Blues on Bach

The Modern Jazz Quartet, M.j.q | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002I6B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,192 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Regret?

2. Blues in B Flat

3. Rise up in the Morning

4. Blues in A Minor

5. Precious Joy

6. Blues in C Minor

7. Don't Stop This Train

8. Blues in H (B)

9. Tears from the Children

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

In the MJQ's early years, critics often found something incompatible between John Lewis's European classical leanings, particularly the baroque, and Milt Jackson's unfettered gifts improvising over bop-blues changes. This 1973 date is structured by that dichotomy, alternating between Lewis's compositions (based on some of Bach's best-known melodies) and a series of original blues, the first three by Lewis, the last by Jackson. Lewis emphasizes the contrast by playing harpsichord on the Bach tunes. His treatment of Bach can drift toward the merely pretty, as in his handling of "Sleepers Awake," but there's a genuine beauty in "Don't Stop This Train" and "Tears from the Children," based on Bach keyboard works. Jackson's fluent solos on the blues are a continuing delight, while Lewis demonstrates once again that he, too, is a musician imbued with the same roots, inserting a telling variation on "St. James Infirmary" into "Blues in A Minor."--Stuart Broomer

Product Description

2002 remastered reissue of 1974 album. Digipak. Warner Jazz. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Unique MJQ Recording, July 12, 2002

By 

Steven R. Seim "Steve Seim" (Beaver Dam, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blues on Bach (Audio CD)

This is one musical experiment that makes for an enjoyable listen. John Lewis' interpretations of Bach alternate with more traditional MJQ blues/bop numbers. There's not a bad track on the disc, and a few in particular ("Tears for the Children") are quite moving.

My only complaint (and what keeps this album from being a true masterpiece) is that they place Bach and jazz into almost airtight compartments. There is very little if any improvisation on the Bach pieces. And, unfortunately, Lewis plays harpsichord on the Bach selections, which only serves to emphasize the obvious differences between Bach and modern jazz. The use of piano throughout, and the courage to improvise on Bach, would have make this a much more coherent and interesting listen.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique and enjoyable MJQ, June 23, 2003

By 

Dick K (Centreville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blues on Bach (Audio CD)

Actually my rating would be about 3.5 stars. No, this is not the best MJQ material available. And no, if you're new to MJQ, don't start here -- unless you're coming to them with a classical background.

I like Bach and I like MJQ--so I had to like this one. However, I wish Lewis had done a whole CD with the Bach material and another one with the blues material, expanding each concept to a full CD of material. Each type is worth listening to and in each format Lewis and MJQ had something interesting to say. The alternating track format is, to my ears, jarring -- I'm just getting "into" Lewis doing Bach on harpsicord and we're back to the jazz/blues format. But even that doesn't stop me from enjoying the music--and it is very enjoyable, indeed.

Listening to the Bach tracks with vibes and harpsicord working the theme is good stuff! Lewis' treatment of the Bach themes is very interesting--you'll never miss the basic theme but he manages nice touches to rework and embellish. The blues/jazz tracks are stronger and begin to show what MJQ is all about.

If you're new to MJQ go get a couple others first (Fontessa would be a better starting point). Then, if you're like me and enjoy Bach and MJQ then get this one, its a natural. If you're extending a collection of MJQ then this one is worthwhile mainly because of its uniqueness.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, but superb, April 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues on Bach (Audio CD)

I can't believe I'm the first to sing the praises of this album. It's masterful understatement. It alternates between tracks of beautiful Bach melodies and original blues-inspired tracks. Each is executed perfectly. It is one of the foundations of my collection.