Steps

About the Artist
Tom Bourcier

is an instrumentalist and composer who takes great curiosity in the endless possibilities regarding musical creation. This eclecticism is apparent in his work both as a performer and composer. For 25 years Tom has chosen piano as his main instrument, performing in jazz, classical, rock, folk and blues, avant-garde, and improvisational genres. His first solo piano CD, Steps, was released in March, 2002.

As a professional musician Tom has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean, performing with and backing up musicians and acts such as the Dirty Dozen Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Schwall of the Siegal-Schwall Band, Buddy Rich, Donald O’Connor, comedian David Brenner, Debbie Reynolds, and Jack Jones. From 1987-96 he led the Tom Bourcier Trio, and currently performs accordion with Bourcier, Julin, and Wolff. The group released a CD, Live at St. Andrews, in December, 2000. Tom also performs accordion with singer/songwriter Robin Lee Berry on a 2002 Red House Records retrospection of Greg Brown songs performed by female artists.

While Music Director/Assistant Professor in the Department of Dance at the University of Illinois from 1991-96, he premiered 17 original compositions in Illinois Dance Theatre and Illinois Repertory Theatre productions. His jazz chart In Walked Bo was recently recorded by the Composer’s Big Band in New York City and I Saw Elvis for alto saxophone and electric guitar received its European premiere at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London. In addition to teaching Improvisation and directing Jazz Band III at Luther College, Tom works on a free-lance basis and is a founding member of Black Earth Collaborative Arts Company.

Product Description
STEPS

Steps, a new CD by Tom Bourcier, is the long awaited solo piano release by this artist perhaps best recognized as the leader of the Tom Bourcier Trio and accordion player for Bourcier, Julin, & Wolff, both of which have released recordings. This recording traces some of Tom's earliest influences and documents his steps of ordination as an accomplished jazz pianist. The album also uses "steps" as a metaphor for the significant thematic development evident on each track.

The title track exhibits the latter in its gradual development from simple lines and open, subdued rhythm to clearly defined beat and pianistic density. The standards represented remain stylistically true to the evolving theme of the album. The Latin classic "Adios," is opened up for extended improvisation. "Place St. Henri" by Oscar Peterson has a definite high-speed be-bop feel but delves into the dissonant linear style of Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor. "Amazing Grace" begins with a reflective and hymn-like improvisation that prepares the listener for a stunning entrance of the audience singing the main verse of this classic sacred song. Tom's originals also experiment with extended improvisations and stylistic forays, such as the stride playing in "Luigi's Dead" and the bluegrass influence of "Platte Pickin'." "Goodnight Moon," the encore of this superbly recorded live concert, brings the listener full circle to a place of quiet ease and simply stated melody.

Steps,Tom Bourcier

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: the album that leaps more great jazz from coltrane. Essential for any jazz collection Essential, and very convenient for beginners. Great album and "easy" for beginners to groove to...

Giant Steps John Coltrane Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Innovators | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Love Supreme My Favorite Things Kind of Blue Blue Train Mingus Ah Um ASIN: B000002I4S Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Giant Steps
2. Cousin Mary
3. Countdown
4. Spiral
5. Syeeda's Song Flute
6. Naima
7. Mr. P.C.
8. Giant Steps
9. Naima
10. Cousin Mary
11. Countdown
12. Syeeda's Song Flute

Amazon.com essential recording

Released in January 1960, John Coltrane's first album devoted entirely to his own compositions confirmed his towering command of tenor saxophone and his emerging power as a composer. Apprenticeships with Dizzy, Miles, and Monk had helped focus his furious, expansive solos, and his stamina and underlying sense of harmonic adventure brought Coltrane, at 33, to a new cusp--the polytonal "sheets of sound" that distinguished his marathon solos were offset by interludes of subtle, concise lyricism, embodied here in the tender "Naima." That classic ballad is a calm refuge from the ecstatic, high-speed runs that spark the set's up-tempo climaxes, which begin with the opening title song, itself a cornerstone of modern jazz composition. This exemplary reissue benefits from eight alternate takes of the original album's seven stellar tracks, excellent remastering of the original tapes, and an expanded annotation. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

the album that leaps.......2007-04-18

The 1960 release of Atlantic's `Giant Steps' was the first album featuring Coltrane performing all original compositions. Listeners become absorbed into the marvelous sheets of sound he belted out with such professional ease. Speedy execution and marksman-like precision brought Coltrane the envy of both his peers and fans. Sweeping solos spout from Coltrane's horn on here, accomplishing what a lesser musician plainly could not. `Giant Steps' races to the borders of harmony while the ballad `Naima' slows the mood down and heats things up. This CD version includes bonus alternate takes which Coltrane had rejected in favor of those featuring Tommy Flanagan.

Personnel for the tracks `Giant Steps', `Cousin Mary', `Countdown', "Spiral', `Syeeda's Song Flue' and `Mr. P.C.' on the original LP:

John Coltrane (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Paul Chambers (b), Art Taylor (d).

Personnel for the track `Naima' on the original LP:

John Coltrane (ts), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).

Many of the alternate takes that never made their way on the album feature Cedar Walton on piano and Lex Humphries on drums.

more great jazz from coltrane........2007-02-15

to live a proper life you will of course need lots of john coltrane music. this album is an absolute must. from the saxophone pyrotechnics on the title track and the jazz lightning of "mr p.c.," on through to the great melodics of "cousin mary" and "syeeda's song flute," this is pure jazz magic. "naima" is a another standout; a piece of beauty, another coltrane classic. this was my first coltrane album, way back at the tender age of 20 (up to 45 now, i am), and it was the start of something very good in my life. coltrane's music has been a big part of my soundtrack ever since. life has been a richer journey for it, too.

Essential for any jazz collection.......2006-11-30

When people who are just getting into listening to jazz ask me which albums they should start with, I always recommend "Kind of Blue", and "Giant Steps". While this may not be Coltrane's most pure recording, it nonetheless is one of the finest jazz albums ever recorded. I'm not going to go into the specifics of his "sheets of sound" approach, other than to say that when he really gets going such as on the title track, his playing is absolutely breathtaking. It is important to mention however that aside from Coltrane's exceptional chops and phrasing, I find his tone on this disc to be one of warmest sounding I've ever heard on the instrument. If you don't own this CD, buy it!

Essential, and very convenient for beginners........2006-11-08

In this Coltrane's classic record, three songs help us to put it in perspective. First, "Naima", a sont that will be played by Coltrane all his career long, showing his deep feeling in a melodic way, easy to approach for the beginner and to compare with the many versions of it recorded by him. Second, "Giant Steps", where the long 'sentences' and the armonics still remind the be-bop days, as if Coltrane were leaving that period. And third, "Mr P.C", where Coltrane shows his future 'shaken' way of playing, using a structure of two consecutive notes, high and low, up and down, each of them following a diferent line but, by this 'lateral playing', opening between those two lines an empty and free space where the melody is heard without being played. This is the Coltrane what will be found later in his marvellous album "My Favourite Things".
As well, in this record, Coltrane is forgetting that 'deadpan' jazz who followed the cool period. Always without falling in sentimentality, Coltrane starts to fill that free and open space of his music with feelings. What is trully amazing is how love made him rebellious, and how it showed him the way to push modern jazz out of its ensconced position.
To finish: don't miss "Countdown", a burst of technical power.

