Customer Reviews

Standard Time, Vol.3: The Resolution Of Romance

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Here I am; a middle aged white guy from Tennessee. I HATE jazz! Or so I thought. My favorite "easy listening" station played "Where or When" from this album and I knew I had to have it. Now, unlike the music fan from Holland, I wouldn't know a long note from a tinkling arpeggio; and I don't care. What I do know is that this album is absolutely beautiful. I listened to it 4 straight times when it first arrived...and it just gets smoother each time. Somehow, it doesn't seem fair to catagorize music like this into a genre. There is something here for almost everyone. If I had to pick one selection that would be my least favorite it would be "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues". Otherwise....everything is GOLD ! And now if anyone asks me if I like jazz, I can just say "yup, I shore do!"

My wife and I have enjoyed a cassette of this recording for more than ten years. It has travelled many miles, going along in the car and shifting up and down the stairs from bedroom to living room. Just as I was getting worried that the dynamics were becoming rather flat, I find the CD!
The reason I love this CD is that it conveys the warm relationship Wynton has with his father, and the intimacy can be heard on every long note, every tinkling arpeggio. Unlike Wynton's many other works, in which virtiousity and speed appear to be most paramount, this date was quiet and laid back. The trumpet sings gently throughout, and the space it leaves is the space for lovers to nestle and cuddle.
It is a mark of masterly that these two musicians could be so economical and yet reach the listener with so much power and conviction.

This is music for an elegant Saturday night. The up-tempo numbers are relaxed and friendly; the ballads are pieces you'd want to have on hand for seducing someone. Marsalis' soulful, often muted trumpet sounds as good as always, and he's joined for perfectly thoughtful, understated piano accompaniment by father Ellis. A lovely gem of an album.

I don't have a lot of music critic vocabulary but I am life long lover of music, studied intensely for most of my collegiate career and I can say that this collection of songs represents some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

I just cannot believe Wynton Marsalis's incredible tone and emotion he puts forth in his trumpet. His use of various mutes adds even more flavor to the meaning of every track. In this album he has Satchmo's soul and Davis's creativity rolled with Marsalis's own tone and emotion. One heck of an album for all people who really like music!

"In all, Wynton Marsalis has done notable work for the blushing and broiling heart at the center of all romantic notions. By doing so, he further establishes not only the grandeur of a singing tradition of instrumental interpretation but his own indelible place in it." ~ Stanley Crouch ~

The third of a series of six albums, "Standard Time, Volume 3: The Resolution of Romance" features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet, his father Ellis Marsalis on piano, Reginald Veal on bass and Herlin Riley on drums. Together, they present a mix of timeless standards and a few originals from Marsalis. The tunes are relaxing, soothing and heartwarming. Some of the most beautiful works from the brilliant tunesmiths in the Tin Pan Alley are represented here. These tunes have been recorded countless times, but the quartet's interpretations are simply splendid from Richard Rodgers' "Where Or When," "It's Easy To Remember" and Ray Noble's "The Very Thought of You" to Harry Warren's "You're My Everything," Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" and David Mann's "In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning," where you could hear the wailing and affecting sound of his trumpet.

Listen closely to one of my all-time favorite tunes from Richard Rodgers, "My Romance" and savor the charms of Ellis Marsalis' outstanding and heartwarming piano artistry. To me, this is one of the best musical moments and best ever solo performances in the history of jazz piano. Ditto with his beautiful solo performance on Burton Lane's "Too Late Now."

There's no doubt that Mr. Marsalis is one of the best trumpet players in the jazz scene of today. He truly deserves the accolade as the "New Orleans Trumpet King" for his body of work is considered as some of the most remarkable recordings in the genre of instrumental jazz.

This is a perfect listen if you just want some quiet moments on a breezy and cozy Spring night such as this. Listen closely with your undivided attention and savor the beauty of this recording. With my heartfelt recommendation.

"Let the sounds of music creep in our ears
Soft stillness, and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony" ~ William Shakespeare ~

* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *

For job reasons, I don't live with my wife and children; but every 6-8 weeks when I return home and put the kids to bed, this is the cd that my wife and I reach for. 'Nuff Said!

Aside from the well-documented fact that this is first-rate music-making, this disc also happens to be very well recorded. For the audiophiles - many of these tracks are demonstration quality. What more could one ask for? Spare, well-recorded, instrumentation serving delightful music. If you don't like this, you probably won't ever like jazz.

If you're a music lover like I am, you tend to forget some gems sitting on your CD shelf, and instead focus on newer artists, newer recordings. I recently heard the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and before the concert I dusted off this CD.

Truly a gem. I love this CD not only for Wynton's emotive artistry, but for Ellis'. Some folks may think Ellis' style is understated... I think it's perfectly balanced.

Wynton is the master of the mood... this CD sustains a mellow, romantic mood throughout all the tracks. Playful at times, a little sad at others, the melodies are great.