Customer Reviews

Live at Maybeck 9

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Few pianists would attempt to play a program that includes compositions by Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Alec Wilder and Dave Brubeck. But Marian manages to pull it off in her own voice and with her own sense of elegance. The program of 16 tunes ebbs and flows perfectly, giving one a sense that Marian knows exactly how to pace her concerts. Duke Ellington's "The Clothed Woman" and "Theme from 'Piano Jazz'" (which gets its first extended treatment) show her openness to freer styles, while her own "Twilight World" and Wilder's "I'll Be Around" display a sensitive touch as well. Marian also displays her affection for more conventional Ellingtonia: "Prelude to a Kiss," Dave Brubeck's "The Duke," "Love You Madly" and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be." In short, this is as eclectic an exercise in mainstream solo piano as one is likely to hear. The sound is excellent, as it is consistently in Concord's Maybeck series.

Being a huge fan of Marian McPartland, I admit that I am biased, but this CD is one of her finest achievements. Everything about it, from the wide-ranging choice of materials, to the sterling performances, the beauty of the piano used and the warm, resonant natural ambiance of the Maybeck Recital Hall add up to a recording I would recommend to anyone without hesitation. I have just been on a long road trip, and this CD was playing over and over in the car. Never got tired of it! Buy it!

I hate to ruin the 5 star average for this wonderful CD, but I had a hard time getting past the *loud* clapping after each song and before the first (a total of 17 times!). Apparently the mikes were way too close to the audience, giving the CD listener a real jolt between those beautiful pieces, some of them played quite softly.

All of the pieces on this CD are available as note-for-note piano transcriptions, which I'm working through. Listening to McPartland play when you're familiar with the transcripts gives a fresh appreciation for her incredible technique and innovative arrangements. My favorite is her take on Ornette Coleman's "Turn Around," in which she magically turns a solo piano into an entire jazz trio.

This is a beautiful CD. Only a pianist with Marian McPartland's experience of jazz piano styles and delicate ear could produce an album this divine. Marian is able to draw on such a wide variety of harmonic styles that she can make everyday tunes like My Funny Valentine and Willow Weep for Me sound like you're hearing them for the first time. Also, the recording quality of this live performance is excellent. A great CD that I have listened to over and over again.

This recording is a tour de force of solo piano playing. I often play Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson, and Dave Brubeck, and Keith Jarrett, and Chick Corea, and so on down the list of great jazz pianists. Marian McPartland is not only right in there with these ebony tapping cats, she's up at the ivory top. There is a reason why Dave Brubeck called her one of the top three pianists of the 20th century, maybe like me he has never heard such swinging sonic beauty.

While the piano playing cannot be faulted, the applause is very distracting because it seems louder then you would actually hear in the room. It doesn't contribute to a sense of immediacy that some live concert recordings have. It's just plain annoying.

What's not to like about Marian McPartland! Her music is beautifully soft and melodic. When she plays the piano you can feel the softness of her touch on the keyboard. She doesn't pound the keys nor does she play obnoxious songs. She prefers ballads, as do I. She's a wonderful entertainer and interviewer on her weekly Friday, NPR spotlight on KCBX radio 90.1 in San Luis Obispo, CA

I love Marian McPartland ! This is my favorite McPartland CD. Interesting chord progressions and sensitive interpretations abound. I have listened to this CD over and over. It is still in my CD changer.