Customer Reviews

Elixir (Ocrd)

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

 

 

Clearly, some "reviewers" would do better if they did not write at all...

This is an _European_ jazz which doesn't have much in common with an American jazz. So advising to go and listen instead to Monk, Davis or Evans doesn't make any sense (all three are some of the greatest jazz musicians, but of a completely different sub-genre).

Now, not only European jazz has its base in quite different sensibilities, but this is a special kind of European jazz. First of all, this record is most and foremost about subtleties and minimalism of the sound of percussion. Second of all, the percussionist is a woman - that fact influences music on this album even farther. Silence can be as much a part of any kind of music as a full-blown sound of a trumpet or electric guitar can be, Mr. Rich... If you listen to Stanko or Davis and pay attention, you should know that.

And saying that Garbarek should go ahead and retire, or, that the ECM and Manfred Eicher are a lost cause - that just shows complete ignorance and lack of taste (musical and/or otherwise).

I give this record solid three stars. On some days, I would be willing to give it even four stars.

I almost gave this CD 5 stars. There is some very very nice stuff here. "Winter Wish" is a fantastic piece. "Orientales" is very very nice. These are great compositions and there are many more.

The overall mood on this CD is laid back and slightly surreal. The Jan Gabarek peices are worth the price of this CD alone.

Marilyn Mazur is quite an accomplished percussionist. Some of her solo tracks are a fascinating listen. There are couple of tracks where the purpose may have been to show off Marilyn's skill as a musician. That is the only area where I think this CD lags a little bit.

However I still highly recommend "Elixir". This genre of easy European jazz is very hard to find these days, especially new and original compositions. Buy this CD now before it (sadly) goes out of print.

Marilyn Mazur presents solo and duo performances on this release. Some of which are more interesting than others to be sure. To say this is not music is simply ignorant. I would hate to hear what the previous reviewer would write about a work by J. Cage or M. Feldman.

Onto the music itself which is of course produced in superb ECM fashion. Elixir offers statements that are fairly short ( mostly between 2 - 3 minutes ) and if there is any fault with the performances, this in my opinion is it. One is reminded of some of the more open ended work that Keith Jarrett produced ( an obvious is Spirits ) with both the European Quartet ( of which Jan Garbarek was part ) and the American Quartet.

As far as the comment that Jan Garberek should retire....and that his contributions here are "downright pathetic and juvenile" Well perhaps this is not Garbareks definitive statement, but it certainly merits no comment such as that. Anyone familiar with Garberek will be reminded of the Madar or Eventyr albums.

A nice effort in all.

Music is a sacred science art and expressionf of humans, Leave your expectations at the door and enter as a child. Experience for your Self. This Cd was done with care and intention to Sound. Listen and Enjoy!!! Thank You!

I don't really "get" this album. Mazur is a capable and competent percussionist but she's no, say, David Yoken or Manu Katche. I don't understand what the big whoop about two musicians getting together to improvise in a studio in Copenhagen is all about. I don't recommend this cd, especially because there is no truly compelling vision to it.

ECM has done it this time. Marilyn Mazur (Jan Garbarek's usual choice for percussionist) puts out an album full of hot air. I mean what is this supposed to be? It's not music I will tell you that.

What we have here is a bunch of empty space. I can see Mazur, who's a great percussionist when playing with Garbarek, making an album like this, but what I don't understand is why Manfred Eicher (ECM founder and producer) keeps letting things like this get released. One minute he'll put a great record like Tomasz Stanko's "Suspended Night," then the next he'll put this one out. I just don't get it. How could anyone actually enjoy this?

As for Jan Garbarek, he needs to go ahead and retire. I mean does Garbarek think he'll make another album as great as "Twelve Moons" or "Rites"? His contribution here is downright pathetic and juvenile. Why would anyone think a duo album will make a good recording? It might be fun to play this kind of nonsense in your free time, but how about releasing something with music on it?

Manfred Eicher has really done it this time. ECM Records, a label I once considered great, has officially turned into a lost cause.

My advice to anyone considering buying this is to stay away and save your money for some newer upcoming jazz releases or consider getting into some of the classics. It's hard to beat Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans.