Customer Reviews

Apple Juice

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you get down to it, there are simply some recordings that just seem to stand head and shoulders above other levels of greatness. this is one of those examples. Apple Juice is truly a marvel of an album/CD. Everyone on this live set is a legend, The late Richard Tee and Tom Scot place their magic touch on life. Time stands still with the feeling these musicians play with. A young Marcus Miller is on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, both of whom facilitate solos of amazing, super human ability. Hugh McCracken, guitar and Ralph MacDonald, percussion, complete a roster of the who's who of taste in the New York City scene. No matter what the asking price is for this CD, it's a great one to have in your quiver. You deserve this, nice find...

Sure this import is expensive, but if you had the original release, you know that it's worth it. This LP was given to me by a great friend back in the early 1980's; my first taste of this kind of music. Even though I was underage, I could picture myself at The Bottom Line, listening to one of the live performances. An outstanding recording of some great originals.

The musicians on this release were some of the best around. I could go on and on about each one, but the standout performances come from Richard Tee and Steve Gadd. Tee was a master of chord substitutions and could throw in some great chromatic lines. Steve Gadd plays like he has a third hand - it's tough to play that smooth and be that technically fluid.

Why four stars and not five? "So White and So Funky" just doesn't do it for me. It was common around this time to include one vocal track on an instrumental LP so that there would be the possibility of a crossover hit (some jazz artists still try this from time to time). Now I can program my CD player to skip the track and that's exactly what I do. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Dr. John fan, but his vocals and this song just don't fit on this CD.

If you're on this page, you are most likely already familiar with the original 1981 release or, at the very least, Tom Scott's sweet playing. If money is no object, buy this immediately. If you have the old LP and are wondering whether or not to invest in the CD - go ahead, you know you want to.

The original vinyl had a big impact on me as a musician. This is one of the best live representations of the great NYC funk unit of Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Marcus Miller, and Ralph McDonald that can be had. They show beautiful patience in serving the groove and not overplaying -- so often a challenge with electric jazz and funk. Masterful! Five great tunes and a couple of worthwhile extras.

This CD was one of my last "must-haves" to replace a well-worn vinyl copy. The re-mastering is great, particularly the song "In My Dreams", which, when played on good equipment, sounds as if you're actually there. It is the best sounding live track I've ever heard. The CD has four incredible cuts, while the other three are merely good (that's the reason for only four stars). If you are a Tom Scott fan, you owe it to yourself to get this.

My review of Tom Scots' "Apple Juice" recording was sort of incomplete and I appologize. I happened to overlook two key musicians, there contributions phenominal. Mr. Eric Gale on guitar and special guest vocalist for the tune, "How can I be so white and so funky", Dr. John. We miss you Eric Gale and Richard Tee. You live forever thanks to new release imports such as this.

I usually have a lot to say in my reviews,but the previous reviewers have spoken volumes.The club(Bottom Line),the music(nuff said),the players(ditto).I cant really say much else other than I've gotta get it.

This album is great! Twangy bass strings, Energetic sax, and zesty' drums. And it walks you out with a nice mellow tune. I'd go see Tom Scott live any day. I like my music to have a little funk to it, be it hip hop, rock, jazz, soul, etc. and this album definitely delivers.

I also have to say that the fidelity on the vinyl cut is quite high. It captures the energy of not only the band, but the audience as well. An audience I might add who plays an active roll throughout the album.

This is the first record I ever spun. You can watch it happen here: [...]

I recall when this was released in the 80s. We listened to it constantly. It's a shame it goes so unappreciated and is so hard to find at a decent price.

To say this album had an influence on the type of music i would go on to love and cherish for the rest of my life, would be an understatement.This is my all time favourite live recording.the calibre of musicians speak for themselves.Just wish i was there to experience it. Will settle for next best thing,getting hold of this cd.

Although a bit streaky, this is one of Tom Scott's best albums. It's definitely the best of his works from the '80s. I don't particularly enjoy live albums but this is an exception. Pulled from three live shows from January '81 at New York's club The Bottom Line (which closed in December '03), this is one of the last truly great jazz fusion albums, and it nicely captures the sound of New York jazz during that era.

It's wonderful hearing Tom Scott and the crowds interact with each other. The opening song is the title track - an upbeat little funk number with tinges of electric guitar and organ thrown in, giving that familiar sound we know from Scott. "We Belong Together" is a nice, subdued ballad that features light sax work by Scott. This is followed by "So White and So Funky" with soul-belter Dr. John singing, and goading the audience to join in. This track is really hit-or-miss: either you'll find Dr. John's presence and crowd interaction jovial and worthwhile (as I do), or unnecessary (like some critics and fans here do.)
The remaining highlights include the aptly-titled "In My Dreams" which has a calm, dreamlike sound to it (courtesy of Richard Tee's keyboards) and "Instant Relief" - an 8-minute tour-de-force that nicely concludes the album.

Overall this is enjoyable, occasionally impressive. This is another soundtrack for those quiet, rainy, stay indoors evenings. This is one of the least accessible albums by Scott. Cassette tapes both new (which I found) and used can be found on Ebay at not high price, as well as used LPs. It's available on CD, but for a hefty fee. If you can find it, once you do you won't be disappointed!