Customer Reviews

Appassionata

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My fellow Chicagoan Ramsey Lewis is the premier piano jazz musician of all time and this latest release does nothing but confirm that. It is fantastic, the first jazz CD I have ever owned where every song is inspiring!! I love it!!

Vague memories of "The In Crowd" were my only connection with Lewis' music- so I am by no means a certified fan.

But the music on this take goes way WAY beyond the sterotypical piano-jazz cocktail bar schlock that is so easy to find.

As the title and the liner notes indicate, Lewis celebrates the music of his passions on this work. Spiritual/classical with just the right touch of "In Crowd" funk- the mix is just right if not perfect.

Highlights of the work are Song for Jan, E Lucevan le Stelle and What Wonderous Love. If Gospel music could ever be considered 'sensual' then this is it. This arrangement is the Song of Solomon set to music.

However, the total suprise for me on this cd was Ernie Adams on sticks and tubs. There is a latin pseudo-solo that he accomplishes that is so subtle, so brilliant and so classy that it alone is worth the price of the disc.

Consider me a new fan of Lewis as well as Adams

As a long time Ramsey Lewis fan,I should not be surprised how Ramsey consistently puts out quality music.But he continues to amaze me and Appassionata is another quality effort by a musical legend. P.S I'm trying to locate" Mothers Nature Song " on cd by Ramsey Lewis. It was produce in the early 70's. I cannot seem to locate it anywhere. Ramsey Lewis should definitely consider putting this outstanding recording on cd.

sir ramsey lewis has indeed staked his claim as one of the pre-eminent pianist of jazz with this recording. his sublime mastery of the ivory keys indeed puts me in jubilant and comtemplative states of being. the title track alone is enough to elevate this cd to a listing on the grammy nominated list of best all-time composed music. well done, mr. lewis!

This was my first extensive experience with a jazz album, really.
By that I mean prior to this I had heard jazz, but never actually possessed an album to throw in the cd player and get to know. At the time I was listening mostly to rock, but I had an open mind. I fell in love with this cd. It's not cheesy, they don't noodle around, and the performances are awesome. There's some really great musicianship, someone else mentioned the drum solo...not too long but definately well done.
Some parts are reflective, others cool, then there's a nice sprinkling of friskiness, touch of sinister smiles......not too demanding, good as a background massage or for attentive admiration.

I enjoyed this CD., altho I like Ramsey Lewis'other CD's probably better just because I prefer his earlier work. As for the reviewer who wants to find Mother Natures Son..I too, looked high and low for it..since its on of my favorites. I found a wonderful CD with some of the music on it..its called 'Maiden Voyage'...good luck to you

I AM A RL FAN FROM WAY BACK --- LONDON HOUSE IN CHGO IN THE 1970s/ THIS IS A VERY ENTERTAINING ASSORTMENT OF RAMSEY LEWIS AND I RECOMMEG IT FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE.