Customer Reviews

World of Piano

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
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I was thirteen years old when my mother bought the original vinyl recording of this CD in 1962. I was captivated from the moment she first played it. I knew, even at my young age, that we were listening to something extraordinary. I played the groves off that record, and if it is possible I'll probably play the bits off this CD. If you like Jazz Piano and want to listen to a master you need to get this CD! Pay particular attention to Phineas' rendition of the Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn composition "Lush Life". Newborn opens it with a quote from Ravel's Sonatine.

For all his amazing technical abilities, Phineas is tragically obscure, even within the jazz circle. The jazz books I've read make no mention of Phineas Newborn, Jr, and that is a real shame. Because he is a truly remarkable player, on par and maybe even above Oscar Peterson. And this album showcases Phineas extremely well. I have owned this album for a little more than a year now, and I still play it very often. It is one of my favorite jazz albums that I own.
Every performance on this CD is incredible. Tracks like "Cheryl" and "Oleo" show that Phineas can dazzle you at fast tempos, while performances like "Lush Life" and "For Carl" show that Phineas can play very beautifully. "Lush Life" is one of my favorite tracks on this CD. And for medium swinging gospel-flavored performances, look to his sassy rendition of "Juicy Lucy" (originally by Horace Silver). He also delves into Latin jazz with Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca", which is difficult to make interesting on a piano, but Phineas conquers it. There is a wide variety of styles and tempos to be found here, and Phineas shows that he can master them all.
This is an album that will stick with you. I found it very accessible, very swinging, and very impressive. It is diverse without losing the flow an album must have. I was not sure what to expect when I bought this album. But I'll tell you what to expend: greatness. If you're even just getting interested in jazz, I think this album is essential to any jazz fans collection.

World of Piano is definitely one of the most complete cd's i own. It ranges from songs that fly by like Oleo, to the incredible ballad interpretation of Lush Life. Earlier Phineas recordings just showed off his unbelievable talent, but this album shows off his amazing musicianship as well. With all-star trios, he is backed up by some of the best. The album really swings...Phineas Newborn has a drive like i've never heard in any other piano player. He's able to use both hands to create a masterpiece...this album captures him in his prime, a rare opportunity to hear the memphis-born piano genius with all the stops out. Other suggestions: Great Jazz Piano, Solo Piano, and Harlem Blues (and Here is Phineas if you want to be blown away completely).

Phineas is without a doubt one of the greatest jazz pianist of all times. This is a must have for the true jazz lover! Phineas mixes unbelievable technique with an innate since of melody and affinity for the blues which put him in a league of his own. Oscar Petterson is the closest to the Phineas type of mastery, but It would be had to say which one I like best. Wow, what a talent!

Jeff

This may be the best CD of Phineas Newborn around. My favorites are a lightning fast version of Charlie Parker's Cheryl, Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca, and a lovely take on Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life which starts with an extensive portion of Ravel's Sonatine. You must also check out his Oleo.

What a remarkable album... Newborn's cover of "Lush Life" is one of the best I've heard. Bravo

I've been a professional musician (drummer) for 46 years and a fan of many genres of music. Jazz is my favorite. Among my favorite jazz pianists, I have just added Phineas Newborn, Jr. By the way, he pronounced his name ("fine-us"). I had seen a video of him before and was impressed, but after listening to this CD I have placed him on the same level as Fats Waller. Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, in my favorites list. It's remarkable to me, and a shame, that he is not more widely recognized as one of the all time great jazz pianists of all time. If you like those musicians just mentioned, I highly recommend this CD as an introduction to Phineas Newborn, Jr's playing.

Preston Ritter

The masterful Memphis piano legend in the company of fellow musical giants, playing a set of strong compositions, recorded beautifully at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in 1961. This CD is a must have for lovers of modern jazz, and music lovers in general!

Newborn, like Oscar Peterson, cannot leave well enough alone. They must pound you with their brilliance and technical skills, past the point of tolerance. No doubt, Newborn has chops. But he doesn't play the music. He plays himself. It gets old quickly.