Customer Reviews

In Person

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

 

 

Timmons showed with this live release (New York 1961) that he was more than just the composer of popular jazz hits. His funky, soulful sound is on display, but so is a deft, lyrical touch. He also leads a tightly-knit group that included two young players who went on to great jazz accomplishments: Ron Carter on bass and Al "Tootie" Heath on drums.

Timmons achieved notoriety at a very young age with compositions that were extremely popular, at least by jazz standards: "Moanin'"; "Dis Here"; and "Dat Dere," which is included in this set. He brought together strains of R&B and church music with catchy, insistent melodies and memorable hooks. It's said that the pianist, who died quite young and battled alcoholism, was greatly frustrated by the constraints that the popularity of his "hits" brought on his playing.

Be that as it may, when you listen to "Dat Dere" on this set, you understand why people demanded to hear it. It blends a throbbing vamp together with a deceptively simple-sounding line extremely effectively. Timmons plays brightly and soulfully, and his sound contains no hint of affectation, of trying to be hip and earthy for mere effect.

For my money, just as effective -- and affecting -- is his composition "So Tired," which is set up by some cooking drums and bass. Timmons has again written a strong melodic line on this tune with a fine bridge. He demonstrates a fleet touch, and a strong affinity with his bandmates.

The album also displays Timmons' touch with a ballad, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," and his familiarity with and ability to interpret standards with his rendition of "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise" and "Autumn Leaves."

Timmons was a badly underrated pianist, not because he's unknown, but because many listeners associate him only with the three aforementioned compositions. Check this album out for a better insight into his pianistic capabilities. You know a guy that Cannonball Adderly and Art Blakey wanted to hold onto as long as possible had plenty of music in him.

This was the second Timmon's CD I have purchased and it is a definitive live jazz set. Timmon's is an underrated pianist who was one of the funkiest players of the 60's. Give him and his music go, you will not be disappointed. Just one of many highlights is "So Tired" taken as an uptempo romp through quite original territory. This is quite simply, classic material.

I was first introduced to this albumn about 20 years ago. "Check out this piano work" my musician friend had said. From the very first time I heard "So Tired", I knew I'd found something special.

The piano playing isn't clean, but it's pure. The compositions are unique and special. I can't say enough about this albumn. It's number one on my list. (number two is "Kind of Blue").

Enjoy!

A wonderful cd that explores the lyricism of jazz music. Sweet melodies underly fascinating romps. If you want a peek at an earlier Bobby Timmons, check out "Soulful Mr. Timmons" on Art Blakey's Album of the Year. The best track on a great album.

Twinky from Australia is right on. Everybody listen to "So Tired" and let me hear a complaint. Everything else on this album (CD) is perfect too.

This is a CD remastered from a 1950s record which is no longer available. Timmons only made a few records and this is his best one. The CD illustrates his piano playing very well and is well worth getting as a rare example of a very good pianist playing 1950's jazz. The jazz standard "Autumn Leaves" is really great.

I really liked the music on this CD although the sound quality is not exactly the greatest. By way of disclosure, however, I generally do not care for live recordings because of the background noise and untimely applause. In terms of distracting applause, this CD is over the top--some in the audience get overly excited in the middle of some songs and start clapping. That ruins it for me. I wish I could find a studio recording of this CD.

Excellent service. CD arrived in just a couple days and was in perfect condition.