Customer Reviews

To Fred Astaire With Love

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This CD consists of two complete LPs by the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet. The LPs were the first they recorded, "The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet" (July 1973); and the last "To Fred Astaire With Love" (February 1975). Both were originally released on Chiaroscuro Records. To my knowledge, these albums have never been available on CD, and it's about time! This is stunningly well-executed small group jazz. Supposedly, Braff and Barnes loathed each other, but you would never know it from the music. It is just about as good as it gets...swinging, lyrical and sophisticated, with songs from composers as diverse as the Gershwins and Lennon/McCartney. The sound is excellent. All 20 tracks are nothing short of superb. I give this CD the strongest possible rating.

During their championship years, the Oakland A's were the best in baseball despite the team members heartily disliking each other. You just couldn't tell from the results. Legend has it that Braff and Barnes got along equally as well.

These guys were true pros and their music belies any supposed antipathy. It's a joy to hear one start a phrase and the other seamlessly finish it. This is really good, small group, late swing performed by two masters and their accompaniment. They didn't stretch the envelope, they "just" played really good, comfortable jazz.

Thanks Jazz Lips for putting it back in circulation.