Customer Reviews

Concierto

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came to jazz in the mid-eighties, and Concierto was my introduction to the jazz guitar of Jim Hall. I didn't stop there--I own everything that is in print that Jim Hall played on--but I keep returning to this masterpiece.

This is a recording of jazz voices. Who needs out-and-out lyrics, when you have the magnificent, battle-weary, eloquent instrumental voices of Paul Desmond, Chet Baker and Jim Hall to talk to you?

"Concierto de Aranjuez" is the arena for these jazz voices to tell their stories, and what can we do but listen, over and over? I'm not slighting the rest of this CD; the difference between the carefully-structured, slow, intense "Concierto de Aranjuez" and the more-mainstream jazz cuts is part of what makes this all work so well. An essential jazz CD.

How did I miss this one? I was really into jazz albums issued on the CTI label back in the 1970s, but I was completely unaware of this until I heard it on vinyl recently at a friend's house. Naturally, I had to have my own copy, so I ordered it on CD as soon as I returned home.
I like the whole CD, but the core of this is the magnificent interpretation of Concierto de Aranjuez which in my opinion makes Miles Davis' critically acclaimed Sketches of Spain pale by comparison.
On Concierto, Hall is accompanied by jazz legends Paul Desmond, Ron Carter and Chet Baker as well as accomplished session men Steve Gadd and Roland Hanna. This sextet blends so smoothly, you might think these guys had been together for years. That can be partially credited of course to the production of Creed Taylor and the arrangements of the label's arranger Don Sebesky, but also to Taylor's instinctive ability to gather musicians who meshed with one another for whatever project was at hand.
This jazz masterpiece is one that belongs in every audiophile's collection. Order it today!

Much of what I would have said is contained in prior reviews, however, I would add that I, too, own virtually all other efforts by the incomparable Mr. Hall and consider the Concierto de Aranjuez to be his finest moment. His work with Ron Carter, Paul Desmond and Bill Evans ranks nearly as high, but this is the best IMHO.

This album is the only place I know of where Hall and Desmond came together with Chet Baker. Jim Hall's guitar chops are awesome even when he is NOT in the forefront. Listen to the way he flatters other soloists, especially encouraging and supporting Baker on "Two's Blues". His sense of time and rhythm, his sense of how much he can come into another's space, his ear for what the others are doing is exquisite.

As an amateur guitarist, I have always wanted to sound like JH on this album. I tried backstage one day to get Mr. Hall to talk about it, to tell me how. He smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. "Just keep listening," he said. Jim, that's what I'm doing.

As the other reviewers have said, it's the title piece that makes this disc not only worth having, but absolutely essential. To be honest, although Jim Hall is a technically great guitarist, I find most of his work unexciting in comparison to Wes Montgomery or even the early George Benson and Grant Green. But Concierto is his finest hour. If he never played another note, his place in the Jazz Hall of Fame (if there is such a thing) is assured.

Paul Desmond and Chet Baker are a match made in heaven, though I can't imagine two more different personalities collaborating on a musical project. Sir Roland Hanna's piano solo is exquisite, and Ron Carter's bass complements the piece perfectly.

Unlike one reviewer here, I find the sound quality quite good for something recorded in 1975. I would love to hear an audio DVD of this, but I guess that's too much to hope for.

"Concierto" was recorded April 16th and 23rd at Van Gelder Studios, 1975. It is perhaps the most beautiful and lyrical jazz guitar album of all time. There's something about this album that just makes everything else seem secondary. That's an extreme statement for an extreme album.

Joining Jim Hall on this session are some really fantastic players. All these players are capable of impeccable lyricism and creative improvisation. Chet Baker on trumpet is a good choice. He always manages to find his voice on a record and does a fine job at providing that voice. Paul Desmond is on alto saxophone and is by far, in my opinion, one of the greatest alto players of his generation. He was so smooth and his technique was unmatched. What a wonderful player he was! Desmond had also been playing with Hall alot in those days. I would also suggest as a companion album to pick up "First Place Again," "Blue," or "Take Ten." All are fine albums by Desmond and also feature Jim Hall on guitar. On piano is Roland Hanna, whose name I was very unfamiliar with up until recently when I bought some Emily Remler albums. He's one of the greats and it's a shame I'm not more familiar with his work. On drums is Steve Gadd who is probably one of the finest drummers of our time. He's done alot of jazz fusion work too most notably with Al Di Meola and Jeff Beck. He surprisingly fits well into this group. He kind of lays back and goes with the flow instead of trying to outplay everyone. Finally we have Jim Hall whose one of the great jazz guitarists of our time. He's so lyrical with his playing and understated. He blends so well with other players. Never crowds them or tries to outplay them. Hall doesn't or never has had an ego. I can tell when somebody has an ego. In fact, most listeners of jazz music can tell when a musician has an ego they try to hog all the space and don't leave any room for the other players. Hall was never like that. He's also not about chops, although the man has plenty, he's not a flashy jazz player. He doesn't resort to licks. Every note the man plays is carefully constructed. A very subtle, melodic, and textural guitar player and an absolute master of harmony.

If you're a fan of jazz guitar, then you owe to yourself to acquire this fine release.

This is simply a wonderful jazz recording. I bought the LP when it was first issued many years ago and it is one of my treasures. Really, the artists on "Concierto" make up what I consider to be a jazz supergroup. Just imagine if you could see these guys in concert, today...Jim Hall, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, Roland Hanna and Ron Carter! The mind boggles.

I have to rate "Concierto" five star because of the wonderful music. The sound is good but, IMHO, it could be better (the vinyl is). I hope someone will reissue the CD using the latest remastering technology.

Bottom line...if you like any one of these great jazz virtuosos, you need this CD.

The vinyl version of Jim Hall's "Concierto" was the first acoustic jazz album I ever purchased, back in 1975. What a way to start! After a year of listening to "cross-over" fusion, this album is definitely what pulled me across!!I was fortunate enough to see Paul Desmond perform with Dave Brubeck just a few years later on their 25th Anniversary Tour, and I still consider this album's performance to be his finest epitath. Sir Roland Hanna is amazing, as is the young Steve Gadd. Several well-conceived solos by Chet Baker helped fuel his mid-'70's comeback. Ron Carter was simply born to play with Jim Hall. If you don't own this CD yet, you are in for a long overdue treat. Enjoy!!

To my astonishment, the centerpiece of this disk, Concierto de Aranjuez, stands up to the legendary Miles Davis recording. I love this long cut so much that if there is any noise, like a leaf blower or a helicopter, I have to turn it off.
The rest of the disk is good too, but this cut finds the dark places in my heart.

I owned the LP of this and now own the CD. This group of all-stars led by Jim Hall with arrangements by Don Sebesky play so beautiful and moving that it is hard to imagine being without this recording. The centerpiece is of course "Concierto." It is impossible to fully describe the inter-play and virtuosity displayed on this piece. One of the most thrilling moments in music for me is Paul Desmond's entrance into this piece. If you can't hear that moment without feeling so totally happy that you are alive and able to enjoy such sublime sounds, then check your pulse because you are probably not among the living anymore.

Concierto de Aranjuez is the musical definition of beautiful. Paul Desmond, Chet Baker, and Roland Hanna beautify the relationship between our ears and our heart.