Great album and "easy" for beginners to groove to..........2006-11-06

I noticed that a lot of hardcore jazz folks have written extensively about the arcane virtues of this album, so I just want to chime in that this is also really fun and accessible music! a few reviewers have warned that it might be "difficult" to listen to-- as a fairly UNsophisticated listener who knows nothing about music theory, I'd have to strongly disagree.
The album features Coltrane playing original compositions in his mature style, but the songs are catchy and concise, with very infectious hooks. It's the perfect first Coltrane record for anyone who's just getting into modern jazz and wants a representative example of his work-- comparable to Miles' "Kind of Blue" and Brubeck's "Time Out".

Average customer rating: A Legendary Singer. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach: The mind of God revealed!! Glorious singing to treasure for decades Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson (1954-2006), supreme Handelian The Stellar Hunt Lieberson

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias Manufacturer: Avie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Cantatas BWV 82 and 199 Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias Bach - Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook (highlights) / Hunt-Liberson, McGegan ASIN: B00022LZW8 Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. Ah! Whither Should We Fly...
2. ...As With Rosy Steps The Morn
3. O Bright Example Of All Goodness!...
4. ...Bane Of Virtue, Nurse Of Passions
5. The Clouds Begin To Veil The Hemisphere...
6. ...Defend Her Heav'n!
7. Lord, To Thee Each Night And Day
8. She's Gone, Disdaining Liberty And Life...
9. ...New Scenes Of Joy
10. Cantata
11. Cantata
12. Cantata
13. Cantata
14. Cantata
15. Cantata
16. Cantata
17. Cantata
18. Se Bramate D'amar, Chi Vi Sdegna
19. Frondi Tenere E Belle...
20. ...Ombra Mai Fu

Amazon.com

If you think you've heard Handel's "Ombra mai fu" (known as his "Largo") so often, and in so many different arrangements, and sung by so many different voices, that you can no longer be moved or surprised by it, think again. This CD of Handel arias, mostly from his Theodora or the cantata La Lucrezia, ends with "Ombra mai fu," and as sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, it is so tender, so beautiful, so impeccably shaded, that you'll think you're hearing it for the first time. But that's only four of this disc's 67 minutes---a follow-up to Hunt Lieberson's extraordinarily successful CD of Bach cantatas. There's not a dull or disinterested moment to be heard anywhere. As the violated Lucrezia, Hunt Lieberson alternately rages against the man who raped her and turns her grief inward; the former is terrifying in its intensity, the latter makes us almost feel as if we're eavesdropping. The five arias for Irene, Theodora's friend, confidante, and the upholder of Christian beliefs are all magical prayers or statements of faith, and from Hunt Lieberson, they become real, with each word honestly conveyed and colored. The voice itself is unfailingly beautiful---warm, lush, never forced, agile when necessary---and her breath control is stunning. She is backed ideally by Harry Bicket and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the string soloists in the ensemble---the viola da gamba player, lutenist, etc.---are as gifted as she is. If you want proof that Handel was a great dramatist with a special gift for communicating emotion, all while listening to sublime sounds, this CD is a must. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Legendary Singer........2007-03-07

I simply don't have the heart to review Mrs. Lieberson's works.
If we call Ms. Bartoli a 'great' singer, then the description of 'legendary' more aptly depicts Mrs. Lieberson.
If ever a truly good artist lived, Mrs. Lieberson is one such.
The only singer that could be recalled singing in such style is Teresa Berganza; but still, they are different.
This is one of my favourite interpretators of Haendel. Having been 'treated' by those coloraturas of arias of Haendel's period by Ms. Bartoli and others, I find the singing of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson a great relief - at last, this is what Haendel would want it to be. And I equally enjoy the singing of soprano arias by Mrs. Lieberson - the timbre is warmer, but still with all the shimmer - so different from the dark mushy tones of other celebrated 'lyrical soprano' around.
Don't want to say more. Mrs. Lieberson's leaving last year is too heavy a news for me.

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach: The mind of God revealed!!.......2007-01-06

These deeply felt performances of two of Bach's most moving cantatas show this transcendent singer's combination of emotional honesty and profound musicality, all combined to reveal the very mind of God through divine redemption from suffering. The disc is to be treasured even more in light of the Ms. Lieberson's recent untimely death from cancer. I'm an agnostic, but this music makes me envious of those who can believe. Roy in Pope Valley, California

Glorious singing to treasure for decades.......2006-07-11

By any measure, America's Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is at least the equal of Italy's premier diva, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, although she does not have the same superstar status. It is difficult to recall past mezzos with clearer enunciation of English text, (as favoured in nine excerpts from Theodora), the richness of voice, displayed in full-throated fortissimo and sharply contrasted pianissimo of utmost delicacy, evokes fondest memories of the tragically doomed Kathleen Ferrier. Masterfully chosen to display every facet of Hunt Lieberson's consumate command of Handel's dauntingly difficult music, the disc's repertoire - recitatives and linkig arias from the operas Theodora and Serse, and the cantana La Lucrezia - is stunning. An unsung mezzo who makes the senses tingle!

Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson (1954-2006), supreme Handelian.......2006-07-06

I have never heard a voice purer of tone, more flexible in phrasing, and so gorgeously produced in a homogeneous column of sound such as this artist in Handel's repertoire. It is very tastefully sung (unlike a certain person whose name begins with R and ends with enaaay Fleming) and so dramatically touching that one could not help but feel that this repertoire finally has found its instrument. And how sad it is to know that this instrument has passed away two days ago. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson died two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico of breast cancer. It is such a huge loss to the opera world, as she is an artist who is still experiencing the prime of her career. The voice is just so beautiful, the tone so pure, that I lament that we can no longer hear any great roles from this artist. She will be missed.

The Stellar Hunt Lieberson.......2006-03-19

Simply put, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is one of the very best classical singers alive. She combines vocal elegance and purity with an emotional delivery that raises her above the crowd of technically proficient singers who just don't possess her depth of musical understanding or emotional commitment. Hunt Lieberson is a true artist who resists easy classfication except to say she is perfect in what she does.

Average customer rating:

Springtime for Liberals Capitol Steps Manufacturer: Capitol Steps ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: I'm So Indicted Four More Years in the Bush Leagues Between Iraq and a Hard Place Unzippin' My Doo-Dah Papa's Got a Brand New Baghdad ASIN: B000RMJ5P2 Release Date: 2007-07-10

Album Description

"They're the best. There's no one like them, no one in their league." -- Larry King, CNN

"The Capitol Steps make it easier to leave public life." -- Former President George Bush Sr.

