Customer Reviews

Live at the Village Vanguard

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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After many years of widespread acclaim as one of the best working groups in mainstream jazz, the Bill Charlap Trio has finally issued its first live recording, and the results are most impressive. Individually, the group's members are all virtuoso musicians of the highest caliber, and in any setting they can be counted upon to deliver vivid, engaging performances (see for example Charlap's collaborations with Warren Vaché and Peter Washington's work with the great Tommy Flanagan). However, when they play together their rapport is so strong that each seems to bring out the best in the others, and even on the trio's studio recordings they sometimes attain a level of controlled intensity that is downright mesmerizing, both on uptempo numbers and on slow ballads. Here, they reach that level again and again, and the interplay among them is consistently thrilling; each plays with great energy and creativity, but also with great precision, and they are so perfectly attuned to one another that when they improvise together they do so with a degree of cohesion and unity that is nothing short of astonishing. ("My Shining Hour" provides an especially good example of this.) Their own enjoyment of what they can do is both palpable and infectious, and while they never indulge in the kind of showboating that sometimes mars live recordings, the presence of an attentive and appreciative audience does seem to inspire them. The sounds made by that audience are not the least bit obtrusive, but their applause helps to create a pleasant atmosphere of immediacy, as does the immaculate sound achieved by engineer Joel Moss. The disc is also nicely programmed, though there are fewer rarities than one might expect given Charlap's extensive knowledge of the American songbook and his penchant for reintroducing overlooked but worthy material.

In all, this is a most welcome document of an exceptional group in action. It is also long overdue, so let's hope that volume two will follow in short order!

First off, I had the great good fortune to actually be in attendance that week at the Vanguard when they were recording the music that eventually became this album. I had heard that Charlap was a must see artist and I was not disappointed. It was an extraordinary trio and I remember being absolutely blown away by the swing, the musicality and the rapport this trio had. I've been seeing jazz for many years and it was without a doubt one of the best trios I had ever seen.

Immediately afterwards, I logged onto to Amazon and purchased several Charlap albums including the Bernstein Album and Stardust. They are both fine albums but they did not send me in the way that the music I heard at the Vanguard did and I did not think they captured the groove these guys were able to hit when I saw them live. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when this album came out. And indeed, it magically brings back to life the incredible music I saw that night. I can say without a doubt that every track is superb and it has quickly become one of my all time favorite jazz albums. I've listened to it at least 100 times now and I simply don't get tired of it. This is a classic jazz trio at the pinacle of the form. If you want to discover what Charlap and his trio is all about, this is the album to get.

My friend and I saw two sets. To watch them up close was a riveting experience. The chemistry they have as a trio is remarkable. It was particularly enjoyable when they played what they new were superb passages. They would nod or smile briefly, knowing what they had played was special. For the second set, we were in the first row. Now; to have it captured on a CD is a real treat. See them if they come to your town. And get to the Vanguard at least once in your lifetime. It is Jazz's mecca.

Although my favorite Bill Charlap CD is "Written in the Stars," this offering has excellent sound quality and is almost as good as the trio's live shows. I saw the group at two Village Vanguard shows in November, 2007 and if you can't make to the club, buy the CD.

Bill Charlap is monster jazz pianist with a wealth of ideas and flawless technique. His trio is well rehearsed and play real arrangements as opposed to just blowing through a bunch old standard chestnuts. His ballad rendition of "Paper Moon" is bluesy and introspective. The uptempo tunes are prime examples of swinging creativity and fun. I bought this after seeing him in concert. I believe I saw a better performance, but this is still worth the "cover charge".

Just like you are there with what may be the greatest working piano trio in the world today. Blue Note has really captured it with sound that is completely natural. Charlap and company have such grace and elegant refinement as they convey the heart of this wonderful music. The venue is well suited to their mastery and the sound is so natural and real. Bill Charlap has such a deep saturation and enjoyment of this music it just flows out of him. These musicians don't need to prove anything, but like the professionals they are they just let it flow and get in the groove. And you can tell they're having fun at it and the crowd sure is eating it up. They sure can swing and get your feet tapping along. This trio is so tight that they move along as one. Bill Charlap Trio is my favorite contemporary jazz trio, and I have most of their recorded output. I can't say enough. Get this one, since it really captures them live for the first time. A great starting point that will likely lead you to many more gems on record.

I lucked into hearing a portion of this live trio session one day on satellite radio. The sublime version and piano solo on "Autumn Leaves" is reason enough to buy the CD. At a minimum add Autumn Leaves to your Ipod selections. You wont regret it. Charlap deserves greater exposure beyond the cognoscenti in Manhattan. The way music used to move me is all here.

J.B.

Your mood will accept this man's music and let you go just where you intended.

I downloaded this last night for $3.68. I have many jazz trio CD's with piano, bass, and drums. This is a very good jazz album, but for that price it is amazing. All three musicians are top notch. If you are curious about jazz, this is an inexpensive way to check it out.

Fans of Bill Charlap cannot go wrong with this one. If you have seen him in person this will bring back the experience.