Customer Reviews

Joyous Encounter

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

 

 

Contrary to Mr. Sachs' editorial review above, recording with a mainstream rhythm section does not constitute a departure of any sort for Lovano. His first CD was in 1985 with Kenny Werner, Dennis Irwin, and Mel Lewis. Since then he's recorded no fewer than 11 CDs featuring a piano/bass/drums rhythm section, not counting his work as a sideman or this quartet's previous CD, "I'm All For You." This isn't groundbreaking music, and it shouldn't be portrayed that way. It's old school jazz in the best tradition, and it stands handsomely on that merit.

For knowledgeable jazz fans, there's no better way to sell this CD than simply to explain that it's Joe Lovano, Hank Jones, George Mraz, and Paul Motian playing standards. For everyone else, whether you're genuinely looking for an introduction to jazz or you just want a few CDs to look cool on your rack: Start here. "Joyous Encounter" is a bona fide, five-star CD.

There's absolutely nothing I enjoy more than listening to a group of seasoned jazz musicians record a session of standards. These four guys have nearly three centuries of experience between them, and the result is a master class for any jazz musician -- how to approach standards with a fresh perspective, how to build solos without blotting out the rhythm section, how to increase intensity without increasing volume... They use all the tools, and they prove themselves craftsmen. They never skate; they dig in, from the first track to the last. There's a wealth of lessons and wisdom, every moment of which is a pleasure to hear.

This year has already brought five-star releases from Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, and Kenny Wheeler; and this summer promises competition from Bill Frisell, Jim McNeely, and Wayne Shorter. By December, we may have half a dozen CDs as good as "Joyous Encounter" -- but I guarantee, none will be better. Buy this now.

joe lovano plays sax slower than anyone else around. i had to check to see if i had my old turntable on. no, this is a cd, so there was no warped vinyl, no playing speeding to adjust, or, out of curiousity, playing the album at a faster speed just to hear what the recording sounded like faster.
what i decided to do was travel to the mist to a land long ago when sax players wore loose suits and porkpie hats. i listened to don byas and coleman hawkins and lester young, back in the 40's and the 50's and none of them played that slow. i put on a cd by billie holliday and followed it with a cd by joe lovano. lovano's tone and pacing were beautiful. lovano isn't imitating or really playing tribute to the master tenors of long ago, what he's doing is playing with billie holliday.

Track one is so fine, in there with the best of quintet jazz in a traditional sound. Past track one I began to ask. "why this after track one?" The sound bits on
Amazon convinced me to buy this CD. I was not intentionally misled, I just did not
listen to those with a keen ear. There are good passages on any track, it is always a treat to listen to Hank Jones.