Gary Burton | ||
| Allmusic Biography : One of the two great vibraphonists to emerge in the 1960s (along with Bobby Hutcherson), Gary Burtons remarkable four-mallet technique (best displayed on an unaccompanied version of "No More Blues" from 1971) can make him sound like two or three players at once. He has recorded in a wide variety of settings and always sounds distinctive. Self-taught on vibes, Burton made his recording debut with country guitarist Hank Garland when he was 17. From there, he started recording regularly for RCA in 1961, beginning with his debut, New Vibe Man in Town. Despite his burgeoning solo career, he continued work as a sideman, touring with George Shearings quintet in 1963. He also gained some fame while with Stan Getzs pianoless quartet during 1964-1966, and then put together his own groups. In 1967, with guitarist Larry Coryell, he led one of the early "fusion" bands, releasing albums like A Genuine Tong Funeral, Duster, and Gary Burton Quartet in Concert. Coryell would later be succeeded by Sam Brown, Mick Goodrick, John Scofield, Jerry Hahn, and Pat Metheny. During the 70s, Burton continued to release a steady stream of albums including the impressive solo session Alone at Last, Ring with Eberhard Weber, and the quintet date Dreams So Real: Music of Carla Bley. He also collaborated often during the 70s, touring and recording duet sets with Chick Corea such as 1972s Crystal Silence for ECM. There were similarly influential dates with Ralph Towner, Steve Swallow, Paul Bley, Keith Jarrett, and others. Among his sidemen in the late 70s and 80s were Makoto Ozone, Tiger Okoshi, and Tommy Smith. Very active as an educator at Berklee upon joining its faculty in 1971, Burton remained a prominent performer over the next few decades, releasing albums like 1982s Lyric Suite for Sextet, 1986s Whiz Kids, and 1988s Times Like These for GRP. Moving into the 90s, Burton stuck with GRP, issuing albums like the Paul Bley duo date Right Time, Right Place, 1993s Its Another Day with vocalist Rebecca Parris, and 1995s Face to Face. He then shifted to Concord for a bevy of well-regarded efforts, including 1997s Departure and 1998s Like Minds. Two years later, Libertango, his tribute to tango master Astor Piazzolla, arrived. The very personal album For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal was issued in 2001, and in 2002 he explored classical music with the duet album Virtuosi, recorded with pianist Makoto Ozone. The year 2004 found Burton back on familiar ground with the release of Generations, a bop-influenced album featuring a quartet of younger musicians. Burton paired with the same group for 2005s Next Generation. In 2009, Burton released Quartet Live featuring guitarist Metheny and bassist Swallow on Concord. In 2012, he released Hot House, another duet recording with Corea. In August of 2013, the vibraphonist released Guided Tour by the New Gary Burton Quartet on Mack Avenue Records. His new bandmates included drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Scott Colley, and guitarist Julian Lage. Two years later, he joined Metheny, Jan Garbarek, Paul McCandless, the SWR Big Band, and others in a concert marking bassist Eberhard Webers 75th birthday. It was released as Hommage à Eberhard Weber on ECM. After a 50-plus-year career, Burton retired from performing in 2017, following a farewell tour with pianist Ozone. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 39 Title: Somethings Coming Released: 1964 Tracks: 7 Duration: 35:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 On Green Dolphin Street (04:07) 2 Melanie (03:55) 3 Careful (04:14) 4 Six Improvisatory Sketches (05:08) 5 Somethings Coming (06:16) 6 Little Girl Blue (07:13) 7 Summertime (05:03) |
| Something's Coming : Allmusic album Review : Gary Burtons third full-length album as a leader finds him rapidly developing into a fresh new voice on the vibes. Engaged in close interplay with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Larry Bunker, Burton performs four lyrical standards, including "Little Girl Blue" and "Summertime," Halls "Careful" and a couple of numbers from his new friend Michael Gibbs. Excellent music, but this long-out-of-print LP will be difficult to find. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 39 Title: A Genuine Tong Funeral Released: 1967-11-20 Tracks: 10 Duration: 43:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Opening; Interlude: Shovels; The Survivors; Grave Train (06:40) 2 Events Leading To The End, Part One: Death Rolls-Ancestors (01:38) 3 Events Leading To The End, Part One: Morning-Part One (01:46) 4 Events Leading To The End, Part One: Interlude: Lament (04:29) 5 Events Leading To The End, Part Two: Silent Spring (07:59) 6 Fanfare; Mother of the Dead Man (02:53) 7 Events Leading To The End, Part Three: Some Dirge-Hour Of The Wolf (07:49) 8 Events Leading To The End, Part Three: Morning-Part Two (01:18) 9 Events Leading To The End, Part Three: The New Funeral March (02:42) 10 The New National Anthem; The Survivors (06:34) |
| A Genuine Tong Funeral : Allmusic album Review : One of vibraphonist Gary Burtons most intriguing recordings, A Genuine Tong Funeral (Carla Bleys suite which musically depicts attitudes toward death) was called by its composer a "Dark Opera Without Words." Burtons classic Quartet (which also includes guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bob Moses) is augmented by six notable all-stars: soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, trumpeter Mike Mantler, Gato Barbieri on tenor, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, Howard Johnson on tuba and baritone and Bley herself on piano and organ. The music is dramatic, occasionally a little humorous, and a superb showcase for Gary Burtons vibes. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 39 Title: Paris Encounter Released: 1969-11-04 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Daphne (04:09) 2 Blue in Green (03:40) 3 Falling Grace (03:16) 4 Heres That Rainy Day (05:30) 5 Coquette (03:59) 6 Sweet Rain (03:42) 7 The Night Has a Thousand Eyes (03:45) 8 Arpege (03:25) 9 Eiderdown (04:12) |
