Customer Reviews

Live at Yoshis 1

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

 

 

I've listend to Mulgrew Miller since before his first recordings under his own leadership, from the period he held the piano chair in Woody Shaw's band. He is consistent. His playing feels like that awe inspiring player playing at the piano in your living room. He'll have you in a serious grove without you knowing how it happened. His playing doesn't have the driving charge that some player can have - Take McCoy Tyner (percussive), John Hicks (hard swinging), or James Williams as an example. Millers playing conveys an ease of style like that of Thelonious Monk. Though he sounds nothing like Monk. However I realize his playing is powerful as it is subtle.

He has the range of McCoy Tyner and the other pianist, however he creates magic differently than they. On this recording his imaginative and fluid style is commanding and pleasant. He is good at playing ballads as he is at swinging. I appreciate each of the tunes especially 'Waltz For Monk', 'The Organ Grinder', and 'Pressing The Issue'.

Both Derrik Hodge (bass) and Karriem Riggins (drums) are new to me, yet they play with years of wisdom. Karriem is outstanding, his timing is like that of Max Roach, perfect; his touch is beautiful like that of Billy Higgins and Victor Lewis. Check him on 'The Organ Grinder' and 'O Grande Amor'.

Derrik Hodge's sound is very rich, it's deep and pleasant. He reminds me of Curtis Lundy with a tone for ballads that brings tears to the eyes. Derrik makes me wish there were more ballads on this recording just to showcase his sound which is resonant.

I wish there were twice the music on this disc. Bring on volume 2!

Mulgrew Miller is one of the greatest & most authentic younger jazz pianists in our era. I adore jazz in 50-60s and I feel like a part of me die every time each of great jazz musicians from the era passes away. Someone like Mulgrew Miller, who has the tremendous swing and real substance in his touch, tone and improvised melodies that he creates, deserves much more attention. I love his "The Sequel", a perfect studio recording. This CD is a great live recording; you can enjoy his TRUE improvisation and a sense of REAL JAZZ in a live setting. I appreciate both Derrick Hodge and Karriem Riggins who provided a great support to Mulgrew. Especially Karriem Riggins, he did a tremendous job in "The Sequel" and in this one, too. Thank you MAXJAZZ, please keep recording Mulgrew Miller's historical great playing to our later generation.

...but I was at yoshi's during one of the recording night, and mulgrew was fantastic. Hope 'you and the night and the music' will be on vol. 2. kareem riggins on drums was quite impressive. I have been waiting impatiently for this cd to be released, so I went straight here when I heard 'if i were a bell' one the radio (it's the first track): he had me wondering "mmm, that's pretty cool, who's playing this?". Excellent version if very standard.

Everything falls into place very nicely on this initial volume from Mulgrew Miller's two-day gig at Yoshi's in the summer of 2003. With the strong support of bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Karriem Riggins, Miller's volcanic virtuosity on the piano is simply stunning. Taking no prisoners with his hard bop dash through the standard "If I Were a Bell," Miller immediately afterward soothes the crowd with Donald Brown's lovely, but only occasionally dissonant, tribute "Waltz for Monk," which might sound to many listeners like more of a salute to Oscar Peterson. The pianist's sensitive side is displayed during his powerful solo introduction to Antonio Carlos Jobim's "O Grande Amor," though the bossa nova rhythm does not enter the picture until the rhythm section joins him. Woody Shaw's "The Organ Grinder" is an overlooked gem, which alternates between a romping theme and a dark vamp. But the leader really pulls all stomps with his extended exploration of what was a once neglected ballad by Duke Ellington, "Don't You Know I Care," and one could easily imagine a singer walking on to join him for his lush arrangement. The pianist's furious post-bop original "Pressing the Issue" provides a surprise ending to this outstanding live set, which benefits from outstanding engineering throughout the CD.

This is not Mulgrew at his best. His previous release on the MaxJazz label was better. Maybe because of the tune selection. Concerning the Live at Yoshi Cd the arrangements were so so and that Bass player was rubbish. The format was the same for all the tracks. No solo mulgrew just solo intro. then bass and drums. Mulgrew is still the one though. I would like to hear an all solo mulgrew album.