Elton Exposed: Revealing Jazz Soul of Elton John

Ted Howe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Summit(Classical)
• ASIN: B000AOENFE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,103 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Jazz master, pianist and arranger Ted Howe rocks on his second release on Summit, swingin’ the music of pop/rock icon Elton John with full aplomb into the jazz scene! Joined by jazz superstars Joe LaBarbera and John Patitucci, this disc delivers what Howe fans have learned to expect – the unexpected and the extraordinary. Ted Howe invents and uncovers Elton’s jazz roots, from vintage favorites to obscure gems and contemporary classics. Originally hailing from Boston as a student of famed Berklee teacher Harry Smith, Howe eventually joined the Berklee faculty himself. He then went on to tour, conduct, arrange and play with some of the most famous names in show business, including Mel Torme, Bud Shank, Zoot Sims, Buddy DeFranco and Joe Williams, to name a few. Striding in as Fats Waller, then swinging with Nat King Cole-style block chords, Howe’s "Bennie and the Jets" blasts from the past to any generation. As a cha-cha, you’ll love "All the Girls Love Alice" too much to sit down, as subtle harmonic sophistication reinvents the story of "Alice". Elton’s eloquent instrumental "Carla Etude" inspired Howe’s jazz waltz treatment à la Bill Evans. Sink into John Patitucci’s haunting arco bass and Joe LaBarbera’s brushes and spice. Greasin’ in from big band to blues, "Philadelphia Freedom" takes on a new identity. But, believe it, Elton devotees can still sing along! On "Border Patrol," Patitucci’s exquisite upper register floats in a contemporary melodic presence...but gospel soon takes hold as this trio com-mu-ni-cates! Howe’s translation of "Circle of Life": mambo! Vibrant, fast-moving and fiery, this is an exciting, virtuostic display of Latin percussion, expanding the "Circle" beyond the jungle. Sinatra missed "Blues Eyes"...but you won’t, as Howe strides in again for a time travel back to the days of classic dark lounges for this romantic gem.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice take on some newer pop tunes, February 21, 2006

By 

Larry Lankston (Scranton, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Elton Exposed: Revealing Jazz Soul of Elton John (Audio CD)

Some tasty playing here. It's always interesting to hear a jazz performer work over some pop tunes. Howe does a good job here.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ted Howe Shines, October 25, 2005

By 

James Harrell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elton Exposed: Revealing Jazz Soul of Elton John (Audio CD)

Soulful, rhythmic, tight, familiar but unique. Ted shows that he has paid his dues and then some as a player, teacher, innovator, and arranger. While every song is ultimately engaging, Border Song shines with a pulsing driving force that wraps you up and carries you along. Cirlce of life suprises with its ablility to transform a powerful orchestration to a jazz trio and still have the same exhilarating affect. For those of you that don't know Ted or his music, this is a wonderful introduction. Highly recommended!

2.0 out of 5 stars Can't Bring Myself To Buy It., January 2, 2012

By 

AlphaKid42 "alphakid42" (Alameda, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elton Exposed: Revealing Jazz Soul of Elton John (Audio CD)

I really wanted a jazz version of some EJ hits, but sorry, that seems to be the hardest word, since I cannot bring myself to buy it after hearing the sample of "All The Young Girls Love Alice."

The version on this CD is brutally painful to my ears. C'mon, it's a song about wives using a young girl to perform sex acts, and here it is turned into elevator music. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!