| Paris Encounter : Allmusic album Review : Atlantic has thus far been very slow to reissue its six valuable Gary Burton records. This particular set is the most accessible of the group, for it matches the advanced vibraphonist with the classic violinist Stephane Grappelli in a quartet also including electric bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Goodwin. The music alternates between standards and originals (including Swallows famous "Eiderdown"), and both Grappelli and Burton prove to be flexible enough to have much common ground despite a 35-year difference in age. A frequently delightful set. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 39 Title: Gary Burton & Keith Jarret Released: 1971 Tracks: 5 Duration: 36:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Grow Your Own (04:54) 2 Moonchild / In Your Quiet Place (07:23) 3 Como en Vietnam (07:03) 4 Fortune Smiles (08:29) 5 The Raven Speaks (08:16) |
| Gary Burton & Keith Jarret : Allmusic album Review : This combination works. Vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Keith Jarrett (along with guitarist Sam Brown, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Bill Goodwin) play four Jarrett originals plus Steve Swallows "Como en Vietnam." Elements of pop music, rock, country, and the jazz avant-garde are used in the mixture of styles and the results are quite logical. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 39 Title: Good Vibes Released: 1971 Tracks: 6 Duration: 36:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Vibrafinger (06:37) 2 Las Vegas Tango (06:30) 3 Boston Marathon (07:21) 4 Pain in My Heart (04:45) 5 Leroy the Magician (06:11) 6 I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You) (05:13) |
| Good Vibes : Allmusic album Review : Throughout much of the latter half of the 1960s, the music of vibraphonist Gary Burton was heavily influenced by rock. But the dominance of electronics and the tendency toward long vamps on tunes like "Vibrafinger" sound rather dated and less satisfying than the vast majority of his other recordings from the era. "Las Vegas Tango" at first shows some promise, but the excessive guitars and percussion soon take over. Check out his far superior quartet albums for ECM and RCA instead. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 39 Title: Crystal Silence Released: 1973 Tracks: 9 Duration: 44:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Señor Mouse (06:22) 2 Arise, Her Eyes (05:08) 3 I’m Your Pal (04:02) 4 Desert Air (06:26) 5 Crystal Silence (09:04) 6 Falling Grace (02:42) 7 Feelings and Things (04:46) 8 Children’s Song (02:12) 9 What Game Shall We Play Today (03:42) |
| Crystal Silence : Allmusic album Review : For Crystal Silence, the first of several partnerships between Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton in the 1970s, the two musicians selected an interesting array of material. The compositions on this record are all modern ones, either by Steve Swallow, Mike Gibbs, or Corea himself. It is a mostly downtempo affair, which allows each player to stretch out and play highly melodic solos over the often difficult changes. In keeping with most ECM releases, there is a distinct presence of European elements to the improvisations. There are few overt blues or bebop phrases, Corea and Burton opting instead for modern melodies to fuel their improvisations. Burton has managed to internalize the Spanish and modal implications of Coreas tunes with little difficulty, and solos with joyful ease through such tracks as "Señor Mouse." Corea himself is absolutely burning. His solo contribution on the same track is both fiery and introspective, combining in one statement the poles for which he is best-known. The title track is also the centerpiece of the album, a nine-minute exploration of the Corea ballad that first appeared on his Return to Forever record in 1972. In keeping with the tradition of the great masters of the ballad form, time seems to disappear as Burton and Corea lovingly caress the songs simple melody and dance effortlessly around the chords, building intensity only to let it subside once more. Crystal Silence is a sublime indication of what two master improvisers can do given quality raw material, with the first side of this record being particularly flawless. Improvised music is rarely this coherent and melodic. Essential for fans of Corea, Burton, or jazz in general. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 39 Title: The New Quartet Released: 1973 Tracks: 8 Duration: 46:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly (06:42) 2 Coral (04:12) 3 Tying Up Loose Ends (05:16) 4 Brownout (06:37) 5 Olhos De Gato (05:40) 6 Mallet Man (07:13) 7 Four or Less (06:12) 8 Nonsequence (04:30) |
| The New Quartet : Allmusic album Review : Not only does this LP feature a "new quartet," but it marks the beginning of Gary Burtons longtime association with ECM. In general, Burtons ECM dates were more introverted and laid-back than his more diverse Atlantic releases, but they always had their moments of interest. On this set, the vibraphonist, guitarist Mick (then known as Michael) Goodrick, bassist Abraham Laboriel, and drummer Harry Blazer perform numbers by Chick Corea ("Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly"), Keith Jarrett ("Coral"), Gordon Beck, Carla Bley, and Mike Gibbs, in addition to Burtons "Brownout." Intriguing if not essential music. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 39 Title: Hotel Hello Released: 1975 Tracks: 9 Duration: 36:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Chelsea Bells (For Hern) (04:25) 2 Hotel Overture + Vamp (03:39) 3 Hotel Hello (05:24) 4 Inside In (02:43) 5 Domino Biscuit (01:56) 6 Vashkar (05:58) 7 Sweet Henry (04:02) 8 Impromptu (02:29) 9 Sweeping Up (05:24) |
| Hotel Hello : Allmusic album Review : Vibraphonist Gary Burton and bassist Steve Swallow had played together on a regular basis since 1967. This duet outing finds Burton switching between vibes, organ and marimba while Swallow doubles on occasional piano. As expected, the music is introverted, quiet, and occasionally swinging, but mostly floating. Burton and Swallow perform group originals (generally by Swallow), plus Carla Bleys "Vashkar" and Mike Gibbs "Inside In." Thoughtful background music with no real surprises or excitement. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 39 Title: Times Square Released: 1978 Tracks: 8 Duration: 37:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Semblence (04:04) 2 Coral (05:50) 3 Careful (04:45) 4 Peau Douce (04:59) 5 Midnight (04:24) 6 Radio (04:40) 7 True Or False (02:25) 8 Como En Vietnam (06:42) |
