Customer Reviews

Live From an Aircraft Hangar

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

 

 

I encountered this CD by chance during my search for new comedy albums. I knew that Dudley Moore was a pianist and composer, but I didn't knew he is this good! (And, of course, his talks between performances are hilarious, too!) It is sad to know that we may not be able to hear him play again until after they find a way to cure his Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. I do hope they'll do (and I also hope my prchase of this CD will be of some help in benefitting two charitable causes--the Dudley Moore Research Fund for PSP and Music For All Seasons, Inc..)!

Dudley Moore accurately and affectionately recreates 4 cues (13+ minutes) from his great and groovy soundtrack for "Bedazzled" (tracks 3-6). They are performed with his trio, woodwinds, and strings, and feature arrangements virtually identical to those on the soundtrack LP. (The 4 tracks are separated by brief pauses without audience applause between). The "Bedazzled" music is tough to find in any format, and these tracks are gems in that irresistible easy-euro-bossa style, especially "The Millionaire" and "Lillian Lust." A must for 60s soundtrack fans. Get this now - it will probably vanish as quickly as one of Stanley's wishes after making a raspberry...

At the moment these are the last available recordings of Dudley Moore before illness ended his playing career. Recorded in 1992 at the Royal Albert Hall its an eclectic collection of Jazz, his Film Score music and comedy pieces.

The CD kicks off with a swinging version of "Love Walked In". Dudley displays his Jazz Piano skills to great effect with the trio. You can hear the influence of Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson in his playing on this track. Typically witty, Dudley then introduces the trio and explains that Peter Morgan the bass player is half Greek and half Welsh and is sometimes known as Zorba the Leek!! Three tracks from the film "Bedazzled" follow and these are typically romantic Moore compositions. Also supporting him on these tracks are the BBC Concert Orchestra.

As you'd expect the remaining tracks maintain a remarkably high standard demonstrating Moore's compositional skills as well as his reknowned comic ability which is ablely displayed between the musical pieces.

This recording was released in 2000, after Dudley had announced that he was suffering from PSP, and at least part of the proceeds from the sale of the disc will go towards research into this debilitating and deadly decease. Buy the disc you wont regret it.

A fantastic recording of a unique concert with Dudley and his trio and the BBc Concert Orchestra.

The fact that this is live, and an album Dudley actually edited himself just years before he passed on, makes it super special. I never got to listen to him perform live but this album gives me a sense of what it would have been like to be there. I thoroughly enjoy his great sense of humor and spontaneity. It makes me miss him even more. I especially love the emotionally charged music from the film "Six Weeks", performed with orchestra. I can't get over the beauty of this arrangement.

His skill and versatility truly shine here! It's a must to listen to. Anyone who hears this album will no doubt realize he was a truly special, incomparable artist and loveable person.

A great audio CD. Good songs and all affair of a great man.