Live at Jazz Standard 1

Russell Malone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Max Jazz Records
• ASIN: B000HWXRFG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,542 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Los Angeles Times

"MaloneÂ’s great strength is his ability to synthesize influences from a variety of sources."

Product Description

Russell Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarists performing today. He can move from jazz to blues to gospel to pop and R&B without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call upon him: Shirley Horn, Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Christina Aguilera, B.B. King, David Sanborn, Harry Connick, Jr. to name a few. On his new MAXJAZZ release, Live at Jazz Standard (Volume One), Malone captivates from the opener and displays why he is one of the most in-demand guitarists today.

Live at Jazz Standard features his working band of Martin Bejerano, piano; Tassili Bond, bass; and Johnathan Blake, drums. All arrangements are by Malone, who also produced the CD and wrote five of the seven tracks.

MaloneÂ’s crisp original and opener, He Said What?, begins with a driving groove by Bejerano and shows MaloneÂ’s clean tone and dazzling guitar work. The group follows with another Malone original titled I Saw You Do It. With Bejerano sitting this one out, Bond and Blake keep driving the rhythm while Malone displays his ability to fuse distinct musical elements into an instantly appealing tune. On the smooth original Flirt, Malone showcases the fluid and lyrical movement that has distinguished him from his peers. The Frank Rosolino standard, Blue Daniel, swings with great energy. BejeranoÂ’s piano and BlakeÂ’s drums push the rhythm before Bond lays down a nice solo. Mean Streak is a blistering track written by Malone that features impressive solos by Malone, Bejerano and Blake. The pace slows with a hauntingly powerful version of the Milt Jackson ballad Heartstrings. Malone was further compelled to Â"dig a little deeperÂ" that night by the presence of JacksonÂ’s widow, Sandy, and daughter Chyrise. Malone and crew close with a bang on his blues-infused original Malone Blues. The composition clearly showcases MaloneÂ’s extraordinary versatility.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An odd selection of material, November 20, 2006

By 

jubster "guitar funk" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at Jazz Standard 1 (Audio CD)

I've been following Malone for a few years, have the studio discs (including the stellar Benny Green duo albums), and seen him live twice. He's indescribably talented, but also is cursed by a tone and "sweetness" that some outsiders might judge as old-fashioned in an "elevator music" style. In his studio discs he makes up for this with brilliance in all styles, from ballads to dynamic funk. The live at Jazz Standard disc collects what seems to be his middle-of-the-road songs that don't show off alot of dynamism or chops (except the last track, which seems included only because of the novelty of him playing "dirty blues"). The songs are great, the playing is very tasteful, but I rarely try to turn on my non-jazz friends to a disc because it's "hella tasteful". Get "Bluebird" or "Sweet Georgia Peach" if you want amazing Malone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks Russell....., November 25, 2006

By 

Ian Wolff "bofadeez" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at Jazz Standard 1 (Audio CD)

This is my favorite disc he has released to date. Russell's writing shows even more maturity -- he continues to grow. Listen to "Flirt" if you don't believe me -- absolutely gorgeous. Also, his regular group is made up of 3 young up-and-coming New York monsters, who keep everything sounding fresh and current. Oh, and "Malone Blues" encompasses 100 years of blues guitar.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr.Malone Sings, January 29, 2007

By 

James Clark "Perelmanfan" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live at Jazz Standard 1 (Audio CD)

I'm So Glad I Bought This wonderful music.Mr. Malone is a fine musician and a
great guitarist (a great musician and a fine guitarist,too).He moves me with his great command of all the different genres he incorporates.Overnight He is my favourite Guitarist.I will buy more ( and more ) of his work . I just loved the blues at the end...Eric Clapton , Jimi Hendrix , Muddy Waters - all
rolled in to one ; Mr. Malone. Oh and don't forget all the Jazz you get for
your money.An Australian fan.