| Times Square : Allmusic album Review : After a decade of leading quartets that matched his vibes with a variety of top young guitarists, Gary Burton decided that it was time for a change. While he is joined by a pair of longtime associates (bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Roy Haynes), the fourth member of the group on this set is the young trumpeter Tiger Okoshi. Since Burton has never been a major composer, there are five Swallow originals, two from Keith Jarrett, and Jim Halls "Careful." Okoshis presence adds more fire to this session than was typical of most of Burtons previous records. A fine outing. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 39 Title: In Concert Released: 1981 Tracks: 6 Duration: 43:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Spoken Introduction (00:56) 2 Morning of the Carnival (10:55) 3 One (09:53) 4 Bogata (10:36) 5 Tones for Joans Bones (04:41) 6 Autumn Leaves (06:00) |
 | Album: 11 of 39 Title: Works Released: 1984 Tracks: 10 Duration: 47:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Olhos De Gato (05:41) 2 Desert Air (06:26) 3 Tunnel Of Love (05:36) 4 Vox Humana (07:05) 5 Three (06:15) 6 Brotherhood (01:11) 7 Matchbook (04:35) 8 Chelsea Bells (For Hern) (04:27) 9 Coral (04:11) 10 Domino Biscuit (01:53) |
| Works : Allmusic album Review : WORKS takes a look at Gary Burtons projects for ECM during several productive years in the mid-70s. On the albums from which these tracks were culled, Burton didnt explore material as far-flung as that recorded in his prior years with RCA. That earlier period yielded tangos with Astor Piazzolla, country outings with Nashville players, and a "dark opera without words" composed for him by Carla Bley. But within the chamber jazz context that he did pursue, his breadth and varied approaches are quite bracing. WORKS features duets from three different albums, pairing Burton with pianist Chick Corea, bass player Steve Swallow, and guitarist Ralph Towner. Burtons exciting NEW QUARTET (which marked his debut with the ECM label) is also represented, as are his subsequent quintet (including the then unknown Pat Metheny) and works that augment Burtons core ensemble with a chamber orchestra. This set makes an excellent starting point for those looking to explore Burtons ECM recordings. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 39 Title: Gary Burton and the Berklee All-Stars Released: 1986 Tracks: 9 Duration: 52:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fat Lady (06:46) 2 Soulful Bill (04:57) 3 Firm Roots (05:04) 4 Coral (05:28) 5 Whyd You Do It? (05:56) 6 Inner Voyage (07:24) 7 First Memory (05:44) 8 The Blues Walk (04:20) 9 Crystal Silence (07:02) |
| Gary Burton and the Berklee All-Stars : Allmusic album Review : This set (reissued in 1995 on CD) was a change of pace for vibraphonist Gary Burton after so many relatively introspective sets for ECM. Burton is featured with a octet that also includes Bill Pierce on tenor, altoist Larry Monroe and trumpeter Jeff Stout. The music is generally modern hard bop with some real cookers (such as Cedar Waltons "Firm Roots") alternating with solid ballads. Among the highlights are James Williamss jazz waltz "Soulful Bill," John Scofields playful "Why d You Do It" and Burtons unaccompanied workout on the thoughtful "Crystal Silence." This mostly straightahead set is not all that essential but does adds to the strong musical legacy of Gary Burton. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 39 Title: Slide Show Released: 1986 Tracks: 9 Duration: 46:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Maelstrom (08:43) 2 Vessel (05:25) 3 Around the Bend (04:24) 4 Blue in Green (05:19) 5 Beneath an Evening Sky (06:26) 6 The Donkey Jamboree (03:57) 7 Continental Breakfast (03:19) 8 Charlottes Tangle (04:18) 9 Innocenti (04:48) |
| Slide Show : Allmusic album Review : 11 years after recording Matchbook, guitarist Ralph Towner and vibraphonist Gary Burton (who doubles here on marimba) had a recorded reunion for another duet album. Both of the musicians display unchanged and highly complementary styles on eight of Towners originals and "Blue In Green." The music is quite subtle, and the blend between the vibes and the guitar is satisfying, both for close listening and as background music. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 39 Title: The New Tango Released: 1987 Tracks: 6 Duration: 54:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Milonga is Coming (12:06) 2 Vibraphonissimo (06:25) 3 Little Italy 1930 (08:48) 4 Nuevo Tango (05:38) 5 Laura’s Dream (11:56) 6 Operation Tango (09:55) |
| The New Tango : Allmusic album Review : Recorded at the Montreux Festival of 1986, The New Tango is an album of collaboration between the undisputed leader of the nuevo tango movement, Astor Piazzolla, and American vibe master Gary Burton. All of the pieces on the album were written by Piazzolla over the course of some 40 years of work, along with one special composition, "Vibraphonissimo," written expressly for Burtons usage. Surprisingly enough -- given the virtuosity and coherence that one receives on the album -- there were a mere three rehearsals prior to the recorded performance. As the listener finds out, the vibraphone is perfectly suited to the tango; or at the very least, that Gary Burton is fully capable of the job. As with all of Piazzollas albums, the chances of disappointment are quite slim, with a special amount of attention given here to details by all musicians involved. Any fan of the nuevo tango or Piazzolla will be pleased as usual. Fans of Gary Burton or jazz vibes may find the album surprisingly good as it shows the versatility of the vibraphonist. As Fernando Gonzalez once said, "this music knows many dialects. And listens. There are no lines drawn and no sides to defend. This is new tango." | ||
 | Album: 15 of 39 Title: Artist’s Choice Released: 1987 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:09:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Careful (04:12) 2 Chega de saudade (No More Blues) (04:42) 3 Norwegian Wood (03:26) 4 I Want You (03:29) 5 Faded Love (03:22) 6 Ballet (04:59) 7 General Mojo’s Well Laid Plan (05:02) 8 I’m Your Pal (03:08) 9 June the 15, 1967 (04:55) 10 Mother of the Dead Man (02:54) 11 Intermission Music (04:31) 12 Blue Comedy (08:53) 13 The Sunset Bell (05:11) 14 And on the Third Day (04:04) 15 True or False (01:45) 16 Country Roads (05:07) |
