Metro Blue

Richard Elliot | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Artizen
• ASIN: B0009ML2M4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,809 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tenor saxophonist Richard Elliot was a member of the legendary horn line in Tower of Power, so it's no surprise that funky and soulful grooves empower Metro Blue. From the cascading lines in the opening "Inside Out" to the ethereal balladry of the closing title track, Elliot's playing ties the set together with undeniable personality. Urban and nocturnal in character, the ten songs are infused with a sense of the organic, through those warm and human sax lines. Trumpet and flugelhorn player Rick Braun is also a key member, playing off of, or in tandem with, Elliot. He also co-produced and his keyboard elements add an emotional layer throughout, such as when he utilizes the sound of pizzicato strings on "People Make the World Go Round." --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smoothjazz.com Review, July 1, 2005

By 

Sandy Shore (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metro Blue (Audio CD)

One of Smooth Jazz's true sax icons has outdone himself once again! Richard Elliot, with his fourteenth solo release, on his own label this time (he, along with Rick Braun, is a partner in the company), nails it with METRO BLUE. He's an amazing player, and he gets better with each new release, showing more creative twists and nuances every time out. METRO BLUE contains nine new songs, all collaborations with Rick. They didn't spare superstar talent in the studio, either, using Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Brian Culbertson, Dwight Sills, and Gregg Karukas, among others, on the sessions. METRO BLUE is an exhilarating meeting of both old and new schools, using classic horn sections and very cool keyboard sounds...but always sounding clearly "today." The one cover on the set is a song Richard's been wanting to re-do for years, The Stylistics' "People Make the World Go Round." This new version takes a great song and creates an even better one, sounding incredibly fresh and different. No wonder it's already propelled METRO BLUE into the [...] Top 5 most played new CDs on Smooth Jazz radio stations across the U.S. and abroad. Other standout tracks to my ear include "Inside Out," "Camella," "Coastline," "Mystique," and "Maxi's" but, then again, I wouldn't tune anything on this album out if I heard it on the radio. METRO BLUE is signature Richard Elliot kicked up yet another notch, and I'm predicting that it will end up on everyone's list of the best Smooth Jazz albums of the year! ~Scott O'Brien

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One The BEST, September 28, 2005

By 

Bill Cowen "Jazz Allthetime" (Cheasepeake, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metro Blue (Audio CD)

I have 10 other Richard Elliot CD's and fine this to be one of my favorites. I like all ten of the selections included in this album. Usually, there are a couple of tunes on any CD that you do not particularily care for. I particularily liked the variety of the ten tunes selected for Metro Blue. Hope you enjoy the CD as I have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT JOB, October 16, 2005

By 

Paul V. Smith "floor man" (maryland, usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metro Blue (Audio CD)

I WAS TOTALLY PLEASED WITH THIS CD! TERRIFIC JOB! HOPE YOU CAN TOP THIS ONE!