Contemporary Works for 2 Guitars

On this CD:

1. Sonata Fantasia
Composed by Dusan Bogdanovic
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

2. Improvisation
Composed by Louis Aubert
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

3. Suite for orchestra, Op. 135
Composed by Jean Absil
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

4. Chaconne and Interludes
Composed by Reginald SmithBrindle
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

5. Attacca per Due Chitarri
Composed by Joel Bons
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

6. Serenade for oboe & piano (or wind quintet)
Composed by Andre Jolivet
Performed by Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo, Gruber & Maklar Guitar Duo

Tracks:

I'll Catch You
Not You Again
Big J
Loose Canon
Love You Long Time
Hive
Heel To Toe
Do I Crazy?
Mrs. Scofield's
Six And Eight
Freepie

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

During his illustrious career, John Scofield has cleverly kept abreast of trends, lending his serpentine blues-'n'-jazz riffs to volcanic fusion blowouts, grits and gravy funk, even whisper-soft big-band projects. His chameleon approach has shone on such albums as Bump, his seminal fusion recordings Still Warm and Blue Matter, and his bop band workouts with Joe Lovano and Bill Stewart.

At his core, Sco is a jazz master, and we long to hear him interact with other giants of the genre. Works for Me answers this expectation generously. What's so compelling about hearing Sco with Billy Higgins, Kenny Garrett, Brad Mehldau, and Christian McBride is the accumulation of the fiery solos each man plays and the mood of each collective note. Higgins is the balloon the band rides here, and Mehldau has never sounded better. Garrett's dense logic is the perfect foil for Sco's charred leads; the intimately crafted songs find each man going deep with each improv. The band's overall crystalline perfection is so relaxing that it's almost mystical. And for all that, they trade fours and eights, a rarity in the pressured world of studio recording. This is an exceptional album that tells its tales with great depth, detail, color, humor, and passion. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews:

Works Wonders For Me.......2007-05-08

Talking with John Scofield after his JS Band set at the 2001 Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival, the guitarist acknowledged how great it was to have finally made some sessions with drum hero Billy Higgins just before Hig left us too soon (May 3, 2001). The resulting album is one of the finest in either one of their formidable catalogs, and it keeps bubbling up to the top of this pile of Blue Notes and Ornette discs that I keep handy for remembering Billy with. The rest of the crew here is none too shabby either, namely Kenny Garrett, Brad Mehldau and Christian McBride. OK

It's always a different line-up for each album when you're at the top of the jazz free-agency game, as Scofield is, but his adaptable songwriting remains *crucial* every time out, with something good for every mood. You want to kick back to a finger-snappin' groove - there's "Big J". You want to slink around to some fat bootie-shakin' stuff - go with "Loose Canon". You want driving, up-tempo propulsion - try "Do I Crazy?". You want to mess around with a swarm of bees - there's "Hive". You want to go out for a walk - pick "Heel To Toe". You want to have a quiet evening with the little lady - put "Love You Long Time" and "Mrs. Sco's Waltz" into a repeat loop. You'll get tired of it, but she won't. You want to harmonize parts with a Kenny Garrett solo? I can't resist *every* time at the end of his turn on "Six And Eight". It's like he's setting it up for you! There's even a thinly disguised version of the standard "There Will Never Be Another You" called "Not You Again" (in true Lee Konitz fashion). Everybody looks handsome!

Whether it's a jam band like the one he brought to A2, or this straight-ahead studio gem band, all that matters for the audience is: one, two.. Sco knows what to do. At 70+ minutes, this disc was my hands-down pick for the DownBeat Readers Poll Jazz Album of the Year, 2001. Now if we could just get Billy Higgins into the DB Hall of Fame, where there's been a special place of honor waiting for him for quite some time.

Scofield's masterpiece?.......2007-02-14

I often feel as if John Scofield hasn't released a proper album since this one in 2000. I'm not suggesting he hasn't been very busy. There have been a couple of albums from The John Scofield Band (2002, 2003) and while these we both very good, they were also very experimental; I've got one by The John Scofield Trio (2003) but that was a live album, and the "Trio Beyond/Saudades" project (recorded in 2004, released in 2006) was again a live album and JS was headlining with Jack DeJohnette and Larry Goldings; there was the fantastic ScoHoLoFo project (2002) with Dave Holland, Joe Lovano and Al Foster and then the "Out Louder" album (2006) was with Medeski, Martin & Wood.

