Customer Reviews

Steamin

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Monty Alexander is a bit of a rare bird - his Montreaux Alexander CD, perhaps his best, has been out of print for years. This CD is a suberb substitute - a tight trio, excellent audio in an appropriate ambient space, everything in tune, and that special Monty way of perfection combined with perfect timing and a real sense of the music, buttressed by an overlay occasionally of reggae, but not too much. An absolute foot tapper. The sidemen are superb - an especially innovative and intelligent bassist adds real depth.

That pertains to the composers, two originals, two by bassists, John Clayton and Ray Brown, and the remainder scattered around the likes of Bob Marley, Quincy Jones, Percy Faith, and Jerome Kern to name a few. That same diversity extends to the associated performers such as The Stones, Doris Day and Tony Bennett.

To me, Monty Alexander has one particular trait in common with the late Erroll Garner, and that is his ability to take something very familiar and give it a colorful fresh new appeal. He always infuses some of that Jamaican sunshine into his music and we listeners are better off for it. The man surprised me on the last cut with some very good stride piano.

I like the whole cd but my particular favorites are: "3000 Miles", a terrific blues with interesting tempo changes, "Lively Up Yourself"....I never have listened to reggae but this rendition is superb jazz, "Maybe September".....a beautiful ballad that holds a special memory and appeal for me, "Tucker Avenue Stomp".....it really grooves!, and "Theme From 'The Pawnbroker'", a plaintive bitter sweet melody that has a haunting beauty.

If you like excellent piano, a jazz trio, Monty Alexander, in any one or combination, you will enjoy this album. This was recorded in 1994. "Full Steam Ahead" recorded in 1985 is currently available with this album as a two disk set under the title "Steaming Hot" as a recommended option.