| Artist’s Choice : Allmusic album Review : This session traces vibist Gary Burtons musical evolution during 1963-1968 with selections taken from eight of Burtons 13 RCA LPs. Burton was among the very first to incorporate elements of rock, pop, and freer forms of jazz into his own music without trivializing any of the styles. Artists Choice is a fine retrospective of the early Gary Burton, although one wishes these sessions were available in full rather than piecemeal. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 39 Title: Times Like These Released: 1988 Tracks: 8 Duration: 51:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Times Like These (06:35) 2 Or Else (04:47) 3 Robert Frost (06:25) 4 Whyd You Do It? (05:19) 5 P.M. (06:32) 6 Was It So Long Ago? (07:48) 7 Bento Box (06:18) 8 Do Tell (07:24) |
| Times Like These : Allmusic album Review : For his GRP debut, vibraphonist Gary Burton reunited with his alumnus, guitarist John Scofield, interacted with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine, and welcomed guest tenor Michael Brecker to two of the eight selections. Performing originals by Makoto Ozone, Vince Mendoza, Jay Leonhart ("Robert Frost"), Chick Corea and Scofield, plus his own "Was It So Long Ago," Burton sounds fine on the diverse material. Since John Scofield had not had an opportunity to record with the vibraphonist during his year with Burtons Quartet more than a decade earlier, this fine set made up for lost time. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 39 Title: Tennessee Firebird Released: 1989 Tracks: 13 Duration: 36:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Gone (04:52) 2 Tennessee Firebird (02:57) 3 Just Like a Woman (03:48) 4 Black Is the Color of My True Loves Hair (01:53) 5 Fadedlove (03:22) 6 Panhandle Rag (01:33) 7 I Cant Help It (02:54) 8 I Want You (03:28) 9 Alone and Forsaken (02:49) 10 Walter L. (04:41) 11 Born to Lose (02:43) 12 Beauty Contest (01:25) 13 Epilogue (00:23) |
| Tennessee Firebird : Allmusic album Review : While the concept of "jazz-rock" was in its embryonic stages, Burton was experimenting with a style combining jazz improvisation with rock energy and rhythms. This 1967 session added another ingredient to the musical mix: country and bluegrass sensibility. Burton used Nashville session players like bassist/harmonica player Charlie McCoy, the great Chet Atkins, fiddler Buddy Spicher, and pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons. The results were impressive and artistically intriguing; the country players provided a loose, loping feel, while Burtons solos were smooth and delicate but forceful enough to hold the distinct styles together. While it is a short disc at less than 38 minutes, it includes one unissued take and is worth the steep import price. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 39 Title: Reunion Released: 1990-01 Tracks: 11 Duration: 58:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Autumn (04:24) 2 Reunion (05:17) 3 Origin (06:31) 4 Will You Say You Will (04:55) 5 House on the Hill (05:40) 6 Panama (05:38) 7 Chairs and Children (05:55) 8 Wasnt Always Easy (05:06) 9 The Chief (04:18) 10 Tiempos Felice (Happy Times) (04:13) 11 Quick and Running (06:41) |
| Reunion : Allmusic album Review : Guitarist Pat Metheny was a member of the Gary Burton Quartet/Quintet during 1974-1976. In 1989, after becoming a major star, he had a reunion with the vibraphonist that resulted in this excellent project. Performing laid-back and often introspective pieces by Polo Ortin, Vince Mendoza, Paul Meyers, keyboardist Mitchel Forman, and Metheny, the two principals swing lightly in a quintet with Forman, bassist Will Lee, and drummer Peter Erskine. Although Burton had to adjust himself a little due to his former sidemans prominence, the combination of vibes and guitar works quite well. The individual songs are not all that memorable but the group sound is quite attractive and Burton sounds inspired by Metheny. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 39 Title: Cool Nights Released: 1991 Tracks: 11 Duration: 59:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Going Home (03:47) 2 Cool Nights (04:34) 3 With Mallets a Forethought (06:38) 4 Take Another Look (05:44) 5 I Never Left (05:12) 6 Gorgeous (06:40) 7 Huba Huba (04:37) 8 Hopscotch (04:44) 9 Artifacts (06:14) 10 The Last to Kow (04:50) 11 Farmers Trust (06:39) |
 | Album: 20 of 39 Title: Duet Released: 1991-01-25 Tracks: 9 Duration: 51:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Duet Suite (15:41) 2 Childrens Song 15 (01:15) 3 Childrens Song 2 (00:56) 4 Childrens Song 5 (01:14) 5 Childrens Song 6 (02:13) 6 Radio (05:15) 7 Song to Gayle (07:13) 8 Never (07:37) 9 La Fiesta (10:17) |
 | Album: 21 of 39 Title: Right Time - Right Place Released: 1991-07-18 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:08:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ida Lupino (09:15) 2 Isnt It Romantic? (06:05) 3 Lauras Dream (07:02) 4 Carla (05:18) 5 Olhos de Gato (09:24) 6 Alcazar (03:36) 7 Rightly So (03:35) 8 Nothing to Declare (03:19) 9 You Dont Know What Love Is (08:51) 10 Eidertown (05:33) 11 Turn Out the Stars (06:25) |
| Right Time - Right Place : Allmusic album Review : Although they have utilized the talents of some of the same musicians through the years (most notably Steve Swallow) and both recorded for ECM, vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Paul Bley had not recorded before this 1990 Copenhagen session. The combination generally works, with some of Burtons romanticism and melodic approach rubbing off on Bley during the date (the usually somber pianist actually sounds a little lighthearted during "Isnt It Romantic") while the vibist sometimes emulates Bleys emphasis on space. On their six duets, Burton and Bley do not take turns soloing per se as much as alternate being the lead voice. Their unaccompanied features (three apiece) are generally in the same introspective but exploratory mood, making this a quiet program of thought-provoking if occasionally sleepy music. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 39 Title: Benny Rides Again Released: 1992 Tracks: 13 Duration: 58:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Sing, Sing, Sing (03:41) 2 Stompin at the Savoy (05:44) 3 Moonglow (04:12) 4 Airmail Special (03:51) 5 Lets Dance (05:13) 6 Slipped Disc (04:07) 7 Memories of You (05:29) 8 Alavon (03:01) 9 In a Mist (05:22) 10 Grand Slam (04:55) 11 After Youve Gone (03:33) 12 Goodbye (05:47) 13 Knockin on Wood (03:38) |
