We Used to Dance (Dig)

Joel Frahm | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 14, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Anzic Records
• ASIN: B000RBFDFO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,083 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Working with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis on a straight-ahead jazz session would be a real treat for anyone. It turns out to be especially fruitful for tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, who delivers this program of standards and originals with an artist's delicate touch. The proud owner of a rich, luxurious tone, the saxophonist interprets ballads, blues and up-tempo romps with clarity while swinging in a rhythmic groove when the situation permits. He and this stellar trio are equally at ease with tender ballads such as "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "My Ideal" and Barron's "Song for Abdullah" as they are with quick burners such as Frahm's exotic "Jobimiola" and his adventurous "A Whole New You." Tracks Include: 1)Bob's Blues 2)Nad Noord 3)Joanne Julia 4)A Whole New You 5)Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 6)Jobimiola 7)My Ideal 8)Song for Abdullah 9)The Dreamer 10)We Used To Dance Joel Frahm: tenor sax Kenny Barron: piano Rufus Reid: bass Victor Lewis: drums

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joel Frahm meets very high expectations, August 13, 2007

By 

Erik Werkman (Maarssen, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: We Used to Dance (Dig) (Audio CD)

When I saw that tenor sax player Joel Frahm had recorded with the legendary rhythm section consisting of Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass and Victor Lewis on drums, which section got famous as the team that accompanied Stan Getz in his last, vintage years (which resulted in essential albums as "Voyage", "Anniversary", "Serenity" and "Bossas & Ballads: The Lost Sessions"), I was immediately interested in hearing this album and purchased it in the blind. Fortunately, my very high expections were met and sometimes even exceeded: this is an album of very high standards (with a nice mix of originals, Kenny Barron tunes and a few standards by the way), where Joel Frahm rises to the great occasion of being able to play with the three aforementioned masters of their art, who provide the perfect backdrop to Joel Frahm's wonderfully rich tone. In addition, the recording quality is very high too, so that this album is a true sonic delight and a must for anybody who loves Stan Getz's albums with the same incredible rhythm section.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz to savor again and again...., September 15, 2007

By 

James Lamperetta (Upstate, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Used to Dance (Dig) (Audio CD)

Joel Frahm makes his most realized artistic statement to date with "We Used To Dance." Accompanied by the late Stan Getz' last rhythm section of Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, and Victor Lewis, the tenor saxophonist comes across as very much his own man- something of a traditionalist with a modernist slant.
Possessing a slightly thinner tone than Getz', Frahm's sense of phrasing and lyricism is every bit as assured as the tenor legend's. From his own pen he mines "Bob's Blues" to great effect. Elsewhere "Jobimiola" is a breezy toe-tapping bossa, "A Whole New You" and "The Dreamer" bristle briskly along, and the gorgeous title track is worthy of becoming a standard.
On "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" Frahm absolutely sparkles as he renders one of the loveliest readings I've ever heard of this oft recorded gem.
Frahm is a talent worthy of occupying a place in every well-versed listening library. If you have yet to discover him this is an ideal and highly recommended place to start.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AS GOOD AS IT GETS! (no pun intended), February 5, 2009

By 

Tony NYC "Tony NYC" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: We Used to Dance (Dig) (Audio CD)

This is as good as it GETS!!!! I agree with what both the other 5 star reviewers said about this CD, but I must differ with James when he states that Joel has a slightly thinner tone that Stan Getz. I've heard Joel in person quite a few times here in NYC and have all his recordings. I also am a HUGE fan of the great STAN GETZ, and have heard him in person often as well back in the day. I love how lyrical Stan Getz was, but my only complaint with Getz throughout his career was that his tone was so inconsistant. Joel Frahm has a much fuller and consistant sound than Stan Getz ever had. As much as I LOVE Stan Getz, and can never stop listening to his recordings, I was and still am always puzzled about his sound. His playing and style were astounding. Lyrical to say the least, but Joel Frahm has a better, fuller and more consistant sound in my honest opinion. This is a great CD. Buy it! Also, being a bit of an audiophile and very fussy about sound quality, I can say that the recording quality on this CD is great as well. I'll never tire of this one.