Customer Reviews

Flights of Fancy

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

 

 

Joe Lovano doesnt put out any junk. This is a straight ahead jazz CD with good contributions from the collaborating musicians. I dont, like the reviewer below, find any of the tracks to be weak. It is for people who dont like commercial sounding jazz. If you like Kenny G stay away. If you like music that carries on the expressive traditions of Miles and Trane this may be your cup of tea.

Diversifying things by employing three distinct units, Lovano's second trio treatment can be a little more interestingly vibrant this time around, but with too much downtime focused on pretentious duetting, evens out again to only a fairly good release.

No question that Lovano is a major contemporary figure, he's earned that through a series of marvelous records. This is a major disappointment though, nothing at all like the superb Trio Fascination Vol. 1. The problem lies in the conception - the various ensembles deny the CD any focus whatsoever, the number of tracks with each group means that there is no room [time] for a good exploration of the best parts, and the personnel choices are not ideal. One would expect Lovano and Dave Douglas to combust, but they play past each other, Billy Drewes is as thin-sounding and meaningless as usual, and Joe himself plays drums on several tracks, in order to provide the proper instrumentation within the guidelines of a trio, and Joe is simply not good at it. Skip it, especially if you're a fan.

Nearly everything that Joe Lovano is involved in is amazing, creative, and always manifests an integrity that stays with the listener for a long time. Most of the tracks on this album follow this same wonderful pattern.

I am not an authority on the technical aspects nor the history of the harmonica, but Toots, while obviously a great musician, was quite frankly miscast on this album. The tracks with Toots could be better heard as duo fascinations.

A Lovano/Douglas collaboration has been much anticipated and does not fail to deliver. Judging by the uncertainty heard on the melodies, it seems that this was one of the first and perhaps only times they had played together.

Of particular delight was the astounding improvement in Lovano's alto tone. The whine in the upper register has been replaced by warmth and roundness of sound.

I recommend this album with reservation, it's like buying half of a great album.