Together: Live at Sweet Basil 1 [Live]

Jean Michel Pilc | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Challenge
• ASIN: B00004SVJB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,959 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

2. Tea For Two

3. Jealousy

4. Runaway

5. Muriel

6. C Jam Blues

7. Trio Improvisation

8. My One And Only Love

9. Bye Bye Blackbird

10. Together

11. My Foolish Heart

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At the vaunted New York venue Sweet Basil in 1999, the French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc announces the full idiosyncrasy of his blustering, almost rococo style at the very outset with a rumbling, off-kilter, not-so-softly played rendition of "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." Pilc has been compared to Bud Powell, and that's apt, because both have raw, attacking virtuosity that would appear oddball if it didn't make sense unto itself. Pilc profits from muscular, quick-shifting rhythm-section support. Drummer Ari Hoenig matches him for vigor, certainly, and busily helps to convert a genteel standard like "Tea for Two" into something more like "Grande Bouffe for Many." They admirably freshen the Duke Ellington chestnut "C Jam Blues." When the clattering sheets of piano-drum percussion clear, François Moutin's touch on bass impresses. Interpreting standards like "My Foolish Heart," Pilc clearly isn't hearing the unsung lyrics like a native speaker. However, he frolics right over the pitfall of sounding odd to listeners well-versed in those lyrics. And, on the four originals and one free-for-all improvisation, he has a blast. --Peter Monaghan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air, August 7, 2000

By 

Ross Somerville (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Together: Live at Sweet Basil 1 (Audio CD)

A stunning debut from a pianist I'd never heard of. Pilc makes the likes of Brad Mehldau sound staid and square: for all their technical accomplishment they're caught in a narrow groove - perhaps it takes a Continental [European] perspective to refresh the art of the trio. Pilc and his band recall Jacky Terrasson's remarkable debut album, with its refreshingly skewed standards (where did Jacky go wrong? he's pretty dull nowadays), or even Gonzalo Rubalcaba's 'Blessing' with its cascades of notes and fiery attack. A real ear-freshener. There's certainly some great jazz piano coming over from France - Eric Watson and Stephan Oliva can do it too.