Nature Boy

Jackie McLean | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0000479C1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,775 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jackie hasn't lost a step., February 16, 2000

By 

keith hodges (Upland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature Boy (Audio CD)

You can hear the maturity in his playing. The technique is there, but it transcends technique. This guy has been around. I've always dug Jackie Mclean, and especially enjoy the very nuanced artistic changes he's made over time. I think he's lost some of the edginess (which was never a bad thing), but that great, distinctive, tart tone is still there. I'm tempted to give it five stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wha?, April 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Nature Boy (Audio CD)

The title of this review was my reaction as I listened to this CD. To appreciate this album it may help to be unfamiliar with Mr. McLean's work. Perhaps I will grow to love it as much as I like every other Jackie McLean album except "4,5, and 6". However, this is still a better album than the great majority of jazz albums, which is why I gave it 4 stars. Mr. McLean plays unadventurously (which is, of course, highly uncharacteristic), but I did not get the feeling I often get when I listen to other players that he was just running scales. The other players are also excellent, which would be expected. I particularly liked Cedar Walton. This is a fine album even though it may leave long-time McLean fans dumbfounded for a while.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uncharacteristic ballad set surprisingly succeeds, January 30, 2003

By 

J. Levinson (Media, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nature Boy (Audio CD)

It's true that Jackie's tart tone doesn't seem ideally suited to ballads, and he's best known for fiery uptempo wailing, but hardcore Japanese fans enjoyed his ballad interpretations enough to encourage him to record this set. Although there are a few moments where he sounds unintentionally strained trying to hit the melody notes, he generally achieves a mature and satisfying bittersweetness. While not representative of his strength, this is a set his fans will enjoy. David Williams' takes several melodic, compelling solos, and Cedar Walton gets ample opportunity to display his highly-refined technique. The late Billy Higgins sparks the mellow groove as much as possible, particularly on "What is This Thing Called Love", where he really pushes the beat and gets in some potent drum fills.