Customer Reviews

The Pecan Tree

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a copy of the latest from Joe Sample "Pecan Tree".

Every song is wonderful, but the one I have put on "repeat" all morning at my desk is the Silver/Davis classic "With These Hands."

Between the lyrics and Joe's mellow piano tunes undergirding Howard Hewett's vocal, I have to fight the tears sitting here.

Oh my...you NEVER go wrong with the classic love ballads.

I also enjoyed the personal notes from Joe speaking about his childhood and the story behind the title of this project "Pecan Tree." The description of the tree (magnificent) and it's functions (bearing delicious fruit and sheilding from the intense midsummer sun) are heart-warming and are depicted perfectly.

Thank you (again) Joe--you've done it again.

P.S. Amen to the pecan pie statement too! :-)

Joe Sample has brought us outstanding piano ensemble work for nearly 30 years ever since he pulled forward from the remarkable
Crusaders who trademarked a brand of soulful jazz and funky grooves ahead of their time. This album continues to deliver
toally deep down soulful rhythm and blues grooves that have been
the framework for his lush impressionistic harmonies and concise
charismatic keyboard solos which mark his signature style all
his fans have been in love with for years. His melodies are always lyrical, we feel we can just about write our own words to his song, that's how he holds our interest, by refusing to go above our heads as listeners. Now and then he brings in fine jazz vocalists to add that extra human touch to his presentation,
and the offerings of Lizz Wright are a delight, her warm smoky
vocals as soothing as a blanket that complements his down to
earth grooves. This album reminds of his other fine work -
"Old Places, Old Faces", which is outstanding in its metaphorical ability to take us to places he has been. Joe
is a gifted musical storyteller, and we never lose interest.

Joe Sample exhibits here why he is a living legend on keyboards, surrounding himself with top-notch musicians and evoking bits of many genres in his compositions. Mostly jazz, yes, but infused with bits of soul and funk and who knows what else. We benefit from his years of experience and exposure to music. This is a refreshing disc in days when popular music is no longer determined by real talent.

11 tracks, 54 minutes playing time.

This is a fantastic CD. I've been a fan of Joe Sample for a couple of years. The Song "Fool's Gold" is probably my favorite song off the whole CD. There is not one Song in my opinion that is just OK they are all great. The momment I put it in I felt as if I was in a Jazz Club drinking a martini. The piano work is just great. I highly recommend this album if you like Jazz period. I don't normally take the time to write on how much I like a CD but for this one I have to take the time to say GET IT! Happy Listening and Take Care.

Joe Sample is phenomenal. The Pecan Tree is just another example of his remarkable talent. Howard Hewitt's performance on "With these Hands" had me mesmerized. "No one but myself to blame" was also one of my favorite tracks on the c.d. I have practically worn my c.d out, I just can't get enough.
Joe, keep doing your thing!

After listening to this CD on phila. smooth Jazz, The natural instinc t of a Jazz fanatic like myself is to do warp 6 to the CD store and get this before it can even touch the shelf. A follower of the Crusaders for more than 25 years, This is another soon to be classic. One of the major to be listened to songs on this CD, after x marks the spot, is Fool's Gold. Heartbeat by Howard Hewitt is another great tune.
Make no mistake, this is another excellent production and wil make an excellent musical selection for anyones collection

This is the best CD Joe Sample has released since 1996. In the past, Sample has consistently released fantastic albums that listeners have revisted time and again (himself included), but lately, for some unknown reason, Sample hit a period of stagnation. He re-released and re-performed old songs (which were good, but lacked creativity) and also released works which weren't of the quality that most are used to. Although, a few tracks from "The Song Lives On" are great, the album as a whole just states that he lost a spark. This may have been involved with his recent movement around record labels from Warner Bros. (a label that held sample for over 30 years). Now, Sample is back, writing and performing like he used to and making music as good as his last truly great CD, "Old Places Old Faces." The chord structure, heavy handedness, and composition is at a present high, and hopefully this will last for quite a while.

I cant believe that this man is still doing his thing. And he never puts out a bad album. Like a fine wine, Joe Sample gets better with age. This album proves it all. And the wonderful voice of Howard Hewett is just the icing on the cake. Thanks Joe for all the good music you have given us with The Crusaders, all all of your solo work. Carmel, Rainbow Seeker, The Hunter, Ashes to Ashes, Invitation. The list goes on and on. Keep giving us more. Once again....."Real music 4 real music lovers!!!"

...right here in my list of favorites. That particular cut is just that--one of my favorites. I have a few of Joe Samples CD's and albums, and I have to say, he just keeps getting better.
I supposed if I were going to compare this CD to Free Yourself, I'd have to say that perhaps X Marks the Spot runs about neck and neck. Free Yourself is on Old Places and Old Faces. Also I have Sample This to compare to. And I did enjoy Pecan Tree better than that one--if LOVING them ALL makes for a good measuring line. (smile) But for Pecan Tree, X Marks the Spot was what took me to the CD and probably the only track that really STOOD out for me. The title track had a drama that I enjoyed. Hot and Humid was a nice travel beat. The vocals of Ms. Brooks were candlelight and you type and I did like them but they broke the flow for me thanks goodness I was brought back right away with X marks the spot and perhaps that's why its my keeper. It saves the CD from going into a direction could cause me to SKIP to Disc number--- Because right after that FOOLS GOLD is light and likely. I do enjoy that one. And of course Spanish Moss made for good writing fodder as it usually takes me half the way through a CD to get my thoughts together to write anyway. ALL in ALL a very HIGHLY recommended CD from an old Favorite--Joe Sample.

It's hard to find just the right thing to give to someone, because I can't afford to be extravagant, yet I want something classy and wonderful that will touch people's hearts and give them long hours of enjoyment. I've always loved anything I've heard by Joe Sample and, as other reviewers have stated here, his effortless genius appeals to so many people and his soulful music is something I never tire of. This album is very well produced/recorded, the musicians are "hot and humid," the compositions move me and the vocalists do a nice job. The Pecan Tree makes a beautiful gift for someone else or just for you. Five stars!