Customer Reviews

University Of Akron Concert

5 star:		(4)
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A Prestige gem a la solo! Refreshing, unpretentious, gospel-inflected bluesy-jazz, SOLO piano (hard to believe that this is one man playing alone--never busy, always tasty, the man knows when not to play as well as when to play). The Philadelphia born Bryant after stints with Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, returns to his rooots in this delightful album that you can relax and listen to over and over. Recorded by the Rudy Van Gelder in 1958 in good ole Hackensack, NJ.

Bryant (solo piano) 12/19/58.

Five of the 7 tunes are blues, Bryant's forte (the 2 least successful tracks are the non-blues). ME AND THE BLUES to me is the best: taken slow, it's a great tune and Bryant does marvels with it. Sometimes solo piano albums find the player getting too introsective or showy, but that's never the case here. Bryant is a joy to listen to. Highly recommended.

This is my first Ray Bryant album. I've got to say it's one of the best stride albums I've heard. Totally his own style. He really moves, rhythm is great, and chord choices are wonderful surprises. No one could be disappointed.

There is something very different and intriguing about this recording compared to most of Ray's other ones. I believe its as close as one can get to a genuine audiophile recording of Ray's work. And a very early recording to boot!
In addition to the clarity of detail and all the little items coming from Ray's fingers that matter, little nuances in expression, emphasis well placed and delightful surprise after surprise I am also impressed by the soundstage on this recording. Its not a plane or a line but a point. The piano appears (sounds) like it is coming from a single point. And it stays there, even when you move around. Its mesmerizing. Its amazing and beautiful beyond compare. It must have originally been recorded direct to a master disc to have that degree of quality. My sound system has an upgraded preamp from Musical Concepts and a set of ribbon speakers. Other than that, its not that special. Anyway, dont skip over this cd. Its the cat's meow.