Marian McPartland and Willie Pickens: Ain't Misbehavin - Live at the Jazz Showcase

Marian McPartland (Performer), Willie Pickens (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B00005M0FW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ain't Misbehavin'

2. Along Came Betty

3. Close Your Eyes - Marian McPartland

4. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

5. Spring Is Here - Willie Pickens

6. Night And Day

7. (It's Only A) Paper Moon - Willie Pickens

8. Autumn Nocturne - Marian McPartland

9. Just One Of Those Things

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "McPartland & Pickens glitter...are hot together!", July 17, 2001

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Marian McPartland and Willie Pickens: Ain't Misbehavin - Live at the Jazz Showcase (Audio CD)

We all know the distinctive style of Marian McPartland...unmistakable...but let's look at Willie Pickens...plays up a storm on the piano, never stops when it comes to pleasing the audience...Marian and Willie are completely spell-binding on every track...but the stand out ~ "JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS", a Cole Porter tune...the two musicians burn up the keyboard with over a seven minute performance...can only be described as the epitome of two classic jazz-people enjoying what they do best...perform on the piano...so do yourself a favor...pick this one up...spin it, sit back and groove to the best live jazz concert you'll ever witness.

You might try other albums by Marian Partland on Concord Jazz, all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Single Petal Of A Rose" (CCD-4895-2)..."Reprise" (CCD-4853-2)...Plays The Benny Carter Songbook" (CCD-4412)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.

Total Time: 59:02 on 9 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz CCD-4968-2 ~ (2001)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Communion of two distinct, and fine-aged, spirits, July 2, 2002

By 

Phillip F. Wroblewski (Escondido, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marian McPartland and Willie Pickens: Ain't Misbehavin - Live at the Jazz Showcase (Audio CD)

Some say that all creativity and inspiration is a communion with God. The precision of science displays how God thinks; while artistic effort hints at the emotional side of God. What we are suposed to do with this gift is, in part, portrayed in the music on this album.

Truth and beauty alternately flow and surge from the shared minds of McPartland and Pickens. The two of them are simply dazzling with each other--picking up each other's ideas, examining them, elaborating on them, merging them in a "wall" of sound and then softly winding down and disengaging in quiet reflection. The essence of jazz is musical conversation----spontaneous and disciplined conversation.

There are no distractions in this dialogue--just the stark beauty of twin and solo acoustic pianos. This is a live concert and the audience is very enthusiastic. Clearly, there is a spiritual "electricity" connecting Pickens and McPartland, which got transmitted to the crowd. Their response is thunderous.

Pickens and McPartland are from different jazz generations. He from Be-Bop and she from Swing. Even though their styles are well individuated from each other--they easily get "in each other's backyard" so to speak. These are old traditions; but the music on this disc is as fresh as the odor of a newborn infant. Though both musicians are "about as old as The Hills", neither one sounds "dated" in any way. This music, like most great art, is timeless.

Their solo works are mini-masterpieces. Willie Pickens' versions of "Spring is Here" and "Paper Moon" are unique and I don't think I have ever heard "Spring" done more delicately and with such quiet intensity--it's a great, romantic, mini-concerto all it's own. I can't hear enough of McPartland's "Autumn Nocturne". It makes me go "Aaahhhhhh...." each time I hear it.

I can only hope that they will do another one like this very soon.