"#@!*! you guys are funny!" -- Tom Clancy

"The troupe has become a favorite on the Washington social circuit. Its political satire brings chuckles ... rave reviews ... guffaws ... and bipartisan grins all around. The satire hits the mark." -- Wall Street Journal

As seen on NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN, and heard on public radio! 2005 Washington Post Readers Choice Best Bets winner for Best Live Theater. The Capitol Steps are in the midst of their 25th anniversary!

Album Description

Unique political satire from the only group that attempts to be funnier than Congress. The Capitol Steps puts the "mock" in democracy

Average customer rating: More Parody Fun Hysterically Funny Up-to-Date Comedy Loved it!

I'm So Indicted Capitol Steps Manufacturer: Capitol Steps ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Four More Years in the Bush Leagues Papa's Got a Brand New Baghdad Between Iraq and a Hard Place One Bush, Two Bush, Old Bush New Bush Springtime for Liberals ASIN: B000FLGB02 Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

1. Here's To You, Reverend Robertson
2. George Bush Speaks
3. I'm So Indicted
4. What A Difference Delay Makes
5. Three Little Kurds From School
6. Goverment Lessons For Little Children: Chicken Little
7. Can't Get To Church
8. GOP-BS
9. Sam Alito
10. How Do You Solve A Problem Like Korea
11. In The Metro
12. Rolling Kidney Stones
13. Dubai Dubai Doo
14. This Is The House That Jack Bribed
15. FU Airlines
16. Living Will
17. Old Finger
18. Rafael Palmeiro's Greatest Hits
19. John Bolton Goes To The U.N.
20. Michael Brown
21. Deep Throat
22. When I'm 84
23. God Bless My SUV
24. Lirty Dies

Product Description

Here's to You, Reverend Robertson, George Bush speaks, I'm So Indicted, What a Difference Delay Makes, Three Little Kurds from School, Government Lessons for Little Children: Chicken Little, Can't Get to a Church, GOP-BS, Sam Alito, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Korea?, In the Metro, Rolling Kidney Stones, Dubai Dubai Doo, This is the House that Jack Bribed, FU Airlines, Living Will, Old Finger, Rafael Palmeiro's Greatest Hits, John Bolton Goes to the U.N., Michael Brown, Deep Throat, When I'm 84, God Bless My SUV, Lirty Dies: Ecret Sagents, Ack Jabramoff, Chick Daney, Yubble-Doo and the Storrible Horm

Customer Reviews:

More Parody Fun.......2007-06-18

While others may argue the point, I would think that the Capitol Steps have a harder time coming up with songs these days because they don't have as rich a source of material with W. as they did with Slick Willie. Unfortunately, they still have plenty to work with and they do a pretty good job with the materials at hand. The house and senate help of course, as do the foibles of business and personalities.

Like all Capitol Steps releases, this one is dated as soon as it is produced. The parodies reflect items that are still in the news at the time that the song is written. That will not harm the enjoyment of anyone who is a political junkie but I have found it to leave some wondering "what was that all about?"

This is not their best but it is certainly worthy.

Hysterically Funny Up-to-Date Comedy.......2007-01-12

I was given this CD as a Christmas gift, and can't stop laughing over such numbers as "God Bless My SUV". I've shared this wonderful collection of political satire and parody with many folks, and have bought a few copies to give as gifts as well. I am sure that my friends in Ireland - who closely follow US politics - will chuckle as well, as these clever artists poke fun at our government and its foibles in such inventive ways.

Loved it!.......2007-01-06

It was a gift for my husband so my rating is based on 2nd hand information: He loved it and will listen to it again

Average customer rating: Two Steps from the Blues bobby bland's best. Two Steps From the Blues - Bobby "Blue" Bland A Terrific Singer There's NOTHING bland about Mr Bland

Two Steps From the Blues Bobby "Blue" Bland Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Blues General | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Blues General | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Texas Blues | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Texas Blues | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classic R&B | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classic R&B | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Blues | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: "Bobby Blue Bland - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: The Duke Recordings" "Bobby ""Blue"" Bland - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: The ABC-Dunhill/MCA Recordings" His California Album Together for the First Time...Live The Anthology ASIN: B000059T1U Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

1. Two Steps From The Blues
2. Cry, Cry, Cry
3. I'm Not Ashmed
4. Don't Cry No More
5. Lead Me On
6. I Pity The Fool
7. I've Just Got To Forget You
8. Little Boy Blues
9. St. James Infirmary
10. I'll Take Care Of You
11. I Don't Want No Woman
12. I've Been Wrong So Long
13. How Does A Cheatin' Woman Feel
14. Close To You

Amazon.com

Bobby Bland could both comfort and chill, sometimes in the same song. He does so on this undeniably classic album's "Lead Me On," which begins with the line "You know how it feels, you understand / What it is to be a stranger in this unfriendly land" and ends softly two minutes later with the promise "I'll follow you." Such drama, coupled with a mellow soulfulness, is the norm on Two Steps. Bland has been called "the Sinatra of the blues" more than once, and this album is the best explanation ever for that appellation. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Two Steps from the Blues.......2007-04-04

Hearing Bobby Bland sing these real blues numbers was like a trip back into the past when Blues lyrics were pure and sung totally from the heart. I will treasure this CD and encourage my kids and grandkids to listen and learn what real blues was all about. I was pleased to learn that these selections were the original recordings as I remembered them from back in the fifties and sixties. Bland's rendition of "St. James Infirmary" is the best in my opinion. If anyone wants to experience the authentic Bobby "Blue" Bland, then this is the CD to purchase.

bobby bland's best........2007-03-17

in music, albums generally regarded as classics are pretty darn dependable. they are almost always outstanding. i wish that was the case with books (where classics are far from dependable). this album by bobby bland is regarded as a classic in the world of rhythm and blues, and once again those music folks have gotten it right. this is a great recording. from beginning to end the material is top notch, and mr bland's sonorous vocals are exceptional and elegant throughout. the horn section is terrific, too; with plenty of powerful saxophone to top things off. and nobody in blues handles a ballad any better than bobby bland. the top track here might very well be the old new orleans dirge "st james infirmary," which is chilling. this album came out in 1961 and the proximity to the 50's shows in a few spots, as there are occasional hints of doo-wop influence, without the doo-wop backup singers. this cd is a must for any collection of blues/soul music. rock and roll fans should pick it up as well. great stuff.

Two Steps From the Blues - Bobby "Blue" Bland.......2007-01-03

Excellent Christmas Gift for a friend. Really enjoyed the CD.
bj

A Terrific Singer.......2006-02-10

Because I think of Bobby Bland as a Blues artist, I was a bit jarred when I heard this the first time. When I think of Blues from this period, I think of people like Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Little Walter, Muddy Waters. For the most part, the style here is one I recognize more as R&B and sometimes Soul. But after a few listens, that initial surprise didn't matter any more.

