Customer Reviews

Fontessa

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Milt Jackson's ability on the vibraphone and the capabilities of the rest of the MJQ make this one of their finest albums. The music grabs the listener up, and takes them along. It is engaging, accessable, and pleasing to the unpracticed ear as well as the sophisticated one.

This is definitely one of the very finest of MJQ records. It is simply marvelous.
However, be careful with what CD version to buy! The record was recorded in stereo, but the usual edition is in mono (otherwise in good sound).
I, however, wanted the stereo version. I purchased a quite expensive... Japanese edition a couple of months ago at the Virgin records store on the Champs Elysées in Paris. It was as expected in stereo, but the sound is awful - on every track there is a constant strong murmuring background sound that makes listening almost pointless.
I have written and complained to the Atlantic company in New York.

I would truly find it odd to contemplate life without this recording. This is one of those utterly satisfying artistic productions that make one feel that it has been always "there", as part of nature, of creation, whether divinely ordained or not. To those who feel that "classical' music must be "classical" - untainted by jazz - or those who feel that jazz must NOT be "classical", i.e. be "pure" jazz, I would say: listen with an open mind, don't pigeonhole artistic creations, be receptive, and you will enjoy - again and again. The music is quiet, but intense, wonderfully melodious yet profound. As a coherent ensemble, this was one of the best groups ever. The suite "Fontessa" - the piece de resistance of this recording - was a great composition by a great jazz composer, and is beautifully coherent, pointed, subtle and rich. But so are the other tracks. Purchasing this for ongoing musical satisfaction would be one of the very best "investments" one could make. Unhesitatingly recommended - there is just no negative that comes to mind, only great respect and gratitude to the musicians for their warm, vital and inspiring, uplifting contribution. - Joost Daalder

The MJQ doesn't get any better than this. Call it jazz, classical, third stream. It doesn't matter. John Lewis is a master composer and pianist. The blend of the instruments achieves a high level musicality that's almost mystical. Fontessa is a highlight, and Woody'n You swings relentlessly.

There is no reason why this album by the Modern Jazz Quartet should not get five stars. This particular album swings a litte bit more agressively than some albums before it, but still has the lyrical/classical influences of their past albums. It starts off with the swingin Versailles than goes in to the slow rather boring Angel Eyes, than comes the masterpiece. A four movement composition, Fontessa. It's great. Other ground breaking songs like Bluesology, Jackson's more early popular blues piece, and Dizzy Gillespie's Woody n' You. Over all this album is bright, fresh, melodic, soul clensing, soothing, brialliant, beatiful, clean jazz records of MJQ history. And record history of all time.

what a great album, one of my favorites from way back...how stoked i am to have it on cd! best cut on the album: title tune "Fontessa".

wonderful to FINALLY find it in cd; the first MJQ i ever heard, in vinyl, which i still own. but who has the space.

This was one of my first purchases while in high school in 1956. It endures and is some of the best MJQ ever produced. I still have the original album in my LP collection. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

Hi I read your review about the poor Japanese stereo CD. I wish to buy this from you please. My email address is bas@mollenkramer.nl
Thanks for reading