Customer Reviews

These Are Soulful Days

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

 

 

Here is a good example of a talented and intelligent "young" musician. Benny Green. But first of all this "new" trio is really cooking here; they play each track with the right spirit, with intensity, with the right intention. There is a terrific technique all around but not the will to show off. Music here, come first. Moreover I appreciate the will to rediscover and to explore tracks that are classics but not too known or too abused. As a matter of fact the whole cd display a sense of classicism and of innovation at the same time. Authors range from Horace Silver, to Lee Morgan, to Bobby Hutcherson, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Elmo Hope, fantastic Jazz authors, not only unbelievable musicians as they are commonly remembered. Playing again music from these authours is a damn right move in my opinion. Jazz history is full of gems which we can rediscover, and explore in their deepness. Jazz is not only standard tunes!! In the end I expecially love this trio format (piano, guitar, double bass): I find that this trio setting can express jazz at it's fullest, with a sound balance you can't find elsewhere. It's like having a small orchestra made only of stringed instruments. Recently I bought a record from three masters of this trio format: André Previn Joe Pass, Ray Brown. If you want to buy a good effort from three "young lions" you can buy this cd from Benny Green with confidence. But please, don't forget to buy a real article (P/P/B) too!

benny green takes a fun spin on the tried and true format of a standards album, here exploring the vaults of his own label, but in a new setting with the drumless trio. it is indeed a "soulful day!" green swings well, reminding me of oscar peterson, but with horace silver's bluesiness. it was kind of fun to go back through the original blue note sessions to find these gems and compare them to these. russell malone is a great guitarist and it is a treat to hear him continuing to develope and deepen his own voice on the instrument. christian mcbride is no slouch, either! dig his bow work on the opener! this is a fun album and leaves you wanting to play it again and again. i hope this trio comes back for another round!

This CD is one of the best Jazz Cd I have ever heard! The speed and rythum is extraodinary. The harmeny is like a Be bop that never seems to slow down. Virgo, Swift Brisk are like, follow me if you can! Bellarosa, These are Soulful Days, and Hocus Pocus just cook man, just cook. Summer Night and Ernie's Tune are a mellow walk in heaven. Punjab, is a Weather Report like Bill Evans mix. Come on Home is a Cat walk! A must Buy!!

This CD is a remarkably refreshing effort by the current Green trio. Russell Malone and especially Christian McBride are simply supurb on this set, which explores rarities from the Blue Note songbook.

The Horace Silver tune 'Come On Home' is a highlight of this disc. It displays the hard bop roots of the group and really fires up the creative powers. Other good performances include 'Virgo' and the ballad 'Summer Night'. This CD is definitely a pleasing set of music that really has no particular faults. The only real let down was that the disc only contains around 45 minutes of tunes, which really could have been expanded upon somewhat.

I must admit though, that I generally find that drummer-less groups tend to lack something in the rythym department, luckily this disc does not show any obvious short comings in that department. Overall this disc comes recommended as a fine example of Green's rapidly maturing style. There is nothing truly astonishing in this music however you do get intimate studio session of the highest calibre, performed by three of the best present-day jazz artists around.

I would give it 10 stars if I could!!

I love this CD and am SO glad that I found it. Benny Green is fantastic and this disc is a work of art. I love the instrumentation, reminiscent of the Nat Cole Trio, but totally unique! As I see it, Benny has it all. He has soul, feeling and a great sense of swing plus the technique to make it all happen.

I dont understand the other reviewer who says Benny is too "Oscarish" in his playing. Yes, you can hear the Oscar Peterson influence but so what??? Is is just sour grapes? I say if you've got it, use it, and Benny plays the hell out of the piano!!

I loved the fact that the tunes on this disc are not well known. Russell Malone and Christian McBride really shine as well.

Highly recommended..I don't think you will be sorry!

Firmly in the Oscar Peterson tradition, Benny Green is so technically gifted, and so Oscarish, that the work of his flying fingers is superficial and flashy, and lacks the depth of truly great music. He is widely hailed for his blues/Silver/Timmons gospel influence, but typically fails to reach the soulfulness that came so naturally to Timmons, Hawes and to Horace. Green's technique is an obstruction as much as a weapon.