Customer Reviews

Soulful Strut

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

 

 

The two aspects of jazz I enjoy most are the complex
rhythms that it tends to offer as well as the interaction
between musicians and their instruments. Unfortunately little of
that exists on this recording. Although it may work for some listenters, I find electronic drum beats and a general lack of musical accompanyment a tragedy of modern music. I know, it's the music that tends to sell these days, but if it wasn't for Grover's sax playing, there would be little if any soul or swing on this recording. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy a few of the tracks: Village Groove, Headman's Haunt, and Mystical Force, but I need more than three tracks to induce me to queue up a cd for full listening. I fully understand that Grover has always been into funk and soul jazz, but considering the quality music he has made in the past, I'm surprised that toward the end of his career his music devolved into something one would hear in an elevator.

Just as a couple of other interviewers said, one should not use this recording to introduce someone (who has never heard of GW Jr.) to Mr. Washington's music. While this album does have its own lyrical highlights("Poacher Man") and musical gems("Mystical Force," "Play that Groove For Me"), it's just not as rich, layered, and live as any of his albums from the '70s & '80s. If you've never heard of him before, consider first his calling card song, or his claim to fame: The title song "Mister Magic" from a well-known '70s album.

Smooth, beautiful playing, every bit as lovely as "Winelight", which was the first album of Grover Washington's I ever heard and the one that made me fall in love with his playing.

Another masterpiece by Grover who never failed to please. His passing in December left a huge void and his talent will be hard to replace. Anyone who fails to love this album cant be a self respecting jazz fan! Of all his cd's this is my favourite and if your anything like me it should appeal to the hopeless romantics out there. As always the tracks are instantly recognisable as Grover's and are best played on a warm summer's evening, a bottle of chilled Chardonnay in hand and preferably a little moon & stars and that someone special.

I purchased this album while I was on a cross-country driving trip in Memphis, Tn. I slipped it in the car CD player and BAM! Soulful Strut explodes into my eardrums. Grover never ceased to amaze me. Village Groove, Mystical Force, Uptown! the list goes on and on. Grover, I can't count times that you played that groove for me. True fans, if you don't have this album, go out and get it. Trust me! You will not be disappointed.. Rest in Peace Mr. Magic.....

Grover Washington Jr is a very good saxophonist! He's just as great as Kenny G or Boney James, and much better than Najee or Eric Marienthal. The best songs on this cd are Soulful Strut, Can You Stop the Rain, and Mystical Force. And if you like this album, be sure to check out Winelight!

I'll give Grover Washington credit for playing the sax well. But the two best tracks are "Soulful Strut" and "Can You Stop The Rain". The rest of the tracks are so-so, but don't come close to the aforementioned two.

Grover Washington, Jr's Soulful Strut just makes me move!!!!!
I love doing water exercises to his CD.