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Review by JW May 11, 2007 (6 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
The Great Jazz trio SA-CD's contain 10 songs each and there is some overlap to take into consideration, though all of the overlapping songs are alternative takes. The three titles below give you minimal overlap (4 out of 30 songs):
- Someday My Prince Will Come
- Collaboration
- Stella By Starlight
These recordings are little time capsules. One could imagine them being released in the 50's, but now we have them as modern recordings. The playing is beyond reproach I think. At no time I get the feeling I am listening to recordings created only for the sake of sound quality. On this recording we get a fine vocal by Omar Hakim and some melodic and punchy playing by alto sax man Sadao Watanabe. The sound of alto sax has never really appealed to me - it simply lacks body - and here again I wish someone gave Watanabe-san a tenor sax, but the recording quality ensures a distortion free and soaring sound. His ballad 'Deep In A Dream' I found very tastefully done with a richer alto sound than I am used to.
The disc swings right out of the gate with 'Sweet Georgia Brown' and continues it's uptempo and upbeat feel thoughout. How many versions of 'In a Mellow Tone' does one need? All of them :-) ! Sure, these are all standards, but the playing is infectious and the sound quality beyond reproach. Even the piano sounds good. And the cymbals and hi-hats simply sound right - not an easy feat (helped of course by my APL Denon and Dynaudio speakers - it's a system after all). The soundstage is not huge in that is does not extend beyond the speakers much. Despite that fact this recording has a big sound. It's rich and bold in its presentation.
Tracks:
1 Sweet Georgie Brown
2 Stella By Starlight
3 Old Folks
4 Song For My Father
5 In a Mellow Tone
6 I am Old Fashioned
7 I'll Remember April
8 Deep In a Dream
9 Scrapple From The Apple
10 Travelin' Light
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