Customer Reviews

Hawk in Paris

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I disagree with the other review of this fine album. I own over twenty of the Hawk's albums - this is among my favorites. This is not a sleepy strings album- it consists of many up tempo tunes which the Hawk rips into with unabashed joy and some his best playing on record. All the songs perfectly reflect the feel of Paris in the 1950s. I would however avoid his other "with strings" album "Hawk Talk" - that is one his few bad albums.

Somewhere on the liner notes I read: "this is not just schlock but [something positive, can't remember what they said it was]. Well, it IS schlock, Coleman Hawkins with strings, recorded I think in 1956; I don't have the thing in front of me, it's buried somewhere I don't usually look, though I didn't GIVE the thing away, as I didn't want anyone to be turned off Coleman Hawkins.
Remember the recordings Bird made with a string & oboe orchestra? Well, imagine the orchestra and its arrangements sounding much worse, with Parker really drunk and really bored, and you'll have some idea of what this outrage sounds like. I don't think Hawkins was drunk, the impression is more like Ralph Nader being interviewed by MTV or Fox.
I've given it an extra star because Coleman Hawkins really IS on it, it's not false advertising.
One of the worst records I've ever heard filed under "jazz".

1. April in Paris
2. Mon Homme (My Man)
3. Under Paris Skies
4. Mimi
5. La Chnouf
6. La Vie en Rose
7. La Mer (Beyond the Sea)
8. Paris in the Spring
9. I Love Paris
10. Mademoiselle de Paris
11. Chiens Perdus Sans Collier (The Little Lost Dog)
12. Tu N' Peux T' Figurer (Dawn over Paris)