Customer Reviews

Porgy & Bess

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

 

 

I love this album and completely disagree with the first reviewer. To me, what Peterson did with the clavichord is brilliant. At times it sounds like a funky fretted instrument, maybe a mandolin. It's neither harpsichord nor piano. Historically, clavichord predates both. By pressing the keys harder, the player can actually bend strings like a blues guitarist. But clavichord is not a loud instrument-- even an acoustic guitar can overpower it.

Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass are, of course, masters. The playing is top notch (the album was recorded in a single studio session). Harmonically they don't take Gershwin anyplace he hasn't been before, but their assured feel combined with the novel acoustic blend make this album a constant delight.

It probably rates four out of five stars, but I'm giving it five to help counterbalance the extreme low score from the first reviewer.

First : Oscar Peterson plays the clavichord - not piano - and Joe Pass the acoustic guitar.

Second : if you know the first thing, we can say this is an excellent disc, because the songs are wonderful and the musician are formidable.

Obviously the sounds are very different than our habits: just the first track, "Summertime", can give you a turn.

Later, slowly, we can understand that Peterson, when wanted to play the clavichord for this recording (in 1976), was not crazy, naturally: the songs from "Porgy and Bess" are some of the most performed standards, another version was needless, if he cannot try something new.

And some pieces are very good, with these instruments: play "It ain't necessarily so", for example, "I got Plenty o'nuttin" , "There is a boat...".

Joe Pass is very good to maintain the romantic tone of music, even if the metallic sound of the clavichord, and his performance is really magnificent.

I'm adding a five-star review to raise the average rating.

30+ years ago, a friend who loved both jazz and classical introduced me to this recording, and it immediately became one of my favorites.

The metallic "bwang" sound of the clavichord (like the piano, it's a percussion instrument) both complements and contrasts with the "plucked" sound of the guitar. I mean no insult to either performer when I say that this is ideal late-night listening. "Exquisite" is not too far off the mark.

Strongly recommended if you want something out of the ordinary. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is a wonderful recording by Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson. If you wnat to know how Oscar Peterson would sound playing a string instrument, this is the place to go to. Don't let some reviews prevent you from listening these wonderful sounds. Both musicians sound delicate, sensitive, bluesy and sophisticated at the same time. The chosen Gershwin material is outstanding and in the hands of these two masters becomes a wonder of sound layers and musical forms. Strongest recommendation.

While I prefer Peterson's earlier album of Porgy, this is fascinating. The clavichord takes some getting used to, but the more you listen, the more you realize how Peterson and Pass have taken the unusual sound into account in their improvs. You won't hear Peterson's huge block chords, because the clavichord can't really handle them; in fact, Pass does most of the standard "comping." There's a greater emphasis on melody and counterpoint, especially in "It Ain't Necessarily So." Perhaps not for everyone or even all the time, but still an extremely engaging album from two superb musicians.

ONE OF THE WORST RENDITIONS OF PORGY & BESS I HAVE EVER HAD THE DISPLEASURE OF LISTENING TO . WHOEVER THOUGHT A HARPSICORD WAS A PLEASING INSTRUMENT TO LISTEN TO??? THAT'S WHY THEY INVENTED PIANOS
ISN'T IT? PLEASE PUT THIS WHERE SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER WILL SEE IT AND RECONSIDER BUYING IT.