Customer Reviews

Live at the Lighthouse

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I gotta say this is one of the best Grant Green funk albums you'll ever find. I saw that some reviewers said that the playing is sloppy and unfocused on this album. I don't think anything could be further from the truth!!! I own over 50 albums that feature Grant Green and I say this is definately one of his best. From a musicians standpoint, I don't think Green has ever been more inventive on an album. This is way more funky that his earlier blue note work and he uses his guitar more like a snare drum on this album. It is absolutely amazing and completely innovative. I admit that the saxaphone solos are pretty bland on this album but it's really Green who shines. Buy this album if you are even the slighest Grant Green fan...you'll not be dissapointed!

Grant Green has re-introduced me to jazz music. I've always had a difficult time listening to jazz in the past because much of it sounded so similar to me. Grant Green has changed my attitude not only because I've become a more patient listener (long jazz sets tend to weigh heavy on the attention span), more so because his musical style and guitar playing are so undeniably infectious. "Live At The Lighthouse" is only six songs deep. There are some lengthy sets on this album. Three songs clock in at well over ten minutes but I'm not mentioning it to complain. The performances here are terrific. Songs like "Windjammer" and "Flood in Franklin Park" are rhythmically intense and feature some smoking guitar theatrics from Green himself. But the standout on this LP is "Fancy Free", a Donald Byrd original, beautifully interpreted by Grant Green and company. It's simply fifteen minutes of cool vibes and grooves. worthy of repeat listens.

I'm certainly no jazz purist, and possessing nearly all of Grant Green's recordings easily admit my admiration for this inventive and intelligent guitar player. I've tried countless times to develop an interest for this album, yet I'm consistently disappointed. As far as live recordings go, "The Lighthouse" is suberb production-wise, with enough color and depth in the playing to keep the listener continually returning. But the faults of this recording weigh it down drastically. For one, Green's playing, while always lively and colorful, is for the most part awkward and poorly executed. Listen closely how he repeats himself with the same motifs and licks on nearly every track, as if he's completely drained the creative well of his guitar playing. Saxophonist Claude Bartee sounds like he's either bored out of his mind or had too many drinks at the bar before the show (check out his unfocused wailing on "Jan Jan"). Organist Shelton Laster seems to disregard the basic principles for an enjoyable and coherent solo (like the subtle nuances of dynamics), constantly pounding on the keys like a child with their first Casio. Secondly, the selections tread the same tired groove for so long it's almost a chore sitting through them (who on earth would want to hear a limp, grooveless cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow" for nearly eight minutes?). Even the brightest spot on the disc, Donald Byrd's "Facy Free," could benefit from some editing, clocking in at almost 15 minutes. Bassist Wilton Felder is unarguably the highlight of the album, and one can't help but admire his ability and patience for remarkably holding the groove down over such dull material to work with. Overall, unless you're a die-hard fan, skip this and go for "Alive," the brilliant and energetic live release from Green two years earlier.

Much as I like Grant Green's funky jazz cd's, I really didn't like this one. If you want to hear a good live, funky set, get Grant Green "Alive" instead. It is much better than this one.

No one has or ever will play jazz guitar like Grant Green. His fat tone and straight-ahaed blues based licks may be somewhat uncomplicated, but his timing and phrasing are so passionate that he is able to build suspensful solos that leave any foot tapper nodding their head, if they could keep up! This album showcases his talent for building and layering grooves with dramatic effect. Dismiss the review from VA as what it is, undeducated--length of tunes is a nonisssue. Any jazz lover would be grateful for this one of a kind glimpse into the unique, heavily swingin' music Green was playing in the early '70s, especially in a live setting.

What's wrong with this album? NOTHING!! Well, it is missing Idris Muhammad on drums, but other than that it's great. I do like "Alive" better, but I played that one to death. Now I can go back to it with fresh ears. I hesitated to pick this up because of all the negative reaction by people who were really into Alive, but DAMN! this is good stuff. Come on people this is Grant Green!! Live!! and at the funky high-light of his career. I am also a big fan of Wilton Felder's bass playing and he is all over this album. To all the people that gave this 1 or 2 stars- "Put down the Kenny G and give this another listen"- Dig it!

Put your wha whas away. Just because Grant Green made Live At The Lighthouse during the psychedelic era does not mean that Green was groovy green neon.

This amazingly fast and melodic guitarist made most of his albums
for Blue Note. This is important: while labels like Impulse and ESP flew as quick as possible into deep space jazz free and funk and fusion, Blue Note--and its artists-took these ideas and wedged them in more traditional jazz structures.

All of which worked wonderfully for Blue Note, and Green. Live At The Lighthouse is funk jazz, but no George Clinton acid wash. Green's axe playing here is pretty traditional: he keeps an open, amplified sound, and prefers to use clear, brilliant runs. I'll bet ten to one a hollow body with no pedals. Listen to "Walk In The Night," one of Green's best tracks. Both his leads and his comping are amazingly fluid, but sound like Hendrix never happened. Strip away the funky backdrop and Green could be playing in 1960.

Beautiful--Green's band here funks and pumps with the same organic sounds their leader stuck to, and this is ample to keep you shuffling. The lack of platform shoeshine doesn't matter. These guys are so good at working the rhythm, slagging away at the syncopation, that keeps the music, and Green, driving forward with amazing swing and skill. Green sails over the top amazingly

I am sure if he had chosen to get his wha whas out--if he owned any--Green would have sounded amazing. But that is not what Green was about. He was about the groove and working acrobatics within the funk, and here, that is all you need.

Not only is it a great Grant Green recording, but it's also an excellent showcase for Bass guitarist Wilton Felder, a Mowtown studio recording artist around the time of this recording, and who no doubt borrowed heavily from the great Mowtown Bassist James Jamerson.

Excellent live from grant a lil short but it s a pure moment of jazz guitar

I disagree with the other reviewers that this is not on par with Green's "Alive." In fact, it's much better--possibly the best live jazz album in my collection (and with a collection that includes Miles Davis's 1964 Concert, that's saying something). You can really tell it just all came together for Green and his band that night some 34 years ago. Every time I listen to it I feel bad there aren't another 5 or 6 songs on the CD--but then I just start it over again. The playing on this album is AWESOME, and everyone was great, though the drummer, Greg Williams, and the bass player, William Felder really delivered sterling performances. A must-have for any jazz fan.