Customer Reviews

Cookin With the Mighty Burner

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I was informed this morning of Charles Earlands passing. Charles passed in his sleep after a gig in KC. Charles Earland was a one of a kind performer who put a lot of grease and energy into his playing. He brought whatever song he did to live, and gave it a driving groove. He played with such energy that no matter where he was - - be it the studio or live, you couldnt help but get into it. Charles put the word DANCE into drive and he burned. He created his own style, and delivered it without compromise... This album is testimony that he remained Mighty to the end. - - If you enjoy this album, I really suggest checking out his others as well. Though Charles for sure had his bag, and may have relied on the same riffs and licks and tricks from album to album, he had his own thing going and applied his trademark ability to burn up the dance floor via Jazz transmitors and juke boxes from coast to coast... he left the planet having forever made a mark on the soul of Jazz and the Jazz of Soul... After you order this album, you might want to go back in time and listen to LIVING BLACK or BLACK TALK as well as some of his early work with LOU DONALDSON (Hot Dog etc.) - - If you were not lucky enough to catch him alive, I can assure you that he burnt and sweat quite hard in the studio as well. Charles last albums were as good as his first (how many artists can say that) - - Like the title of an earlier album, he has left the planet.. but for sure hes done so in style and hopefully will inspire generations to come. From Milestones to Sister Sadie, you WILL enjoy this selection.

Just what the title states if you like the Hammond B-3 then this is the title for you listen to the cover of Miles Davis Milestones and Seven Steps his own stuff is good too check out Seven Of Nine I could go on and on I also would recommend his last release "Blowin'The Blues Away"

At the helm of the Hammond B3, the late Mr. Earland cooked up what simply has to be some of the most soulful jazz grooves of our time. You will NOT be able to keep still through a single cut on this CD. It's that good.

...For what it's worth, nearly every other Earland album offers similarly stellar vibes. It's the most listenable type of jazz.

This album has the ability to take you "there". The best of his late period albums. All the players individually on fire (best I've heard Jim Rotondi) and yet in service to the music. Have a look at the back cover photo of the musicians. What a beautiful picture. Captures perfectly the spirit in the grooves. You know what puzzles me? I never hear about how the Mighty Burner had his own "sound" or "tone" on the B-3 (captured excellently on this recording). Even when he takes a crack at the Jimmy McGriff sound on this disc, which is a kick. Back in the mid-ninties, I had a choice to make. Good ol' Pete Fallico was presenting Charles Earland in one of his B-3 Blowouts as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. It was on a weeknight and I had to be to work at a warehouse in the East Bay at 7:30 the next morning. I had never seen the Mighty Burner before. I made the wrong decision. Then he was gone. One of my big regrets. Rest in peace, Brother Earland.