Customer Reviews

State of Nature

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

 

 

The acclaimed guitar virtuoso made a big splash in 1985 by "tapping on" (in effect playing the guitar like a piano keyboard, thereby allowing independent counterpoint. Jordan's method allows him to play melody and chords at the same time, creating a cascade of sound.
This innovation was apparent the moment he electrified listeners with 1985's "Magic Touch" on the Blue Note label, and it still resonates twenty years later with "State Of Nature", Jordan's first major release in over a decade and his debut for the Detroit based Mack Avenue Records.
It's guitar maestro's 14th recording and probably the best he has ever made.
He does show his fantastic technical skills -- playing two guitars simultaneously and playing guitar and piano simultaneously.
Backed by charismatic bassist Charnett Moffett and anchored by the soulful rhythm of drummers David Haynes and Kenwood Dennard, Stanley Jordan's writing and playing express and embrace evolution, talent and change - his own and that of the world around him.
One could argue that, by moving away from the smooth leanings of his more recent works, Stanley Jordan runs the risk of alienating a core group of fans. But anyone who's followed Jordan's 27-year career knows his tastes run wide.
Most of what's best about it is superb trio playing with bassist Charnett Moffett and drummers David Haynes or Kenwood Dennard.
But "Forest Garden", a guitar/cello duet with a former student of his named Meta Weiss, is so beautiful that you wish there'd been more of them.
"State of Nature" may, on first glance, appear to be a little weird and too eclectic, but Jordan's ever-present less-is-more approach, raw lyricism and avoidance of excess keep it completely in context.
His music is striking, stylish, and commanding. His synthesis of various styles ensures that his reflection on the ways of life will resound with fans of all different types of music, making "State of Nature" an extraordinary work of great power and possibility.
My favourite tracks: "A Place In The Space", his renditions of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" and Tom Jobim's "Insensatez", "Forest Garden" and "Steppin' Out".
Personnel:
Tommy Brown, Tammi Brown, Julia Jordan (vocals), Jay Kishor (sitar), Meta Weiss (cello),Giovanna Imbesi (piano, keyboards), Ryan Turnage (keyboards), Dudu Lima, Charnett Moffett (bass guitar), Ivan Conti and Kenwood Dennard (drums).


Magic Touch

Stanley Jordan is one of the musicians whose career I didn't follow the way it deserved. After Magic Touch (Blue Note) I didn't pay much attention to what he was recording. Then, early last May, Stanley Jordan come to play on my island, Faial, Azores, during Rota dos Bons Ventos Festival and he would be performing solo. And there he was alone on the stage of an old theater with his guitar and a piano. Playing tunes from State of Nature, without the support of other musicians just the way he recorded Mozart's Piano Concerto #21, as well from other recordings Mr Stanley Jordan conquered the audience. His encore Stairway to Heavens showed how his technique has evolved since he recorded it 20 years ago.
5 star is a well deserved qualification for State of Nature.

As usual, previous reviewers hit the nail, and I can only say that I was blown away by Sanley's 1985 debut and the fact that nobody ever attempted his finger typing style, because he became the definition. I saw him live several times in the late 80"s and was really into him. However, his later recordings floundered in jazz light. Well, I'm pleased to say I love "State of Nature". It ventures close to jazz light, but thankfully keeps a jazzblues edge. And please skip the obligatory pop rendering of Joe Jackson's "Steppin Out". Well done,a great jAZZ/BLUES album. And as a freaky audiophile, this is reference stuff folks.

Absolutely beautiful cd that many people have not heard.
People listen to this cd. You will agree with me.Buy it!

Whenever we are going to have people over to dinner, I always reach for Stanley Jordan albums to put on the stereo. He is worthy of a studied listening session, for sure, but the calm lyric quality of his music makes such a beautiful backdrop for enjoying the company of friends. His earlier music is also on my Zen, which I listen to on long bike rides or walks.

I first saw Stanley Jordan on the Tonight Show around 1985, and was utterly blown away by his playing and his unique touch technique. Much to my regret I never really followed him after that, mostly because I'm more classically oriented. But I appreciate a great virtuoso in any field, and hearing him in live performance last year was a revelation, and prompted me to get some of his recordings. I can't say if "State of Nature" is his best work, but Jordan is such an amazing artist that, frankly, it's worth hearing him do anything. So buy this CD, and enjoy.

Mr Jordon new release is fair. Arrangements are fair. His pevious CDs were better like his 1st 3 or 4 Cds he 1st put out.Id pass on this new release.