Grace Cathedral Concert [Live]

Vince Guaraldi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 8, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Fantasy
• ASIN: B000000XEQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A liturgical treasure, December 26, 2000

By 

Andrew Mendez (White Bear Lake, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grace Cathedral Concert (Audio CD)

This project first began when the Rt. Rev. James A. Pike - the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California - and the Rev. C. Julian Bartlett - the Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco - became interested in an idea held by the Rev. Charles Gompertz of Novato, CA, to create a "modern setting for the choral Eucharist." The jazz pianist and composer Vince Guaraldi was invited to be a part of the project, and the resulting effort is chronicled on this album. The introduction by Bishop Pike carefully frames the purpose of the May 21, 1965 event: to celebrate the Eucharist. Unlike other attempts at contemporizing liturgical settings, the Grace Cathedral concert, although not meant to be a performance, retains the solemn dignity of the service while subtly using the modern metaphor of jazz as a means of musical expression. This can be noted especially in the Latin-jazz variations of 'Kyrie Eleison' and 'Agnus Dei(O Lamb of God)'. 'Theme to Grace' provides a light diversion from the chanting, allowing Guaraldi, as well as bassist Tom Beeson and drummer Lee Charlton, to offer their musical talents. While 'Holy Communion Blues' literally serves as the distribution music, it gently but deliberately calls to mind the mixed mood of the Last Supper: stoic, yet humble. Whether you are an admirer of fine church music, or are a Guaraldi fan, you will be awestruck by what you hear. Vince Guaraldi truly left behind a liturgical treasure in this album.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting the record straight, November 29, 2005

By 

K. Mineah "olympic bibliophile" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grace Cathedral Concert (Audio CD)

It's wonderful to read these reviews and know that after 40 years, people are still enjoying this once-revolutionary jazz mass. However, I would like to set the record straight on one point....it was not the Grace Cathedral Choir performing this piece - it was the St. Paul's Episcopal Choir from San Rafael, CA, directed by my father, Barry Mineah and it was not only his childrens' choir, but also the adult choir who performed. In fact, I, along with my mother and one of my brothers, was a member of that choir.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My All Time Favorite Album..., December 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Grace Cathedral Concert (Audio CD)

I'm please to learn you have this album...I had it a record when first released in the 60's. It's a marriage of jazz and religious music with the Grace Cathedral Choir accompanying Guaraldi. I find the sounds awesome, and I am not a religious person!!