Europa

John Tennyson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00004SQWP
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,919 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Preludio

2. Città Vecchia

3. Fortunato

4. Milonga Sinistra

5. Europa

6. Vesna E Forica

7. La Mer a Monaco

8. La Principessa

9. Preghiera Di Vita E Della Morte

10. Vesna E Forica

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

While the improvisational nature of jazz and the tidy perfection of classical music aren't always terribly compatible, Tennyson - a pianist with a severe case of wanderlust - makes them at ease with one another. Created almost spontaneously when Tennyson visited a friend in Monte Carlo and decided to do some practicing on his piano, Europa plays like a lush, foreign-film score. It boasts sweeping romantic scenes, elegant, reflective solo-piano moments, and a few rhythmic surprises along the way. The elegant and seductive 'Preludio' and 'Citta Vecchia' (which blend together) set the generally wistful tone for the whole set, evoking images of a Parisian restaurant, as Raul Jaurena's waltzing bandoneón sweeps over Tennyson's graceful high tones. A string quartet chimes in with a dramatic exclamation point or two toward the song's end. The nearly eight-minute 'Fortunato' opens as an intimate meditation before Tennyson gets busy experimenting with brisker tempos and improvisations that lope along joyously. Tennyson's also prone, as on 'Milonga Sinistra,' to noodle a bit on the high register, as if searching for the right melody to sweep us into. This is quite a beautiful recording but could benefit from more moments like the title track, which begins with Tennyson showing off his incredible classical chops before jumping head first into a playful Latin-jazz romp, complete with glissandos and rolling bass lines by Jeffrey Carney. That tune captures Tennyson's complete European journey in a matter of minutes.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars soundrack of passion, April 26, 2000

By 

jo mascali (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Europa (Audio CD)

listening to this CD, I am transported from my living room or car, to some small town in Sicily, walking down cobblestone streets. It evokes emotions from all extremes and takes you on a different journey from one track to the next. Where did this artist come from. He is amazing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ecclectic and Serene, September 16, 2002

By 

Evan W. Russell "Wadester" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Europa (Audio CD)

John Gentry Tennyson is my half-brother, and just the most talented jazz pianist to hit the US in a decade. He takes his music directly to heart, and expresses his feelings and emotions thru every note. Sometimes I feel and think he is too serious, but his complexity and depth to his music gives credence to his love for his music.
I wish him well, love him very much as my brother, and hope everyone will look forward to an upcoming 3rd CD from him soon.
Since he travels all over the US and Europe, it's very rare that we get to meet up in the same city, but he will always be my little brother, and the sweetest guy in the World.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soothing, May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Europa (Audio CD)

An amazing CD with a melancholy flavor that soothes and calms any spirit