Ballad Essentials

Monty Alexander | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B00004R966
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,982 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Here's That Rainy Day

2. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

3. Estate

4. Body And Soul

5. The River

6. Because You're Mine

7. Cavatina

8. For All We Know

9. Close Enough For Love

10. September Song

11. Maybe September

12. I'm A Fool To Want You

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "has come a long way from Monty & the Cyclones", January 30, 2001

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ballad Essentials (Audio CD)

Influenced by such greats as Nat King Cole, Gene Harris and Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander formed his own voice and style, recording for many major record labels over the past thirty-five years. Began playing the piano at age six in his native Jamaica, as a teenager worked in local clubs with his group "Monty and the Cyclones", he's come a long way since then.

Monty has been recording for Concord since his debut in 1979, currently fourteen Alexander CD's, not counting the many sideman appearances. "Ballads Essentials" is the name of the game on this release, a dozen tunes many are familiar standards, while others find him building on his original style paying tribute to his Jamaican heritage.

Many stand outs are evident, but the highlights and there are two - "SEPTEMBER SONG" the classic standard by Kurt Weill, an awesome arrangement and unique sound setting the mood, with Monty (piano) and Derek Dicenzo (steel drums) originally issued on: "To The Ends Of The Earth" CCD-4721 (1996)...another song about our favorite month - "MAYBE SEPTEMBER" the haunting melodic chords composed by Percy Faith, the "King of Strings", was always one of my favorites and Monty does it justice, backup men Ira Coleman (bass) and Dion Parson (drums) originally issued on: "Steamin'" CCD-4636, never considered this a jazz piece, but now there's no doubt.

Concord Jazz and Nick Phillips once again hit the mark, sensitive interpretations by Alexander make each song sound like they are recent discoveries written especially for him, this is one to add to your ever-growing collection of GREAT JAZZ!

Total Time: 60:08 on 12 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4903...(2000)