Customer Reviews

Ashes to Ashes

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the album that turned me on to Joe Sample. The 2 opening tracks set the mood for the album which continues through the last track. Joe Sample is one of those artists who can really convey his heart and feelings in songs, even though they are instrumentals.

Is it jazz? I'm not sure what to call it. Why do we have to classify music? To me the music on this album has a Soul/Quiet Storm/Jazz feel. I mostly listen to Quiet Storm, Soul, Smooth Jazz & some Oldies. This album fits very well in my collection.

Depending upon the day, this album alternates as my #1 favorite album of all time with others like "Do You Love Me" Jonathan Butler; "Another Sun" Yutaka; "20/20" George Benson, "Posh" Patrice Rushen, "With A Lot Of Soul" Temptations & "Floy Joy" Supremes (no I'm not kidding on the last one!)

Anyway, put it on & relax!

Since I was eight years old I have been a lover of the stylings and artistry of Joe Sample,my father would play one of many eight tracks in his collection of "Sample" wizardry and I can remember asking him who was that,he said just the greatest pianist of our time,and that still lives true today,from his redition of one the classics like "Fever" to his own stylings of a few of my favorites like "Ashes To Ashes" and "Strike Two" I can go on and on about the "Gauge for all other pianist to measure themselves by".

Beautiful piano from ex-Crusader, and the rhythm section (led by Marcus Miller) creates a fresh sound for Joe.Check out the bass and guitar on 'Mother's Eyes'.

No other words to me can describe the music found on this CD. Joe Sample is the "MELODY MAN" of the Crusaders and some of their prettiest tunes he's responsible for (check out "It Happens Everyday"). To me Joe made three albums in the late '80's/early '90's that are simply beautiful and this is one of them (the other two, "Spellbound" and "Invitation"). Every track on here will stay with you after you play this CD, from the first song/ title track ("Ashes to Ashes") to the final cut, which is my personal favorite, "Phoenix." Jazz doesn't get any better than this and no one plays the piano like Joe. A BEAUTIFUL ALBUM.

There are not many words that can tell what this album means to me. This album was a milestone in my life, thats how good it is. I bought this album in 1991, while I was in college. I have been a Jazz music lover since the age of 6 or 7. At the time I was not aware that Joe Sample was a part of the group, The Crusaders. At the time I was experimenting with new artists in an effort to broaden my collection and come across some new groups. See, trial and error was the best way to find out about stuff that your peers were not versed in. Keep in mind this was the pre-internet years. I will admit, I chose to buy the album because of the art on the album cover, other than that there was not much to go on because this name was new. But I will say, that was a gamble that paid off. From the first time I listened to that album, I was amazed. I could not believe that an album could have so many songs that were consuming. Out of the 9 songs on this album, I found myself mentally caught up in the Piano (the instrument that JS plays)on 7 of those songs, the other two songs were just plain fun. This album is the best album by a Jazz pianist I have ever heard. And ever since 1991, I have been telling everyone that can hear, Joe Sample and Ashes to Ashes is the best.

Joe Sample is a master to his own. His inspiration motives are always enrooted in the joy of living; that's why his interpretative freshness and constant innovation. As he states in the inner pages of the album: "In the ashes of the endangered species, the only way out is rebirth."
All the CD is mesmerizing. With special emphasis on the tracks: Ashes to ashes, The road less traveled, the dreamy Phoenix and obviously the exquisite I 'll love you.
A must in your personal collection.

Joe Sample is a one of a kind storyteller. His albums
are built on a theme to which he weaves a tapestry of
beautiful melodies to soothe, inspire, and take you away.
Regardless of some opinions, this is not bland smooth
jazz. At the core of his collection you still hear the
Crusaders' sound: the funk, soul, rhythm and blues of
Joe's Texas roots. The earthy grooves are still there.

Though this album is a smoother confection of his
academy, you can get a earthier version of Joe from
"The Pecan Tree", a introspective pared down (trio)
version in "Old Places, Old Faces", full strings and
orchestra on "Invitation", and of course the vocal
collaboration of the still top selling "The Song Lives
On" with Lalah Hathaway, where Joe proves just how
wonderfully lyrical his piano melodies really are.

Joe remains my favorite contemporary pianist, and I
am a music teacher and pianist myself. I look forward
to the day I can see him in concert!

from Joe Sample. Joe is a living legend and this solo project is my favorite.

I am an avid Joe Sample fan and of all his music I found this CD to be the best. After a hard day at work you can play this CD and it really soothes away the rough patches of the day. Excellent driving music!

from Joe Sample. Joe is a living legend and this solo project is my favorite.