Customer Reviews

Notes from the Village

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I've heard all of her other CDs but this one is by far my favorite. I suspect it's because I have seen her play live with her quartet and this CD captures some of that wonderful experience. It has the highest "Anat" content of any of her recordings. The four tunes she wrote are all excellent. Fresh. Interesting. She has chosen perfect cover tunes to put together with her originals to create a very musical "experience" again. I can hear the distilled thought and good taste that went into the making of the CD. Until she came along, I used to get this sense only from vintage jazz CDs. Best of all, as always, is her incredible way with melodies, improvisation, and arrangements. She can make her horns sing, scream, cry, and do anything else that serves the music. I highly recommend this music. Enjoy.

As soon as I heard her, I knew I was listening to someone special and ordered everything available on disk to that point. With this album, Anat has created a masterpiece of excitement, poignancy, contrasting tempos and even more contrasting sounds from her various clarinets and saxes. Just listen to the pristine beauty on Coltrane's "After the Rain." I cannot stop, and have played it over and over and over again. I have never heard it played with such delicacy and love before by anyone other than Trane himself. His music has had a great spiritual effect on Anat. And, what a beautiful elegy she has created here! Her originals, "Until You're in Love Again", "Washington Square"...HECK!...ALL OF THIS DISK, is breathtaking...as close to the spontaneity and interaction of a live performance without actually being one. You can absolutely sense and feel the excitement and passion that was in that recording studio.

If you get the opportunity to see Anat Cohen perform in person....DO NOT MISS IT! I saw her just two nights ago here in NYC at the famed Village Vanguard, and can tell you that it was pure electricity. Even when just on the stage while others are soloing, she dances and rocks and exudes the kind of LIFE that I haven't seen since Dizzy! To recap...this is THE BEST JAZZ ALBUM OF THIS YEAR so far!

Do yourself a big favor. BUY THIS CD. Anat Cohen was not voted clarinetist of the year without good reason. Mind you-not just female clarinetest of the year.

As an example, listen to "The Jitterbug Waltz" and let the nerves on the back of your neck sesnorily experience the excitement. Let your ears enjoy the talent of Anat Cohen as a composer especially to the African sounds of "Washington Square Park."

Then there is the romantic and sensual Anat playing Siboney.

Add to all of these, Anat's talent as the group leader. The interplay between all the musicians is wonderful. The talents of her quartet continue to impress-Jason Linner on piano, Omer Avital on bass. Daniel Freedman on drums. Exciting as ever an enhanced further by guitarist Gilad Hekselman.

I have played this CD several times since it arrived and each time I hear something new. Did I mention go out an BUY THIS CD.


Jerry M.

In the legacy of Benny Goodman and Arte Shaw, meeting the standard of Paquito d'Rivera, is the brilliant rising star of the clarinet (and saxophone) Anat Cohen. She has the sensitivity to make a slow ballad soar as well as the intensity to swing in fast paced romps. This justifiably praised new CD, Notes from the Village, includes four of her own tunes in addition to her own arrangements of some classics, Jitterbug Waltz and After the Rain. Varied in mood and tempo, this album showcases Cohen's style and flair, her versatility on various reeds, and the seriousness and passion of her music. Supporting this fine exemplar in fine interplay is Jason Lindner, keyboards; Omer Avital, bass; Daniel Freedman, percussion; and Gilad Hekselman, guitars. The next time she visits the Bay Area, I will be in the audience, so pleased am I to have obtained this recording.

I bought this album because she is playing at First Night in Boston this New Year's Eve with the concert that begins NPR's New Year's jazz night. I wanted to be familiar with her before I went to see her live. What an amazing album. I can't believe I wasn't familiar with her before this. I tend towards older jazz, but love finding new young talents. She is among the best I have heard in recent years. If you are considering purchasing this album - buy it. If you have a chance to see her live, don't miss the oppportunity. Her playing is spirited, easily accessible, and "just plain fun to listen to"!

...since I have been stopped in my tracks by a beautiful, original, transcendent recording such as this. Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, Coltrane's A Love Supreme, Joni Mitchell's Hejira, Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition.................yep it's that good.

Living away from any vibrant jazz scene it has taken me awhile to get hip to this phenominal talent.

She is to the clarinet as Trane was to the soprano........reinvented. A gift to open ears and hearts