Customer Reviews

Jazz

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beautiful timepieces from the era of Bix Beiderbecke and Jelly Roll Morton. If this were Ry Cooder's only recording he would be legendary, but fortunately for us, Ry spends his life discovering and sharing timeless musical treasures. One of Ry's most accessable excursions into realms forgotten or obscure, Jazz' highlights are, 'Big Bad Bill', 'The Pearls/Tia Juana', 'The Dream' with Earl 'Fatha' Hines on piano, 'Flashes', 'Shine', and 'Nobody', not to slight the other fine tracks here. A thoroughly enjoyable album of Jazz Americana with a cast of peerless players.

There are a few releases that stand out above the others. Jazz is certainly one of them.
It is very hard to classify the music. Is it blues, jazz, rock?
All of the above?
Whatever the genre, Ry is most definately a master. And whatever the genre, this album fits into the top 10 list of all time greats.
Don't be surprised if, after hearing it, you add it to your top 10 list as well.

I love this album. It's an affectionate look at traditional jazz and blues music from the early part of the century. A wonderful dynamic recording. Humorous, poignant, all done with great sensitivity considering the politically incorrect nature of some of the material. A Cooder classic.

I have owned this since 1978, first vinyl, then CD. It is one album I will never be without. I defy anyone to listen to "We Will Be Happy" without believing it, or to keep from dancing to "Happy Meeting in Glory", and I've already requested "Face to Face That I Shall Meet Him," be played at my funeral, when that regrettable event becomes necessary (in the far distant future). This is joyous music, and highly evocative of a simpler though imperfect era. This is one of Ry Cooder's best!

Everybody knows how talented Ry Cooder is.....but this album is must have if only for Tia Juana/The Pearls alone. Very pretty, off-beat and obscure renditions of songs you wouldn't otherwise get to hear. I would love to have a transcription to "Flashes" for guitar. I think that it was a Bix Beiderbecke tune. Maybe you'll never buy a Bix Beidrbecke recording but after listening to Ry Cooder you will have to ask yourself "Why not? Definitly enjoyable! Earl "Fatha" Hines ia also on the recording...Didn't he play with Louis Armstrong?

Yes, Ry is a wonderful guitar player. And, yes, the material is well chosen. Yes. Yes. Yes to all the other reviews. But let's give a hand to the arranger, as well. Within the first few notes after placing the 12" LP of Jazz on my turntable many years ago, I was scrambling to find who did the arranging!

Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Joseph Byrd who was the leader of the 60s rock groups, The United States of America and Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies (The American Metaphysical Circus). (He was also put out a great synthsizer album on John Fahey's Takoma label.) Joe Byrd and Ry Cooder make magic together out of their deep love for the mongrel musical cultural that has taken the world by storm over that last 100 years! It is a high point of our popular music.

One note of caution, if are looking for a historically accurate recreation of classic Jazz, look elsewhere! That sort of thing has nothing to do with the real spirit of Jazz that you will find here! Enjoy!

Everybody knows how talented Ry Cooder is.....but this album is must have if only for Tia Juana/The Pearls alone. Very pretty, off-beat and obscure renditions of songs you wouldn't otherwise get to hear. I would love to have a transcription to "Flashes" for guitar. I think that it was a Bix Beiderbecke tune. Maybe you'll never buy a Bix Beiderbecke recording but after listening to Ry Cooder you will have to ask yourself "Why not? Definitly enjoyable! Earl "Fatha" Hines ia also on the recording...Didn't he play with Louis Armstrong?

I'm certainly not the only guitar player out there with a smile on his face after listening and re-listening to this amazing guy..he makes the strings continue to sound long after he has left them, if you follow..I don't really resonate so much with the record's cultural bite into the history of jazz; rather I see its influence on several of my favorite players: James Taylor, all the finger-style guys...and gals, Sting, some of the Brazilian masters, etc. For me this recording epitomizes greatness and inspiration channeled through music.

I had owned this recording years ago in vinyl. After deciding to repurchase it as a CD, I am very happy about the outcome. Mr. Cooder is so inventive, so creative, it just pleases me no end. And Jopseph Byrd, responsible for the "Salvation Army Band" sounds, has provided a deeply evocative quality to this recording.

I can't imagine anyone not loving this music.

This is an awesome album. One of those albums where there is a lot of pre production charts, songs, musicians arrangers etc.But the dividends pay off because it sounds great, the choice of songs ..incredible and the arrangements will knock your socks off. It still sounds fresh today. The sound quality of this cd is pretty good but not as good as a good vinyl copy which really sparkles. The music might put some people off because it is Jazz from an earlier time, but to me it is great music most of which I have never heard before.