Hands on

Bobby Lyle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B000FKO3WQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,359 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much of the same, May 16, 2007

By 

A. Valkin "Arran Valkin" (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hands on (Audio CD)

Lyle plays smooth jazz with a strong R&B flavour on this CD.

I bought this album after previewing it on Amazon and was slightly dissapointed. While Lyle has that brilliant technique one hears with the best pianists in smooth jazz, he plays the same licks and textures on too many numbers. By the fifth track, I get tired of hearing the same double-octave schtick.

Throughout the CD Lyle promises good things to come, but they don't quite materialise. Things do get interesting on songs like Minute by Minute, where the piano opens with a subtle gospel intro which really shows him to be the good player he is. But overall the melodies and sounds are too stock and unoriginal and perhaps that is the reason why I want to skip some of the tracks.

This is always a problem with smooth jazz - the composer can easily degenerate into elevator music if he remains shallow, and never leaves tried and tested ground. This happens less with groups such as Fourplay, where the arrangements are more vibrant and interesting.

Still, the songs on Hands On have some interest and I like his friendly approach to entertaining.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A contemporary celebration of love, life and rhythm., November 19, 2006

By 

jazzmusikeditor (U.K.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands on (Audio CD)

Throughout his three decade career, pianist/keyboardist Bobby Lyle has developed an international reputation not only for his dazzling piano technique, but also for his versatility and ability to constantly reinvent himself, both as a leader, sideman and even as music director for superstars Al Jarreau and Anita Baker.
With "Hands On", Lyle adds another significant title to his already impressive discography.
"A contemporary celebration of love, life and rhythm" is how Bobby Lyle describes his Heads Up debut. "Within the twelve songs there are expressions of all of those things. I wanted the overall tone of the record to be funky and upbeat, but with romantic interludes".
"Hands On" - Lyle's 15 th album overall - is a unique blend of contemporary jazz classics and acoustic piano compositions that crosses the boundaries between straight-ahead and contemporary jazz. A brilliant showcase for this gifted songwriter/producer/arranger's unique talents, Hands On features an array of timeless tracks containing an entire world of emotion.
Lyle kicks off with "Passion Drive", one of nine original tracks to spotlight his amazing ability to combine acoustic piano sophistication with addictive beats. The thick and insistent groove on the title track draws from both modern and old-school music. Indeed, Lyle's R&B background is apparent on such tasty cuts as the Maurice White/Al McKay classic "Best of My Love" and Michael McDonald's "Minute By Minute". For longtime Lyle fans, tracks like the bright and bouncy "Fancy Pants", the quietly elegant jazz standard "Poinciana" and the graceful "Spirit" perfectly summarize the multi-faceted keyboardist's range and influences.
In addition to Lyle, "Hands On" features special guest Peabo Bryson, who co-wrote and sings on the track, "Lost In Our Love". "Peabo and I are good friends", says Lyle. "I've always admired his work and he's a first class crooner. He's so professional and easy to work with. He always delivers".
Rounding out the project are guitarists Todd Parsnow, John Calderon and Brennen Nase, bassists Martin Walters, Larry Kimpel, Keith Vivens and John Adams, saxophonists Wayne DeLano, Dave Caseras and Joe Vincelli, trumpeter Larry Spencer, trombonist Keith Adkins, drummer Keith Banks, percussionist Jorge Ginorio, and backing vocalists Dailyn Valdez, Melanie Covington and Derrick McCampbell.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bobby Lyle Hands On, January 4, 2012

By 

Puddles - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hands on (Audio CD)

I received this CD through Amazon (Goodwill) and it was in excellent condition and came sooner that expected. Even the case was in good condition. You can barely tell it is used.