This is an outstanding collection of songs, mostly written by Deadric Malone, along with several other standards. More importantly, Bobby Bland puts his all into every one of these songs, delivering definitive versions. His emotional range is almost unbelievable. You can pinpoint the emotion being delivered without even listening to the words, he's that good. I've heard Bland called "the Sinatra of R&B" and, although that sounds a bit patronizing, it fairly captures this singer's ability.

The opener "Two Steps From The Blues" immediately shows off Bland's vocal prowess in a very delicate song. "Cry Cry Cry" is a more traditional Blues with Bland wringing evry bit of emotion out of the song without any trace of being overwrought. "Lead Me On" sound so much like a Sam Cooke song that I had to check the songwriting credit (it's Malone). And so the album goes, it's uniformally excellent all the way through.

The one downside is the fidelity. Although the remastered sound is good - all of the instruments can be distinctly heard - the bass is often too far back in the mix. Too bad, because the bass playing is great. On some songs, notably "I'm Not Ashamed", there's audible distortion on the vocal track. So, although this is an outstanding album, if you're not accustomed to listening to recordings made without the benefit of modern studio technology, the sound might put you off. But, for some of the greatest male R&B singing you're ever likely to hear, this is highly recommended.

There's NOTHING bland about Mr Bland.......2005-09-15

And this is not just the finest recording of either the blues or soul genere but of ANY genre.

There's not a dull track and Mr Bland who classes Perry Como and Tony Bennet as his influnce is outstanding throughout. He's not known as the Sinatra of the blues for nothing.

This was ahead of Stax by a couple of years and was laid down in Houston, Texas. Deardic Malone is the posedeom for Don Robey,the same way that Joe Josea and Jules Taub was for the Bahari Brothers at Modern Records.


This easliy ranks among the great 60's recordings of Otis Redding , James Carr and Howard Tate. It has carisma and charm that's lacking in todays music in a big way.

To echo the two others reviewers, THEY SADLY DON'T MAKE RECORDINGS LIKE THIS ANYMORE. BEYOND ESSENTAIL.

Average customer rating: poor recording Travel to the Old Vienna Only Kreisler Can Play Kreisler ***** Perfection disappointing technical quality

Fritz Kreisler Plays Kreisler Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Heifetz Showpieces Kreisler plays Kreisler The Kreisler Album Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos The Kreisler Album ASIN: B000003G1K Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

1. Liebesfreud
2. Liebesleid
3. Tambourin chinois, Op.3
4. Caprice viennois, Op.2
5. Chanson Louis XIII And Pavane
6. Variations On A Theme Of Corelli
7. Rondino On A Theme By Beethoven
8. Schon Rosmarin
9. The Old Refrain - Wiener Volkslied - Le vieux refrain
10. Andantino
11. Berceuse romantique, Op.9
12. Aubade provencale (In The Style Of Couperin)
13. Apple Blossoms: Who Can Tell?
14. Toy Soldiers' March
15. Aucassin And Nicolette (Medieval Canzonetta)
16. Shepherd's Madrigal - Altdeutsches Schafermadrigal - Madrigal du berger
17. Gypsy Caprice - Zigeuner Capriccio
18. Polichinelle
19. La precieuse (In The Style Of Couperin)
20. La gitana
21. Marche miniature viennoise
22. The King Steps Out: Stars In My Eyes
23. Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta

Customer Reviews:

poor recording.......2007-04-30

Besides the bacground hiss, I found I had to turn the volume up to max just to hear it. So when you play more than one CD the others will be normal volume but when Kreisler starts you hear nothing and have to turn the volume all the way up to have it at low normal levels. So I recommend passing on this one.

Travel to the Old Vienna.......2006-01-26

Sometimes the author isn`t the best performer of his own works. That`s not the case. I completely agree with the previous reviewer: yes, only Kreisler can play Kreisler.
While listening to this music you so wounderfully feel the spirit of the old Vienna, that most technically perfect record couldn`t compare with this impressions. Treat surface noise of the records made in 1912-1946 as the scent of that distant time (by the way, nearly the age gone) - and you would be completely satisfied, because the playing by Kreisler is so scincere and soulful. So if you like Kreisler - don`t think twice. This is CD for you.

Only Kreisler Can Play Kreisler *****.......2005-05-08

What can I say? Only Kreisler can play Kreisler. Get a discography of Fritz Kreisler and start hunting down everything you can find by this man. You can compare violinists; Heifetz has astounding technique, Milstein's always wonderful, Oistrakh is a favorite of many, Kogan can play anything, etc., etc., etc.. But Kreisler... is a unique personality of the violin. Yehudi Menuhin said of him in his autobiography, there are many great violinists with perhaps greater technique in this area or that; but "Kreisler mystifies me." Bruno Walter, the great conductor, said of Kreisler, "He did not play the violin; he BECAME the violin." and this is true. There is something special about Kreisler that transcends violin playing itself. Something heavenly is communicated by him with his instrument. Transfers from old disks are always of varying quality. Kreisler lived a long time ago and recording techniques were very primitive; but Kreisler even seems to rise above the pops and the clicks. Other artists are drowned out by them but Kreisler soars above them and makes one forget they are there. You're focused on the beauty and the background noise seems to disappear entirely. Other violinists have tried
to play Kreisler and perhaps get the notes right, most notably among them, Zino Francescatti (who plays Kreisler better than any other man except Kreisler), but only Kreisler can play Kreisler.
If you want to hear it best, put up with the background hiss. It's worth it. If you want a modern recording, see if you can find Francescatti's tribute album to Fritz Kreisler. it's OOP, but an LP in mint condition sometimes appears on an online auction service. Why the Francescatti album ever went OOP I do not know. He is the only modern violinist that ever really tapped into the soul of 'Fritz' when he plays Kreisler. If the disk is ever again released, snap it up before it goes OOP again. In the final analysis, modern violinists, at most, will give you a representative selection of only about 16 tracks and usually you get the worn chestnuts over and over again. Enough of Kreislers own recordings are still available that you can still get the whole gamut of his discography if you just look. Do so!

Perfection.......2004-03-08

No crap...really? OF COURSE THIS RECORDING IS A TRANSFER! YOU THINK THEY HAVE DIGITAL RECORDING TECHNOLOGY BACK THEN???? Man, that review from Delaware annoys me.

Go with the first review. This recording is a must. It is one of the great violin recordings. Even my old violin teacher advise me to play some of Kreisler stuff to improve techniques. Kreisler is a legend. Lesson and appreciate the beauties of the violin.

disappointing technical quality.......2000-08-29

I realize that this cd was a transfer, but I have other music that was transferred from old recordings, and they sound much better than this. The disappointing technical quality of the sound on this CD disturbs me. In fact, it sounds worse than the vinyl I already own. Very loud hissing, some popping. The music doesn't actually sound like it's been recorded in a tunnel, but the sound is not as full as I had hoped.

