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Monthly Archive: May 2005

DUKE ELLINGTON: Assorted Works – Wynton Marsalis / The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra – DMX Music, in Association with Brooks Brothers.

by | May 24, 2005 | Jazz CD Reviews

DUKE ELLINGTON: Assorted Works – Wynton Marsalis / The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra – DMX Music, in Association with Brooks Brothers. (Available at Brooks Bros. stores). ****: Well, Dudes, this one is a surprise even for me. Imagine! Max Dudious strolls into the local Brooks Brothers store about twice a year: after Xmas to catch the Winter Sale (some nice accessories, gloves ‘n’ stuff), and after The 4th to catch the Summer Sale (swim suits, or albino alligators). This time I was after some new duds to get my kids to stop calling me “funky-ole Dad..” What can I say? I’ve become an old fart. And while I was in line to check out, at the register, next to the little Visa sign I noticed a handful of this album in a tidy display case. Well, how could I refuse? Wynton Marsalis and Duke Ellington, and the Brooks Brothers-outfitted Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra!?! With the proceeds going to support the LCJO!?! I mean, it was a no-brainer. To begin, the recordings were made before (some) live audiences at five different venues between 1999 and 2003, meaning the recording engineering is up to date. For authenticity, they use the original classic […]

Duo Campion-Vachon, Piano 4 Hands – “Duke Ellington”

by | May 24, 2005 | Jazz CD Reviews

Duo Campion-Vachon, Piano 4 Hands – “Duke Ellington” – Analekta AN 2 9820, 52:30 ****: This new release is from the Quebec-based classical label Analekta, and the piano duo of Guy Campion and Mario Vachon have recorded several previous albums more in the classical vein for the label, including works for piano 4 hands by Satie, Schubert and Gershwin. Duo member Campion did all the arrangements, which were probably not a big stretch since Ellington’s big band pieces were all piano-centered. After all, Duke began his career as a pianist for hire. A goodly span of the Ellington career is covered by these 17 tracks, starting as early as 1927 with tunes created for The Cotton Club. The later tunes go up to l968 with selections from some of the suites Ellington wrote. Super-familiar tunes such as Satin Doll are fun to hear in this form, but whether the pianists feared head-on collisions on the single keyboard or just lacked the rhythmic chops of experienced jazz pianists, things are just a bit stilted um-pah-pah when they could be wham-bang-bop. (For contrast dig any of the two-piano treatments of a standard like that one on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz program or […]

The Kinks – A Soap Opera

by | May 24, 2005 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

The Kinks – A Soap Opera – Koch Records VEL-SC-79811 Hybrid Stereo SACD Rating: ?: In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Kinks’ first record, all 15 albums have been remastered on hybrid SACDs. This disc may not be the weirdest of them all, but it sure is a start in that direction. This record takes Davies’ storytelling to new levels and comes off as a rock opera ala The Who, but stranger. The record examines the pitfalls of stardom and the role of the concept of celebrity in the life of a commoner. The whole process was a difficult one for the band as the project seemed to be more of a solo effort by Ray Davies. At times the record is a musical comedy and at others it sounds like the soundtrack for This Is Spinal Tap. Either the playful meanderings grow on you or you can’t stand them—my co-worker made me take the disc out after the 2nd or 3rd track. After a few listens, you realize there is much more to be gleamed from the record, but it is still an effort on the listener’s part. This disc is good sounding, but not great. Imaging […]

Poor Boy – Songs of Nick Drake Tribute Album

by | May 24, 2005 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Poor Boy – Songs of Nick Drake Tribute Album; Songlines SGL SA4202-2 Hybrid Stereo SACD ***: Nick Drake is one of those mysterious artists who never got much attention (except when his songs appeared in television commercials) and led a reclusive, possibly tortured existence. There aren’t many pictures or typical documentation of his life—only stories told by those lives he touched and came in contact with during his brief stay on our Earth. In some ways, his life plays like “Vincent,” the sad song by Don McClean describing another tortured soul. His musical career was rather short and he only produced three albums: Five Leaves Left, Bryter Later, and Pink Moon. He didn’t like to tour and had extreme emotional difficulties that led to his death/suicide (not determined) in 1974 at the early age of 26. The music on his last album is largely acoustic with Drake’s wispy voice breathing life into them. The earlier records are orchestrated and/or jazzy. They’re intimate to say the least, and the themes were brooding and touched on sadness, mortality, failing romance, and the like. Just listening to small clips of the original songs will give the listener a peak into the intensity, power, […]

Lowell Fulson – Think Twice Before You Speak

by | May 24, 2005 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Lowell Fulson – Think Twice Before You Speak – JSP Records JSP5103 Hybrid Multichannel SACD ****: Fulson is one of the legends who didn’t take his abilities for granted and rest on his laurels. He continued to go back to Europe to play with old-timers and young upcoming musicians for the fun of it. Fulson has a deep, rich voice that works well with his style of guitar playing—a style that can best be summed up as Texas country blues. This recording was made in 1984 and it is clear that Fulson is still at the height of his ability even if he sounds like he’s slowing down. He’s best known for his classic tunes “Reconsider Baby” and “Tramp,” but this record is full of good material. Track three is a slower blues number replete with enticing multiple runs on the piano. Most of the tunes are upbeat and have a real kick to them, and every tune features Fulson’s expert guitar playing. Song after song gives the listener the impression that this isn’t just any ole blues disc—it’s something special. Track seven is a swinging tune that you can dance along to—twirling and spinning. Sound on this disc has […]