Standards & Ballads [Import]

Wynton Marsalis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B000YRY80M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,356 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop
  • #30 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > General AAS
  • #30 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > Bebop General

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wynton Marsalis and His Passion for Standards, May 27, 2008

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Standards & Ballads (Audio CD)

"Even though I write a lot of music, I have always loved to play standards because they create a mood of expectation from the audience, even if they do not know the standard. That is the most magical thing about standards. They communicate well to the novice as well as the experienced jazz listener, which is the perfect audience, primarily because at the moment of communication, all knowledge becomes equal." ~ Wynton Marsalis ~

Released in January of this year, "Standards & Ballads," is Wynton Marsalis' latest offering and gift to jazz lovers. It is a collection of beautiful jazz tunes that he recorded between 1983 and 1997 and taken from eight different albums. It is a mix of timeless standards and some of his originals. Among the finest musicians who are featured in these recordings include his father and brother, Ellis Marsalis and Branford Marsalis, respectively, and Ron Carter (bass), Kenny Kirkland (piano) and Lewis Nash (drums).

Wynton Marsalis has outdone himself in playing one of my favorite tunes from this collection, "Stardust"... the arrangement is classically-infused and it is sooo beautiful that I listened to it repeatedly. On this track, he is joined by his brother, Branford Marsalis on both tenor and soprano sax, Kent Jordan on alto flute, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jeffrey Watts on drums. I can imagine Hoagy Carmichael from above giving them thumbs-up and listening with pride for what these creative musicians have done to his masterpiece. This track was recorded in 1984 and was taken from Hot House Flowers.

Marsalis' exceptional flair in trumpet is also evident on his delivery of a Jule Styne melody, "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry"... it is lyrically and harmonically overflowing with charms. This was recorded in 1997 and was taken from Standard Time, Vol.5: The Midnight Blues.

Shirley Horn graced this recording with her most recognizable voice in Vernon Duke and Ira Gershwin's "I Can't Get Started" making it one of the high points on this compilation. This was taken from the soundtrack of a 1990 film, The Original Soundtrack From Tune In Tomorrow.

This is such a gorgeous collection of standards from a fine trumpet player that is meant to be listened to and enjoyed for all seasons through all the years. With my heartfelt recommendation.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." ~ John Keats ~

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

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive collection of "standards", March 6, 2008

By 

DJ Outro (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standards & Ballads (Audio CD)

Wynton Marsalis has been described as the most powerful jazz musician in America today. "Powerful" is an appropriate adjective not only for his commitment to jazz education and proliferation (he made Jazz at Lincoln Center an internationally respected name) but also for his calm, controlled, and thoughtful approach to the trumpet. When you hear him drag on the melodic lines of My Ideal (tk 7) à la Miles Davis, or pound on the staccato beats of When It's Sleepytime Down South (tk 1) or float, muted, over the drum beat of Flamingo (tk 14), you recognize the depth of his art and the strength he has in knowing when to push and when to let. The arrangement of April In Paris (tk 12) is a standout of the album - the quartet dramatically changes feels from a hurried straight to a loose swing throughout - highly recommended. Marsalis co-produced this compilation of jazz standards and by choosing unusual standards and unique performances, we see how attentive he is to reinterpreting the shared language of the jazz world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He Sure Knows His Way Around The Great American Songbook, March 31, 2009

By 

Shell-Zee (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standards & Ballads (Audio CD)

Wynton Marsalis has tried his hand at every musical format from the original music soundtrack to big-band intreptations of Ellington, Mingus and Jelly Roll Morton. He's composed classical suites with Edger Meyer and tried his hand at country music performing with Willie Nelson. The scope of his musical interests seems almost limitless. And let us not forget, Mr. Marsalis has yet to celebrate his fifieth birthday.

Considering all the genres, the styles, the various collaborations and musical projects he has tackeled, none is more satisfying to me than the classic American songbook, or as it is better known "The Standard". Sure these timeless compositions have been covered by every jazz instrmentalist worth his or her salt. These maravelous old songs lend themselves to countless intrepitations and endless arrangements. There's no one who can boast the claim of having recorded the difinitive version of "Embraceable You", "Where Or When" or "I Can't Get Started". Perhaps that's one element that make these musical gems so endlessly appealing.

With all of the great recordings of these perennial favorites, one would think it almost impossible to find anything new, fresh and exciting to add to such a cannon of songwriting and song intrepitation. Yet Mr. Marsalis, in his own understated, subtle way manages to explore new ground here. Dispite all the versions I have heard of simple, quiet and beautiful songs like "Reflections" or "After You're Gone" or "April In Paris", he finds ways to give them his unique and sensitive touch.

This collection, gathered from his four albums of standards marks his most rewarding effort so far. From the very beginning, when Mr. Marsalis began his recording career, the world took notice of this exceptional prodigee. His style, his technique and his flawless musical instincts are appearent throughout this outstanding collection. There's not a bad song in the bunch, not a single note out of place and nothing I would consider changing. Bravo Mr. Marsalis....You sure know your way around The Great American Songbook! This collection proves your impecable taste and peerless virtuosity.