Jazz Side of the Moon: Music of Pink Floyd [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Sam Yahel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Chesky Records
• ASIN: B0012IWIMW
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,136 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Back artwork states, Sam Yahel, Hammond B3 Organ; Mike Moreno, Electric & Acoustic Guitar; Ari Hoenig, Drums; Seamus Blake, Tenor Saxophone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting listen, May 27, 2008

By 

ScottyB (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz Side of the Moon: Music of Pink Floyd (Audio CD)

These are somewhat loose interpretations of this classic record. They take harmonic and melodic liberties with the music that are very much in the spirit of jazz, but it still maintains the atmosphere of the original. The group is made up of premier players, and they have very good chemistry for a one-off band.

For me, the drum work of Ari Hoenig is the highlight of the record. His feel is loose and the groove constantly shifting, but his time is always solid. He is also able to play with great fire and intensity without being too loud or having too much clutter. This is my favorite type of drumming.

Sam Yahel is also great on the Hammond B-3. He often plays hypnotic, repetitive figures that serve the music perfectly. When he takes the lead, there is never a wasted note - everything is always in good taste.

Mike Moreno, who I was not so familiar with before hearing this, is a nice addition to the band. He is a very fluid soloist, and adds nice textures and colorations to the music that often recall David Gilmour's classic work on the original recording.

Seamus Blake is also a great player. However, there are times that he doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the band in my opinion. I think his tone is different here than on his great 2007 session as a leader "Way Out Willy." This may have something to do with the way "Jazz Side" was recorded, but regardless, I prefer his playing on the aforementioned "Willy."

Highly recommended, whether you're a fan of the Floyd or not.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different side of the moon, February 14, 2009

By 

Scott Williams "sneakyneighborsdog" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Side of the Moon: Music of Pink Floyd (Audio CD)

Overview:

Sam Yahel (hammond b3 organ), Seamus Blake (tenor sax), Ari Hoenig (drums), and Mike Moreno (guitar) pay homage to the Pink Floyd classic with an all instrumental version of Dark Side of the Moon. Some of the tunes stray pretty far from the original (in particular - Time), but overall they really captured the mood of the album. It really flows well from start to finish and features some nice noodling guitar, sax and organ solos. The arrangements of the songs while enjoyable, don't really offer anything ground breaking or super clever. There aren't any wow moments where you are floored by a genius adaptation of the song (check out the Bad Plus' cover of Comfortably Numb on 'For All I Care' for an absolutely genius reconstruction of a Pink Floyd tune). That said, all the songs are enjoyable and the playing is at a high level. Fans of Pink Floyd and jazz will surely enjoy this record.

Song Highlights:

Great Gig in the Sky - Stays fairly true to the original. This song features great material for a jazz cover and nice solos abound.

Brain Damage - Played slow. Seamus Blake does a great job playing the vocal lines on his sax.

On the Run (parts 1 and 2) - Without any studio special effects or trickery the band really captures the cacophony of sounds of this classic interlude.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could this get any better?, February 1, 2010

By 

B. T. Lauffer (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Side of the Moon: Music of Pink Floyd (Audio CD)

this album blows me away every time I listen to it. If you don't already own a pair of good quality headphones, buy some on amazon along with this CD. The spirit of Pink Floyd is instantaneously apparent, yet the ensemble was able to express their own unique voices and deliver an outstanding, fresh interpretation of this classic record. BUY THIS ALBUM!