Customer Reviews

Single Petal of a Rose

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Having seen Marian play duets with Dave Brubeck and Chicago's Willie Pickens in 2000, I can testify to the fact she can still perform with surprising vigor for a woman of 82. Unfortunately, a good share of that vigor is suppressed on this CD, and I suspect it's because of the piano-bass format on about half the tracks. I'd rather have seen Marian go it alone, though she did that at the same location nearly a decade earlier (on the highly recommended "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall"). And she addressed the Billy Strayhorn portion of the Ellington repertoire on a Concord CD in 1987, so it's clear the decision was based on the need for a new wrinkle.

The highlights are the solo performances on "Take the 'A' Train" and the title tune, which display her characteristic tone. While the CD does not live up to the sleeve note writer's characterization of "essential," it is a leisurely stroll through some of the best tunes in the jazz repertoire -- nice for Marian's fans, but not essential at a time when there are dozens of Ellington tribute albums available. But if you buy, take the time to enjoy the cover artwork, which Marian painted herself at about age 16.

This is a really nice example of Marian McParland's work. It reminds me of her Maybeck Recital series. Her heavy use of chords rather than runs has always appealled to me. In that regard she is pretty much the opposite of Art Tatum. If you enjoy Brubeck, you will probably like this. The inclusion of a bass line on alternate tracks adds variety. If you listen in the car, the bass solos get lost a little bit. They are better enjoyed in a quieter environment. I would have liked more uptempo tracks, but that is a personal preference. I'm a sucker for a good beat.

Concord Records latest release from, the first lady of jazz piano, Marian McPartland, pays tribute to one of the greatest, the great American composer, "DUKE ELLINGTON". This live recording, at historic Maybeck Studio for the Performing Arts, an intimate solo piano and duo concert, "SINGLE PETAL OF A ROSE - THE ESSENCE OF DUKE ELLINGTON".

Featuring Marian's encyclopedic jazz piano vocalbulary, her delicate-yet-firm touch, and creative, colorful reharmonizations that make even the most familar Ellington compositions sound as fresh and new, as the delightfully more obscure Ellington tunes. McPartland unearths, the intimate, loving tribute to the Duke, is sure to be a instant classic.

Recommend, to all Ellington and McPartland fans alike, this is one not to be missed.

Total Time: 72:22 on 13 Tracks/ Concord Records - CCD 4895 2 (2000)

I love The Single Petal of a Rose. Duke Ellington wrote it for Queen Elizabeth, part of the Queen Suites.
Also, Marian McPartland did the art work on the cover of the CD when she was a little girl. He was awesome!
She did a beautiful job on this CD. She's beyond this world.