Customer Reviews

Jazzin the Blues

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

 

 

Having seen Edgar Winter this summer at an outdoor festival, I was quite impressed with the chops he has maintained and the high level of musicianship that accompanies his act. He hasn't aged a bit, still sings like he was in his 20's and blows a mean sax and plays a meaner keyboard set up. This album is what I've preferred during my Edgar listening years -- more of the R&B, white trash style. Granted, it's toned down quite a bit with a jazzier influence, but it makes for a very good listening experience. Superb mix, great vocals, and some crazy renditions of his old hits, plus some very tasty new tunes. Probably what stands out the most to me, however, is his organ playing. He's got the keyboards dialed in to sound like a very meaty B-3 and the chord arrangements are sweet indeed. Great guest artists, including his current band line up which are super players. It's not very often you can get a album that not only has great vocals, great rhythm, great arrangements, a wide selection of tunes (fast, slow, funk, blues, soul, smooth, old swing band), a great mix, and great musicians --- all together mixed up in a basket of jazz -- Edgar style.

Three or four stars? I gave this cd 3 stars because it is fair at best.Edgar Winter is a kick-ass RB man / Rocker not jazzman!If Jazzin the Blues was more like Entrance or Jasmine Nightdreams this CD would be 5 stars!But it is not.I still dream of a reunion of the White Trash Band with LaCroix,Smith,Derringer and the rest. It could be a new CD or how about a double "LIVE" CD.I can dream can't I!I have admiration for Edgar Winter and have heard him live on 3 occasions....outstanding sax,keyboards and vocals , but please Edgar go back to what you do best.Kick-ass RB / Rocker!

...this is the album I've wanted Edgar Winter to make since I heard Entrance and White Trash! Absolutely terrific songwriting--think Mose Alison combined with someone more personal like Joni Mitchell. Clever lyrics don't distract from the [...]-kicking playing. I don't dig the second track, which is a bit smooth for me--but beyond tyat, there isn't a false note on the album.

Your initial post: May 20, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
Steven Pearl says:
Edgar Winter is a genius with cajones of steel. His mighty music (actually it's so amazing it's beyond music) kicks your butt and hugs your soul always leaving you wanting more, more, MORE!!! His live shows take you on a varied musical voyage never leaving his Blues and Jazz roots behind. I've seen him perform about a-killzion times since 1971 including 4 brilliant performances this last month and he does the job and then some every single time. "Jazzin' the Blues" is quite simply a masterpiece, much in the tradition of his first album "Entrance" and 1975's "Jasmine Nightdreams". Brilliant songwriting, melodies that immediately attatch themselves to you not letting go (and you don't want 'em to!),brilliant instrumentation and arrangements, and even his reworked standards such as "Frankenstein (Frankie Swings)" and "Free Ride" become different songs than the originals and just as powerful. "God Did It" is a wonderful shuffle type song that puts the Bible into music in about 4 minutes making even the most confirmed Athiest into a believer (or at least an Agnostic) and "Keys to the Kingdom" are so beautiful that you'll swear that you've heard those melodies before, but you haven't. Once you hear them though they'll be in your head for a long time making a bad day good and a good day perfect. This beautiful disc should be a must for any Edgar fan and any fan of great music played by one of the best musicians/performers/all around great guys to grace our lives with his positivity and God given talent. BUY THIS ONE!!! You won't be sorry! Get it for someone you love and they'll love you even more.

not at all what I would expect from Edgar Winter, and I mean that in the worst possible way. I enjoy Jazz, I don't enjoy what were great songs turned into musak.

You have to know the blues to really understand jazz music. That's why it makes sense for Edgar to cross over. You can tell he has real feel for the music.