Round Midnight

Kenny Burrell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 18, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000009NWJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,070 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the meaning of "COOL"!, February 21, 2002

By 

P.J. Le Faucheur (Canada (ex- U.K. resident)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Round Midnight (Audio CD)

I originally bought it on vinyl back in 1973 when it was first issued. I wore out 2 copies of the vinyl and when i went back for my third copy they told me it had been deleted!!--i nearly cried all the way to my bus stop!!
I remember writing to "Fantasy Records" , begging them to release this one on CD. Well, here it is folks,and i've bought about 3 copies of it just in case they start wearing out again!
Please let me state that if it's lightning speed you like in jazz guitar playing don't consider this c.d.
Although Burrell CAN play at frenetic speeds (check out "BLUE LIGHTS" volumes 1 & II , or "All Day Long/All Night Long" ) this is not his aim.
Burrells goal has always been to acheive feel, soulfulness and emotion and he succeeds EVERY time
whereas hundreds of other guitar players fail miserably.
If you are looking for a beautifully,BLUESY, relaxed setting, with plenty of gorgeous Fender Rhodes electric piano (by Joe Sample ) then this one is yours. The atmosphere Kenny creates here well matches the album title 100%! It's high quality "dinner jazz" but with a cool blues edge.
If you are a rock or blues guitarist reading this review please note this is the guy who was a HUGE influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan (listen to Stevies homage to him on the track "Chitlins Con Carne" on his c.d. "The Sky is Crying"!)
and Kenny Burrell influenced Hendrix as well who was noted as saying " if there's anyone i would love to sound like it would be Kenny Burrell" What drew these two rockers into Kenny's space was Burrells unique feel for the Blues. Even though he plays Blues with the sophistication and finesse of a classical guitarist Kenny still maintains a downhome, lonesome edge. Kenny, Herb Ellis and a few others are the only surviving jazz guitarists from the "old school" and constitute a direct link with Charlie Christian . Listen out for the first track " Streetcar Named Desire"...and an INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL lonesome, terrace- top setting for Johnny Mercer's " Blues In The Night". Kenny's adaptation of Randy Newmans classic "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" is soulful.
"Since I Fell For You" has Kenny preaching the Blues again.
You won't be disappointed if you get this CD.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best CD By One Jazz's Greatest Musicians, August 24, 2003

By 

Brian Kelly (Music City, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Round Midnight (Audio CD)

I couldn't agree more with the other reviews written here. This is probably Kenny's best all-around recording. Every note is perfect and the mood and vibe he creates lasts from his very first statement all the way until the last note is played. Over the last twenty-five years I have listened to this recording more than any other I have ever owned. Usually over and over without stop. It really is that good. For some reason I cannot fathom it only gets a moderate review in The All Music Guide and that is a shame because that review probably has caused this recording to become somewhat overlooked. Kenny has other great records and recordings like Midnight Blue, Guitar Forms, Ellington Is Forever and the album he did with John Coltrane are classics but even they can't top this one. This is a must have recording!!! Even for those who are not hardcore jazz fans because the music on this recording is so good it can easily transcend genres.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the very best Burrel recordings., August 12, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Round Midnight (Audio CD)

This often overlooked CD is probably the very best all around recording of Kenny's. It's got everything! It's bluesy and beautiful and the material is very well rounded. The tune "Since I Fell For You" sounds like it could have been written for Kenny and "'Round Midnight" maybe the definitive version of an often recorded masterpiece. Buy this record. You won't regret it.