And there's more: There was the BeatleJazz project (2005); and the Ray Charles tribute album, "That's What I Say" (also 2005 and my least favourite of the bunch) and apparently, he's featured on many other artists' albums (like Roy Hanes' 2002 album "Love Letters" for instance, which I do have), some of which I haven't even come across yet.

So while JS has given us a good deal of good music in the last seven years, for me, essentially, this was the last proper John Scofield album. 'Proper' as in with him playing straight-ahead jazz.

And what an album it was too. It was via this album that I learned about Brad Mehldau and I swiftly went out and got every album of his I could find. He is joined on here by the wonderful Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, the brilliant Christian McBride on bass and the very incredible Billy Higgins on drums. It's a joyride from beginning to end though once again - and I'm beginning to feel like I might possibly be a hopeless romantic trapped in a hardened cynic's body - it's the ballads I really love: "Big J" always makes me smile. I've played "Love You Long Time" so many times I can practically hum along to Garrett's beautiful solo note for note. And as for "Mrs. Scofield's Waltz", well, I'm just lost for words. And of course there's the winding and mysterious "Six And Eight".

In my view this is Scofield's best work in recent years. He gels with his guest artists here like they've been playing together for years. I don't know if he took these guys out on the road or not but if he did, those who saw them play live would've had a great time.

I sincerely hope he'll hurry up and bring out another 'proper' John Scofield album.

Big Bill's #26 of 2001.......2002-01-03

Excellent Jazz masterpiece. Claims it to be a "one only dream only". Might be my dream album as well. This is the jazz disc I've been looking for. Straight up with excellent musicians. No electronics and no sonic freak-outs. Recommened for anyone who enjoys good music. On par with "A Love Supreme".

Sco is great!.......2001-08-23

Sco is great. Along with George Benson and Rodney Jones he is one of the funkiest guitarists playing today. I love the way that he does the organ groove thing. This record is one of his best in terms of the groove and straight up funk. My suggestion, get Works For Me, Doing Something by Soulive and Soul Manifesto by Rodney Jones and have a couple of hours to kill. You will be grooved to death!

Doctor Jazz

THE GREAT BLEND.......2001-07-25

I'M A JAZZ MUSICIAN. AT WORK A FRIEND OF MINE LENT ME THE CD. I KEPT IT FOR A MONTH. ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MATERIAL ON THIS CD. THE PLAYERS (AS NOTED ON THE LINER NOTES) ARE A FABULOUS COLLECTION OF VETERAN JAZZ MUSICIANS. I WOULD EVEN SAY, MAGICAL BLEND OF TALENT. IT CURRENTLY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CD'S. I EVEN WROTE TO JOHN SCOFIELD ABOUT IT. I HAD JUST SEEN HIM LIVE WITH A DIFFERENT ENSEMBLE, LAYING SOME OF THESE TUNES, BUT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE LIKES OF BILLY HIGGINS, BRAD MEHLDAU, KENNY GARRETT, AND CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE. I HIGHTLY RECOMMENT THIS JAZZ CD. THE ORIGINALS BY JOHN SCOFIELD JUST GREW ON ME EVERY TIME I LISTENED TO IT. EVEN MUSICIANS THAT DON'T CARE THAT MUCH FOR SCOFIELD'S "SOUND" LIKED IT, A L O T.

Average customer rating:

Works for Me
John Scofield
Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Acid Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005AA4F
Release Date: 2000-12-20

Tracks:

I'll Catch You
Not You Again
Big J
Loose Cannon
Love You Long Time
Hive
Heel To Toe
Do I Crazy?
Mrs Scofield Waltz
Six & Eight
Free Pie (Bonus Track)
This Thing

Album Description

Japanese edition of the influential jazz guitarist's 2001 album includes one bonus track, 'This Thing'. Featuring the all-star lineup of Christian McBride on acoustic bass, Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, Brad Mehldau on acoustic piano, and the dynamic Billy Higgins on drums. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'this Thing'.

Average customer rating:

In a word . . . outstanding!!

