Customer Reviews

A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing

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

 

 

Though largely ignored by critics, Vince Guaraldi developed one of the most distinctive, original, and joyous sounds in jazz piano. (Perhaps only Thelonious Monk is as instantly recognizable.)

However, Guaraldi did not really find his "voice" on the instrument until 1962's "Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus." His prior recordings, "Vince Guaraldi Trio," "Flower Is a Lovesome Thing," and "Jazz Impressions" (which is really just a sampler of the two former works) are simply unexceptional West Coast jazz. The lightness of mood on these three early albums is further accentuated by the absence of a drummer.

Vince Guaraldi has often been labelled "easy listening." For the most part, that characterization is unfair, and reflects the accessibility of his work rather than its artistic merit. On these first three albums, however, the characterization is very apt.

This collection of music is quiet but addictive. Though not as upbeat and toe-tapping as many of his CD's, it may be one of the best. The tunes are so clever and well thought out that they take you by surprize. It's full of subtle turns and lyrical lines. Vince Guaraldi's sense of melody and timing is delicious, his phrasing never gets old, and he never loses you. I thought about purchasing his greatest hits CD until I realized that every Guaraldi CD plays like a greatest hits collection, so I bought them all! This one, in particular, is for rainy days and late-night pondering, or reminiscing while drinking the good stuff.

After purchasing the Vince Guaraldi Trio's self titled album, which is a marvelous work, I was braced to be disappointed. Wrong. "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing" shows a riskier, more experimental side of the Trio and the results are entrancing. My only critique of the album is that Vince takes center stage and the rest of the Trio is purely background, but hey, it is the "Vince Guaraldi Trio" after all.

A charming, wonderful album...go beyond Charlie Brown, (which is terrific!) and discover Guaraldi in his early days. A wonderful, beautiful, relaxing album. His "Like a Mighty Rose" is one of the most beautiful songs you will ever hear. The other songs are captivating as well, proving Guaraldi can choose and interpret other's songs as well as he can create his own. A must have!

This is a very mature album from the man who is most famous from his lively, melodic interpretations of songs. On a flower is a lovesome thing the Guraldi trio shows a softer more traditional jazz side than on some of their more popular efforts. It seems as though this album was made slmost to prove the point that the Vince Guraldi trio could play standard jazz as well as other forms of music. The album strats off with the title track a flower is a ... which quietly sets the tone for this album. It like a rose delicate. Other standout cuts are the absolutely beautiful like a mighty rose,Autumn leaves and weepa willow for me. Overall this is a lovely, mature album from the trio. I thourougly enjoy it. It still get occasional play from me, whenever i want to relax. It doesn't grab you at first listen like some of the groups others but it holds your interest a lot longer

this album does not have the bounce that the first trio album did, but it shows another side to the musician most assoicated with peanuts music and cast your fate to the wind. eddie duran shines again, but much more as a sideman than on the first album. this is a great album for a quiet evening or some time when you just want to kick back. two great moments are "softly as in a morning sunrise" and "willow weep for me." a solid effort.

"A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" is a beautiful album of tasteful creative jazz along the lines you would expect from the music genius behind Charlie Brown and Peanuts

This CD is OK. While I don't think it's as good as CAST YOUR FATE TO THE WIND or the CHARLIE BROWN CDs, it's pleasant, soft, piano, jazz.