Solo Piano Solos [Jazz Collector Edition]

Earl Hines | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Delta
• ASIN: B000001VU2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,970 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Once in a While

2. Alice Blue Gown

3. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)

4. I Want a Little Girl

5. Don't Take Your Love from Me

6. She's Funny That Way

7. So Can I

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Hines Gem!, April 15, 2004

By 

Joseph P. Reel (Pacific Grove, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Solo Piano Solos [Jazz Collector Edition] (Audio CD)

Earl Hines fans owe LaserLight Digital a debt of gratitude for rescuing this long out of print title from obscurity, and for offering this superbly digitally remastered disc at a bargain price.

Originally released as "Earl Hines at Saralee's," this recording has an interesting history. The year1974 was a typically busy one for Hines with coast-to-coast engagements in major venues from Los Angeles to New York, as well as tours to Latin America, Europe, and Japan. It was also the year he played at the funeral service for his close friend Duke Ellington in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Early in the year Hines had agreed to record a solo session for the small, financially struggling Fairmont label in Los Angeles. Since the label could not afford studio space, the January 29th recording session was arranged by mutual friends at the Santa Monica home of concert pianist Saralee Halprin, who also graciously offered the use of two pianos: one a three-year-old Steinway, the other a 60-year-old Mason Hamlin. Earl chose the older, more sluggish one for it's warmer tone.

Unlike typical club date audiences, the small appreciative gathering at Saralee's remains almost reverentially quiet as Hines stretches out on 5 standards plus one original: his autobiographically tinged vocal on the ballad "So Can I." At age 69, he plays with all the excitement and innovation for which he was known over many decades. While the selections range from "Alice Blue Gown" written in 1919, to "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" (1931) and "Don't Take Your Love From Me" (1941), the music is timeless.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Hines' finest later efforts..., October 19, 2000

By 

Mr. Dixieland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo Piano Solos [Jazz Collector Edition] (Audio CD)

This session was cut exactly 10 years after Earl Hines was re-discovered. Here Hines gets a chance to spread out on seven standards which range about seven minutes apiece. Hines is in prime form throughout, combining traditional stride piano techniques with modern jazz piano techniques. Hines sounds especially influenced on Once In A While & I Want A Little Girl. He also takes a beautiful ballad vocal on hos own composition So Can I. This CD is consistantly enjoyable, and is highly recomended. This is an essential CD, which should be aquired by all stride and Hines fans.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Master Piano, December 14, 2003

By 

M. Gatto (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo Piano Solos [Jazz Collector Edition] (Audio CD)

I just listened to this CD again. It is an excellent example of Hines playing, in his last period.
Hines is always interesting and often surprising. He has a wonderful way with playing bits and pieces of the tune filtered through runs and original fragements of melody and elaborations of the tune. He was clearly one the greatest pianist of his generaton. This CD is a terrific buy. The sound is excellent, the playing is first rate.