Michael Nicolella: SHARD
Michael Nicolella , Northwest Symphony Orchestra , Anthony Spain , and Steve Reich; Elliott Carter; Michael Nicolella; Jacob
Manufacturer: Gale
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Michael Nicolella: PUSH
Transit

ASIN: B0009JVNGW
Release Date: 2005-05-01

Tracks:

Toccata and Fugue - Michael Nicolella
I. Forceful and Driving (Guitar Concerto) - Michael Nicolella
II. Pensive (Guitar Concerto) - Michael Nicolella
III. Lilting (Guitar Concerto) - Michael Nicolella
IV. Joyous and Driving (Guitar Concerto) - Michael Nicolella
Surfacing Through the Mire - Michael Nicolella
I. Fast (Electric Counterpoint) - Steve Reich
II. Slow (Electric Counterpoint) - Steve Reich
III. Fast (Electric Counterpoint) - Steve Reich
Shard - Elliott Carter
GRAB IT! - Jacob ter Veldhuis
Ode Tounami - Joshua Kohl
grey angel - Christopher DeLaurenti
Lullaby - David Paul Mesler

Product Description

Classical guitarist Michael Nicolella's new CD Shard is a stylistic follow-up to his critically aclaimed 2000 release Push. Shard features an eclectic mix of new music for classical and electric guitar including Nicolella's Guitar Concerto performed with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Anthony Spain. Also included is Jacob ter Veldhuis groundbreaking piece for electric guitar and boombox - GRAB IT!; modern masterworks by Elliot Carter and Steve Reich (an orchestration of Reich's Electric Counterpoint for a wide mix of acoustic and electric guitars); as well as premier recordings of music by Joshua Kohl, Christopher DeLaurenti and David Mesler.

Customer Reviews:

In a word . . . outstanding!!.......2005-06-04

I'm a big fan of Michael Nicolella, and this latest CD further confirms his incredible musicianship and broad vision. Like his CD "Push," "Shard" offers excellent recordings of myriad works that taken together create a dramatic sweep. The CD begins with three of Nicolella's own compositions, all of which highlight his brilliant technique as a player and his lyrical gifts as a composer. His "Toccata and Fugue" is a terrific piece (formally tight and inventive throughout), and in particular, I loved the gorgeous Passacaglia movement from the "Guitar Concerto" as well as his solo guitar piece that follows,"Surfacing Through the Mire." After that, Nicolella offers a revelatory and brand new multi-tracked version of Steve Reich's classic "Electric Counterpoint." There are other commercial recordings of the work available, but in my opinion, none of them best this recording. This piece and "GRAB IT!" by Jacob Ter Velhuis totally rock! I can't think of many guitarists today (or for that matter, many players on ANY instrument) who can handle rocking out on electric guitar on a piece like Ter Velhuis's, and then can switch to classical guitar and nail Elliott Carter's dissonant and virtuosic little masterpiece, "Shard." That Nicolella can traverse these musical landscapes without even breaking a sweat gives you an idea of his immense range as a musician. The CD concludes with its darkest composition, Christopher DeLaurenti's "grey angel," before giving way to David Paul Mesler's lovely and restive "Lullaby." All the individual tracks are great, but like Nicolella's previous CD "Transit," I think the drama he builds up in "Shard" might best appreciated by listening to the CD all the way through. It's a heck of a ride.

If you're looking for the umpteenth recording of standard classical guitar repertoire, then this CD may not be for you. But if you have curious ears and a range of musical tastes, I think you will totally love "Shard." Like Matt Haimovitz on cello, Nicolella is breaking ground on guitar and engaging new audiences; these are truly musicians of the new century. As for "Shard" . . . GRAB IT!

Miriam Gideon - Vocal Chamber works (Songs with chamber ensembles)

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Miriam Gideon - Vocal Chamber works (Songs with chamber ensembles)

