When the Heart Dances (Dig)

Laurence Hobgood (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naim
• ASIN: B001W2OVUA
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,906 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes the heart dance, October 19, 2009

By 

Hungry Seal "Bookie" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Heart Dances (Dig) (Audio CD)

Another heavy release from long-time Kurt Elling collaborator, pianist Laurence Hobgood, in duets with legendary bassist Charlie Haden, with Kurtish cameos. This disc will be a joy for anyone who has heard Laurence play - his trademark style is very much in evidence - sonorous standards, swashbuckling fast playing, comic interludes (check out the inebriated intro to New Orleans), and the sheer ability to make any piano resonate. The CD has a mixture of standards and originals. Some of the standards are priceless - a profound and Chopinesque version of Daydream dueting with Kurt, a measured tribute to Stairway to the Stars, and a langorous Cost of Living (written by the late Don Grolnick). But my real favorites on the disc are Laurence's tunes - the title track When the Heart Dances, Leatherwood, and Sanctuary. On these tunes, Laurence explores shifting harmonies with a modern sense of fluid adventure in his writing and his playing. Baroque passages remind you of early Chic Corea (children's songs) and quieter passages remind you of Satie. If you want to hear a contemporary master, check this out and his earlier trio records too.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical, moving, engrossing, uplifting, October 21, 2009

By 

LadyMurasaki "oldsoul" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Heart Dances (Dig) (Audio CD)

Why Hobgood isn't better known not only among jazz aficionados, but also by the public at large, is a mystery to me. This CD is a sublime example of what great jazz can do. Here are contemplative pieces, as inward and provocative as prayers, and explosive tunes that make the heart dance, if not literally soar. There are harmonies to tantalize the ear, and yet nothing is ever so academic or abstract as to be inaccessible. Anyone can listen to and will enjoy this beautiful music; Hobgood is a storyteller first and foremost, interested in taking you, the listener, on a journey. The record also bears repeated listening--like the best art, each spin will reveal more to you, reflecting your own state of mind and making you wonder how it is that Hobgood has managed to capture so much in such a skillful and nimble fashion in one recording session. Then again, this is what great artists do, and there is no question that Hobgood--and his recording partner Charlie Haden--know all about making great art.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest living pianists shines in this beautiful recording!, August 25, 2009

By 

Toms Center "godfather" (atlanta ga) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: When the Heart Dances (Dig) (Audio CD)

Laurence is best known as the musical director/collaborator with Kurt Elling. In fact Kurt joins Laurence on this wonderful album for a few songs. Laurence is probably one of the best pianists you've never heard much about. His talents as writer and performer are wonderfully displayed on this collection of songs that are stripped to their barest form to allow the instrument and perfomer to shine. This is the kind of performance you just carve out the time to sit back and listen to, forget about your worries and become completely absorbed in the beauty of the music. I have listened now multiple times and each time find something new to marvel about. I highly recommend you buy this and enjoy and savor every note.