On the other hand, I bought this after comparing Kreisler's performance with Joshua Bell on the samples; and I find I always prefer Kreisler. With no disrespect to Mr. Bell, I find I prefer the composer performing his own music.

Average customer rating: Wow, AMAZING album! But, don't buy it because it's Sony DRM. Period. Sorry, Mike! Amazon review right on, but spotlight's got it wrong Five stars for the music. No stars for the virus. Brilliant CD; ignore the foo-foos..... I wanted to listen to music -- now I have to reinstall windows

Sixty Six Steps Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon , Leo Kottke , and Mike Gordon Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Clone 6- and 12-String Guitar Best of Leo Kottke Try and Stop Me Shine ASIN: B000A2APV2 Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

1. Living In The Country
2. The Grid
3. Oh Well
4. Rings
5. Cherry County
6. Sweet Emotion
7. The Stolen Quiet
8. Balloon
9. Over The Dam
10. Can't Hang
11. From Spink To Correctionville
12. Ya Mar
13. Twice
14. Invisible

Album Description

Sixty Six Steps--the second collaboration between guitarist Leo Kottke and erstwhile Phish bassist Mike Gordon--is both an homage to and an experiment loosely involving island rhythms. "There are these syncopations within Leo's guitar playing that twist around in a way that remind me of calypso," explains Gordon. "So this album took form as an experiment in my mind to see whether Leo's unique style of playing could be mixed with this kind of music I discovered and really loved when I was younger. And it worked far beyond my expectations." "Mike was the first to notice that aspect in my playing, and I think I'd forgotten it was in there," says Kottke. "No one else had done that. He's very intuitive that way."

The pair had already successfully tested the waters as collaborators with the album Clone, released in 2002. When they crossed paths in 2004 at a music festival, Gordon told Kottke that he really wanted to do an island experiment as his first project following the Phish era. Rehearsed in Costa Rica and recorded in the Bahamas, Sixty Six Steps is seasoned with the buoyant rhythms and freewheeling spirit of the tropics. It is not literally a calypso album but one that uses the calypso feel as a touchstone for a set of performances by two of the most imaginative and mold-breaking musicians on the planet.

Sixty Six Steps is a mixture of originals and interpretations performed in ways that are vaguely familiar yet largely without precedent. For instance, you'll find a cover of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" sung in a deadpan monotone and performed on baglama (a Turkish banjo/mandolin-type instrument), guitar and bass. Then there's a pastoral Pete Seeger composition ("Living in the Country") given a spritz of equatorial light and air. A twisted Mike Gordon original ("Stolen Quiet") professes mock gratitude for a partner's exodus from their shared abode: "The sheer amount of surface space increased around here/With your diet soda gone, there's more room for my beer." An equally offbeat Leo Kottke original ("Balloon") features such lines as "When the raccoon steals the cheese behind Pandora's other box/Or the one you love is shopping for a helmet made of rocks/Balloon, balloon, balloon..."

Incidentally, the title Sixty Six Steps is taken from a sign at the base of a staircase leading to what is reputedly the highest point on the island. The steps curve around and go to the top of the hill, which is a great spot from which to view the sunset. In its own way, Sixty Six Steps winds and ascends to a point from which the listener can savor some truly unique musical vistas.

Customer Reviews:

Wow, AMAZING album! But, don't buy it because it's Sony DRM. Period. Sorry, Mike!.......2007-06-16

Mike will probably leave Sony after this, just like Trey did. Notice how Sony got into trouble with their illegal "digital rights management" virus spyware using Trey's album as a guinea pig... and Trey's next album was released elsewhere? Good for Trey! (BTW, I bought the Shine Dual Disc w/ bonus DVD for $[...] and there was no drm on it, so Sony REALLY fudged up there, huh?)

My guess is Mike will do the same thing-- leave Sony. I am positive Mike wasn't asked if this "copy protection" was okay by him. I'm sure Mike would've said no. He may be contractually obligated to put out another album, but if not, Sony can probably kiss another artist bye-bye! :-) Taste the curb, Sony! Oh, you like that? How's it taste, huh? You like the curb, Sony?

That being said, this album is PHENOMENAL! I am floored by it (and truly sad I wasn't able to support Mike by buying it brand new from the store). This won a Jammy award and I can see why.

This album is truly right up there with the best early 70s Grateful Dead acoustic stuff and the best mellow Phish stuff. I absolutely LOVE this album!!!

So, how can you hear it, since you don't want to support Sony and their illegal copy protection shenannigans?

Simple!

1. Buy it USED.
2. Make mp3s with an mp3 player/recorder such as MobiBlu's B-153 which is $[...] for a 2GB player/recorder. (Do not risk infecting your computer with Sony's virus/spyware drm copy protection crap all over this disc. You have no reason to trust these jerks.)

So, if it's USED and has worn out its copy limitation feature, it doesn't really matter because if you want to record it to mp3s, you can just use an mp3 player/recorder.

I bought mine USED. I popped the CD into my stereo-- it plays fine! And if I feel like listening ot it on the go, I can easily plug the MobiBlu mp3 player into the the headphone jack of the stereo (or line out jack), press "record" on the mp3 player and make my own 192 bitrate mp3s from the stereo.

Using this method, you don't have to worry about Sony's ILLEGAL drm tactics.
You won't have to reinstall Windows or uninstall the rootkit spyware.
You won't have to WORRY about Sony's unethical, illegal and generally STUPID business practices.
You won't have to support these crooks.

I LEGALLY purchased the album and I can LEGALLY make mp3's out of it if I want using a simple mp3 player.

And Sony made no money from the deal.

Sony's 2006 profits were way, way down and I am very happy about that. F them.

I'm very happy about sticking it to Sony. i'm not so happy about sticking it to Mike, but I've given him plenty of support over the years and will continue to check him out on tour.

GREAT ALBUM! Just wanted to say that once again!

Amazon review right on, but spotlight's got it wrong.......2006-10-18

This is a delightful recording and musically even better and more fun than their first CLONE. (the whole formating/copyright protection issue doesn't concern me as I don't try to copy or play it in my computer and is not germane to these reviews, but it does seem Sony has gone too far with their solution) I love the originals (songs and instrumentals) and the covers and the sound of these guys playing in their loose, playful, virtuostic, calypso influenced way reminds me of the great stuff David Lindley and Wally Ingram have done... This is happy, fun easy listening yet highly skilled music. My only complaint is that the percussionist Neil Symonette didn't get equal billing. He really helps make this a great recording.

Don't let the technical comments distract you from the important stuff, if you like the great MUSIC these guys make (alone or together), you'll love this one too.

