Blue Sun

Mark Isham | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 16, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 3, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B000002B7D
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,323 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On the Really Short List of FAVORITE Jazz CDs. . . ., September 30, 2002

By 

ROGER L. FOREMAN (Bath, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Sun (Audio CD)

I hate to make Miles Davis comparisons, and I won't even attempt to critique his technique--I'll let the experts and the brass players do that. I will simply say that, as years have gone by, when I am in the mood for a trumpet CD, I reach for SKETCHES OF SPAIN or BLUE SUN. I don't know what that says for Miles or Isham, but I love both. BLUE SUN is such a wonderful blend of sounds, melodies, and harmonies that I just don't get tired of hearing it. From the opening percussive notes of "Barcelona," right through the subtle keyboard and sax intro to "That Beautiful Sadness," the more restless feel of "Trapeze" and the melancholy "Lazy Afternoon," Isham has me in his grasp. I love the sax harmony and interplay on "Blue Sun," the sorrow of "In More Than Love," and the tip of the hat to both Miles Davis and Robert Frost (I'm a high school English teacher, so I really appreciate the Frost reference) on "And Miles To Go . . . Before He Sleeps." I love just the hint of electric on the closing tune, "Tour de Chance," as well--it closes everything nicely.

Where he really slays me, though, is on "In a Sentimental Mood," track 8. I don't think anyone, living or dead, could wring any more emotion and "sentiment" out of a melody than Isham does on this piece. Ohhhh. It's almost exhausting to listen to, but somehow I don't feel exhausted when it's done--I feel refreshed and invigorated. He's done all the work--I just need to slow down and listen. . . . Really nice keyboard work underneath and behind the melody--very understated and appropriate. I don't know how a person could listen to Isham on this track and not run out and buy the CD. Even if you hated the rest, which would be virtually impossible, it would be worth the asking price for this 7+ minute experience.

Bottom Line: Whether or not he's the next coming of Miles or just another chump blowing on a trumpet, Mark Isham has captured something very special on this CD. It isn't on his earlier ones, and I haven't heard it on his more recent ones, although I love those, as well. He is garnering some attention as a film scorer, which is great--his scores are excellent--but he can't capture this . . . essence . . . in a film score. This is a very intimate, personal, understated, and reflective effort from Isham. Everyone deserves to experience this hour. . . .

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 'Best Album Of The 90s', December 10, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Skipton, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Sun (Audio CD)

This is the first time I have felt moved to take up the "write a review" invitation. But I want to repay the artists and pass on the good news. This CD has brought, and continues to bring, me enormous pleasure. It appeals to the mind, the feelings, and the body - there's times when you just HAVE to move to the rhythm. We have a pretty extensive collection of music, but I've listened to Blue Sun so often I can almost anticipate every note as it arrives. And this music is so good the inevitability is still satisfying. It's years since I listened so much to a single album - the Dead's Europe 72, Big Fun by Miles, Future Games by Spirit, Astral Weeks, After Bathing At Baxter's, Tim Buckley's Blue Afternoon. Not a duff track, not a weak link and the arrangement on the Duke Ellington cover just may be one of the best covers of any tune ever. If you made it to this review I guess you are contemplating buying this anyway??? Hesitate no more.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overlooked Warm Jazz classic, July 15, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Blue Sun (Audio CD)

One of my all time favorites.

Mark Isham's music straddles that no-man's land between Jazz, New Age and filmscores, which is a shame because record companies often don't know which area to put his albums in! This album is all Jazz, not New Age or Jazz-lite.

It's is an overlooked classic! Great lyrical, meditative music, warm and laid back. There is a warm tone to it, I would call it "Red Sun" or "Orange Sun" I think if I had named it, the name "Blue Sun" sounds a little too cool, unless it's an oblique reference to Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".

Usually this music sounds improvisational, but occasionally it sounds a tad scripted, but that's a minor criticism, the overall effect is smooth, pleasant and laid back, without sounding like vacuous Smooth Jazz. He has the paid particular attention to tone, perfectly, with the Harmon mute. A quality so often missing in Jazz today. As is stated below, the sound is often quite reminiscent of Miles Davis pre-1965 period. Listen to "Round Midnight" by Davis, then listen to this!

I consider this a great find, I find myself returning to listen over and over late at night. Don't miss this one.

Well recorded. Five stars for recording, 4 1/2 for performance, if it were a better seller, it would deserve 5 stars under my tough grading system!

Improves with repeated listening. Highly recommended. Buy this album. I wish Mark Isham would do another album like this one