Customer Reviews

Cello Quartet (Dig)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I happen to agree with Mr. Carlson, this is a fine record, but the record that is truly magic was 1974's Come To The Meadow - a real desert island disc if there ever was one. So, if it helps, I urge other fans who have been pining for this record to be released on CD to raise their voices- This is a great start with the Cello Quartet finally being reissued - but please don't tease us by not reissuing the real masterpiece - Now that I've got that off my chest, don't misunderstand me - This is also a wonderful, unusual record - but please, give us the other Cello Quartet record -"Come To The Meadow", not only for those of us that are familiar with the record, but for those who never got a chance to hear it. It's one of the truly great recordings of the 70's and features Kellaway's best compositions by far.

Dittos to the review by Southern Slim "A Music Lover". After hearing a snippet of Kellaway's 'Come to the Meadow' on NPR a few months ago, I have been going crazy trying to remember the name of the song and the group that I first heard in the 70's. Such a haunting melody forever imprinted in the mind. Yesterday, I heard it again on NPR and this time they helped me out by identifying the music. Much to my disappointment, however, I can't buy the music on CD.

I keep watching and waiting and hoping... so glad to hear so many other folks express the same opinion and desire... we want the MEADOW!

Okay, maybe "Come to the Meadow" is better; I haven't listened to my copy recently, so I won't argue the point. EXCEPT to point out that it's sort of an apples and pears comparison, since this CD uses an orchestra and CttM is, as I recall, the quartet alone.

All that aside, the "fact" (i.e., my opinion) remains that this is a gorgeous, inventive, landmark album, certainly worthy of 5 stars in its own right. My advice to potential purchasers: simply listen to the excerpts here, and see if the beautiful melodies and range of moods grab you right away, as I suspect they will--without worrying about whether some other (currently non-existent) CD might be "better"!

This was one of my very favorite albums while I was a college music undergrad in the early 70's. As with most of us, the vinyl just got lost or forgotten along the way. Hearing the CD for the first time brings back the love I have for this work, like meeting a good friend again after so many years. It still sounds fresh and contemporary. A magnificent eclectic blend of classical, chamber music, jazz, film scoring, etc. Edgar Lustgarten's cello sings, Roger Kellaway's piano swings. This is a masterpiece. So good to be able to hear it again, even better this time.

I went to great lengths to find this album on LP a few years ago. It was out of print and hard to find. Imagine my surprised pleasure to find that it's also been issued on a digitally-remastered CD! I discovered this recording in 1973, which I think was the year it came out. I was 18, and just stumbled across it at the local public library. I took it home and was enchanted. It immediately became one of my favorite records, and after nearly 35 years, still is. Making a cello the "star" instrument of a jazz combo was a new idea in '73, and it's still irresistibly charming. I've read some feedback about another Kellaway opus, "Come To The Meadow," which I have never, ever heard, but would be most curious to hear, since I've always loved this record and some say the second one is even better. Of course everyone knows Roger Kellaway's most famous composition, "Remembering You," the closing theme from "All In The Family." My wife is a "smooth jazz" enthusiast who always complains that we don't like any of the same things. I can't wait to tell her to sit down and listen to "The Roger Kellaway Cello Quartet." I'm sure she'll love it as much as I did when I was still in my teens.

This is truly one of the most interesting and emotionally charged offerings from Roger Kellaway. Every cut is a little jewel for anyone interested in jazz and stringed instruments. The highlight, though, is the absolute virtuosity of "On Your Mark, Get Set; Blues," in which Kellaway plays, presumably improvises, in two different keys. One word: AMAZING!

This is a wonderful, half-classical half-jazz album which I've loved since it came out in 1971. It is often featured between segments on National Public Radio.

However the 2nd RKCQ album "Come To The Meadow" (1974) is even better. Why hasn't THAT one been reissued on CD???

I guess I agree with like EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD. that "Come to the Meadow" is the reason this album even exists. Please re-release it soon! It's clear there are plenty of customers out there waiting for it. I've been looking since my cassette tape died years ago. Don't get me wrong, this album in fine, it just hasn't got what the original had, and that's what we want.

This is the first Kellaway Cello Quartet I heard,about 30 years ago. Still holds up fine,and,yes,Come To The Meadow would have been nice on disc as well. In these days of diminished catalog reissues,that probably ain't gonna happen. Of note to fans of the Kellaway Cello Quartet is a 1978 recording,Nostalgia Suite, originally issued on Discwasher Records and reissued in 1988 by Voss Records,distributed by Allegiance Records. Since the reissue came about during the CD era it is possible this was available on CD. Another fine RKCQ recording. BTW,fans of Come to the Meadow may find the public radio connection that the title track has been used for years for PRI's Selected Shorts readings of short stories.