiet Nights
Sax No End
When Lights Are Low

Tracks:

Someone To Watch Over Me
Perdido
Body And Soul
Who Can I Turn To?
Bye, Bye Blackbird
I Should Care
Lulu's Back In Town
Little Girl Blue
Take The 'A' Train

Amazon.com

These four discs collect the material on six long plays of trios and solos that Oscar Peterson recorded in Villingen, Germany, between 1963 and 1968. On standards galore, Peterson never lets up in his rigorous, swinging approach. He is at his prime on these recordings, as he himself noted later. The improvisations range from extraordinary to awe-inspiring. The lyricism of Nat King Cole is in there, along with Art Tatum-esque rococoisms and Bud Powell-like attack. Which partners best complemented Peterson's girth, and bowed to it least, is always in dispute. On six tracks here, Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen lay claim against the earlier Brown-Herb Ellis unit. The set comes with a 32-page booklet containing black-and-white historical and original-cover photographs, and a detailed discography. --Peter Monaghan

Customer Reviews:

CONSUMMATE PERFORMANCES FROM THE GREAT MASTER.......2007-03-21

If your a Peterson fan,this is the 'loin cut'.In this well-rounded collection,there are two trio formats, including the high calibre playing of SAM JONES and RAY BROWN,BOBBY DURHAM,ED THIGPEN,AND LOUIS HAYES on bass and drums respectively. All provide exceptional support throughout this collection.And in addition,Peterson presents us with a beautiful set of solo piano pieces which could well be considered the 'companion' to his other brilliant solo recording,'TRACKS'.This comes very highly reccommended, as it represents the quintessential example of piano performances in the trio and solo platforms at the very highest level from one of the greatest legends of the piano in modern jazz history. Highlights for me were 'AT LAST LONG LOVE',and'TIN TIN DEO',which are great examples of how much can be done in the 'trio platform'with good arranging,and gorgeous interpretations of 'I SHOULD CARE','WHO CAN I TURN TO', and 'BODY AND SOUL'.On all three Oscar starts in a rubato format,where he lays down those 'fat' sonorities which only the largest of hands can pull off,those lush and dense voicings,the prototypic signature voice of Oscar Peterson.Then some more reflective pieces'LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE',and,'I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE'(an exhaustive study of the possibilites in the approach to the re-harmonization of chords,especially in the alteration of dominant functions),'LITTLE GIRL BLUE'for it's plaintive and recflective aura,as it floats away on Debussy/Ravel-like harmonic textures.'BYE BYE BLACKBIRD',in which Oscar provides us with a virtual masterclass in the art of 'block-chord' playing.And finally,'LULU'S BACK IN TOWN',a great example of genuine stride-piano.Peterson 'digs' right through this one. EXCLUSIVELY FOR MY FRIENDS is a marvellous collection you can return to again and again over the years for your listening pleasure.The whole package is a real treat!Enjoy.Health and Happiness.Some further listening suggestions are listed below,it's a broad range of some of the great contributors in jazz.Have a ball.Health and Happiness

OTHER RECORDINGS YOU MIGHT ENJOY

ART TATUM COMPLETE {PABLO RECORDINGS)-'Solo masterpieces" PIANO

BILL EVANS THE COMPLETE RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS PIANO

