Customer Reviews

Dinner Music

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

 

 

Sometimes it's embarrassing to be an American. The appallingly ignorant comments found on Amazon only contribute to this feeling. Carla Bley is one of our truly great composers and arrangers and to equate her work with Muzak is really stupid. It's no wonder she spends most of her time in Europe. This album features some modern jazz standards all composed by Ms. Bley. They include Sing Me Softly Of The Blues, Dreams So Real, and Ad Infinitum. Sing Me Softly... is right up there with Round Midnight, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, or any other great modern jazz ballad. Great artists from John Mclaughlin to Art Farmer have recorded this tune. This may not be the definitive version because with the exception of Carla's piano intro, the band plays uptempo. The great vibraphonist Gary Burton recorded Dreams So Real, and many other Carla Bley compositions. The mood of this record is laid back hence the album title. It's also meant to be listened to. With wonderful players like Roswell Rudd,Carlos Ward, Eric Gale, and Steve Gadd, it would be a shame if you didn't.

This is a selection of original compositions by the very original Carla Bley, played by a small group of Jazz musicians who represent both traditional, R&B and avant garde influences - another way of saying they're gifted and versatile. They're playing sophisticated compositions with that sense of verve, ease and informality that brings an element of joy to great Jazz. I was tempted to take off one star for the piece on which Bley sings because it seems self-indulgent and a bit silly compared to the rest, but good humor prevails throughout, and, let's face it, she's entitled. The rest of the pieces are so good that one less than stellar track shouldn't bring the rating down. It's worth noting that three of these compostions had previously been recorded by Art Farmer and Gary Burton, but Bley gives them adventurously different treatments here. Above all there's the magnificent "A New Hymn" at the end, which builds and builds into a memorable Jazz anthem.

All this recording requires from listeners is open ears and open minds. Highly recommended.

Personnel: Carla Bley (vocals, tenor saxophone, piano, organ); Carlos Ward (alto & tenor saxophones, flute); Michael Mantler (trumpet); Roswell Rudd (trombone); Bob Stewart (tuba); Richard Tee (acoustic & electric pianos); Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree (guitar); Gordon Edwards (bass); Steve Gadd (drums).

After the enormous and layered ESCALATOR OVER THE HILL and a further collaboration with lyricist Paul Haines, Carla Bley simplified things on the glorious DINNER MUSIC. Her studio players--Richard Tee, Eric Gale, Gordon Edwards, and Steve Gadd--recorded under the name of Stuff. Bley amended the ensemble with four of her regular horn players, who appear in gorgeous configurations underscoring the humor ("Funnybird Song") and beauty ("A New Hymn") of her compositions.

They also revisit "Ida Lupino," first recorded by Bley's then-husband, Paul Bley, in the early '60s. The song was later given lyrics and recorded by NRBQ on their late '60s debut. Bley is that rare composer whose writing is genuinely good humored music referencing anything outside the scope of music. Since humor is a key in getting to know anyone, all that wish to become acquainted with Bley's music are advised to begin with this album.

All Music Guide.

This is elevator music, however the trumpet actually plays some decent riffs(whoever it is would be better off in a legit jazz combo). Otherwise this is classy as heck elevator music. If you like Gary Clark's formless melodic piano playing you will love the piano on thsi cd. You can feel like you are at the supermarket and not even have to leave your living room.