 | Album: 23 of 39 Title: Its Another Day Released: 1993-05 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:04:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Good Enough (04:01) 2 A Deeper Dream (04:57) 3 Emerald Mist (Its Another Day) (04:57) 4 The Melody Is You (05:59) 5 Our Love Is Here to Stay (04:38) 6 Let the Flower Grow (06:37) 7 Forest of Dreams (05:19) 8 If the Moon Turns Green (06:28) 9 Au Privave (05:22) 10 Fire in the Forest (04:24) 11 Solidude (04:54) 12 We Can Try Love Again (06:31) |
| It's Another Day : Allmusic album Review : Although vibraphonist Gary Burton gets top billing, this CD is actually a showcase for vocalist Rebecca Paris. The material is dominated by newer "contemporary" songs and pop tunes; every song except the closing voice-vibes duet is given a routine funk rhythm. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 39 Title: Gary Burton & Keith Jarret / Throb Released: 1994-02-22 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:15:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Grow Your Own (04:54) 2 Moonchild / In Your Quiet Place (07:23) 3 Como en Vietnam (07:03) 4 Fortune Smiles (08:29) 5 The Raven Speaks (08:16) 6 Henniger Flats (04:26) 7 Turn of the Century (05:07) 8 Chickens (02:29) 9 Arise, Her Eyes (03:51) 10 Prime Time (04:07) 11 Throb (04:33) 12 Doin the Pig (03:47) 13 Triple Portrait (04:28) 14 Some Echoes (06:57) |
 | Album: 25 of 39 Title: Face To Face Released: 1994-10-31 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:13:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kates Revenge (07:11) 2 Monks Dream (05:11) 3 For Heavens Sake (07:23) 4 Bento Box (06:04) 5 Blue Monk (06:53) 6 O Grande Amor (06:15) 7 Lauras Dream (10:09) 8 Opus Half (05:25) 9 My Romance (06:01) 10 Times Like These (06:27) 11 Eiderdown (06:00) |
| Face To Face : Allmusic album Review : This set of duets between vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Makoto Ozone is a bit of a surprise, not the quiet and introverted date one might expect but a consistently exciting outing. The duo (who first started working together back in 1982) clearly inspires each other and a lot of sparks fly. The music ranges from three of Ozones diverse originals and Astor Piazzolas "Lauras Romance" to a pair of Thelonious Monk tunes, a few standards and a romping version of the Benny Goodman-associated "Opus Half"; on the latter Ozone plays some creditable stride piano. More than half of the selections are taken at medium-to-fast tempos and, whether it be "Blue Monk," a memorable version of Jobims "O Grande Amor" or a heated rendition of Steve Swallows "Eiderdown," this is a highly enjoyable outing, one of Burtons finest of the past decade. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 39 Title: Native Sense: The New Duets Released: 1997-10-14 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:04:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Native Sense (06:32) 2 Love Castle (07:29) 3 Duende (08:06) 4 No Mystery (09:10) 5 Armandos Rhumba (03:48) 6 Bagatelle #6 (01:14) 7 Post Script (05:44) 8 Bagatelle #2 (02:50) 9 Tango 92 (05:02) 10 Rhumbata (09:39) 11 Four in One (05:09) |
 | Album: 27 of 39 Title: Like Minds Released: 1998-11-03 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:07:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Question and Answer (06:23) 2 Elucidation (05:19) 3 Windows (06:15) 4 Futures (10:35) 5 Like Minds (05:46) 6 Country Roads (06:21) 7 Tears of Rain (06:28) 8 Soon (06:22) 9 For a Thousand Years (05:20) 10 Straight Up and Down (08:59) |
| Like Minds : Allmusic album Review : Talk about all-star groups -- this quintet date matches together vibraphonist Gary Burton with pianist Chick Corea, guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Roy Haynes. Burton and Corea have recorded frequently through the years, while Metheny gained some early fame working with Burton; Holland was with Corea in Miles Davis late-60s group, and Haynes was formerly with both Burton and Corea. However, not all of these musicians had played together before -- Corea had never worked with Metheny previously, nor Burton with Holland. No matter, the masterful players fit together quite well. The vibraphonist is the lead voice in the ensembles, where Metheny at times sounds close to Jim Hall and seems a bit restrained, but everyone gets a chance to contribute to the success of the CD. Metheny contributed five songs (including "Question and Answer" and "Elucidation," which deserves to be a standard), while Burton brought in two; Coreas three contributions include his classic "Windows." The lone standard is George Gershwins "Soon." The music is modern straight-ahead jazz; the solos are concise and the rhythm section is quite tight. In fact, this sounds like a regularly working band. Highly recommended. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 39 Title: All the Things You Are Released: 1999-06-08 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:14:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Instrumental (07:27) 2 A Sassy Samba (08:17) 3 Artherdoc Blues (04:51) 4 Move to the Groove (07:20) 5 All the Things You Are (10:56) 6 Tones for Joans Bones (04:39) 7 Autumn Leaves (05:56) 8 My Foolish Heart (06:08) 9 No More Blues (Chega De Saudade) (04:57) 10 This Night Has a Thousand Eyes (08:46) 11 African Flower (05:18) |
 | Album: 29 of 39 Title: Alone at Last Released: 1999-11-23 Tracks: 7 Duration: 39:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Moonchild / In Your Quiet Place (06:14) 2 Green Mountains / Arise, Her Eyes (07:35) 3 The Sunset Bell (05:09) 4 Hand Bags and Glad Rags (06:05) 5 Hullo, Bolinas (05:49) 6 General Mojos Well Laid Plan (03:38) 7 Chega De Saudade (No More Blues) (04:39) |
