Customer Reviews

In Honor of the Duke

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

 

 

mr. roberts returns to the trio format of "time and circumstance" (1997) with this wonderfully elegant album. unlike songbook albums, mr. roberts does not work through selections from duke ellington's canon, but instead explores "ellingtonia" as he sees it. the result is a restrained album full of the lyricism and soul of ellington, but partnered with the classicism of roberts. jason marsalis is developing into a fine drummer adding yet another jewel to the family crown and roland guerin is a revelation on bass with some beautiful solos. if one were to seek comparisons, this trio reminds me a great deal of bill evans later piano trios-- intellectually lyrical.

One of Robert's finest recording sessions, this album wonderfully performs a modern perspective of Duke's original work. You can hear the soulful playing of the blind pianist, and the amazing solos played between Roland Guerin and Jason Marsalis. Very tight acoustic trio work, and very much unlike the conventional trio--the bassist and the drummer share an equal part with the pianist as far as the soloing, which is superb.... This albulm is unlike his earlier work and not so accessible, all the tunes on this albulm are Robert's own. ...

I bought this CD a while ago and just started listening to it again. I'd forgotten how great it is. It's a brilliant suite of original music that I think Ellington would have loved. Duke was famous for writing music that featured the strengths of his musicians and Roberts seems to have mastered that too. Great trio work. I just love track 5 (Groove Until You Move) and the last 4 tracks.

Marcus exells on this recording. It's elegant at times, syncopated at times and just brand new and highly technical at times. Equally so are the bass and drums which are featured equitably on this recording. It's great late night or on the road music but, you might be more into the music than the road. My favorite is not a piano trio but this one definitely has become one for me. I truly think anyone who buys it will find themselves listening to it a lot. Very clean recording. Deep bass, sharp snappy drums and crisp innovative piano.

Unlike another reviewer, I realized that this was a CD of all-original compositions, featuring the great Marcus Roberts Trio (with Jason Marsalis and Roland Guerin) honoring the legendary Duke Ellington. Ellington loved suites of music and Roberts seems to as well. This phenomenal recording is just another reason why I buy everything Roberts puts out!

I made a mistake and bought this album without first listening to a few tracks. This does not sound like any Ellington I have ever heard. There is too much freedom for the musician to go where the musician wants to go rather, than where Ellington's music would go. You may like the album. As a die-hard stright ahead jazz fan, I don't.

I made a mistake and bought this album without first listening to a few tracks. This does not sound like any Ellington I have ever heard. There is too much freedom for the musician to go where the musician wants to go rather, than where Ellington's music would go. You may like the album. As a die-hard stright ahead jazz fan, I don't.

Really I think that this work were the worst from Marcus Roberts, Estoy arrepentido de haber comprado este trabajo.