Fictionary [Original recording remastered, Import]

Mays/Johnson/De Johnette, Lyle Mays | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 14, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B0000508WL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transcendental Musicianship, June 27, 2000

By 

S. L. Slepian (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fictionary (Audio CD)

As an amateur pianist of 30+ years I am attracted to good keyboard music of all varieties and owe many thanks to a host of "ivory heroes". In my opinion Lyle Mays ranks among the top tier and I am continually surprised that my view is not widely held. In the trio setting of Fictionary he is able to show off his many artistic talents to perfection. The pieces showcased on this CD are technically challenging, full of intelligence and broad in concept. Some are deceptively simple in their lyricism and subtlety, others full of jagged dissonance and charged with energy. Throughout, the tonal pallette and keyboard approach are uniquely Maysian. In this very full CD there are very, very few wasted notes. Lyle's music-mates are absolutely top rank and play as if they have made music together for years. This CD reveals itself the more you play it and my fervent wish is that Mr. Mays applies himself to recording more acoustic trio CD's. This one is a gem.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious!, December 25, 2002

By 

S. Flanigan (Belfast, NI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fictionary (Audio CD)

Surely one of the most talented pianists and improvisers around. Lyle's beautiful touch is clearly evident on "Bill Evans", with the piano sounding exactly the way Evans himself would have played the composition, but yet with the overtones of Mays' distinctive unscalic, melodic ideas. From the completely improvised trios to the funky "Hard Eights", this album oozes funky chords, beautiful melodies, thoughtful improvisations, and virtuosity by the bucketload. One of my favourite jazz trio albums!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Partly great.......partly not so great., April 7, 2005

By 

Robert J. Ament "papacoolbreeze" (Ballwin, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fictionary (Audio CD)

This cd is considered to be one of Lyle Mays' best two efforts, the other being the maiden release under his own name in 1985.I have none of his renowned electric collaborations with Pat Matheny although I'm sure I have him in recordings with other groups within my collection.

The talent of Lyle Mays and the other trio members is well known through many recordings. Lyle Mays, besides being exceptional on the acoustic piano, is equally gifted with compositional skills. The tribute to Bill Evans, my favorite cut, captures all of the style and feeling associated with his (Evans) playing. "Fictionary", "Sienna", "Hard Eights","Something Left Unsaid", and "Where Are You From Today" are excellent compositions and display not only Lyle's artistry at the piano but the fine bass work of Marc Johnson and the exceptional light touches on the drums by Jack DeJohnette as well.

That said, free style or avant garde has never been appreciated by me, probably indicating my lack of musical education or even a sophistication of taste. I feel that music is an emotional appeal to the individual and some of the tracks fail to make it for me. "Trio #2" is a good example of what appears to me as one big intro that goes nowhere! ("what are we going to play, guys?.....gee, I dunno....let's just play around.....maybe something will fall out!). "On the Other Hand" has some beautiful piano runs and fills but not much else.

This cd will probably appeal mostly to those fans who follow the musicians on this cd, those who appreciate some of the truly good compositions contained on this cd, and neglecting all else, excellent musicianship.