BUD POWELL THE COMPLETE VERVE RECORDINGS PIANO

CHARLIE PARKER (VERVE)- 'Master Takes' ALTO SAX

JOE HENDERSON THE BLUE NOTE YEARS (BLUE NOTE) TENOR SAX

WAYNE SHORTER (ANY BLUE NOTE VEEJAY RECORDING) TENOR SAX

MILES DAVIS QUINTET 'LIVE AT THE PLUGGED NICKEL' (COLUMBIA) TRUMPET

MILES DAVIS PORGY AND BESS-{The Gil Evans Orchestra) (COLUMBIA) TRUMPET

DONALD BYRD 'OFF TO THE RACES'(BLUE NOTE) TRUMPET

LEE MORGAN 'SEARCH FOR THE NEW LAND'(BLUE NOTE) TRUMPET

JOHN COLTRANE 'STARTDUST SESSIONS' (PRESTIGE) TENOR SAX

WYNTON KELLY 'FULL VIEW' (RIVERSIDE) PIANO

HERBIE HANCOCK TRIO 'THIRD PLANE' PIANO

CHICK COREA 'NOW HE SINGS NOW HE SOBS'(BLUE NOTE) PIANO

PHINEAS NEWBORN 'WORLD OF PIANO PIANO

KENNY BARRON/TOMMY FLANNAGAN (TWO PIANOS) PIANO

GRANT GREEN 'IT AIN'T NECCESSARILY SO' (BLUE NOTE) GUITAR

BLUE MITCHELL 'STEP LIGHTLY' (BLUE NOTE) TRUMPET

DEXTER GORDON 'GO' (BLUE NOTE TENOR SAX

MULGREW MILLER LIVE AT YOSHI'S (VOL.1-2) PIANO

KENNY KIRKLAND TRIO PIANO

SONNY CLARK TRIO (ANY OF THE BLUE NOTE RECORDINGS) PIANO

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY AFRICAN WALTZ PIANO

CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS (VERVE) ALTO SAX

STAN GETZ QUARTET (KENNY BARRON VICTOR LEWIS RUFUS REID TITLE?)TENOR SAX

SONNY ROLLINS TRIO 'LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD' (BLUE NOTE) TENOR SAX

CHICK COREA TRIO LIVE IN EUROPE (WITH MIROSLAV VITOUS AND ROY HAYNES PIANO

JOHN COLTRANE THE COMPLETE PRESTIGE RECORDINGS TENOR SAX

BILLY CHILDS THE MUSIC OF HERBIE HANCOCK PIANO

STAN GETZ WITH KENNY BARRON (PIANO TENOR) TENOR SAX

CHICK COREA HERBIE HANCOCK (TWO PIANOS) PIANO

BILL EVANS (ALONE-VERVE) PIANO

DONALD BYRD 'CAT WALK'(BLUE NOTE RECORDS) TRUMPET

DUKE PEARSON 'SWEET HONEY BEE' (BLUE NOTE) PIANO

LESTER YOUNG TRIO WITH NAT KING COLE AND BUDDY RICH (VERVE)TENOR SAX

WYNTON MARSALIS STANDARDS VOL.1 (COLUMBIA) TRUMPET

ENJOY!

THERE IS AN ASSORTMENT OF FORMATS SOLO PIANO/ TWO PIANOS /PIANO TRIO/PIANO TENOR
QUARTET SETTING/QUINTET SETTINGS/SEXTETS SETTINGS/ORCHESTRAL SETTINGS

CARPE DIEM!

The sensational Oscar Peterson - 10 stars........2005-08-18

This album (4 CDs) has several of the masterworks of Oscar Peterson who is (without any doubt) the greatest jazz piano virtuose ever.

Since I was a child I listen Oscar Peterson albums and I can guarantee you that it is a very nice emotional experience.

As a pianist I know that it will be very difficult for the world to produce another pianist with the dexterity and sensibility of Oscar Peterson.

I was owing him this review.

Absolutely phenomenal.

Oscar at his best.......2005-02-18

I wore these records out when they first were issued in the Sixties. It is wonderful to have them available in CD form. They represent Peterson at his best--superb rhythm sections, completely involving performances by Oscar, and what has to be one of the best sounding live recordings ever made of a jazz musician. Just like being there. I see they have also been released on SACD. Hard to believe these recordings could sound any better. In my opinion this set contains some of the greatest jazz piano ever recorded. Peterson could be flashy and glib, but not here. Just deep swinging jazz, with great blues playing underlying nearly every selection.

Best Peterson, Period!.......2004-01-10

When Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer decided to record and produce Oscar Peterson on several albums in the 1960s, Peterson was given free reign to play the way he wanted to play. Brunner-Schwer (the founder of Polygram Records) managed to record what are arguably Peterson's finest recordings.

Peterson plays a hybrid of swing, bop, and rag on these exquisite recordings. With a combination of Art Tatumish ornamentations, block chord improvisations, and orchestral highs and lows, Peterson managed to be subtle and showy without ever compromising his musicianship or insulting the intelligence of listeners.

