Grand Piano

Claude Hopkins, Willie 'The Lion' Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sackville Records
• ASIN: B0002VL09C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,970 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Albums!!!, September 6, 2005

By 

John C. Graham (toronto, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grand Piano (Audio CD)

Willie the Lion Smith and Don Ewell recorded an album of duets in the sixties and it was pretty obvious that everyone was having a ball. You can hear the players chatting back and forth after forays of inspired improvisation on some familiar tunes. It will put a smile on your face. It was a great album and it's great to have it back on cd. But, it's only one third of this magnificent set.

Claude Hopkins led some swinging big bands back in the thirties that had many fantastic soloists. He was a great pianist with a delicate touch who enjoyed his twilight career as a travelling solo player. The solo album included in this set was recorded in the late sixties when he was touring with the "Giants of Jazz". It is an unbelieveably sensitive and moving performance that has been captured on tape in the studio. The tunes stay with you long after you hear them and the effect is quite haunting. This has been one of my favourite solo piano recordings for some time and it still moves me with its beauty.

Charles Thompson wrote some memorable tunes and played some memorable gigs but nothing really stands out as much as this solo recording. Here he is able to show the breadth and depth of his playing, the individuality of his touch and timing. The tunes are played in various tempos, all displaying his mastery of the keyboard. Robins Nest, his most famous tune, is included in this most satisfying set.

This is a great deal. Three tremendous records on two cd's, in glorious sound fidelity. From the exuberant to the intimate, it's all here for you to enjoy time and time again. It's a must have for those interested in the earlier piano stylings of stride and swing. Anyone interested in great piano music, regardless of genre, ought to own it too!