More Than You Know

Scott Wilkie

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00004SQXZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,965 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Say what you want about smooth-jazz recordings, but sometimes they succeed at creating a genial, feel-good atmosphere in a manner that is genuine, unforced, and refreshing. Pianist/keyboardist Scott Wilkie's second recording breaks no new ground, but its consistent attractiveness elevates it above countless lite-jazz albums sabotaged by strained soloing or pedestrian melodies. Wilkie, a native of Detroit, puts less emphasis on guest artists here than he did on his debut record, Boundless, and focuses instead on his piano playing. The appealing results are friendly, sometimes funky, and, at times, flat-out lovely (such as on the gracefully subdued "Pier 39" and "Summer Vacation"). Only two of Wilkie's compositions here include saxophone accompaniment (a smart move), and Eric Marienthal's soprano-sax lines that subtly carry "Whale Song" are shrewdly understated. Can Wilkie play? He sends notes flying in "Fruit Sandwich" and "In Comes the Ausgang," and the melody to "Back from the Beach" (despite the electric keys) validates his above-average composing skills. It's good to find easy-listening music that merits repeated listening. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scott Wilkie's Latest Release Really Hits the Mark!, June 29, 2000

By	Joey Arata (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews

Scott Wilkie has hit the mark again with his second CD on Narada Jazz "More Than You Know". Those of you who haven't had the pleasure of listening to his first offering "Boundless"...should. Listen deeply, listen beyond the catchy melodies and calm craftsmanship to what really makes this album deceptively easy to absorb. Listen for the passion...for the teamwork that is the true sign of an artist who sees the whole picture. Yeah, it's a keyboard album...but not at the expense of the rest of the guys who play along. They shine right along with him and the result is an excellent first album.

The new Scott Wilkie Narada Jazz CD "More Than You Know" came out a few weeks ago and is a natural progression in the evolution of Scott's music. The album features some of the most subtle, strong and well-mixed bass playing I've heard...the drums are tight and in the pocket, the percussion adds just the right flavors to the mix...and the guitar is supportive and, when necessary, strong and assertive. The bits of saxophone are tasty and really get your attention...and Scott's keyboards are right there filling in the gaps...never playing too much or too little. From the opening cut "Sign of the Times" with it's smooth blend of acoustic and electric sounds, to the album's pensive finale "Whale Song", Wilkie's keyboard work threads the needle. I've watched Scott play for years and, believe me, he has an incredible palette of licks, tricks, moods and textures to choose from. Many such capable players have fallen into the "Virtuoso Trap"...as I like to call it...where every tune is a gymnastic exercise which contains about 80% of everything they can possibly pull off. Not so for Scott...every piece on this CD finds him and his band exercising the restraint that allows the music to really breathe and totally seduce the listener into becoming a part of the soundscape. Don't get me wrong...they're not holding back, but they're only playing what's necessary and not a single note more. In much of today's music of all genres, this is all but a lost art.

Of all the tunes here, "Pier 39", the album's fourth cut, is to me the most powerful example of the subtle warmth that is the trademark of this ensemble. The instrumentalists all fold into a tightness that is so easily navigable by the listener...I closed my eyes for a minute and it was impossible to get the image of a misty Pacific sunset out of my mind. All the colors were there...

"But can they rock...can they get funky?" you may ask. Let cuts number 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 answer that one...I wanna hear these guys LIVE & LOUD! The up-tempo cuts in this collection are full of musical diversity, twists and turns...and a wide range of influences that are all somehow contained easily within this well-focused project...but most of all, they just plain groove! I could go on and on and on, but the bottom line is this...just buy the CD...take the phone off the hook...close your eyes...and dive right in! The water is oh so fine!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Burning with attitude!, April 26, 2000

By	Troy James (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews

This CD is a big step forward from Scott's first release. The grooves are fat and live, and the sound is sparkling clear. The songs have a fresh melodic spark with a raw R&B/funk feel. Scott shows incredible piano skills on this recording, especially on the burning tracks "Ausgang" and "Summer Vacation." And the closing track "Whale Song" is beautiful and haunting, with Eric Marienthal on soprano sax. Best of all, it's real musicians playing together. No drum machines. Great songs, lots of energy and GREAT musicians!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic music and collaboration of musical talents, September 12, 2000

By A Customer

As I'm reviewing this fantastic CD from Scott Wilkie, I'm also listening to this very amazingly yet beautifully piece of fine art. Scott's musical talents collaboration with the other fabulous talented musicians are an envy for all Malaysian jazz musicians. Recommended songs :- 1. Sign of the times - lovely intro with bass solo (Alec Milstein) 2. NB2000 - perfect piece of song, drums (David Derge), guitar (Paul Jackson Jr.) 3. In Comes The Ausgang - piano intro with strong backbeat