|
| |||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
Review
Mr. Hersch has developed a solo concept second to none in jazz. --Ben Ratliff, New York Times
...a modern master. --Ted Pankin, DownBeat
...a modern master. --Ted Pankin, DownBeat
Product Description
Fred Hersch holds the unique distinction of being the first pianist to be asked to play solo at the renowned Village Vanguard in New York City. This recording documents his second and most recent week of performances at the club, November 30 through December 5, 2010. Some say after Fred recovered from his coma, his playing is deeper and more emotional. This album is a testament to that fact.
Hersch is widely considered a genius on the piano. He moved to New York from Cincinnati in the 1970s, earning his credibility as a piano prodigy at Bradley's. His list of credits as a band leader, co-leader, sideman and soloist are astounding. He has worked extensively with jazz masters Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, and Jane Ira Bloom, Art Farmer, Toots Thielemans, Gary Burton, Bill Frisell, Sam Jones and Charlie Haden and has appeared on over 100 recordings. He is also a three-time GRAMMY© nominee.
Hersch is widely considered a genius on the piano. He moved to New York from Cincinnati in the 1970s, earning his credibility as a piano prodigy at Bradley's. His list of credits as a band leader, co-leader, sideman and soloist are astounding. He has worked extensively with jazz masters Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, and Jane Ira Bloom, Art Farmer, Toots Thielemans, Gary Burton, Bill Frisell, Sam Jones and Charlie Haden and has appeared on over 100 recordings. He is also a three-time GRAMMY© nominee.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Fred Hersch is best known for his combo-jazz output in the Fred Hersch Trio, and has released over 30 albums since the mid-80s, and counting. Now comes this live recording.
"Alone At the Vanguard" (9 tracks; 71 min.) is a solo piano release, recorded on the last night of a week of performances at the Village Vanguard in New York. As Hersch comments in the liner notes: "We recorded all six nights, twelve sets in all. But I have ultimately decided to release, in its entirety, the final set of the last night of th week. The week had gotten stronger and better and I was 'in the zone'. So rather than assemble a 'best of' from all the other sets, you are holding just one set that I feel pretty great about", Pretty great? Outstanding is more like it! Starting with a delightful standard "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning", Hersch is in top form on the Steinway piano. The setlist brings a mix of covers and originals, and the blend just spuberbly. Check out the Hersch-penned "Down Home" and "Echoes", and then compare to the Thelonius Monk cover "Work". Just wow.
In all, this is an outstanding live recording. No, this isn't for anyone in a hurry. Now that Fall is upon us, and Winter around the corner, this is the perfect record to play with the open fire and a good book to read.
"Alone At the Vanguard" (9 tracks; 71 min.) is a solo piano release, recorded on the last night of a week of performances at the Village Vanguard in New York. As Hersch comments in the liner notes: "We recorded all six nights, twelve sets in all. But I have ultimately decided to release, in its entirety, the final set of the last night of th week. The week had gotten stronger and better and I was 'in the zone'. So rather than assemble a 'best of' from all the other sets, you are holding just one set that I feel pretty great about", Pretty great? Outstanding is more like it! Starting with a delightful standard "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning", Hersch is in top form on the Steinway piano. The setlist brings a mix of covers and originals, and the blend just spuberbly. Check out the Hersch-penned "Down Home" and "Echoes", and then compare to the Thelonius Monk cover "Work". Just wow.
In all, this is an outstanding live recording. No, this isn't for anyone in a hurry. Now that Fall is upon us, and Winter around the corner, this is the perfect record to play with the open fire and a good book to read.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By HappyJA
Format:Audio CD
When it comes to classic jazz ballads, it's hard for me to get away from the breathy beauty of Dexter Gordon on saxophone or Billy Holiday's soul searching renditions. That is something of what you will find in Fred Hersch's piano playing -- much of the beauty I hear in his playing comes from his amazing touch and sublime timing. I love solo piano and rank this album up there with some of my favorites -- Bill Evans' "Alone Again", Randy Weston's "Marrakesh", Gonzalo Rubalcaba's "Solo" -- I cannot get through a long plane flight without at least one full play through this album to lull me into a comfortable daze.
Format:Audio CD
I saw the Fred Hersch trio at the Vanguard and he was one of the best, most emotionally powerful and subtle players I had ever seen. Then a friend of mine gave me this album. All I can say is wow. He is a profoundly talented player but in a very deep, quiet and intensely emotional way - in the manner of Bill Evans but his voice is totally unique. Because of his style, this would definitely work as background music for a dinner party, but it really needs to be listened to closely and on a good stereo to appreciate the artistry. And if you ever get the chance, try and see him live and enjoy the intimate experience of sharing this exquisite beauty with others.
