Customer Reviews

Solo Live

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

 

 

When I first encountered this recording, I knew nothing about the artist, his background, experience, training, etc. I simply heard one cut on Austin's public radio station of one of my favorite Duke Ellington tunes, "Caravan" -- and I literally had to pull over and listen to avoid having a wreck. The recording is live, so there is no overdubbing or "fixing it in the mix" activity. The amazing technique illustrated by Petrucciani in this one cut, along with the improvisatory genius of someone who really understands what Ellington's music was all about -- both held me spell-bound to the end of the performance. I immediately called the station to find out the name of the artist and album and then ordered it from Amazon/com. Upon hearing the remainder of the CD I realized that this rendition of "Caravan" wasn't a fluke at all -- the entire recording was of the same incredible calibre as the one cut I'd heard on the air. Other professional pianists for whom I've played this recording have all remarked on the clarity of his lines and the flawless technique. Yet here is a player who is fearless about doing anything he wants during a concert -- even at times reducing his improvisation to a slow, quiet, one-finger rendering of the melody while still holding the listener tightly by the ears. If you're a fan of astounding technique, improvisatory magic, and the artistry of one who obviously has total control over his instrument, this CD is for you.

Petrucciani at his best.If you are a piano lover ,jazz lover or just a simple music lover do yourself a favor , run and buy this album now!

P.S. The recording sound quality is amazing too!

Solo Live is a very accessible, absolutely beautifully performed blend of improvisation and newly interpreted jazz pieces. Although this might not be one of Petrucciani's most emotional concerts (a German audience is somewhat less of an excited bunch than, say, the French) this album catches the ear of the listener from the first second. It is a compact collection of wonderfully assembled songs, which fit together in a magical way. Petruccianis style is similar to Keith Jarrett, although he has a more pronounced feeling for melodies: Solo Live is more extroverted, more accessible, more versatile than the Koln for instance.

This is a great album, no question about it. Let me give potential buyers a kind reminder, though. This concert has since been issued as a double CD called Piano Solo, The Complete Concert in Germany, which has a couple of more songs on it. With a different cover and title, I assumed that this CD was from a different concert. Now it'll end up as a gift for a very lucky friend. If you bought (or consider buying) the Dreyfus box-set, the newer, double-CD version is included. So, to recap, both these two albums are from the same concert: Frankfurt Alte Oper, February 27, 1997. Happy listening.

maybe most people out there haven't heard of michel petrucciani, the noted french pianist who died in1999 from complications from a life long bone disease, but you can have the privilege of listening to what i think is the greatest jazz musician of our generation..if you listen to his mastery of the keyboard performing "caravan" your jaw will drop with amazement at the clarity and power of the notes..i've rarely heard anyone so in command of his instrument...the music is art and there's art all over his renditions ...give yourself a treat and buy this album as well as his "so what" album..a compilation of the best of petrucciani

Recorded less than 2 years before he died, this record lets us listen to the mature and superior piano-player to which Michel Petrucciani had developed. At the age of only 34 - amazing ! The concert starts with "Looking Up" - a tune recorded two times earlier by Petrucciani with both acoustic and electric backing. Here its played on a solo piano - and Petrucciani releases the full potential of the melody: So optimistic and beautifull that it raises the small hair on my arms - and give a feeling of the sun shining even on a rainy day... The rest of the record keeps this sky-high standard - and its hard to put into text the feelings of beauty, clearness, energy and optimism listening to it gives. Its one of the three best Petrucciani records ever. To me it brings back the memory of a solo-concert in Copenhagen at about the same time of this recording (1997): We arrived in the last moment - Petrucciani was already on stage and started playing right away. No talking - just concentrating on the music (almost the same tunes as here). When he stopped playing and the lights went up, I first thought that it was only a brake after the first of two sets. But no: The concert was over - and 80 minutes had passed by feeling like 20. I was a litte disappointed until we got outside, sad down - and then the concert really hit us: The next hour none of us spoke to each other - Petrucciani had given so much that had to be digested before we were able to talk again! I think listening to this record can bring some of the same emotions to you. GET IT !

I close my eyes, and I'm lifted away from the troubles and woes of life by the piano that is taking me on a romantic journey only ending when the last key is played by this genius.
Michel Petrucciani's ability to change ones emotions and thoughts is a gift that he thankfully chose to share.
I recommend this title as an introduction to his music.

This recording is the one of the most amazing experiences I have had in a long (59+ Years) eventful life. The extravagant praises you have read in the other reviews for Track #10 Caravan are not hype . It'll never be done as monumentally creatively again. That rendition is the most amazing of the tracks but what about" A Little Bit in C for U ". This CD would be a truly amazing performance for a normally healthy man, but to consider that these incredibly upbeat, technically almost impossible pieces were played by a man suffering a morbidly deforming disease is life-changeably uplifting. I can never complain again about any of my limitations !!!!!

I have to agree with all of these 5 star reviews: this is one of my favorite piano records. It is the best Petrucciani I have heard (his combo work on Joe Lovano's "From the Soul" also comes to mind).

This is a truly uplifting album, and happens to be very well recorded on a rich sounding piano.

I cannot overstate the contributions of Mr. petrucciani to the world through his musical prowess. if you have a need to be inspired, listen to this recording.
What a gift!