Posts
Wednesday
On a side note, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and my wife and I will be taking in the Brian Culberson “Christmas Tour” this Sunday evening. I plan on featuring a couple Jazz Christmas albums here on Doc’s if I find the time.
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The latest CD by Rit, "Smoke n' Mirrors," is a musical journey from which you don't want to leave! Influenced by his recent trips to South Afica, and by his son's interest in percussion instruments, this album cooks from beginning to end. Unlike many guitarists who deconstruct songs so that the melody is lost, there are times I think Rit is a song-writer like Burt Bacharach - but with a guitar. The album has a little of everything without losing continuity. The title track sets the tone. The hand-clapping toward the end is pulsating! Then, Capetown begins with a James Taylor-like acoustic guitar intro and morphs into a South Afican vibe with a splash of funk. Rit cranks of the volume; the scorching octave volume on "Spellbinder"; the electric volume on "Motherland" (which would be awesome music set to highlights of, say, the Tour de France; and the Al Di Meola-like volume on "4 1/2 Storm" with bassist Richard Bona adding scat vocals! Want to joyfully journey back to the 80s? "Forget Me Nots" does just that! Buy this and be happily fulfilled! 21 &12
I've been listening to Lee Ritenour since the early 80's and love most everything he has done. This CD brings back some memories of older days which frankly I prefer and the sound quality is amazing. Several of the songs are dashboard banging upbeat tunes that are very unique, uplifting and infectous. Highly recomend. My only question to Lee is when are you going to tour again?? - H. Davis “Jazzman”
Stolen Moments – Lee Ritenour and Brian Bromberg
Smoke N Mirrors – Lee Ritenour (That’s Dave Grusin on Keyboards)
Saturday
George Winston is a hidden treasure to many jazz fans. He is classified as a New Age artist because of the difficulty of placing him in one category. George has done albums that would fit the blues category as well as ones that are clearly jazz, like his tribute to Vince Giraldi.
I love how his music makes me feel. Unlike much of the smooth jazz being produced today, this is music that is well thought out and put together. You may want to check out this great pianist. Here is a song from his December album. (Visit the website if the clip is not in this message)
December
Amazon.com essential recording
December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price
Amazon.com
A quintessential example of George Winston's "folk piano" style, December speaks to the spirit of the season. Mixing traditional carols, a couple of classical works, and his own originals, Winston drops notes with icy clarity into a winter silence, rippling through "Carol of Bells" and coaxing dark, introspective moods from his own suite, "Night." The pianist's liner notes are also a trip as he cites the numerous sources for his music. Who would've thought that the gentle melodies of "Peace" were inspired by the soundtrack to TV's The Outer Limits? This 20th anniversary edition, which includes two bonus tracks, is a vast sonic improvement over previous releases. --John Diliberto
Even though "December" was recorded nineteen years ago, it is still by far my favorite George Winston album as well as an all-time favorite Christmas album. Recorded when "new age" music was barely emerging and Windham Hill was an experimental artists' label, this is one of a handful of albums that show just how good the music was when artists had more control of what went onto their albums. Art and innovation were more important than a quick buck, and "December" was able to be creative and original AND commercially successful. A true classic in the genres of new age music and holiday albums, this is a must-have CD. It includes Winston's arrangements of "Carol of the Bells", Pachelbel's "Canon in D", and "The Holly and The Ivy" as well as some lesser-known carols and several original pieces. This is an incredible album, and I give it my highest recommendation! - Kathy Parsons
Product Details
Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
Original Release Date: October 9, 2001
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks
Label: RCA Victor
ASIN: B00005NNDO