Customer Reviews

Fire at Keaton's Bar & Grill (Jewel CD Case)

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

 

 

A quietly adventurous and unusual record from Roy Nathanson, and a pretty good one at that. This CD has more in common with the smaller Kurt Weill pieces like "The Seven Deadly Sins" than anything else, in both form and style.

Musically, what that means is that everything flows together, and it has to to make the narrative and scene painting work, and that though they may be a pleasing individual song, listening to it out of context doesn't make much sense and weakens the song itself. Taken as a whole, though, the songs support the story and themselves, and make sense. The writing is good, and Elvis Costello especially shines, sounding in great voice.

Where it falls slightly short is in terms of style. Not all the performers convey the material as well as others [see Richard Butler], and the rhythm section can be a bit stiff, although that may be the point, conveying a slightly less than professional house band. But a charming and unique recording that sounds great and is satisfying to listen to as a whole.

This album - a showcase for the composing and arranging skills of Roy Nathanson - features a variety of artists and a variety of styles. Over the course of the album, the songs tell the story of the fire at Keaton's Bar & Grill. Elvis Costello's vocal on the opening track sets the mood perfectly for this unusual and intriguing set. Well worth a listen.

I love the variety of styles, superb recording quality, excellent performances, and the overall mood of this CD. While not every piece is masterful, the majority are, and the opportunity to hear this recording should not be missed. The ambience of Keaton's Bar and Grill and the subsequent sadness and loss from the tragic fire are stunningly conveyed. The sounds range from soulful, to jazzy, to avant-garde...and, yes, Elvis Costello shines. This record has some mellow tunes, but is laced with some challenging tunes, too. If brash horn playing is not your thing, you might be disappointed in some of this recording. But still, the rest of the recording makes the more challenging stuff completely worth the purchase price. Don't miss out. Buy it!