 | Album: 30 of 39 Title: Libertango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla Released: 2000-04-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:11:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Libertango (04:38) 2 Invierno porteño (07:04) 3 Escualo (03:08) 4 Buenos Aires hora cero (05:42) 5 Fuga y misterio (04:17) 6 Milonga del ángel (06:36) 7 Michelangelo (04:07) 8 Contrabajissimo (11:07) 9 Fugata (04:16) 10 Mumuki (09:07) 11 Milonga loca (03:12) 12 Adiós Nonino (08:37) |
 | Album: 31 of 39 Title: Lyric Suite for Sextet Released: 2000-08-15 Tracks: 7 Duration: 39:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Part 1 - Overture (06:27) 2 Part 2 - Waltz (07:14) 3 Part 3 - Sketch (For Thelonious Monk) (02:14) 4 Part 4 - Roller Coaster (01:28) 5 Part 5 - Brasilia (08:02) 6 Part 6 - Dream (10:38) 7 Part 7 - Finale (03:52) |
| Lyric Suite for Sextet : Allmusic album Review : Lyric Suite for Sextet reunites the Grammy-winning duo of vibraharpist Gary Burton and pianist Chick Corea, augmented this time by a string quartet. Theres no denying the pairs technical proficiency creates some sparks, but the suites abstruse melodies and discursive arrangements are daunting to follow. Like trying to catch a butterfly without a net, the opening "Overture" alights before listeners can pin it down, and what remains is a sensation of something sophisticated but ultimately elusive. The remaining sections are more spectres than songs, unwilling or unable to take a concrete form. A notable exception is "Brasilia," not coincidentally the one piece that favors melody over mathematics. Here and on "Dream" the strings are often out of the mix, allowing Burton and Corea to continue the relationship begun on albums like Duet. Similar to Frank Zappas Jazz From Hell (which won a Grammy of its own in 1987, albeit in the rock category), Lyric Suite for Sextet may be too smart for its own good. No doubt Coreas work looked great on paper, but in performance it suggests the soundtrack to a PBS murder mystery (the apprehensive melodies and bittersweet subject matter are the main culprits here). If you enjoy jazz/classical hybrids, which are by their nature intellectual pursuits, than this music should pique your interest. However, better to think of this as a duet with some string support than a sextet of equal partners. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 39 Title: For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal Released: 2001-04-13 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:07:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Afro Blue (06:50) 2 Bags Groove (05:27) 3 Move (05:23) 4 Midnight Sun (08:10) 5 Flying Home (05:19) 6 Django (06:28) 7 Back Home Again in Indiana (05:45) 8 Body and Soul (06:16) 9 Godchild (06:02) 10 João (05:27) 11 Hole in the Wall (02:53) 12 Dance of the Octopus (03:49) |
| For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal : Allmusic album Review : The vibraphone legend calls this wide-ranging tribute collection his most satisfying effort to date (this is a major catalog), and the one that hits closest to home. No doubt thats because hes digging deep into his past and paying homage to the legends of the instrument who shaped his own inimitable style. The four mentioned by the album title all had unique roles in the development of the instrument as a jazz focal point, and its amazing to realize the vibes were only invented 75 years ago -- just one generation before Burton was born. Lionel Hampton and Red Norvo pioneered mallet jazz; Milt "Bags" Jackson gave it the lyrical phrasing of a horn, achieving a great transformation, and Cal Tjader made it a staple of the cool school and 50s Latin jazz. As a result, Burton can pretty much go wild rhythmically, improvisationally, and stylistically -- the disc rolls like one big mallet party, surprising listeners with where it darts next. The first two tracks, a frenetic rendering of Tjaders "Afro Blue" and a lighthearted skip through "Bags Groove," set the pace as far as the projects diversity. The Hampton pieces are the moody "Midnight Sun" and feisty, jamming "Flying Home"; Norvos tunes are the whimsical ragtime influence "Hole in the Wall" and the ambient and experimental "Dance of the Octopus"; Tjaders are the Brazilian fiesta "Joao" and lyrical "Body and Soul"; and "Django" captures the gentle side of Bags. This is a well-rounded jazz disc for even the most casual listener, but its paradise for a hardcore vibes fan -- a fun, hour-long history lesson on the instrument by a professor who has so beautifully carried on its legacy. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 39 Title: Virtuosi Released: 2002 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:09:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Le Tombeau De Couperin I - Prelude (05:20) 2 Excursions I Opus 20 (05:37) 3 Prelude VIII Opus 32 (04:10) 4 Milonga (06:10) 5 Prelude II (06:28) 6 Sonata K 20 (06:39) 7 Impromptu From Three Little Oddities (06:09) 8 Piano Concerto In F - Movement III (06:23) 9 Lakmé Medley: Berceuse/Duettino (10:32) 10 Capriccio II, Opus 76 (05:55) 11 Something Borrowed, Something Blue (06:16) |
| Virtuosi : Allmusic album Review : This CD features Gary Burtons vibes and Makoto Ozones piano in ten classical duos with jazz improvisations. The two styles have never merged with more soul, spirit, or, well, virtuosity, and the material is rich and varied enough to please fans of both. It begins with one of Maurice Ravels most popular compositions, Le Tombeau de Couperin, which in these masterful hands sparkles as it flows, reminding listeners why Ravels harmonies inspired so many jazz musicians. The collection includes a thunderous Rachmaninoff prelude leavened with swing and a Latin feel, a Brazilian take on Brahms, the lush and passionate tango "Milonga," a gorgeous, extended medley from the opera Lakme with a familiar second part (arranged by Jay Kennedy, who worked on four of the tracks here), and a Samuel Barber gem where its hard to tell the original from the improvisation. There are two beauties by George Gershwin, whose 1924 "Rhapsody in Blue" first collapsed the wall between jazz and classical music; Burton and Ozone add new bluesiness to his "Prelude No. 2" and comment brilliantly on his "Piano Concerto in F." On Sonata K20, they soften Scarlattis starchy edges with sensuous Latin figures. In yet another pleasing segue -- this CD is very well-paced -- this is followed by a rare "Impromptu," all shifting, Debussy-like pastels until Ozone introduces some barrelhouse piano. The closer is Ozones quiet, haunting "Something Borrowed, Something Blue," which was inspired by the project itself. Burton and Ozone produce a fulsome, totally satisfying sound, and their fluidity and grace are astonishing. Burtons extensive notes explain the selections and approach to each piece, deepening the experience. A stunning accomplishment, and highly recommended. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 39 Title: Next Generation Released: 2005-04-12 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:02:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Prelude For Vibes (06:02) 2 My Romance (06:23) 3 Ques Sez (07:07) 4 Get Up And Go (07:58) 5 B&G (06:26) 6 A Dance For Most Of You (05:54) 7 Walkin In Music (06:26) 8 Summer Band Camp (05:04) 9 Fuga (05:26) 10 Clarity (05:53) |
