Customer Reviews

Bolling: Picnic Suite

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Claude Bolling's astonishing "Picnic Suite" is a superbly inventive, beautifully recorded album of music that's somewhere in between jazz and classical. It's hard to describe, but it's absolutely addictive.

The opening song, "Rococo," starts out with a prim, rather strict classical structure, then slouches easily into a warmer, more jazz-tinged mood. Jean-Pierre Rampal's flute playing flits like a butterfly above the clipped piano (played by Bolling) and the mellow guitar playing (by Alexandre Lagoya). "Madrigal" has a Spanish feel to it--mournful, quiet, in a minor key. It's lush and lovely. "Gaylancholic" has the feeling of a fugue without actually being one, the guitar and flute chasing each other down all sorts of musical blind alleys. "Canon" is bright and cheerful, Rampal's flute soaring and singing into a gorgeous blue sky of a piece. This is sumptuous music that rewards the many listens you'll doubtless give it.

If you've never heard Claude Bolling before, you've really missed out. This suite of his is as wonderful as all the others. However, if you are not familiar with Bolling, listen to the available clips before purchasing, as even though I think he's great, his music is not for everyone.

If I were to own only 10 music albums...Picnic Suite would definitely be one of them. Bolling's music is full of fun and vitality. He is today's Vivaldi.

4 1/2

One-of-a-kind-composer who had the unique gift of merging classical composition with jazz execution, this Picnic Suite stands proudly in a dazzling discography recommended to all adventurous music lovers.

Wonderful music; Jaunty, ethereal, bouyant. In a word, it's splendiloflorolacious. Lovely listening. Music gauranteed to make your ears smile. Music guaranteed to spruce up one's mood no matter how bad you may be feeling that day. Seriously, it's another smartly made group of recordings by Bolling, Rampal, and company. This issue includes guitar accompaniment. The collection is a mixed bag with fast, slow, and medium tempos and varied rhythms. It's great to hear musicians enjoying themselves so thoroughly. Personally, I like the illustrations on the jacket of the animated instruments. Buy it, buy it, buy it. You'll smile, smile, smile.

This is my favorite Bolling release. I have heard all the other ones (being a college radio station DJ gave a lot of access). This one is just my blend. Some slow, emotionally moving pieces (ala Barber's "Adagio for Strings") and some faster, but never extraordinarily fast.

Decent recording, but not great. ....

bolling is one of my favorite composers of this soft and easy to listen to combination of classical music and jazz. usually a preformer in a trio (- bass , drums and bolling on the piano) bolling composed a few albums with additional instuments -each album a different guest.the most famous is "suite for flute & jazz piano" - joined by rampal on flute. another is "suite for classic guitar & jazz piano" - this time joined by alexander lagoya - a great classical guitarist. after succeeding with both albums , bolling decided to compose an album with both lagoya & rampal as guests, the result (which was great) is called "picnic suite". it's a great combination ! mostly recommended !

If you are a Bolling lover, this is a must. If you are new to him, this is one of his basic collection. Super cool Instrumental Jazz.

I first heard Picnic Suite 25 years ago and totally fell in love with it. The romance hasn't faded at all even though I know it all by heart. If you're feeling down, the sparkling, scintillating music of this magical quartet is guaranteed to bring you up again in no time at all!