Five stars for the music. No stars for the virus........2006-09-15

This is a tough one to review because it is difficult to separate the music from the copy protection. Tempted as I might be to speak from a soapbox about the latter, I won't. Many of you don't want to or don't need to hear about that. Those of you who do can find the whole business laid out pretty well in the other reviews.

Musically, this CD is simply terrific. Having listened to it several times I do not grow tired of it. It contains some of the most masterful acoustic guitar work that you will find anywhere. The sound is not overproduced. It comes across as down home and easy to listen to but the genius is there, plain to hear.

That having been said, there are issues and here are the facts. If you put this CD in your PC it will secretly install files that can harm your computer. This fact is beyond dispute. Sony/BMG has agreed to a class action settlement for damages caused by several dozen CD's including this one. If you own this CD you have until Dec. 2006 to file a claim for $7.50 cash payment or a free album download. Check the web for details and a list of other CD's involved. Enough said.

So if you play this CD in your stereo you'll be just fine. Keep it out of your PC though unless you fully understand the risks. If you must use this CD with your PC, I suggest that the safest way to do so would be to wrap the CD securely in a plastic sandwich bag for protection before inserting the disk in your CD drive. If you do that your listening experience might not be as pleasurable, but at least your system will be protected from infection.

Brilliant CD; ignore the foo-foos............2006-07-21

Okay, so it has copyright protection; it still plays, and this is quite possibly the best CD I have heard all year (and I have heard a lot). My only complaint is that they do not give equal billing to the percussionist, Neil "Goat Hooves" Symonette. The last Kottke-Gordon effort had some great moments, but with the addition of Symonette, this baby just hums along like my VW Beetle on biodiesel. It sounds warm and inviting, like a real group, as opposed to a couple of virtuosi who got together in a studio. Great selection of songs and a wonderful coherency throughout the entire CD. Seriously, ignore the pretentious, self-righteous, foo-foo, nancy boys who would rate such a wonderful CD as this based on their Freudian-technological issues rather than the music. May they be sentenced to an eternity fixing Leo's car!

I wanted to listen to music -- now I have to reinstall windows.......2006-07-04

I'm tremendously dissapointed by this product. I can't express in words how angry I am at having to spend 6 hours repairing my computer after the cd installed a backdoor on to my that allow sony to access any file on my computer.

Its infuriating how the goverment has allowed SONY/BMG to do this to us. If a person has hacked millions of computers and installed software that allowed access to the entire harddrive, that person would be in prison. Sony /bmg did this to us and they get away with a slap on the wrist.

Despite the harm that this CD has done to me, I'm keeping it. It will be a symbol that I will use remind myself how our corrupt goverment is controlled by corporate interests -- and the harm that these corporations cause to increase their profits.

Average customer rating: A very "warm" album Essential '60s Miles Davis 4 1/2 stars-- Davis in transition.

Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: My Funny Valentine Sorcerer E.S.P. The Melody At Night, With You Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim ASIN: B0007OP2BQ Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

1. Basin Street Blues
2. Seven Steps To Heaven
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
4. So Near, So Far
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Joshua
7. So Near, So Far
8. Summer Night

Amazon.com

By early 1963, Miles Davis was still casting for a new band and this recording accurately reflects Miles' search for his "new sound." Seven Steps to Heaven is the product of two separate sessions recorded during this transition. Davis already had bass player Ron Carter on board. After pianist Victor Feldman, who played on half the set, declined the job Davis enlisted the young Herbie Hancock to fill the seat. The even younger Tony Williams, just seventeen, joined on drums for the second round of sessions. Finally, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, though included on this entire recording, would soon be replaced by Wayne Shorter completing one of the most important quintets in jazz history. For a project borne out of transition, this is a very strong album that moves along seamlessly. More than forty years on, the title track remains intoxicatingly fresh, and all the more so with the warmth and clarity of this stellar remastering. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

A very "warm" album.......2007-05-17

In some ways, this is Miles's most relaxed album. Not in terms of tempos, but there's very little to prove here. The ballads don't despair too much, the burners wink and nod (so near so far is a very hip tune), and Basin Street/Baby Won't You Please Come Home find him investigating some old-school sources. I Fall in Love Too Easily, which was in his book for decades, sounds sensitive but very assured, and all of these recordings could have been released in 1990 or so--it is all clean, but not too clean.

Essential '60s Miles Davis.......2007-03-13

Miles Davis was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of our time. His need for change, exploration, and experimentation will remain his legacy. I think anyone who plays or listens to jazz owes it to themselves to check out Miles Davis. That being said, "Seven Steps To Heaven" is a one of his greatest recordings of the 1960s.

Recorded in 1963 in Los Angeles and New York, this recording remains a somewhat overlooked album in Davis' vast discography. The reason I think it is overlooked is because it features Miles playing more ballads. I believe ballads are what made Miles Davis great and that's why if anyone loves ballads, then "Seven Steps to Heaven" would be a great purchase. Of course, tunes like the title track and "Joshua" are both uptempo adn feature some really swinging rhythms and hot soloing. "Seven Steps To Heaven" also feature three of the greatest musicians from contemporary jazz: Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. This is the first time they played with Miles Davis on record.

The musicians on this album are all stellar and are given plenty of room to stretch out. Here is the lineup for this album:

Miles Davis - trumpet
George Coleman - tenor saxophone
Herbie Hancock - piano (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
Victor Feldman - piano (all other tracks)
Ron Carter - bass
Tony Williams - drums (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
Frank Butler - drums (all other tracks)

Despite what people say and what they feel is the greatest Miles album, I feel that "Seven Steps To Heaven" is right there with some of his best work. I own 35 albums by Miles Davis and I can't believe I waited so long before I bought this album. Hearing albums like "Workin," "Relaxin," "Cookin," "Round About Midnight," "Miles Ahead," and "Kind of Blue," made me a fan, but nobody should overlook anything Miles did in the mid 50s to mid 60s. It was an amazing period for Miles and when listening to "Seven Steps To Heaven" makes me appreciate him even more.

To the reviewer who said this record was a "transitional" record, all I really have to say is that every album Miles made was a transitional record. That's just apart of his music. Miles was always looking towards the future and that's evident in everything he has done.

Buy this album and don't let mixed reviews scare you. This is a classic jazz album that deserves to be heard.

4 1/2 stars-- Davis in transition........2005-11-03

In 1963, Miles Davis was reeling a bit-- the Wynton Kelly Trio (Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb) had just quit, leaving the trumpeter without his stellar rhythm section, and with both John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley breaking ties the band, there was no one left from the band that recorded the triumph of "Kind of Blue". "Seven Steps to Heaven" tracks the evolution of Davis' working band over three sessions in early 1963-- the last studio work he'd do until early 1965.