| Next Generation : Allmusic album Review : Gary Burton spent a great deal of his professional life juggling his duo careers as a bandleader and jazz educator. So it came as no surprise to see him form a brand new group of talented up and coming players in 2004, the eighth such new unit by his count. Burtons skill on vibes is a given, but his ability to find four impressive young men able to jump right in and perform at a high level also deserves kudos. The leader first heard guitarist Julian Lage on the 2000 Grammy Awards at the tender age of 12; he was just 16 at the time of these sessions and had already appeared with Burton on the earlier CD Generations. Lage, who shows incredible chops without overdoing it, also contributed the easygoing, infectious strut "Walkin in Music" and "Clarity," a playful duet with Burton. Vadim Neselovskyi not only is a surprising pianist but a thoughtful composer whose works (including the intricate "Prelude for Vibes" and the tense, rapid fire "Get Up and Go") belie his age. Bassist Luques Curtis, in addition to solidly anchoring the rhythm section with the gifted drummer James Williams, penned the funky Latin "Ques Sez." The leaders liner notes dont specifically credit anyone with the wild arrangement of 20th century composer Samuel Barbers Fuga or the jaunty, somewhat angular rendition of the standard "My Romance" (possibly because they were a group effort), but they also merit high praise. This meeting of a jazz master and four prodigies is well worth acquiring. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 39 Title: Turn of the Century Released: 2005-07-26 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:22:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Vibrafinger (06:36) 2 Moonchild (06:13) 3 Fortune Smiles (08:27) 4 Grow Your Own (04:53) 5 Heres That Rainy Day (05:28) 6 Daphné (04:07) 7 Coquette (03:55) 8 Throb (04:28) 9 Turn of the Century (05:03) 10 Some Echoes (06:56) 11 Henniger Flats (04:23) 12 Las Vegas Tango (06:29) 13 Hand Bags and Glad Rags (06:02) 14 Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) (04:40) 15 I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) (05:13) |
 | Album: 36 of 39 Title: The New Crystal Silence Released: 2008 Tracks: 13 Duration: 2:02:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Duende (10:54) 2 Love Castle (12:41) 3 Brasilia (09:38) 4 Crystal Silence (14:08) 5 La Fiesta (13:35) 1 Bud Powell (07:56) 2 Waltz for Debby (08:03) 3 Alegria (05:49) 4 No Mystery (09:12) 5 Señor Mouse (09:10) 6 Sweet and Lonely (06:57) 7 I Love Porgy (04:09) 8 La Fiesta (10:42) |
| The New Crystal Silence : Allmusic album Review : When Crystal Silence first appeared in 1972 on the ECM label, its cover photograph depicted a stellar shot of the sun, which appeared to be setting. That duet album featured two already-seasoned jazz veterans who were in their thirties, and had been part of many of the developments in the music for a decade. Coreas credits included Miles Davis, his own Return to Forever, the "Is" sessions, Circle, and many others; Burtons included tenures with George Shearing and Stan Getz as well as Larry Coryell. But the duet album they recorded for ECM was so utterly striking and arresting because it highlighted not only an entirely new way of playing duets between piano and vibes -- which had been done previously and well by others -- but a new way of hearing them as well. After 35 years, five duet records, and countless tours together, the pair revisit the notion of the duet in two different contexts on this delightful, compelling double-disc package from Concord. The first disc finds the pair playing live in Sydney with that citys symphony orchestra conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer and arranged by Tim Garland. The program includes five tunes, all of them composed by Corea. While it is disconcerting on first thought as to how an orchestra could add to the special intuitive communication this duo has developed since its first accidental performance at a festival in 1971, those fears disappear quickly after the orchestras intro, when Coreas piano makes its entrance and Burton responds. Its striking there was so little rehearsal time, and that Garlands arrangements are so spot-on and attuned to the intricacy of what happens harmonically between these two. "Duende" opens the set with an enormous introductory sweep that feels more like a crescendo, but it gives way within two minutes to the exploration of extrapolated minors when Corea plays a single note that initiates his speaking voice on the piano. Burton answers and moves them into another direction, painting from the inside and pulling on certain notes as he quotes a melody that feels strangely like "The Shadow of Your Smile." Then the pair are off, the orchestra brooding and shimmering behind them, opening up spaces where there would be tension in such a focused space of minor keys that sweep this way and that way, and then they engage fully with the orchestra. This continues through "Love Castle" and the speculative intro to "Brasilia," which feels like a question. The rhythmic interplay is built layer upon layer, however sparely by the harmonic striations of vibes and piano as strings hover and cautiously seem to follow into a much more romantic and exotic flight of fancy. Of course, the title track, while seemingly an entirely new piece when played with this symphony, is no less limpid than its predecessor. The