Customer Reviews

Lee Ritenour - Overtime

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yeah! Lee has really come across full strength with this DVD. The sound is excellent, crisp and clear with a nice 5.1 sound mix. He has some of the best musicians on the planet playing at these gigs. Harvey Mason is mind-blowing on the drums and with Anthony Jackson's pumping bass and Alex Acuna's percussion it is one of the stongest and tightest rhythm sections I have ever heard. The vocalists were also amazing. Loved hearing them do Captain Fingers - Absolutely incredible! Lee's guitar playing really burns it up. This is essential music for anyone who truly loves great music.

I first heard Lee Ritenour when I started listening to Fourplay. Before then, I didn't really listen to much jazz. A friend got me hooked on Pat Metheny, and it all started there.

This DVD is an important contribution to any jazz fan's collection. It spans Ritenour's career from the 70s to now, and it does it by featuring not only the music but also the people he played with. And the atmosphere is not what I thought it would be: rather than a "this is Lee Ritenour, and these are the people who I have decided to allow to play with me on this project," it was "these people are good in their own right: I brought them here to celebrate history, and to make a little as well." The DVD is also NOT an extended guitar solo. It is very much Lee Ritenour and Friends.

The interaction between artists in this setting is amazing to watch. The fact that they can all improvise so well, and stay close to the theme of the piece, and bring everything back together when it's time says a LOT for the quality of the musicians that Ritenour assembled for this project. Dave Grusin, Ernie Watts, Patrice Rushen, Anthony Jackson and more - these are not just studio musicians hired to make one man look good. The whole in this case is indeed greater than the sum of it's parts.

Some standout moments on the DVD:


* A set featuring the Brazilian music of Ivan Lins, including "Harlequin."

* Ritenour's hand-punishing "Captain Fingers."

* My personal favorite: A rendition of Miles Davis' "Blue in Green." When I was 10, I used to listen to an AM station in Washington DC that played jazz every Friday and Saturday night from about midnight to six in the morning. This song reminded me a LOT of the songs I used to listen to with that transistor radio under my pillow.

The interviews that are included add a lot to the historical value of the DVD set. This can't be stressed enough - this is a DVD that has some long-term value to people who are serious fans of jazz, because of the way it covers a 30-year span of time. It's also a great collection for someone whose jazz collection is looking a bit thin, because right here you can see and hear some great talent.

It's clear that after 30 years of playing jazz, Lee Ritenour hasn't lost a step. This collection proves it, and is highly recommended.

I pre-ordered the DVD from Amazon (don't normally do this) since I am a huge Lee Ritenour fan and have been waiting for the US release of this for many months. It arrived yesterday and when I got home from work, popped it in and went through both discs. Although the Amazon review is fair, the reviews to date fail to mention that the DVDs contain a number of mini-interviews. I enjoyed these mini-interviews with most of the artists with particular interest in Rit's comments. Despite his critics, I have enjoyed listening to all of Ritenour's music and admiring his career. The CD covers most of his hits or well known songs. Particularly interesting are the new artists Ritenour always seems to introduce to his audience. Kenya Hathaway and Grady Harrell are 2 vocalists that Lee has performing songs like "Is It You?" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (maybe my favorite track). Kenya also performs who original song "Possibilities."

The guest/supporting artists are legendary studio musicians and the sound quality is real treat (if you have the requisite system)!!!! Basically, this is pop/jazz instrumental audiophile dream. Even if you are not lee Ritneour fan, this project should still capture your attention given the other contributing artists' performances.

All in All, a real gem!!!!!

Anyone who plays guitar or follows the music business is probably familiar with the technique and diversity of this prolific and exceptionally gifted musician, arranger and producer. Lee Ritenour's "Overtime", the long awaited DVD spans his career and
covers the best of the best. The sound quality and dolby digital 5.1 surround sound really make you feel like you are there watching and feeling the interaction of the musicians. Long familiar with eachother, the musicians play so well together it takes on an almost telepathic connectedness. The cheerful Ritenour, spins fresh and exuberant versions from his vast arsenal of music across different genres: acoustic, jazz, funk etc., and his fretwork seems to just be getting better, if that is even imaginable. Some musicians love playing music for its own sake and Ritenour is certaintly one of those people. Thanks, Lee!

A most excellent double DVD ... recorded in Hi-Definition and the sound quality is superb! The musicians and their performances are great but I have one major complaint... after just about every song there is an interview with one or more of the musicians. The continuity of the performance is disturbed by this IMO and the interviews, while entertaining in their own right, would be better placed as a DVD extra. Regardless, I do not regret purchasing the Overtime DVD and recommend it highly.