There are almost too many highlights to mention in these recordings. Yet a few stand out. Peterson glistens and swings on Gershwin & Gershwin's "SUMMERTIME". His brooding and lengthy interpretation of McHugh & Fields' "I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE" is without comparison and is perhaps the definitive Jazz piano interpretation. He displays his perfection at dynamics with the Benny Carter chestnut "WHEN LIGHTS ARE LOW" which begins with solo piano, merges into a slow soft-shoe trio, then builds to a blues-drenched crescendo. This compilation features a diverse array of standards as well as Peterson's own compositions "SANDY'S BLUES" and "NOREEN'S NOCTURNE". Disc Four grants the listener the treat of Peterson playing solo piano.

No serious Peterson fan can afford to not own his recordings from this period. No serious Jazz fan will find a more coherent and listenable compilation. The Non-Jazz fan will be converted. Worth every penny!!

A Feast of Great Music.......2002-08-27

The are some great musical artists that have drawn me into different kinds of music (e.g., the Beatles, Leontyne Price, Mary Chapin Carpenter). After many years of listening to music, I finally got into jazz through Oscar Peterson's great playing. Although I listen to other jazz artists, Peterson is still the most satisfying. These recordings have some of his best playing, with great sidemen. If you love jazz piano, this is set is well worth the price.

Average customer rating:

Oscar Peterson for Lovers
Oscar Peterson
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bill Evans for Lovers
Ben Webster for Lovers
Chet for Lovers
More Coltrane for Lovers
Sarah for Lovers

ASIN: B0002C5Z2Y
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

My One And Only Love
The Man I Love
They Didn't Believe Me
I've Got A Crush On You
Prelude To A Kiss
Heartstrings
Somewhere
Sweet Lorraine
I'm A Fool To Want You
I Wants To Stay Here (AKA 'I Love You Porgy')
Over The Rainbow

Average customer rating:

additional comments to previous reviewer; reissue minus 1.
A Good Mix, But Note...

Jazz for the Quiet Times
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Savoy Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jazz for a Lazy Day
Jazz for Romantic Moments
Jazz for a Summer Night
Jazz for Those Peaceful Moments
Jazz for a Mellow Morning

ASIN: B000089J0A
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Tracks:

Blues In My Heart - Sonny Chris
My Romance - Houston Person
The Good Life - Sonny Stitt
Lament - Bobby Hutcherson
Whisper Not - Bobby Hutcherson
Body And Soul - Al Cohn & Zoot Sims
Send In The Clowns - Pat Martino
You Don't Know What Love Is - Russell Gunn
Smooch - Wallace Roney

Tracks:

One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - David 'Fathead' Newman
I Remember Clifford - Houston Person
Spring Is Here - Bobby Hutcherson
I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You - Sonny Stitt
I Cover The Waterfront - Jack McDuff
I'm Glad There Is You - Kenny Burrell
Emily - Al Cohn & Zoot Sims
Everything Must Change - Richard 'Groove' Holmes
Both Sides Now - Pat Martino

Customer Reviews:

additional comments to previous reviewer; reissue minus 1........2006-01-25

In addition to the comments made by the other reviewer, I'd like to add, if you compare the original 32 Jazz release (which I have) and the Savoy Jazz release, it is minus one song (Savoy's) "Estate".
That probably meant, if included issuing it as a 3 disc set.
I'm sure on the Savoy reissues, Estate shows up somewhere.
Still, not a bad set.

A Good Mix, But Note..........2004-01-14

This CD is a slightly extended version of the same release by 32 Jazz (the one with supermodel Leticia Casta on the cover). Where the 32 Jazz release has 11 songs on one CD, this new release contains 19 songs on 2 CDs. The song blend is superb; a great Sunday morning disc. Just wanted to give the original 32 Jazz owners a little heads up about this new collection. The choice is yours to invest in another, very similar CD, or stick with the one you already have.