The first two sessions recorded here find Davis in the company of tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Frank Butler. The pieces from this session are primarily standard ballads-- "Basin Street Blues", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" and "Summer Night" (a bonus track originally issued as part of "Quiet Nights". All four feature Davis superbly lyrical-- he seems particularly inspired by the somewhat underrecognized Feldman, whose lovely and emotive frameworks set up simply fantastic environments for Davis to solo and the ever-brilliant Carter to counter. This is all particularly obvious on the stunning reading of "I Fall in Love Too Easily", destined to stay in Davis' live repetoire for over seven years (extraordinarily rare for Davis, he tended to play songs live no more than a couple years, sometimes even less) and still featured into his "fusion" period. Coleman's only appearance from this session is the performance of "So Near, So Far" (again a bonus track originally issued on the odds-and-ends album "Directions"). The performance is pretty lifeless, with neither Davis nor Coleman particularly inspired.

A month later, Davis entered the studio, again with Coleman and Carter, but with two steps closer to forging his next great band, with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Tony Williams. The change at the drum seat is obvious-- Williams, a young prodigee at this point, is explosive, powerful and yet never in the way. They perform three pieces-- another reading of "So Near, So Far" and two originals-- Victor Feldman's "Joshua" and the Feldman/Davis-penned title track (interestingly enough, all three were attempted at the previous session). Again, Davis seems inspired, but this time with an ecstatic energy-- his playing on the title track (a bouncey hard bop piece) is agile and mercurial, leading into a brief, stunning drum break and a frantic solo by Coleman reminiscent of Coltrane's work in the Davis band. "So Near, So Far" gets a vastly superior reading-- the theme statement split around the two horns is fluid and intriguing, and Davis pours his heart into his horn on his solo-- exploring his horn's registers and expressiveness (and listen to Carter behind him who is fantastic enough to nearly steal the show, and he is perhaps even moreso under Hancock's solo). "Joshua" gets an intriguing reading-- it's bizarrely lryical and yet maintains a sort of exciting frantic energy, and again the performances are superb throughout.

Something stops me from thinking of this one among Davis' best, but it's an awfully good album, with great performances throughout. This remaster adds great sound to the mix as well-- could have been recorded yesterday. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating: the album that leaps more great jazz from coltrane. Essential for any jazz collection Essential, and very convenient for beginners. Great album and "easy" for beginners to groove to...

Giant Steps John Coltrane Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Love Supreme My Favorite Things Kind of Blue Blue Train Mingus Ah Um ASIN: B000003489 Release Date: 1998-03-03

Tracks:

1. Giant Steps
2. Cousin Mary
3. Countdown
4. Spiral
5. Syeeda's Song Flute
6. Naima
7. Mr. P.C.
8. Giant Steps (Alternate Version 1)
9. Naima (Alternate Version 1)
10. Cousin Mary (Alternate Take)
11. Countdown (Alternate Take)
12. Syeeda's Song Flute (Alternate Take)
13. Giant Steps (Alternate Version 2)
14. Naima (Alternate Version 2)
15. Giant Steps (Alternate Take)

Amazon.com essential recording

Released in January 1960, John Coltrane's first album devoted entirely to his own compositions confirmed his towering command of tenor saxophone and his emerging power as a composer. Apprenticeships with Dizzy, Miles, and Monk had helped focus his furious, expansive solos, and his stamina and underlying sense of harmonic adventure brought Coltrane, at 33, to a new cusp--the polytonal "sheets of sound" that distinguished his marathon solos were offset by interludes of subtle, concise lyricism, embodied here in the tender "Naima." That classic ballad is a calm refuge from the ecstatic, high-speed runs that spark the set's up-tempo climaxes, which begin with the opening title song, itself a cornerstone of modern jazz composition. This exemplary reissue benefits from eight alternate takes of the original album's seven stellar tracks, excellent remastering of the original tapes, and an expanded annotation. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

the album that leaps.......2007-04-18

The 1960 release of Atlantic's `Giant Steps' was the first album featuring Coltrane performing all original compositions. Listeners become absorbed into the marvelous sheets of sound he belted out with such professional ease. Speedy execution and marksman-like precision brought Coltrane the envy of both his peers and fans. Sweeping solos spout from Coltrane's horn on here, accomplishing what a lesser musician plainly could not. `Giant Steps' races to the borders of harmony while the ballad `Naima' slows the mood down and heats things up. This CD version includes bonus alternate takes which Coltrane had rejected in favor of those featuring Tommy Flanagan.

Personnel for the tracks `Giant Steps', `Cousin Mary', `Countdown', "Spiral', `Syeeda's Song Flue' and `Mr. P.C.' on the original LP:

John Coltrane (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Paul Chambers (b), Art Taylor (d).

Personnel for the track `Naima' on the original LP:

John Coltrane (ts), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).

Many of the alternate takes that never made their way on the album feature Cedar Walton on piano and Lex Humphries on drums.

more great jazz from coltrane........2007-02-15

to live a proper life you will of course need lots of john coltrane music. this album is an absolute must. from the saxophone pyrotechnics on the title track and the jazz lightning of "mr p.c.," on through to the great melodics of "cousin mary" and "syeeda's song flute," this is pure jazz magic. "naima" is a another standout; a piece of beauty, another coltrane classic. this was my first coltrane album, way back at the tender age of 20 (up to 45 now, i am), and it was the start of something very good in my life. coltrane's music has been a big part of my soundtrack ever since. life has been a richer journey for it, too.

Essential for any jazz collection.......2006-11-30

When people who are just getting into listening to jazz ask me which albums they should start with, I always recommend "Kind of Blue", and "Giant Steps". While this may not be Coltrane's most pure recording, it nonetheless is one of the finest jazz albums ever recorded. I'm not going to go into the specifics of his "sheets of sound" approach, other than to say that when he really gets going such as on the title track, his playing is absolutely breathtaking. It is important to mention however that aside from Coltrane's exceptional chops and phrasing, I find his tone on this disc to be one of warmest sounding I've ever heard on the instrument. If you don't own this CD, buy it!

Essential, and very convenient for beginners........2006-11-08

In this Coltrane's classic record, three songs help us to put it in perspective. First, "Naima", a sont that will be played by Coltrane all his career long, showing his deep feeling in a melodic way, easy to approach for the beginner and to compare with the many versions of it recorded by him. Second, "Giant Steps", where the long 'sentences' and the armonics still remind the be-bop days, as if Coltrane were leaving that period. And third, "Mr P.C", where Coltrane shows his future 'shaken' way of playing, using a structure of two consecutive notes, high and low, up and down, each of them following a diferent line but, by this 'lateral playing', opening between those two lines an empty and free space where the melody is heard without being played. This is the Coltrane what will be found later in his marvellous album "My Favourite Things".
As well, in this record, Coltrane is forgetting that 'deadpan' jazz who followed the cool period. Always without falling in sentimentality, Coltrane starts to fill that free and open space of his music with feelings. What is trully amazing is how love made him rebellious, and how it showed him the way to push modern jazz out of its ensconced position.
To finish: don't miss "Countdown", a burst of technical power.

