Midnight Blue (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Kenny Burrell | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: February 25, 1999
• Release Date: February 25, 1999
• Label: BLUE NOTE
• Copyright: (C) 1999 Blue Note Records
• Total Length: 43:58
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000T2EXXO
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,582 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Sounding Versions are Available, March 13, 2009

By 

D. Allen "Mr. Mojorisin" (North Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Midnight Blue (Audio CD)

While this album is one of the greatest jazz guitar albums of all time, extremely poor mastering significantly detracts from the enjoyment it can bring the listener. Except for the two Monk titles, the RVG Edition is a seriously flawed series, especially the first batch that was released in '99, and Midnight Blue was among those. Excessive noise reduction has erased virtually all clues of air and ambiance, and they possess a hard glare. The glare is generally absent in releases after '99, but the other issues persist.

Another flaw in this series is that many of the titles are in mono when excellent stereo masters exist. Rudy Van Gelder recorded exclusively in mono prior to March '57, and stereo exclusively after October 30 1958. He only recorded in both formats during the time spanning those two dates. While some will rightfully argue that the mono master sounds best in some instances, the RVG series has many titles in it that were recorded after Oct. 30 1958 that are mono. No mono masters exist for these sessions, so these CD's are simply the stereo master folded down into one channel. What's the purpose of that?

Relief is Available: Most of the RVG Edition titles are available in an earlier US version and as a Japanese import here on Amazon. These sound dramatically better and actually give you a sense of stage depth and air around the instruments. They are also stereo when possible, and appropriate, and they lack the glare of the RVG Edition. So far, everything I've purchased that was released before 1999 in the US has been good, and all of the Japanese versions have been good. The imports are very pricey so you might want to get the older US versions through the Amazon Marketplace. I've purchased many of these for under $10 in "Like New" condition. To avoid problems, I recommend only dealing with sellers who have a positive rating of 98% or better. They don't generally misrepresent the condition, and they'll usually get it to you within 4 business days.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar sings of the blues, December 9, 2001

By 

G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight Blue (Audio CD)

As far as jazz guitar on Blue Note records goes, there are two names you must know: Grant Green and Kenny Burrell. And while Grant's discography for Blue Note is humungous, Kenny did much of his recording as a sideman. But the numbers are all irrelevant when you listen to this masterpiece -- seven tunes that reach deep, deep into the blues and achieve that wonderfully lazy, after hours groove.

The performances are all classic, from the Latin groove of "Chitlins con Carne", to the brisk swing of the title track, to the solo guitar of "Soul Lament". Stanley Turrentine's soulful saxophone playing is among his finest, and the bass/drums/conga rhythm section is impeccable at setting up a groove. And the leader provides tasty guitar playing that mixes bebop lines and bluesy feeling perfectly. As far as hearing some classic jazz guitar, Midnight Blue and Grant Green's Idle Moments album are a perfect start.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultra-Cool Blues Masterpiece, November 12, 2003

By 

stranger2himself (Down Here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight Blue (Audio CD)

This recording, and "Midnight Blue" in particular, is the greatest expression of late-night "bluesy" jazz guitar playing I have ever heard in 35 years of listening. Kenny Burrell was, and is, the master of this style. His touch, tone and rhythmic placement of notes -- all are immaculate. He is joined by Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Ray Barretto on congas,Major Holley and Bill English -- a perfect group. Lots of mid-tempos and minor keys. Sometimes I listen to the "Midnight Blue" track over and over. I have transcribed most of it, chords and solo lines -- Fm7, Gm7, Abmaj7, Gm7, etc. It takes me to a different place and time. The recording is magnificent, as if the musicians are in your living room, you are lounging at your table 3 feet away, nursing a Tom Collins . . . It doesn't get any cooler.