Customer Reviews

Moonglow

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No frettin' about this frettin'. Holy Smoke! These guys burn up the necks of their instruments!!! There is not one moment of compromise on this disc!!!These guys respect each other and the tunes they play. They have created oldies and extra goodies in all 16 of the numbers.

I am ecstatic to have this one in my collection!

If you are into mello guitar, great rhythm, smooth fingering, and wonderful sound, get this album. It is simply superb!!

This is a very, very mellow album featuring two of today's top jazz guitarists, Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola. Vignola does most of the soloing, which is minimal, but the interplay between the two artists is worth the price of admission.

Well, 2 1/2 stars, but that isn't an option.

I hate to disagree with the other reviewers of this CD who seem to think it is wonderful. I'll meet then halfway, and say that Bucky Pizzarelli is wonderful. As for Frank Vignola? He demonstrates a very tinny and nasally tone throughout. Some people like this timbre; I'm not one of them!!

Overall it reminds me of that John Denver recording from the 80's, "Perhaps Love", where Johnny D joins up with Placido Domingo. John does fine in his own element, but once Maestro Domingo enters, the difference in skill level is painfully evident. Same here: Vignola is probably fine on his own, but put him up against a legend like Pizzarelli, and he ends up coming across as the proverbial "chopped liver".

The liner notes by Joel Dorn are entertaining, if not relevant, except to demonstrate the writer's love of Italian cuisine.

I never write reviews, but this purchase was extraordinary. I love it. I love this album. Only beautiful creations consist in this album. Bucky and Frank = a great musical combo.

In his concise Liner Notes about this charming instrumental guitar recording, David Ritz pretty sums up the theme and musical aura of this album with the following quotes:

"Moonglow is a love record. It documents the love of making music."
"Moonglow is seductive and sensual because it doesn't try to be. It merely is."
"Moonglow is effortless, its source natural, its mystery ancient, its beauty timeless."

"Moonglow" is one of the best instrumental recordings from my collection. It was recorded in 2005 by two of the finest guitarists in the jazz world, Bucky Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola. It is absolutely one of the best recordings ever produced which is dedicated to the genius of Les Paul, another one of the greatest guitarists of all-time.

What is so remarkable about this album?

Two guitars plus two guitar virtuosos plus sixteen breathtaking melodies from the Great American Songbook equals an utterly charming instrumental album that is so pleasing to the ears.

I love the sounds of two guitars blending artfully and harmoniously. Bucky Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola have, indeed, created some beautiful music together. It is a perfect listen for unwinding and relaxing so be ready to be transported to another time and another place while listening to two guitar legends as they serenade you with "Moonglow," "Moonlight Serenade," "Serenade In Blue" and "In The Blue of Evening."

They will put you in a dreamy state of mind as they synchronize their guitars and play in perfect harmony the chords to "I Can Dream, Can't I?" "Dream A Little Dream Of Me," "If I Had You," "Temptation," "Deep Purple" and "You'll Never Know."

As they continue to pick and strum the strings of their respective seven-string-guitars, the duo takes two of the most lyrically-beautiful standards, "I'm Confessin'" and "P.S. I Love You" and gives them the most enthralling instrumental renditions ever recorded by any musician.

The aforementioned tunes are just a dozen out of sixteen beguiling melodies from this presentation of guitar music that is sure to bring captivating musical moments to the listeners. What's not to love?

"To me, music is a most exciting and inexplicable phenomenon...and what music can sometimes do to us is quite beyond the ken and lingo of academicians." ~ Oscar Hammerstein II ~

I love this cd. Bucky plays from his heart. I've never heard such pure joy coming from a guitar. I'm so glad I discovered the talent of Mr. Pizzarelli.

Mister Norton seems to have missed the point of this outing entirely. Frank Vignola is not up against Bucky. Based on the praise Bucky bestowed upon Mr. Vignola in a DVD they did together, it is apparent Bucky holds him in high esteem. In fact he refers to him as the current torch barer for the legacy of Django. So here we have two gifted players, sharing a deep mutual respect for each other and the music. As to the tinny tone, that too is a part of Django's legacy. Granted in may not be everyone's cup of tea. But in Mr. Vignola's case it is a target he has reached, not a failing.
That being said. Two great players, a superior sounding recording and a fine selection of tunes, certainly puts this release miles (pun intended) beyond most of what is trying to be passed off as jazz these days. Pity more of the public will remain unaware of this little gem, radio marketing ploys being what they are.

SEEK AND LISTEN !

I was generally pleased with this CD. But I was very disappointed that Bucky Pizzarelli played more of a "backup" role in all the songs while Frank Vignola played the lead on his guitar.

I've never written a review for any CD, but felt I must for this album. I own loads of guitar albums - of all genres - and Moonglow is head and shoulders above the rest. It's absolutely sublime. You will fall in love with this CD.