Customer Reviews

Joe Cool's Blues

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have seen a number of negative reviews for this album and let me say first off that the originals were excellent songs to begin with . They were part of what made the orginal charlie brown movies so excellent. next let me say that anyone who does not see the sublime playing in this albulm is blind. I have seen reviews suggesting that that this albulm lacks key elements like "dynamic" and "swing", which is a blatent lie. Without overdoing any one effect wynton and ellis manage to capture very well the feel of swung jazz as well as what is often very subtly beautiful dynamic changes. Also I have seen people saying that it is lacking in creativity, that Ellis is simply ripping off past musicians, which is also a lie. certainly Jazz being an oral culture, imitation is an often and often vital element. without at leastsome imitation jazz would not be. It is true that stylistically often the solos in this albulm can be very similar to other works, but certainly no more so than many other jazz albulms which are not under fire for lacking creativity.

All in all this an interesting and skillful interpretation of excellent jazz standards.

I took this CD to my classroom, because I felt that the kids needed to hear other styles of music aside from rap and pop. The kids LOVED IT!! I had never seen kids react to music this way. They were tapping their feet, drumming on their desks and trying to hum along. This album became a regular request item. It's wonderful!!

This album is a joy. It is happy, upbeat and so enjoyable. It is a fantastic way to introduce youngsters to jazz, as the songs are catchy, and some may be identifiable to children who watch Charlie Brown and Snoopy on television. There isn't a child I know, that doesn't like this album, and for that matter too, any adult. Easily accessible to anyone, whether a jazz lover or not. You'll soon be tapping your toes along to such tunes as "Buggy Ride" and "The Wright Brothers Rag". The vocal song on here "Little Birdie" is a treat, and will soon have you singing along. Every one should have this album in their collection, it is a treasure.

I'm not sure why some people felt the need to trash this album, or Guaraldi at all. It's a given that Vince Guaraldi wasn't the most influential or groundbreaking jazz pianist of all time. Likely if not for the Charlie Brown association, or his premature death, he might not have been remembered at all, but give the guy a break! He wrote some sharp, sophisticated scores to some very poignant animated shows which have well outlived him.

Now, to expect Wynton Marsalis to break any new musical ground on this album is just silly. I've seen Marsalis speak over the years about jazz and he has a very narrow and conservative view of the art form. Dozens of innovative jazz composers and players have disparaged him for this. Doesn't matter. The guy has incredible trumpet technique, and his codified, 'museum' interpretation of jazz is actually PERFECT for this material. They play these tracks with the energy and joy that they deserve.

I suppose it's fair to expect some more modern, heady and expanded interpretations of these songs by someone like a George Russell or Ran Blake (which I don't believe exist yet) but to criticize this release, particularly anything Wynton for being too conservative is like criticizing Talbot's for not producing an edgier line of tops this fall. The Marsalis group is really in their element here: Paying the best possible tribute to these songs.

Note: There is an error on this CD. The track called 'Peppermint Patty' is mislabeled. It is actually "Christmas is Coming." The true version of Peppermint Patty can be found on "Good Grief," and "Lost Tracks."

If you have every other album of Peanuts music and you must have one more, get this. Otherwise skip it and spend your money on a Peanuts DVD. With Wynton and Ellis Marsalis both on the cover along with their names, I would have thought this was an album of them performing together. It's not. It's two separate bands. As the description now states it's eight songs by the Wynton Marsalis Septet, and four songs by the Ellis Marsalis Trio both put on one album. The only song they perform together on is 'Little Birdie', and on that one they mostly vamp in the background behind the vocal. I wish there was more Ellis Marsalis Trio included because, as a Piano-Bass-Drums trio they are more faithful to the Vince Guaraldi sound. At times Wynton Marsalis leading a Vince Guaraldi tune on trumpet is on the same level as Dolly Parton singing 'Stairway To Heaven'. Some people may like it, but others will be nauseated. To top it off they can't even get all of the song names right. There is a song called 'Peppermint Patty', but it's not on this album. What they play is 'Christmas Is Coming', NOT 'Peppermint Patty'. Overall the music is okay but there are better jazz albums, and there are better Charlie Brown/Peanuts albums. Get this if you need it to complete your collection, but only if you must.

"Joe Cool's Blues" was released in 1995 on Columbia Records and is the second album to feature Ellis Marsalis, the first being "Standard Time, Vol. 3: The Resolution Of Romance," which is an excellent recording, see my review.

The focus of this music is on Charlie Brown. I'm sure why he made this album, but I'm glad he did, because it has some excellent materal on it. My favorite being "Buggy Ride." Listen to Wynton's Dizzy Gillespie style mute solo, it's amazing in it's virtuosity. Marsalis is clearly one of the greatest trumpeters of his generation. Anyone who doubts that clearly has no understanding of the instrument.

This recording is divided up between Wynton's septet and Ellis' trio. The musicians include: Wessell Anderson (alto & soprano saxophones); Victor Gaines (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Wycliffe Gordon (trombone); Eric Reed (piano); Benjamin Wolfe (acoustic bass); Herlin Riley (drums), Ellis Marsalis (piano); Reginald Veal (bass); and Martin Butler (drums). All musicians are superb and provide excellent support.

I highly recommend this album if you like Vince Guaraldi or just good jazz.

This cd has allot great music from the Peanuts TV shows. Though it is not the original recordings by Vince Guaraldi, it is a classic. It's a classic because, from what I understand, Wynton Marsali, one of the greatest modern jazz musicians, actually did some of the music for the Charlie Brown TV shows after Guaraldi's death. **CD HIGHLIGHT** This Cd contains a recording of "Little Birdie" (featured in "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving") that is the only version available that is close to sounding like the original. A GREAT CD FOR ANY JAZZ LOVER OR PEANUTS FAN!

As a big fan of Wynton's, I have to say that I love this CD. It gives us all a chance to hear the entire Marsalis clan playing together, and they play with a huge, swinging, sound that has become synonymous with Wynton. They play the Guaraldi tunes alongside original ones, and it makes for an interesting experience.

This is great trumpet-showcasing jazz! I listen to this mainly while studying. A few of the songs I could take or leave, but most of the album I like. Some are very identifiable as Charlie Brown tunes, while a lot just sound like great cool jazz. Perhaps those who are more familiar with the comic and cartoon will recognize most or all, but I only knew "Linus and Lucy". To put my tastes in relation to other artists, I also like Miles Davis (mostly his cool jazz and slower pieces) and Sonny Rollins. I rated it 4 stars instead of 5 only because of the two or three that i don't really like, but it's still good stuff! Enjoy!

I don't even remember how or why I got this CD, but it has become a favorite. My wife and I choose it for long car trips... great "driving along" music. The Peanuts classics are redone with toe-tapping energy and flair, and the newly composed numbers make good additions to the older fare. Whether or not you're already a fan of either Marsalis, and whether or not you're a regular jazz listener, here's something that is just plain fun and a must-have for car trips!