I was one of the first to review the Overtime CD, but I have yet to review the DVD. I won't rehash what has already been written, but will try to offer unique insights and/or elaborate on those already made.

I have picked up on a few things, such as:

1. Ritenour the conductor.
2. Ritenour the exemplary studio musician.
3. Ritenour, the smiling, jamming, let's have some fun jazz guitarist.

As far as Ritenour the conductor, it's interesting to watch him cue the other musicians either with a nod of the head, a quick hand movement or even a wink. The man has an idea and he's making sure everyone else is aware of it. During "Dinorah Dinorah" was Anthony Jackson messing with Rit when after being cued he simply sits there and does nothing for a couple of seconds?!

As far as Ritenour the studio guitarist, who can walk away from this DVD without realizing why Rit in the 70s was worth every penny he earned as a triple scale studio guitarist, earning $600 per hour - and this in the 70s! He simply makes everyone else sound good, especially vocalists.

As far as Ritenour, the smiling, jamming, let's have some fun jazz guitarist - he simply does everything with a smile. In this sense, unlike with Rit, it's much easier to listen to a guitarist like Pat Metheny than it is to watch him. I believe this may be one reason why Rit has everyone fooled - he makes it look too dang easy! He rarely even looks at his fingers on the fretboard.

I think the one song, for me, which encapsulates the whole project is the song "13." Not just wow, but double wow!

So sit back and enjoy. They all just want you to have some fun.

Lee Ritenour and his stable of monster musicians have created one of the best musical atmospheres I've ever enjoyed on this concert DVD! If you're a fan of "smooth jazz", you are in for a treat with this one. On this DVD, Lee and company share many years of creativity. We are treated to some of his greatest work. And the musicians... Anthony Jackson and Melvin Lee Davis on the bass, Patrice Rushen and Dave Grusin on piano, Harvey Mason and Oscar Seaton on the drums - man, it just doesn't get any better. Something the "ad" fails to mention is the many "mini interviews" conducted with the players. These were simply fantastic. From a guitarists point of view, you can see the vast array of equipment Lee uses as well. It's interesting to me how his backline of gear is probably worth nearly as much as both of my vehicles... If not more! Buy this DVD, you'll be glad you did!

The musicianship here is first-class; as you would expect from Lee Ritenour, all the players and singers are awesome. It's a thrill to see musicians this good. The general vibe of this concert is casual; it was filmed in a large recording studio with a small audience. It's like a small club, and Lee has invited all his best musician friends from past and present to come and jam. Lee's playing is great, although he doesn't tear it up like crazy (unlike the Larry Carlton in Paris DVD); this is more mellow and jazzy-very tasteful. There is a great variety of styles here, as this concert represents songs from his whole recording career-all very enjoyable.
My only gripe? Between songs there are lengthy interviews with Lee and the other musicians telling us what they're doing. I don't need to be taught the meaning of improvisation-over and over. It's pretty irritating to stop after every song and listen to them. Why didn't they make it a special feature you could choose to listen to (or not)? Maybe I missed something, but I couldn't turn it off and just enjoy the concert in sequence. It's a great DVD otherwise.

This DVD is fantastic. I have been a fan of Lee Ritenour for many years and this is a treasured addition to my DVD collection. The musicians on here are top notch including Anthony Jackson, Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Ivan Lins, and Ernie Watts amongst others. The tracks with Ivan Lins are terrific including one called Dinorah, Dinorah which I had not heard before. Lee also plays some upbeat numbers with Eric Marienthal on sax, Melvin Davis on electric bass, and the amazing Oscar Seaton on drums. There is also a clip on here of Fourplay live when Lee was still in that group.

The video quality is amazing, but I am not sure why this is presented in a Matte 4:3 aspect. Audio is an excellent stereo mix or 5.1. There are interview segments between most of the songs which is somewhat disruptive, but this does not appear to be all shot on the same day anyhow.

The only thing lacking on this set is Phil Perry on vocals. That would have made this great DVD even better.

Lee and his musicians peel the paint off the wall in this excellent performance. He of course is a great player, with a virtuoso quality band, the cream of the crop of LA studio jazz hit-men with a few outside guests. Lee wrings the fattest tones from his L-5, 335, and Yahama guitars. This is some groovin' music filmed beautifully with great sound. I especially like "Capitan Fingers" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". It's 99.9% positive but I didn't like the continuity disrupted by the interviews. They should have been placed together in a features section.