Tracks:

Spring, Concerto No.1 In E Major: Allegro
Spring, Concerto No.1 In E Major: Largo
Spring, Concerto No.1 In E Major: Allegro/Danza Pastorale
Summer, Concerto No.2 In G Minor: Allegro Non Molto
Summer, Concerto No.2 In G Minor: Adagio
Summer, Concerto No.2 In G Minor: Presto
Autumn, Concerto No.3 In F Major: Allegro
Autumn, Concerto No.3 In F Major: Adagio Molto
Autumn, Concerto No.3 In F Major: Allegro
Winter, Concerto No.4 In F Minor: Allegro Non Molto
Winter, Concerto No.4 In F Minor: Largo
Winter, Concerto No.4 In F Minor: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

New life to a brilliant sypmhonic classic!.......2002-12-08

On a Jazz radio program I had the good fortune of being tuned-in to, along came the music of a pianist by the name of Jacques Loussier. A smile came to my face as I heard Vivaldi's music elegantly dressed in a Jazz suit, complete with the goatee. Imagine that, my favorite classical (actually, Baroque) piece of all time, jazzified!! I had to run and get this CD. Loussier is absolutely amazing, his adaptation and execution of the complex string-section lines are absolutely amazing. Bassist Vincent Charbonnier seems a well-spring of creativity as he gracefully underpins such a master with very original lines. Drummer Andre Arpino is also excellent, and to me, some of his solo section runs sound a bit like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin!! Overall, an intriguing, wonderful ride through a very well-known work, given new life via the Jazz idiom.

Another gorgeous Loussier reinvention.......2002-11-17

Decades ago, starting with "Play Bach," I have loved Loussier's interpretations of Bach classics in a respectfully inventive re-rendering of the music in jazz. It was "fusion" in its earliest form--honoring the old form by retaining parts of the classical style and offering other parts in jazz improvisation.

Now, to my delight, I've just found his interpretation of "The Four Seasons" and it's pure pleasure. Loussier is the consummate musician/composer and he gives the Vivaldi that is so familiar a different spin that makes the Seasons entirely new.

Whether you love classic or jazz, or both, don't miss this CD. You'll hear something new and inspired each time you play it.
Most highly recommended.

The Perfect Marriage.......2002-10-31

I don't know how you could better fuse the aesthetics of baroque and jazz. Loussier isn't trying to reproduce Vivaldi's original score in a jazz style (even if that's possible, I don't know why you'd want to--the original chamber orchestra version is just fine), but instead uses the music as a foundation for building something new. The result is smooth and sophisticated, improvisational in character as jazz should be, yet faithful to the melodies, moods and dynamics of each of the "Four Season's" twelve movements.

Right from the opening phrases of "Spring"--a melody that nearly everyone in the Western World over the age thirty must have heard at least once in their life, if only on a TV commercial--we know that something is up. Loussier eases into the highly recognizable tune in a way that fools us--wait, a second, this isn't the "Four Season's"--until we see how he has cleverly taken the essence of the melody and showed it to us in a different way. As a result we are rewarded both with a skilled musician's insight on the music theory underlying Vivaldi's creation, as well as a listening experience that can be enjoyed for itself. If you want to, you can make a game of following the original themes as they surface throughout the movements. But if you are unfamiliar with the complete "Four Seasons," you can just pretend it's a whole new piece of music.

I find the length and pacing of the movements to be ideally suited for a jazz album, and the work of all three musicians consistently tasteful and inventive--something I cannot say unequivocally about the 40th Anniversary "Bach Book" album. I hate to speak in terms of absolutes, but at the moment I am inclined to proclaim this my favorite Jacques Loussier CD. But who knows? It could change with the next.

Amazing performance.......2001-05-24

This CD is one of my first CD in Jazz. The performance and the recording qulity are amazing. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars my rate is 6!!!

The neglected Moe Koffman album.......2000-07-10

Those who have not heard the earlier "Four Seasons" album by the Canadian jazz saxophonist, Moe Koffman, are not really in a position to evaluate the Loussier effort. Although there is merit in the Loussier recording, it cannot be considered to be in the same ball park as the Koffman album, from the standpoint of both jazz and the great Vivaldi. The Koffman album has been, in my experience, extremely difficult to find, but any suggestions along this line would be most appreciated.

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