Customer Reviews

Moving Forward

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Moving Forward is an awesome CD by the great Bernie Williams of New York Yankees baseball fame. Bernie, as it turns out, can turn out a song alongside the best of them; and I'm very impressed. He can not only play guitar but he can write some pretty terrific arrangements for his songs, too! This guy's loaded with talent; and the songs on this album prove it. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and I really like that artwork, too.

The album begins with the title track, "Moving Forward" and this features Wayman Tisdale. The Latin jazzy arrangement is very well done and these guys never miss a beat! "Moving Forward" is an auspicious beginning for this album; it's quite upbeat and it will have you tapping your foot to the best almost without you even realizing it! There's another gem in "Ritmo De Otono" which features Dave Koz; Bernie plays guitar so very well--can I be just a little bit jealous?

"Addicted To You" has Bernie in his natural musical element; this tune ranks high in my book and the arrangement couldn't be better. The number is soothing despite being somewhat complex and that's grand. "Just Another Day" amazes me--this track is worth the price of admission just by itself! Bernie enlists the help of Cuban-American balladeer Jon Secada to make "Just Another Day" shine! Moreover, "Lullaby For Beatriz" is one of the sweetest guitar arrangements I've heard--ever. Bernie plays guitar with great sensitivity and just one listen proves it. "Lullaby For Beatriz" is easily a highlight of this album.

"Go For It" has that awesome jazzy Latin sound and Bernie's guitar playing enhances the number to make it take off like a rocket! I love it. If you want something truly electric just listen to "Que Rico El Mambo." "Que Rico El Mambo," which essentially means "How Rich Is The Mambo," has these guys never faltering and they don't let go of a single superfluous note! "Que Rico El Mambo" is one of my favorite tracks on the album; it's good for dancing, too.

"Chillin In The West" showcases the talents of Bernie and the other fine musicians; "Chillin In The West" has a somewhat smooth Latin jazz flavor to it and Bernie does that guitar work up right! Of course, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" has a lot of nostalgia to it; and Bernie's guitar work is very well done--how's about that guitar solo to showcases Bernie's talent? Excellent!

"Otro Día Más Sin Verte (Another Day Without Seeing You)" couldn't be better; this is a Spanish version of "Just Another Day." and the album ends strong with Bernie Williams teaming up with and Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen as they do "Glory Days." This live track from 2007 is absolutely electric; and how's about Bernie's guitar solo on "Glory Days?" This last track makes such a good ending for this album that you're invariably left wanting more.

And hopefully more is precisely what we're going to get. After these two albums I can only hope that the great Bernie Williams will continue to perform and turn out very high quality control music just like the tunes we get here. I commend Bernie for this remarkably fine artistry; and even though it's his second CD this still makes a fine starter CD for people just discovering the exceptional musical talent of Bernie Williams.

I have three loves in my life, my family, baseball and music. In Baseball the Yankees are my love and Bernie was a great part of that. I am glad to see him move on and being succesful in the second (or first) great love of his life. He truly is as great a musician as he was a baseball player and maybe even a little better. I just listened to this cd for the first time and I will keep listening and wear it out. Keep it up Bernie! Highly recommended if you like jazz music.

If you like guitar music, it's a base hit. It you like latin music, it's a double. If you like jazz, it's a triple. If you like listening to music that let's you sit back and relax or move your neck and feet it is an inside the park homerun. I purchased this one then went back and brought his first album. Springsteen was hard on my ears, but he is the boss. Williams is a very talented musician!

I am a professional drummer and percussion player and this being said I am not neccessarily the easiest person to impress. I however, reccemmend this CD to anybody wanting to hear great passionate music. Bernie combines elements of his Puerto Rican roots with outstanding percussion tracks that overflow with passion and professional dynamics! He has illustrated his diverse skills and talents on guitar and I love his rock, Jazz, Latin and blues sound. I am a strong proponent of culture, and music diversity. Bernie is a natural for engaging listeners with guitar melodies, solos and drives many tracks with energy and brightness! I must add, that I have over 22 years of band experience myself and two professionally recorded CD'S but Bernie is a musician and ball player that slams a home run with his Moving Forward CD and I can only hope that one day I would be blessed to play drums or percussion in his band.
I eagerly await his next CD project and encourage his continued strong dynamic sound that really drives with heart felt percussion from the soul! I also really enjoyed his faith based instrumental track; He Reigns which was both exceptional and an excellent tribute to the one who has blessed people with varieties of skills and talents.
Cheers! and God Speed!
Chris L.
Former Percussion player of Broken Pieces Band
and former Drummer and Percussion player of Last Second Comeback

Holy crap!! This is an amazing record. Bernie Williams can really play and write really, truly touching and memorable music.
His writing is INTELLIGENT, SWEET and beautiful.
His playing is terrific and I imagine can only get better as he gets on the road and transitions fully into the life as a musician. I hope and expect pretty amazing things from this guy who used to be the highest paid major league ball player of all time and one of the most prolific sluggers in NY Yankees history (love the Yanks but I can only wear SF Giants on my body for the rest of my life).

Que Viva Bernie. For those of you thinking of buying this record -- don't hesitate. It is an absolute treat and will blow you away and put a smile on your face.

FYI, I have been a musician for my entire life and have recorded on many albums as a sideman and leader and have toured the world as a pro with a few really cool bands...so I know what the hell I'm talking about. I am also an expert in Latin music having played Afro-Carribean and Brasilian styles for many years. This cat, Bernie Williams can play.

"Moving Forward" is a great title for this album. It is the second release from Mr. Williams since his retirement from professional baseball. Like the first album, it is an energetic combination of classical guitar infused with the Latino/Caribbean beat and rhythms of Mr. Williams' homeland of Porto Rico. All I can add to this is my wish for a successful career in music for Bernie to match his success as an athlete. This is good stuff that needs to be heard.

The CD was in excelent shape and the music was really good. Excellent buy.

This is an excellent, easy listening jazz CD by one the
the great New York Yankees to play the game. I thoroughly
enjoy listening to it any time of day.

Bernie can definitely play beautiful music. This album is definitely better then the first one and makes for good dinner music

I gave this CD to my 19-year-old son for a gift. He said he really likes it.