Customer Reviews

Golden Classics

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That Don Shirley's music has not reached more people is both our and Dr. Shirley's tragedy. The man is a true Master of many musical forms. He brings to mind, among other artists, the great architects who design from their very hearts as well as their minds, and construct their work with infinite understanding and care for the composers' intentions *and* the Human Spirit, deep into every nook and corner of the structure. Don Shirley designs and constructs his music very much as Frank Lloyd Wright created what he called "Organic" spaces, where every element serves the "user" and literally en-lightens their lives. Don Shirley is such a unique artist that his relative absence from the Jazz and American Music (his term for his work) scene is one of the great mysteries of our culture. If you have read this far, please try just one of his recordings, *any* Don Shirley recording. You will experience an astounding artist reach deep into your spirit and fill you with bright, powerful, enchanting magic. You will be grateful, appreciative, and find yourself in the midst of a wonderful discovery.

I had never heard of Don Shirley. In December 1999 I attended the funeral of a friend, Juliette McGuiness Nelson, at The Cathredral of Saint John The Divine in NYC. As part of the service, Mr. Shirley played a version of When The Saints Go Marching In. Sitting in Saint John the Divine and hearing Mr. Shirley's minimalized version of this old gospel song flow around the space was about as spiritual as I've beome in a church lately. It was more than music. After the service I spoke with some of my friends -- everyone in Harlem knew Don Shirley. When I arrived home I quickly did a search on Amazon for his titles. Finding only this one -- Golden Classics, I ordered it immediately. This CD is my find of the year!! Mr. Shirley's work is magnificent. He plays with the songs with a soft and loving sense of fun. The backup musicians don't overpower. His piano stands in the middle and leads you along. If you buy only one instrumental CD this year, this should be it. Let's hope that the owner of the other works reissues them. When is Mr. Shirley going back into the studio? It's been awhile, but he needs to get back to work!! Jim Williams New York City

Having been introduced to Mr. Shirley when my father first began collecting his vinyl recordings, I have searched for years to find his works on CD. To me and to my extended family as well, Mr. Shirley's music has been entertaining, inspring and comforting. Our only regret is that mainstream music America seems to know so little about this incredible musician and human being. THANK YOU for making his music available, and for anyone remotely interested - DO NOT MISS THIS MUSIC. We anxiously await more releases of his work.

I have been a fan of Don Shirley since his first records came out eons ago and had given up finding his music after my LP's were lost. His piano style is unlike any other and if you love a soft but powerful jazz piano, this is the best. Please let's see more of him for those of us who have been looking so long.

Don Shirley has a style that is so fantastically smooth and easy. I love this CD and am anxiously awaiting his next one. I hope he does dozens more!

My husband first introduced me to the brilliance of Don Shirley when we were engaged. I have longed to have CD's of his albumns and now at least one exists. My most favorite albumn was The Gospel According to Don Shirley. "Dream of a Time" is still my ultimate favorite piece of music. Please reissue this album in CD format.

What strikes me as interesting is the universal chord Don Shirley's music has struck among his fans. Once you've heard him, there's no going back and there's no one like him. I was introduced to his music in the mid-60s, bought most of the "black(Cadence)" albums, memorized them. Then lost use of the player. A friend painstakingly taped all of them for me, then he discovered the "Golden Classics" CD which I bought for myself, another friend who'd met Shirley, and my father. I was priviliged to hear Shirley and the Trio in person in the mid-70s; my second best birthday gift. The thought that more CDs could be released is sheer heaven. I don't use this term lightly, but Don Shirley is as close to genius as it comes.

This CD has 18 cuts from Don Shirley & The Don Shirley Trio on it. I wish it had two discs so it could have another 18 cuts. From the first time I ever heard "Water Boy" in the early 60's I have been hooked, Don (piano and arrangements, Ken Fricker, bass fiddle & drums and Juri Taht, cello, have had me in their corner.
If you like piano, pop, jazz or just instrumental aural magic, this CD is a rare treat (like a no-cal cheesecake). Enjoy, Bruce

This is piano unlike any other! It's no wonder his record sales were never great: record stores didn't know where to put him. While it's terrific to hear "Waterboy" and a lot of the other Cadence work, I'm still wishing for the Columbia LPs to show up... and it would be REALLY nice to be able to have the 7-LP "Concert Series" on disc! I've about worn out even the tapes made from those precious records. More Shirley on CD, please? (Whoever now owns First American Records, are you listening?)

Don Shirley is a national treasure. Please tell him that his fans would like to purchase all his music in CD form. Is his still performing and where? I would travel to the ends of the earth to hear him again. Gigi Lodge,