Old School New Lessons

Bob Mintzer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mcg Jazz
• ASIN: B000E6EHRC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,043 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern Cool, April 1, 2006

By 

Jim Newsom (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Old School New Lessons (Audio CD)

Though he's best known for his work with the Yellowjackets, Bob Mintzer was producing superb big band recordings long before joining that quartet. His writing for larger ensembles has always knocked me out, and this disc, culled from two live concerts at Pittsburgh's Manchester Craftsman's Guild Hall, ranks with his best. His regular bandmates join him on two numbers-the Latin funk of "Mofongo" and mellow groovin' "Mosaic"-and vocalist extraordinaire Kurt Elling steps in for two Coltrane-connected tunes-a surprising sprite of an arrangement on "My One and Only Love" that bears no resemblance whatsoever to Johnny Hartman's read, and the potent "Resolution" section of A Love Supreme complete with the singer's original lyrics. The big band brings an expansive new depth to YJ classic "Runferyerlife," and adds richness to the other Mintzer originals we recognize from the Jacket discography. The saxophonist himself delivers some of the set's best solos, but the whole aggregation wails, moans and exalts ferociously.
--originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 3/28/06.
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. Used by permission.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great except for the vocals, December 1, 2006

By 

Bassplayer "Mark" (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old School New Lessons (Audio CD)

Bob Mintzer's big band writing is great, the musicians are wonderful and there is a lot to like on this CD ... except for the Vocals of Kurt Elling on "My One and Only Love" and "Resolution". Honest to God - when I first heard this recording of "My One and Only Love" I thought it was a joke. Elling's pitch is all over the place, you can't tell if this is supposed to be jazz styling or if he just can't find the notes. Why didn't they do another take? On "Resolution" he's trying to sound like Coltrane or something but it just grates on the nerves. It starts off with a promising big band intro and then Elling starts in with the OOOHHH, blah be do ba-dah, be blop blop do be daa stuff and then there seems to be some actual words and then I'm not so sure what's happening. It sounds like the part of the Coltrane solos they should have edited out.
Mr. Elling is probably a fine fellow but his singing is too inflected for my taste, these two tracks are downright grating. The rest of the CD is great.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent live recordings!, February 27, 2011

By 

Sigpaw - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Old School New Lessons (Audio CD)

The other reviews offer excellent insight on the genre and arrangement. So I'll offer a more technical evaluation...

Some of the finest live recordings in my collection! Bob Mintzer has always been a benchmark in audio reproduction. This album is a classic example. Clean, concise, the imaging is excellent. I also love the way he mixes the band "up front".

I WILL offer comment on Kurt Elling's vocal performance in "Resolution". I find it quite musical and entertaining. Parts of it remind me a bit of the Transfer's Bop runs in "Birdland". His "bending" of the pitch is more a manner of style and interpretation. I guess some might not see this?

Anyway, a GREAT album! Buy it and enjoy! :-)