Customer Reviews

Very Together

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

 

 

First of all it's impossible to describe Deodato's Jazz/Fusion recordings. Therefore I am making this review on behalf of the people that have at least purchased, or have heard some of his material. Keep in mind "Very Together" was released during the hight of the Disco era and definitely has a Disco backbeat on some of the songs. The original tunes on this recording are: Spanish Boogie, Amani, Black Widow, Juanita, and Univac Loves You. All but, "Univac Loves You" are your classic, Greatly arranged, one of a kind tunes that Eumir Deodato is, or was famous for and are as good as tunes like: Area Code 808 (Love Island), Skyscrapers (Deodato 2), and Rio Sangre (Artistry) but, the tune "Univac Loves You" is frankly over my head. I can't figure out weather Univac is a computer, or a vacuum cleaner. John Tropea is on here too. Sawing away on his Guitar, Will Lee, Remember him from the David Letterman shows of the early 90's? Is playing bass on this recording as well. The sound quality is a lot better than the CBS pressings of "Prelude" and "Deodato, Live at Felt Forum". "Prelude" has been re-released as a 24 bit remaster and sounds as good as it can possibly get. Deodato's music is a one of a kind Experience. "Very Together" would be a fine recording to anyone who knows and admires his great music. The other tunes on this recording are: Peter Gunn, I Shot The Sheriff, and Theme From Star Trek.

---I have loved this album and would like to rate it as on of Deodatos best! My fusion oriented cousin had this in his collection and I taped it on a casette which I worn out. I later bought the LP used in Canada and finally burned my own CD from the LP last year! (BTW I'm 33 now)
This album is swingin', it's funky, groovy and ultimately cool! Everyone I play it for just loves it! Just crank it up and play "I shot the sheriff" or "Peter Gunn" for some serious funk grooves. You just want to dig! The players are immaculate and the arrangements stellar.
Actually I collect every album from Deodato and has most of his LP's and the glorious reissues of his 60s Bossa Nova period. The "sister album for MCA "First Cuckoo" is also a real gem. hard to find though. I wish more people would discover Deodato.

Eumir Deodato had long been known for his elongated
jazz-fusion versions of popular movie themes.On 'Very Together' he turns his attention to short remakes of television themes-of them "Peter Gun" and "Univac Loves You" are given the funked up treatment.The Star Trek theme on the other hand is given a playful but slightly clished disco arrangent,the same one as his own "Spanish Boogie" in fact.But as with all Deodato albums this is based more in jazz-funk then disco-"Amani","Black Widow",
"Juanita" and Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sherrif" all showcase infectious,steamy funk grooves that aim to please.Those songs alone make 'Very Together' an absolutely essencial part of Deodato's musical legacy!

(For the record, Univac was a computer built by IBM.)

The prior review says just about everything one can say about the album, except that that there are gratuitous vocals on the album. The "Peter Gunn" theme and the "Star Trek" theme are punctuated with vocals by some female voices my friends and I dubbed "The Saliva Sisters." Have no idea why they're there, or what they add to the tunes, but if you pretend they're not on the album, you'll have a much better time. :)

Still, this album showcases the talents of a largely overlooked composer and performer.

My only objection to this Millenuim Fusion Collection re-issue by MCA Victor/Universal Japan is the omission of the classic 2nd track "Knights Of Freedom" which was on the original vinyl release in 1976, and the track listing itself had been reshuffled. The 1979 release Knights Of Fantasy under Warner Bros. was really just a lack-lustre reworking of "Knights Of Freedom". This was also Deodato's final album released on MCA Records and then giving them the finger afterwards...