Great album and "easy" for beginners to groove to..........2006-11-06

I noticed that a lot of hardcore jazz folks have written extensively about the arcane virtues of this album, so I just want to chime in that this is also really fun and accessible music! a few reviewers have warned that it might be "difficult" to listen to-- as a fairly UNsophisticated listener who knows nothing about music theory, I'd have to strongly disagree.
The album features Coltrane playing original compositions in his mature style, but the songs are catchy and concise, with very infectious hooks. It's the perfect first Coltrane record for anyone who's just getting into modern jazz and wants a representative example of his work-- comparable to Miles' "Kind of Blue" and Brubeck's "Time Out".

Average customer rating: Fantastic Finish Ghostwrite for Soft Schedule Hmmmmm It's still heartbreaking music The last chapter of the Bad Astronaut saga

Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment Bad Astronaut Manufacturer: Fat Wreck Chords ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Houston: We Have a Drinking Problem Acrophobe Love Their Country War of the Worlds Unicornography ASIN: B000IZJ1HU Release Date: 2006-11-14

Tracks:

1. Good Morning Night
2. Ghostwrite
3. Beat
4. Stillwater, California
5. One Giant Disappointment
6. Minus
7. Best Western
8. San Francisco Serenade
9. Autocare
10. Violet
11. Go Humans
12. The 'F' Word
13. The Thirteenth Step

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Finish.......2007-04-12

Perhaps my favorite Bad Astronaut release and definitely one of the best records of 2006. One Giant Disappointment is one of my favorites here. It made me cry everytime I heard it for 2 weeks, Ghostwrite, Minus, Best Western, San Fran Serenade, Go Humans are all excellent. Joey is consistantly great, one of my favorite artists of the last 15 years.

Ghostwrite for Soft Schedule.......2006-12-21

Fist thing first: it's a great album. Songs are so hooked on a soap space, since the 'Houston...' LP that they are actually in so often feels like one. Good Morning Night' and Beat' still capture the old fashion secrets of Joey and added satisfy feeling that came with new ways such as 'Best Western. Only misguided feeling is the whole concept evolution through the "album" idea. After Derrick passing, it's hard to collect the motives of sound to create tracks and waited for a new born viewing behind the main ideas of the songs. Joe Strummer's Streetcore suffers by the very same thing. At the some point 'Twelve Small Steps...' seems like a some kind of superior collecting rare songs and b-sides album with a thrilling feeling in the core that is both dark and celebratory. As a legacy it's an ear-catching affair to it's white noise. As a tribute; it'll be along any forever...

Hmmmmm.......2006-12-17

Ok, the other reviewers before me have done a great job of talking about the background of this band and the trajedy that befell them. Therefore I will skip to my review of what I feel is a lackluster album (it appears I'm in the minority, which is nice... I love Bad Astronaut). Anyway, there are no real great songs on here, just a bunch of good ones. For any other band that would be more than satisfying, but this is Bad Astronaut! Their first two albums are without a doubt two of my favorite records of all time. The band grew so much between Acrophobe and Houston... and I was hoping that 12 Steps would be even better than the first two. However, this is not the case. Ignoring the death of one of the key members of the band is unfair, but we are reviewing the cd here and I can't change my rating of the music. Hopefully over time this album will grow on me, but unlike the first two it has not hit me immediately.

It's still heartbreaking music.......2006-11-15

This is a very different CD than I was expecting, it's hard to know how losing a pivotal member both musically and personally will affect the music they create. Many people fall apart and give up, while others take the pain their feeling and focus it back into their music. Fortunately, Joey Cape is more of the latter than the former. I've always felt that the greatest artistic achievements have come from pain (see: Disintegration by The Cure, Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt, etc.), so while this CD wasn't what I was expecting, it is by no means disappointing.

I first heard of Bad Astronaut right around the time that Acrophobe came out, and it was such a breath of fresh air from the music at the time. There was so much thought put into the music, the cello was present, but never overused, it was just incredible song writing and musicianship (is that a word?). Their second CD was even better than the first, "My Son" literally drove my mom to tears the first time she heard it, and the maturation of the band continued. After Derrick took his life, there was a lot of talk that this record would never be released, it was too hard for them to face this. Luckily Joey took the pain and heartache and created a beautiful, if sometimes disjointed record.

This record was being written when Derrick died, so some songs were written before, some after, and the disparity between the two types of songs are huge. There are the "normal" Bad Astronaut songs like Go Humans that for some reason reminds me of Grey Suits, and there is the haunting Minus which has been one of my favorite songs for quite a while. The real highlight of this CD is the songs written to/about Derrick. You can almost see Joey trying to cope with it as the CD progresses. In One Giant Disappointment he almost sounds angry at Derrick for leaving him, for not struggling on. In Stillwater, California he pays tribute to the ones that have left us including Derrick, but also Jason (Thirsk? Sears?) and Richard (?). Finally there's a general acceptance of things with Thirteen Steps, the minor chord he drops into right before the "devastating" is just heartbreaking. There is so much emotion and depth to their songs.

So sadly as we say goodbye to Bad Astronaut, we can thank them for some beautiful songs, for putting everything out in the open so we can see what they were dealing with at the time. As I listen to the backwards guitars that have a very "Beatles" feel on Thirteen Steps, I smile, realizing that I was very lucky to have been clued into them, and realize that as long as Joey is creating (the Tony Sly split is beautiful) and the rest of the band keeps doing their thing, we'll all come out ahead.

The last chapter of the Bad Astronaut saga.......2006-11-15

Bad Astronaut. A band that was made as an excuse for 2 old friends, Derrick and Joey, to play together again. With Derrick gone now, Twelve small steps, one giant dissappoinment, is Joey's final goodbye to his best friend.

From start to finish you can hear the honesty and passion in the music, writing and Joey's voice. Even in the songs that are not written about Derrick {or don't seem to be written about derrick}, you feel the power in this album. This is record is truly a gift to the world of indie rock, punk, or all music lovers.

After hearing it for only one day, it moved me almost immediately. This is a must for all Bad Astroanut, Wagon, Caper, and Derrick fans. I highly recommend this for indie rock lovers. You will not be disappointed. The boys in Bad Astronaut put their heart and soul into this recording and I for one am going to miss this band's contribution to the world of rock.

Not to mention Derrick's contribution to the World of Punk Rock and Rock.

Do yourself a favor and get this cd.

Thanks to the Guys of Bad Astronaut. And thank you Derrick for the inspiration. You will not be forgotten.

Jazz Music:

1. Strings!
2. Summertime
3. Terry's Tavern
4. The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 3: Bud!
5. The Author and The Source
6. The Best of Blue Note, Vol. 1
7. The Best of Bud Powell
8. The Best of Quincy Jones, Vol. 2
9. The Honeydripper
10. Things Are Getting Better [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Jazz Music

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