Ballad Session

Mark Turner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000046S0U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,818 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, March 19, 2000

By 

Richard Thurston (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ballad Session (Audio CD)

A couple of items: 1.) Contrary to the wishes of the Amazon.com reviewer, this is not Mr. Turner's 'sophomore effort.' Rather this is his third date on RCA and counting one on Criss Cross, his fourth as a leader.

2.) This isn't a Coltrane tribute and there aren't any 'sheets of sound.'

The cd is as advertised. It is indeed a 'Ballad Session' performed by a group of completely up to the minute musicians led by Mark Turner, one of the most accomplished and versatile of the younger tenor saxophonists on the scene. Combining standards with tunes by Wayner Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson and Carla Bley this is an extremely sophisticated and utterly gorgeous effort.

Elegant, romantic and substantive this is an exercise in mood. Subtle yet swinging. Introspective yet generous.

Much like 'Night and the City', a series of duets by Kenny Barron and Charlie Haden from a couple years back this is understated yet completely compelling music.

'Energy' is not merely a function of tempo and/or volume. Rather it is what takes place when musicians are actually listening to one another, repectful of one another's contribution and mindful of giving the music space to breathe and grow. It isn't easy making music sound this simple.

Oh and by the way. The version of 'Some Other Time' found here is worth the price of the cd.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars night music - with seductive tone, September 18, 2000

By 

rash67 (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ballad Session (Audio CD)

Mark Turner has matured. He, and Roy Hargrove, have learned that if you sweeten, control and sculpt each note, you can breathe new life into old standards (the album starts with standards, and moves on to lesser know songs and originals with a similar emotional stance). Stan Getz and Miles Davis understood the importance of each note they played. This shows maturity, rather than Turner's earlier style which focused on how many notes he could jam into a measure, and sound be damned.

If the first note doesn't sound good it doesn't matter how many more follow.

It is with ballads that a jazz musician proves his understanding of his craft, demostrates his emotional depth, on the songs everyone knows.

This music is quiet, and contemplative. Seductive 'Round Midnight music, Hypnotic. Meditative. Sad.

It is this album, and his "Two Tenor Ballads" album with Tad Shull, which I listen to over and over.

If you like Stan Getz, Roy Hargrove, and early Miles Davis, you will love this CD!

4 stars for a great warm performance, not yet a bestseller.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love This CD!, March 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ballad Session (Audio CD)

The acclaimed Tenor saxophonist's current release displays yet another facet of this intriguing artist's endless array of musical invention.Slowing down the tempo and turning up the romance, Turner has delivered a diversed yet intricately connected set of compositions that reconfirms his reputation for artistry,improvisation and unparalleled style.Give it a listen!