Customer Reviews

Works on Canvas

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

 

 

I am a drummer/vibist. As a drummer I have followed Ms Blackman's career for the past ten years. As a vibist I have had the opportunity to play with bassist George Mitchell, so I really looked forward to this cd.
My expectations were met. There is lovely playing and great interaction among the players. Many of the pieces are a bit moody and it is great to hear serious drums being played on slower tunes. Proof that there can be musical drumming in all contexts.
Blackman uses her cymbals beautifully to create colors under Allen's horns. Holmes provides some great solos and it is great to hear george in this context.
My only two complaints are too many of the pieces sound alike, and the bass could have been a bit more forward in the mix.

Having seen Cindy Blackman play several times, most recently tonight at the famed Van Dyck club, all I can say is that she and her band are making some of the best music on the planet. She's not only a virtuoso but also a tremendous bandleader who has a real telepathy with her fellow musicians. This album grows with each listening, like the great ones always do.

Cindy is astonishingly brilliant on this CD. Unfortunately, the compositions and playing do not keep up with her drumming abilities. The piano soloing is fairly elemental and doesn't really break new ground. The best tune on the CD is Green Dolphin Street. The approach is fresh and Cindy is in charge of the direction and sensitivity of the session. If everyone could keep up to that level of playing throughout this would be quite a great CD.

This album is a must-have for jazz lovers!! As a drummer myself, I am amazed by Cindy's fierce, polyrhythmic, texture-creating drumming, and the arrangement and creativity on each song is incredible. I highly recommend.