Customer Reviews

Blue Bolero

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My first exposure to Chris Standring was his album Groovilicous and I loved that so much I've purchased every album of his I could find before its release and after it. So when I heard he was coming out with a new album, Blue Bolero, I was anxious to check it out. I listened to song samples on his web site and was shocked. This wasn't the Chris Standring, who's music I had grown to love. I took a chance......and it took a listen or two to reset my mental expectations, but with every play I began to understand the concept of change....it doesn't have to sound the SAME to sound GREAT, and I've grown to love this version of Chris Standring too. I've been listening and loving it since before it was heard on any radio station and am happy to see that MANY people share my love for this album and just heard it was #2 on the charts......soon to be #1 for sure! An added bonus to purchasing this album is that you get to download a couple of cool tracks that didn't make the album......and they are GREAT tracks as well...I especially like the track "HOLE IN MY SHOE".....you get the URL inside the CD case. There are other bonuses on the website.....many tracks of past albums to download for free....and even got to download a whole out of print album, Main Course, as a bonus to purchasing one of his newer albums, Love and Paragraphs. I recommend Blue Bolero....you will love it too!

I absolutely love this CD !!! But my favorite song on the CD is "March of the Bowler Hats". Can't get enough of this song; love the instrumentals. Chris Standring I really think this should be your next single release. Keep up the good work Chris.

P.S. Am also loving "Gentle Persuasion" on the Groovalicous CD. :D

Great guitar playing and songs, which are a little different than what you hear on the radio nowadays. I'm happy for your success, Chris and keep up the good work!

I love every cut on this album. I can't stop playing it. The perfect infusion of Jazz and New Age music. All the cuts are beautiful and very original. Chris is my new favorite artist! Buy this album! Enough said.

This is a little different from Chris's normal flow but great album none the less,

I like the title track as well as Please mind the Gap and Sensual Overload. pick it up and enjoy.

With his release of BLue Bolero Chris Standring has successfully blended some of the best jazz guitar with balanced and tasteful input from the orchestra he brought in. The first time through the entire CD I was uncertain that I would become a fan of this project. However, this compilation of new directions for Chris has grown on me. I now thoroughly enjoy the diversity and the variety of song openings. I highly recommend that anyone into excellent jazz guitar add this CD to their collection.

BLUE BOLERO marks the return of the Alesbury farm boy. For many years and five albums, British-born Chis Standring has sought to define his abundant talent across genres as diverse as soul jazz, smooth jazz, even jazz jazz... but it is the release of this, his 6th album, that finally nails his genius for cinematic, moody, orchestral pieces - light years away from the noodlings of his contemporaries. This is serious stuff cut away from commercial restraints and the hit single offers beautifully orchestrated backdrops, allowing Chris' magnificent guitar work to shine. You're pulled in immediately with the opening cut "Overture" and its marvelous pizzicato strings, then taken by the blues of "At the end of the day" and transported so cleverly with the astonishing title track as it builds and builds to a sensuous climax. BLUE BOLERO deserves your full attention as it may just be one of the best releases of this year! ~STEWART COXHEAD

Chris certainly takes it up a level with this composition. As an airline pilot who enjoys both the journey and the destination, Chris' music fits the "transcon landscape" in "Overture", as well as capturing the flavor of the tropics with "Bossa Blue". "Sensual Overload" and "Contemplation" will certainly deliver what their name implies. And for us kids of the seventies, "Blue Bolero" will certainly take you back to visions of that perfect "10". Enjoy!

This interesting album is something of a departure for Chris Standring being (his words) 'extremely cinematic' and representing the musical journey he took.

The guitar playing is exquisite and with the backing of an orchestra the sound is full.

He leads with confidence and ease a tight jazz trio with drummer Dave Karasony and bassist Larry Steen.

Tracks like "Blue Bolero", "March Of The Bowler Hats" and "Bossa Blue" are fine jazzy grooves - less smooth more jazzy.

This is the less commercial album from the Smooth Jazz guitar master, but certainly one of his most accomplished offerings.

His latest one "Love and Paragraphs" was a little too light and not memorable.

That may explain Standring's desire to change the gear and to move towards something with more substance and less formulaic and ephemeral than Smoot Jazz, a genre definitely in decline.

Listen and enjoy!

Love and Paragraphs

"Blue Bolero" is a great CD by Chris Standring. Smooth and easy to listen to. The guitar and other instruments blend nicely and the music just seems to flow. Very refreshing!