Giants Of The Organ In Concert

Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Mcgriff And Richard Groove Holmes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: LRC Ltd.
• ASIN: B0002IQM66
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Giants Of The Organ In Concert by Jimmy McGriff & Groove Holmes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime mastery, August 21, 2005

By 

Andrew W "We are limited only by our imaginat... (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Giants Of The Organ In Concert (Audio CD)

This two artists were virtually unknown to me - this CD was bought whilst browsing for the Hammond master, Mr. Jimmy Smith. The photo and the date '1973' both intrigued me so I decided to give it a try (it was also VERY cheap - though that was atually a turn-off).
What I found when I stuck it in my CD player was one of those CDs you dream about stumbling upon. The sound is VERY well mixed (even more so for a cheap CD) the performances are warm and rich in tone and variety. The two artists synch seamlessly together, as do the 'backing musicians', all sharing the musical canvas and the limelight equally. There is no rivalry evident here, and when they do go head to head (on track 6, Talk to Me) the result is 'sublime mastery' - as someone else said - the stereo is mixed so that each organist has their own channel and when you listen to track 6 you can't help but smile at the playfullness and charm these two exude.

One thing I should mention is that if you have even the slightest interest in '70s music, funk, soul, or you just love music with a capital 'G' ~ g r o o v e. Then buy this. Ironically many 'Jazz' fans ~ especially the self-appointed 'elitists' will argue this shouldn't even be filed in the jazz section... who cares. Good music is good music and this is one of the best CDs I own (I own a fair few).

The only downside to this is that there isn't nearly enough of the audience in the mix - that is unless they were sleeping...

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great History Poor Sound Quality, September 11, 2005

By 

T. Dowdle (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Giants Of The Organ In Concert (Audio CD)

The material is superb, but the audio quality is muddy and scratchy--like an overplayed LP or a slightly off-frequency FM station. If you are looking for a historical record of superb music and inspired playing by legends of the organ, this is your CD.

If you are a critical listener concerned with the quality of the sound stage and the image of each instrument, this CD will sorely disappoint you.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIVE is BEST ! ! !, March 23, 2005

By 

Eddie Landsberg "My 10th year as a reviewer !... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Giants Of The Organ In Concert (Audio CD)

As the owner of a Jazz Organ club, and a performing organist this statement is probably a bit biased, but Jazz organ music is best when its heard live and uncut... Jazz organ summits have come and gone over the years between the greats, but what better pair than the bluesy almost Philadelphian Jersyites funky Groove Holmes and funky bluesmeister Jimmy McGriff? With split channels so you can hear who's playing what, this album includes a mix of the the groovy swinging bopped up 12 bar blues that you'd come to expect from any real Jazz organ group, to the wa wa embellished FUNK which a lot of the younger players are picking up on these days. Though the sound quality may not be overboard, and sometimes the organs soundlike they're going to explode from the heat, this is definitely a great listening experience... pure energy all the way... everyone is having fun and you feel like you're there... Easily recomended for the Jazz Organ Heads as well as organ loving funkateers ! ! !

If you dig this album, also check out Lonnie Smith's MOVE YOUR HAND and LIVE AT CLUB MOZAMBIQUE. (Sadly, my two favorite LIVE Jazz organ recordings are virtually impossible to find... WILD BILL DAVIS LIVE AT BIRDLAND and WILD BILL DAVIS LIVE AT COUNT BASIES ! ! !)