38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best value to come along in years, April 27, 2000
This review is from: Live at the Village Vanguard (Audio CD)
They're a determined lot, but I'd challenge the Wynton Marsalis naysayers to find much of anything bad to say about the trumpeter after a fair listening to this boxed set. As others have pointed out, the set is priced for the common man, a huge plus in of itself. But real value comes only if the musicians deliver the goods. Wynton and company do -- in full measure.
This set offers more than eight hours of live music. There's no opportunity to hide behind studio gimmicks, no chance to piece together the best takes from several days of sessions. And the audience is a demanding New York City crowd jammed into a jazz mecca. Not to worry. From the opening notes of "Cherokee," which kicks off Disc 1, we know that every guy in the band brought his 'A' game.
There are high points galore in the set. But several spots jump out. Try, for example, the astonishing intensity of "Pedro's Getaway" on Disc 4. Try sitting still as you listen to Victor Goins on sax and Wynton tear through the changes, kicked along by Eric Reed's insistent piano. And don't miss Wynton's great use of the mute early in the piece.
Disc 3's "Four in One," the great Monk composition is another masterpiece which gives Wynton a chance to show off his chops. Some of his detractors seem to think he indulges in technique for its own sake. Not true. "Four in One" is no shallow exhibition of runs. It's technique serving form and meaningful expression.
Throughout the set there are tributes to the greats of jazz as well, including King Oliver, Buddy Bolden (Wynton presents his interpretation of what Bolden might have sounded like), Ellington, and of course, Monk, whose work is amply represented.
Wynton was never shy about giving his bandmates plenty of space, so you'll also be treated to one of the best collection of young players to come up in the '90s, including Reed, Goins, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Todd Williams and Wessel Anderson on saxes, Marcus Roberts on piano, and the fine drummer Herlin Riley. Each takes his cue from the leader and layers huge dollops of swing into each disc. Reed is particularly satisfying throughout.
This is life-affirming music. It's not afraid to be sad, wistful or bittersweet, but underneath it all, Wynton and friends are telling you that no matter how bad it gets, it's good to be alive and able to play and listen to jazz and the blues. Kudos to all involved in the release. It's an all-timer.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Value, December 28, 1999
This review is from: Live at the Village Vanguard (Audio CD)
When I saw the low, low price, I was skeptical of what was being offered. But if it hadn't been for that low, low price, I might have missed out on an incredible listening experience. Seven discs worth of material is a lot for any listener to digest. But as soon as I started, it was like the proverbial novel that "I just couldn't put down'. Say what you want about Mr. Marsalis' views on what jazz is or shouldn't be (I haven't always agreed), he and his band deliver the live goods on every level; balancing disciplined technical virtuosity with depth of feeling and expression. Individually and collectively, this band cooks. What I like most about the program order of the "mythical" sets is the sheer variety of forms and styles. In addition to standard song forms, the material extends backwards to classic gospel and second-line feelings, and forwards to Wynton's long form compositions. The only minor complaint is the inclusion of introductions and set closers on every disc, which don't really add anything except filler, which is almost overkill given the quantity of the performance time. Hence the reduction of one star (really only half a star). In summary.....Buy this set!
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a marvelous live collection, December 22, 1999
This review is from: Live at the Village Vanguard (Audio CD)
this collection of live material from 1991 through 1994 is a great overview of mr. marsalis' septet. this is some of the purest jazz mr. marsalis has recorded, revealing not only his talent as a composer and musician, but also allowing us a glimpse of the talent he gathered in his band. wycliffe gordon (trombone), wessell anderson (alto sax), todd williams (tenor sax), eric reed (piano), marcus roberts (piano), reginald veal (bass), et al all shine throughout. lately, mr. marsalis has been experimenting and developing a music that melds together the rhythm and swing of jazz with the structure of classical, developing an idiom of jazz tone poem (albums "in this house," "citi movement," many of the releases in the "swinging into the 21st century" series). here, we hear many of those works, but in the much freer context of a jazz club performance. as you will hear on the seven intros, many of these pieces were recorded in the late, late hours a classic time frame for jazz. the band is warm and the music flows. particular highlights are "cherokee" (disc one), both performances of "stardust," "brother veal," the monk covers. the price alone makes this box set appealing. now for the gripes: a small one is the mythical arrangement into a seven night stand. i would like to hear each of the three versions of the septet recorded in their own sets, not cut and pasted together (a nitpicky complaint i know). second, i wish mr. marsalis would get a new writer of liner notes. pomposity knows no bounds! (again, a nitpicky complaint). otherwise, get the set and enjoy some of the best jazz of the year!
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