Customer Reviews

Twilight World

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Marian McPartland's elegant jazz piano playing reminds me of why I became a musician. Her sensitive touch connects the gap between sensitivity and strength--she plays with conviction and vulnerability, wit and earnestness, innocence and maturity--reflecting, in musical terms, the radio personality so many of us have come to know and love.

Marian's exuberance for all things musical will charm anyone lucky enough to listen to Twilight World, a lovely recording that manages to be both timeless and unique. If you're a fan of her work, Twilight World will be a welcome addition to your MM collection. If you're new to Marian's music, welcome to the club!

Two years ago, Marian invited me to be a guest on NPR's Piano Jazz. The following lyric is from a song I wrote for her program. Somehow it seems appropriate to include it in this review. By the way, Marian recently turned 90. As pianist Daryl Sherman once said, Marian is one of the wonders of the world.

The Lady Plays

The lady plays a simple phrase,

And all at once you hear music,

A silver note, aloft, afloat,

And so she plays.

A melody, so gracefully,

She gets inside of the music,

A song that bends, but never ends,

And so she plays.

Shadows and sketches,

In black and white,

Passionate paintings,

Portraits of light . . .

A perfect chord, she jumps on board,

And sails away with the music,

A symphony that ebbs and flows,

She plays the blues, you tap your toes,

And so she plays your favorite part,

She makes you laugh, she breaks your heart,

And so she plays,

And still she plays,

The lady plays.

Robin Goldsby is the author of Piano Girl: A Memoir. She is also featured on NPR Jazz Christmas With Marian McPartland and Friends III and has recorded two CDs of her own music: Songs from the Castle and Twilight

I saw Marian McPartland live during the summer of 2007 in Manchester, Vermont USA. It had been several years since I saw her live in Chicago. She is still sharp as a tack and witty as ever. During this concert last summer, I heard her composition "Twilight World" for the first time. I immediately fell in love with the tune. The tune, "Twilight World", just like the words, has 3 syllables. Marian starts out with three notes which are these three syllables and then paints on a canvas of what a "Twilight World" is: ethereal, soft lighted, transitional, sad, lamenting but hopeful of what is next. When I arrived home from the concert that evening I went nuts searching the Internet for the tune and now its here on this CD. Although, in her introduction to the tune at the live concert, she mentioned that Tony Bennett has done a rendition of the tune. When this CD was delivered to my home in the usual cellophane wrap, there was a red sticker on it that reads that its a celebration of Marian's 90th birthday! Wow! I hope I am still going this strong at 90! Other tracks on the CD are wonderful and I especially enjoyed "Alfie" as well.

THIS CD IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES JAZZ PIANO BY ONE OF THE MASTERS OF THE CRAFT!

This is the first album of Ms. McPartland I've ever heard, much less owned. I am very happy though to have this album of hers and it will not be my last! I, of course, knew of her from her NPR Piano Jazz program, but never really thought about her as a potential jazz pianist for my listening experience. But then I was not really a jazziphile either.

It has only been in the last year that I have been listening to jazz at all. I began with Stan Getz, Jobim et al. and even Tommy Flanagan. Then a friend asked me if I had listened to Bill Evans. Who? I said. So I checked out Bill and was simply in love! I prefer the piano to all other instruments for jazz and of course Bill is simply the best in that regard.

Well I happened months later, in fact just this month (August), on the CD made from the Piano Jazz program which featured Bill. I love Bill so much and was so interested in him as a man, that I had to buy the CD. This then got me to think about Marian. Maybe she is also someone I can enjoy? So I bought this album of hers, which is a late work - she has done a tremendous number of albums over her long life.

I am listening to Twilight World right now. It is just lovely and very much my kind of jazz piano. She is like Bill in playing softer, easier-going piano with alot of contemplation, etc. I was really at the end of my Bill Evans album buying, having all the really good ones and was beginning to buy some that were really not up to par; later things glommed together from other things.

So I was very much ready and in hopes of finding a new piano player, and I believe the Universe answered my prayer with Marian McPartland. Here's to a really classy lady!

Marian McPartland's music makes me happy and puts me at ease. This album is no exception to the feel goods. Good stuff!

I listen to Marian's Piano Jazz, every Saturday nite.

This CD is relaxing music. I love to listen to anytime.

While driving, running, cooking or working around the house.

This is a marvelous collection of offerings by the still-wonderful Miss McPartland. Her ingenuity and her nimble fingers make this a must-listen for her many admirers. I shall treasure it and continue to enjoy it for always --