Solo

Vijay Iyer | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 27, 2010
• Label: ACT Music
• Copyright: 2010 ACT Music + Vision GmbH + Co.KG
• Total Length: 56:58
• Genres:
  • Jazz
• ASIN: B0040JEF62
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,005 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD of solo piano music, takes a while to seep in though.... October 19, 2010

By Ziontrain

Format:Audio CD

This solo piano CD by Vijay Iyer is fantastic, really rich and diverse. Lots of layers to the music. On first listen the Michael Jackson cover stood out more, which is not surprising given the really catchy melody he had to work with there. The cover is of course a bit sentimental, but its well done and not slavish at all. Mostly uses the original as a take off point and anchor.

The rest of the CD, while not as catch is better actually. On first listen it didn't grab me, but on subsequent listenings came to really impress me with its layers and quality. It's gentle music but it does require active listening to really get the most out of it. I dont think anyone looking for lounge music will find this to be the best purchase. I've listened to some Ahmad Jamal material where you could enjoy it on both shallow and deeper levels, but I wouldnt say Iyer was able to do that here other, than with the MJ cover.

The production quality is quite good, clear and crisp. I think there is double tracking with overlays on different channels, but not sure.

I actually liked this music better than I did the previous CD, Historicity, with Vijay in a Trio. Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Virtuoso Performance from a Star That Has Arrived December 1, 2010

By collinsnet

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought Vijay Iyer's trio on his Historicity album of 2009 was as good as it could get for this new star, until I heard his newest work, Solo. This is not something to take in quickly, it must be savored as one would with any great work of art. Since I first listened I find that each time I devote some time to this masterwork it reveals some new bit of genius from Iyer. The recording begins simply enough with a beautiful song, Human Nature, that reminds me of Keith Jarrett at his best. Iyer then moves through stirring versions of Monk's Epistrophy, jazz standard Darn That Dream, and Black and Tan Fantasy, an ode to Ellington. While the first four songs nod to those that have come before him, there is nothing traditional in the way Iyer interprets them. Following the magnificent opening songs Iyer begins to stamp this recording with his own unique style, heavy with improvisation and emotion. My personal favorite is Autoscopy, although I find Patterns and One For Blount equally compelling. Whatever your taste, I will be surprised if any true jazz fan does not find much to love throughout this recording. If you enjoy listening to great jazz pianists like Monk, then this is a sure bet, can't miss purchase. I also recommend it to anyone who is a fan of musicians that are not only interested in perfecting technique, but in breaking new ground. We see so many very talented musicians that are great technical performers, but lack vision and fresh ideas. Vijay Iyer strikes me as a visionary and risk-taker that is not content with incremental improvements. This is why I believe he is someone special and worthy of the accolades he seems to be receiving. Buy this if you are a fan of the musicians that set a new standard and that others emulate. I have always admired Monk, Jaco, Parker, and Miles because I felt they redefined their instruments. I am beginning to think that Vijay Iyer is headed in that same direction. May he continue on to join the Greats of Jazz.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hear Him Live..!! December 9, 2010

By Ad Arma

Format:Audio CD

Last Night, Dec. 8, 2010, in a small town here in Holland. Outside it was freezing cold, the ice was shining from the streets and the weather-expectations were.: More snow and ice...!
The Small Theatre, PARADOX in Tilburg, legendary jazz-impro-lab, once set-up by musicians themselves, was only containing about 30 people..
It is a small theatre anyway, but all the big-ones of Jazz have played there and found, once on stage, this very uplifting sphere, a spirit that is very warming.. many remindable concerts were given there.. ..
A double concert, this night, starting at 21.00..In the first program the group: SPOON 3 + 1 Fork: Avantgarde. Nice Jazz/crossings. Crazy, funny and sometimes deepdroning into the ear and brain.. Kneer on Bass is a miracle on itself..
Vijay Iyer had to be good to meet up with that level!!
Well, he did! Once seated behind the piano the magic started to roll.. Two hands make a concert.. Only two hands.. It is as if he produces these layers and tapits of sounding swimming tones in order to let them go in freedom on the one side and control them on the other.. I heard echoes of Satie, Glass, Debussy and ofcourse some standards.. But just echoes and pronounciations by giving some bright and harder tones trough the layers.. The only thing you can do, when listening to him life is: close your eyes and let yourself float-in.. The brightness of the sounds when sitting this close to the instrument... This was one of the best concerts of my life! The extra song of the concert was done in the honour of John Lennon and Vijay's grandfather..
What a beauty! Heart and sound became one and the love came trough in pure honesty with a little indian-spherical sound marvelling trough.. A seconds-long silence and a sigh from the audience before the applause broke loose!! Thanks Vijay !

Have seen you will be back next year, this time in the BIM, Amsterdam, with the new group that reaches back to your Indian Roots..Tethra Ensemble....
Am looking forward to that one!