compositional notion is simply eased into more tentatively, but the interpolations between Burton and Corea are even cannier than one might expect. Everything begins in shade and shadow and is revealed in the full light of day. The set ends with a driving rendition of "La Fiesta," begun with an intensely intricate series of counterpoint exchanges between the pair. Disc two contains a live performance from the Molde Festival in Norway, with one cut, "Señor Mouse" (also from the Crystal Silence debut), recorded in the Canary Islands. Far more breezy but perhaps more taut and far less tentative, the set starts off with Coreas "Bud Powell," and Burton shines with his solo, moving through the lyric phrases as Corea punches in spaces with tough, jaunty chord masses. It swings like crazy before giving way to a stellar reading of Bill Evans "Waltz for Debby." The melody, instantly recognizable in Coreas hands, is nonetheless a bit heavier in touch, but thats what makes it sound new as well. The solo he opens with carries the basic lyric frame in his two-handed chords and runs before Burton slides the melody in solo, as expressive and intimate as one could ever hope for before it opens wide and sings. This happens on the other standards here as well, the deeply emotive reading of "I Loves You, Porgy," with Burtons solo as tender as a singer emoting the words, and "Sweet and Lovely," where the pair just dig in and let the tune guide them on a wonderfully engaging, swinging ride through its harmonic possibilities. The other four Corea tunes here include a very different version of "La Fiesta" as a set closer; "No Mystery," which is more mysterious in some ways because of its use of arpeggios, space, and counterpoint; and the all-too-brief rhythmic invention of "Alegria." The bottom line, of course, is that this set, as different as its two mirroring discs are, is nearly magical in both its intensity and creativity, and in its wonderfully relaxed manner of walking through the deep passageways of improvisation. Anyone who is a fan of the duet recordings between these two should own this. Anyone not familiar should check out the ECM disc first, and then move straight here, filling in the gaps later. They are wonderful counterparts to one another and immensely satisfying listens. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 39 Title: Crystal Silence: The ECM Recordings 1972–79 Released: 2009-08-28 Tracks: 28 Duration: 2:58:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Señor Mouse (06:16) 2 Arise, Her Eyes (05:05) 3 Im Your Pal (04:00) 4 Desert Air (06:23) 5 Crystal Silence (09:01) 6 Falling Grace (02:37) 7 Feelings and Things (04:40) 8 Childrens Song (02:07) 9 What Game Shall We Play Today (03:42) 1 Duet Suite (15:43) 2 Childrens Song No. 15 (01:13) 3 Childrens Song No. 2 (00:54) 4 Childrens Song No. 5 (01:11) 5 Childrens Song No. 6 (02:10) 6 Radio (05:11) 7 Song to Gayle (07:09) 8 Never (07:33) 9 La Fiesta (10:18) 1 Señor Mouse (10:21) 2 Bud Powell (08:40) 3 Crystal Silence (12:09) 4 Tweak (06:09) 1 Im Your Pal / Hullo, Bolinas (07:19) 2 Love Castle (14:50) 3 Falling Grace (05:22) 4 Mirror, Mirror (05:47) 5 Song to Gayle (07:16) 6 Endless Trouble, Endless Pleasure (05:18) |
 | Album: 38 of 39 Title: Hot House Released: 2012-04-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 1:14:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Cant We Be Friends (07:01) 2 Eleanor Rigby (03:53) 3 Chega de Saudade (06:03) 4 Time Remembered (07:14) 5 Hot House (11:52) 6 Strange Meadow Lark (07:21) 7 Light Blue (07:05) 8 Once I Loved (06:13) 9 My Ship (07:26) 10 Mozart Goes Dancing (10:45) |
| Hot House : Allmusic album Review : Hot House is the seventh recording by the duo of pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. This time out, Corea and Burton picked pieces by some of their favorite composers -- mostly from the jazz world, of course -- yet chose compositions that were less than obvious. A shining example is "Cant We Be Friends," an obscure standard closely associated with Art Tatum. Though its a pop song, Tatum completely reinvented it in his image. In Coreas arrangement, the duo walks a balanced line between classic American pop, jazz modernism, and the legendary pianists swinging take on stride. The reading of "Eleanor Rigby" commences with an elliptical piano intro; its clean, graceful, and gives way to Burtons statement of the melody before the pair moves into a more uptempo engagement with the tunes harmonics. Tadd Damerons "Hot House" is a conscious nod to the flurried exchanges between Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and is nearly pointillistic in its focus; there are gorgeous arpeggios and striking solos -- particularly Burtons. The inclusion of Thelonious Monks "Light Blue" is wonderful. One of the most under-performed of all Monks compositions, its solemn yet tender emotive tone and brief minor lyric statements are extrapolated upon by Corea to add another melodic statement onto the second chorus. Other standouts include a gracious version of Bill Evans "Time Remembered," a haunting rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobims "Chega de Saudade," and a lengthy, massively improvisatory version of Kurt Weills "My Ship." The set closer, "Mozart Goes Dancing," is the only original included on the set. Written by Corea, it features the pair in the company of the Harlem String Quartet and reflects Coreas dexterity as a composer who uses rhythmic and lyric interplay to extend the reach of classical harmony toward jazzs realm of immediacy. It also contains a healthy dose of his playful sense of humor. The duos approach in wedding mainstream and modern jazz (often inside the same tune) will appeal mostly to fans of the duos previous six recordings. That said, Hot House is a further example of the nearly symbiotic language theyve developed over the past 40 years, and is a stellar example of masterful dialogic articulation and execution. This is collaboration in its purest and and most elegant form. | ||
 | Album: 39 of 39 Title: Seven Songs For Quartet And Chamber Orchestra Released: 2014-01-24 Tracks: 6 Duration: 37:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Nocturne Vulgaire / Arise, Her Eyes (09:27) 2 Throb (05:27) 3 By Way of a Preface (04:33) 4 Phases (07:23) 5 The Rain Before It Falls (04:04) 6 Three (06:12) |