| Review by COD188 November 30, 2003 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
Bill Charlap is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary jazz piano players... (The only other person I like as much is Patricia Barber). He has a wonderful touch, can swing a tune and knows how to be subtle and laid back.
I love this album, one of my favorites both sonically and musically. I recomend it with a couple of caveats:
I've read a number of reviews of this disc on various web.sites (- most slightly warmer than teppid) where they complained the first 2 tracks (the up tempo "Jubilee" and the Tony Bennett guest vocal "I get along...") don't fit / work sonically or musically. I agree; the studio did seem to be set up to record the slower / softer numbers and the drums overload a bit on "Jubilee." While I think he was wonderful years ago, Tony Bennett should really just stop recording. It is a pain-filled 6:49 minutes to hear him plod thru this otherwise beautiful song. So I recommend starting with track 3 everytime... From there on out this "live in the studio" recording is simply so "natural sounding."
I did read somewhere one "professional" reviewer complained the bass was also a little loud in the mix, but I don't have any complaints in my system / room.
If you are looking for a wonderful jazz record to sit and relax to, or pay attention to musically I think you will be pleased.
Happy Listening,
Chris
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| Review by monotone March 7, 2004 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
I actually bought this album to check out Shirley Horn's over 9 minute rendition of Stardust... Breathtaking! Same goes to Tony Bennett's effort. And as a result, I know now how good Bill Charlap Trio is. With the 'upbeat' opening of Jubilee, the 11 track album went on seamlessly with bluesy Rockin' Chair, the playful Two Sleepy People, ballad like The Nearness Of You and familiar classics like Georgia On My Mind and Skylark.
The contributions by Frank Wess & Jim Hall enhanced the trio's works in the album, making track after track, easy to listen to without sounding like elevator music (The danger of easy listening Jazz).
Recording-wise, both Stereo & Multichannel SACD are well presented, but I enjoy the Multichannel version, as the instuments are spaced out with a deeper soundstage. Vocals were smooth and stood nicely by itself from the trio accompany. And thankfully Blue Note avoided having instruments placed too far back... making the multichannel sounding extremely natural.
If you love the sound of a quiet urban jazz bar, get your drinks, pop in Bill Charlap & enjoy!
Ah... Stardust...
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