Believe it or not, there is a precedent for this off the wall project -- an ominous one, alas, for classical pianist/conductor Daniel Barenboim sounded stiff playing Ellington "jazz piano" for soprano Renée Fleming on the album Star Crossed Lovers (London). Here, though, Barenboim avails himself of some expert help from arranger/conductor Cliff Colnot, who dresses up some Ellington and Strayhorn tunes with a five-piece horn section, two winds, Brad Opland on bass, Joel Spencer or Kyle Woodring on drums, and the maestro ...
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Believe it or not, there is a precedent for this off the wall project -- an ominous one, alas, for classical pianist/conductor Daniel Barenboim sounded stiff playing Ellington "jazz piano" for soprano Renée Fleming on the album Star Crossed Lovers (London). Here, though, Barenboim avails himself of some expert help from arranger/conductor Cliff Colnot, who dresses up some Ellington and Strayhorn tunes with a five-piece horn section, two winds, Brad Opland on bass, Joel Spencer or Kyle Woodring on drums, and the maestro himself on mostly custom-written piano arrangements. We're told that Barenboim improvises a bit, too, though one cannot say where for sure. The results are a lot like those of his friend violinist Itzhak Perlman's attempt to play jazz with André Previn. Barenboim has enough facility to execute the arrangements with an adequate hint of jazz feeling, and he sounds perfectly comfortable in the ballads. Yet almost nothing in the more swinging arrangements lodges itself in the pocket, so to speak. In the really nifty, swinging treatment of "Squatty Roo," Barenboim is along mainly for the ride, just feeling out the tune and the rhythm, and "'A' Train" finds him pounding out a series of choppy toccatas. Dianne Reeves turns in some very straightforward performances as the band's "girl singer" in "Sophisticated Lady" and "Azure," and chesty vocalese on "Chelsea Bridge." Don Byron turns up on saucy clarinet on "Zweet Zurzday" and "Caravan." You want to say to Barenboim, "Welcome over to our side," while realizing that he's much better off artistically -- and of course, financially -- on the classical side of the divide. ~ Richard S. Ginell, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Bigard/Ellington/Mi; Ellington; Ellington/Gordon/Mi; Ellington/Kurtz/Mil; Ellington/Mercer/St; Ellington/Mills/Par;... Very Good. Used-Very Good Condition. Case and disc(s) is in great condition with no significant scratches or marks. Includes original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
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Bigard/Ellington/Mi; Ellington; Ellington/Gordon/Mi; Ellington/Kurtz/Mil; Ellington/Mercer/St; Ellington/Mills/Par;... Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
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