Customer Reviews

Dancing Day

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Bill Carter is simply the leading guru for today's surge of interest in jazz and church music. A Presbyterian minister, Carter takes favorite hymns--"Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace"--and proves there is an alternative between traditional and contemporary. I call it "complementary" music--which is both contemplative and contemporary. You get a stately beginning, then a fast, jazz beat with improv, coupled with slow times for reflection and integration. Then there are the utterly new creations like "Dancing Day," the album's title, inspired by his then preschool daughter's movements while standing in the kitchen. Bill Carter, who in the fall of 2000 presented a musical lecture with an award to Dave Brubeck in person, is deeply influenced by the best of jazz artists while weaving a tapestry of faith that leaves you experiencing a present mystery. Take care, though! Bill Carter can inspire secular lovers of jazz into believing or believing again, and ordinary believers into loving jazz for the first time.

This is the best album published to date by the PresbyBop Quartet. My personal favorite is Cohasset Point, especially the piano introduction. If you're looking for Christian theology and jazz combined in any easy listening format then this CD is for you.

I'm not much of a jazz fan, but I continue to listen to this CD again and again. What Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet have done with some classically religious pieces is just wonderful. It opens new ways of hearing old--and favorite--and powerful pieces. And adds some new things, too! For me, its continually mind and soul expanding.

I am really impressed with this CD. Each piece offers a different angle on the theme, highlights the best in the musicians and contributes to the movement of the whole. It wakes up the dance in me. I'll be planning some more orders soon, I'm sure. It will make a great gift.

RE: CD Dancing Day

Do like this composer-arranger's style. It causes my mind and body to dance. The "Presbyboppers" fine musicianship enhances each piece - even with no keys (Lost Keys in Kennedy) The vocal instrument doesn't match the brightness and freedom of expression of the other instruments. Jesu Joy, Latino? Why not! Did notice the Beethoven within Stays Straight. Each time I listen to this disc I have a different favorite. Connie Page