Spirit Song

Kenny Barron | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00004C4P7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,403 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pianist Kenny Barron says he made Spirit Song with the idea of breaking away from the standard bebop chord progressions and 4/4 time, a predictability that's hardly apparent on his this album's Verve predecessors. In any event, this is a typically rich and invigorating collection of mostly Barron originals that reinforces his status as the most gracefully propulsive pianist in jazz today. It's a joy to hear how many rhythmic crevices Barron can explore while engaging percussionist Michael Wall around the title track's four-note vamp, then listen to him follow it with shrewd, sensitive accents on Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower" that there's little need for the rest of the rhythm section (although Billy Hart and Rufus Reid are none too shabby). Another highlight is Barron's cavorting duet with saxophonist David Sanchez on McCoy Tyner's durable "Passion Dance," a heraldic, feel-good celebration that still never loses its cool. With longtime Barron cohort Eddie Henderson blowing muted, Miles-like bubbles on trumpet and Regina Carter and Russell Malone playing guest spots, the ensemble is full-bodied and first rate. Last but not least, Barron's composition "Sonja Braga," named after the sensual Brazilian screen actress, lives up to its name. --Britt Robson

Product Description

Spirit Song by Kenny Barron

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging effort, December 15, 2005

By 

rwsandqmi (Suitland, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit Song (Audio CD)

I'm afraid I must differ with the earlier reviews. Spirit Song is a first rate effort by a veteran jazz musician keeping up with the times while bringing quality composition and musicianship along. Barron has purposely updated and diversified the styles, structures and tempos of the songs on this release, and since it is done with ability and taste, the results are pleasing to the ear as well as to the heart. The musicians who include veterans Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Rufus Reid (bass) and Billy Hart (drums), and young lions David Sanchez (tenor)and Russell Malone (guitar), play well individually and meld well together. Even Regina Carter's jazz violin voice is fitted tastefully and pleasantly within Barron's approach and arrangements. Spirit Song brings the quality and workmanship of a jazz master to the aural expectations of today's audience, and succeeds in doing so.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inventive Compositions, Great Playing., December 26, 2003

By 

John Russon (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirit Song (Audio CD)

Nothing went wrong on this album. It's an inventive and engaging recording by one of the greatest living jazz pianists, accompanied by a host of great players (like Rufus Reid on bass and Billy Hart on Drums). The styles of the compositions are more varied than one finds on most jazz albums, and the instrumentation also varies from tune to tune (including violin on a couple of tracks), but I find it to be of consistently high quality. I am especially fond of the title track, "The Pelican." This was the album that first got me interested in Kenny Barron, and led me to explore his earlier work, and I am very happy that I did.

7 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A major disappointment, December 29, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spirit Song (Audio CD)

What went wrong here? The musicians are excellent: Russell Malone, Billy Hart, and Barron himself. But it's all so derivative and dull. At times, the group wants to sound like Horace Silver. And then it's Ellington. And then it's Miles. Ultimately, nothing comes off. As for jazz violin, well, it's almost bearable. A bummer.