Standard of Language

Standard of Language Artist: Kenny Garrett
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 093624840428
EAN: 0093624840428
ASIN: B000084T3U


Release Date: 2003-03-11

Related Categories:

General General
Related | Jazz | Styles | Music
General General
Related | Pop | Styles | Music

Listmania:

  1. Jazz Studies
  2. SAXuality
  3. Favorite Albums of 2003
  4. My Picks of Some of the Best New Jazz CDs

Tracks:

  1. What Is This Thing Called Love
  2. Kurita Sensei
  3. XYZ
  4. Native Tongue
  5. Chief Blackwater
  6. Doc Tone's Short Speech
  7. Just A Second To Catch My Breath
  8. Gendai
  9. Standard Of Language I II III

Similar Items:

  1. Songbook
  2. Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane
  3. Beyond the Wall
  4. Triology
  5. Happy People

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Too Intense A Standard .......2007-03-15

I purchased this after hearing Garrett on Woody Shaw's SOLID and reading a very favorable review in the Penguin Guide to Jazz. STANDARD is certainly an impressive effort, with a lot of talent on display. Garrett is a fine alto sax player, clearly influenced (at least here and on PURSUANCE, which I prefer over this one) by John Coltrane, but with his own style. He gets kudos for writing most of these songs and co-producing the album. However, for me, there is way too much emphasis on technique (and overall effect--maybe in response to the 9/11 attacks?), while melody, group interplay, and beauty are shortchanged. I do enjoy a couple of the slower numbers, but overall this has not been an especially enjoyable listening experience--and I've given it several tries. I love Garrett's playing on SOLID (see above), but am ready to trade this one in.

5 out of 5 stars NOW you're speaking my language!.......2005-02-10

It seems so long ago that Kenny Garretts stunning masterpiece "Songbook" established him as the definitive new voice in straight-ahead jazz. It was actually only 8 years ago.
His last few efforts is what made it SEEM so much longer ago. Somehow he found himself mired in the "smooth jazz zone", a place were no self respecting true jazz musician should ever find themselves.

I do realize that people do have to eat and pay the bills so I guess it's understandable to forgive Kenny Garrett for kicking out a few radio-friendly, cookie-cutter, psuedo jazz CD's that will sell in mass quantities. But guess who back?

Standard of Language is not only a return to form to Kenny Garrett, but may perhaps be his finest moments. I originally reserved that title for his "Pursuance" Coltrane tribute CD with support from Pat Methany...but this one is gaining on it fast!

This starts out hard-boping and never lets up...culminating with a stunning 12 minute, 4 movement opus...a minature Love Supreme if you will.

Personally my favorite tracks are 3,5 and particularly 8 where drummer Chris Dave makes you forget that Kenny used to employ Jeff "Tain" Watts...one of the best in the business.

If you enjoyed Songbook and Pursuance...then this is the CD for you. If you, on the other hand, preferred the lite fare of his last couple releases...then you better stay away and just pick up the latest Boney James or Rick Braun.

5 out of 5 stars Best of 2003........2004-07-20

Standard of Language is a wonderfully made CD and possibly Kenny Garrett's best work. I thought his Coltrane CD was great, but this CD is no doubt full of passionate, creative, and expansive music. After first listen I was thrown back in my chair and immediately concluded, "this is the best jazz cd of 2003". How this CD was overlooked at the Grammys is beyond thought. When you hear the pieces on this set, you automatically can feel KG truly wanting to cement himself as one of the true modern jazz giants of today...and you know what?...he is just that! My favorite tracks are "Gendai" and the perfectly structured "Doc Tone's Short Speech. Put this one in the jazz collections immediately.

3 out of 5 stars Superjazz.......2004-05-03

It was of course killin. However, it seemed like another "Superjazz" record from the 80's to me. I only say that because I love Kenny's playing. I feel like it lacked a genuine vibe. A once or twice listen for me.

5 out of 5 stars WOW!!!.......2004-02-14

Amazing, that's about all I could say. Kenny and the quartet were awesome, and when they slowed down for a ballad really locked in, and grooved, just like they did when they blazed through the other fast charts. Great CD and I'm glad I bought it.

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