Manufacturer: Composers Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006HI1
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Sonnets From Shakespeare: Sonnett VIII ('Music To Hear')
Sonnets From Shakespeare: Sonnet XIX ('Devouring Time'): Ritornelle 1
Sonnets From Shakespeare: Sonnett XXXIII ('Full Many A Glorius Morning'): Ritornelle 2
Sonnets From Shakespeare: Sonnet LXXI ('No Longer Mourn For Me')
Sonnets From Shakespeare: Sonnet CXXIII ('No, Time, Thou Shalt Not Boast'): Ritornelle 3
Rhymes From The Hill: Bundeslied der Galgenbrueder (Chorus Of The Gallows Gang)
Rhymes From The Hill: Galgenkindes Wiegenlied (Gallow's Child's Lullaby)
Rhymes From The Hill: Die Korfsche Uhr (Korf's Clock)
Rhymes From The Hill: Palmstromes Uhr (Palmstroem's Clock)
Rhymes From The Hill: Der Seufzer (The Sigh0
Music For Voice And Ensemble: The Hound Of Heaven
Nocturnes: To The Moon
Nocturnes: High Tide
Nocturnes: Witchery
The Resounding Lyre: Mutterbildnis (Portrait Of A Mother)
The Resounding Lyre: Wahebuf Und Nichtenint (Hey-Pick-Up And Find-Nothing)
The Resounding Lyre: Halleluja (Halleujah)
Spirit Above The Dust: Prologue
Spirit Above The Dust: Theory Of Poetry
Spirit Above The Dust: The Two Trees
Spirit Above The Dust: The Linden Branch
Spirit Above The Dust: Black Boy
Spirit Above The Dust: My Caliban Creature
Spirit Above The Dust: The Snow Fall
Wing'D Hour: Silent Noon
Wing'D Hour: My Heart Is Like A Singing Bird
Wind'D Hour: Autumn

John Tesh Presents: Classical Music for an Intimate Mood

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Mood setter
Romance
John Tesh Creates a Timeless Collection
This is a wonderful Valentine's Day Album!

John Tesh Presents: Classical Music for an Intimate Mood
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Garden City Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Winter Song
The John Tesh Project: Pure Movies 2
Monterey Nights
Avalon
Grand Passion

ASIN: B000055ZEL
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Liebestraum No. 3
Prelude in G, Op. 32, No. 5
Suite Bergamasque
Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
"June" from The Seasons
Song Without Words, Op. 62, No. 1
Clair de Lune
"Arietta," Op. 12, No. 1
Pavane, Op. 50
Impromptu in G Flat
Liszt: Serenade

Amazon.com

In the liner notes for Classical Music for an Intimate Mood, John Tesh tells us he chose the disc's 13 compositions "with hopes of seduction and Eros in my own magical relationship." Maybe, he explains, they'll work for you, too. Maybe. It depends on your receptiveness to the solo piano renderings of Tesh's selections (works by Debussy, Rachmaninov, Bach, Schubert, and others) and the execution of the four participating pianists (Jon Novacek, Daniel Pollack, Anthony and Joseph Paratore). Tesh himself does not perform on this recording. Fans of Tesh's contemporary, often sentimental compositions may find that this collection of classical works lacks the immediacy and warmth that they might expect when hoping to generate an intimate mood. A bit formal in places or, in others, exhibiting too much vigor (notably "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" and Tchaikovsky's "June"), the disc, for all its good intentions, is an uneven experience, particularly for listeners with a modest classical background. It is capable of delivering some genuinely pleasant moments (particularly the concluding Schubert selections), though perhaps not enough of the heart-melting magic implied in the disc's title. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Mood setter.......2007-02-22

This is definitely a mood-setting album. To say that this CD sets an intimate mood sounds cheesy, but it actually does. The soft piano sounds, accompanied by the orchestra background really does have a mood-changing effect. If you like classical pieces, but prefer the modernized sounds (minus the heavy instrumental sounds that generic classical CD's offer), this is a good album. Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" is one of my favorite all-time classical piece, and this version ranks up there with others I've enjoyed. "Clair de Lune" is also a Debussy classic that any classical music fans will easily recognize, and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is another one that most people will recognize. All pieces are played with a very soft tone and soothing backgrounds, so if you're looking for a classical CD compilation that you can play through without having to skip around for the best pieces, this is a good one.

Romance.......2006-07-10

Very soothing music with definite romance in the background if you're a romantic type. Very nice to listen to when needing to get a break from the stresses of the day.

John Tesh Creates a Timeless Collection.......2001-01-30

John Tesh has created a timeless collection of masterpieces that evoke the spirtit and passion of love. The gorgeous repertoire is well chosen and flows seamlessly. The stirring piano performaces of Daniel Pollack, John Novacek, and Anthony & Joseph Paratore show that these world class artists were selected by Tesh for their ability to capture a romantic mood, and send the listener to new heights. I have had this album for several weeks now, and I play it every day.--J.Jones

This is a wonderful Valentine's Day Album!.......2001-01-25

I got this album a week ago and have left it in my CD player since! It's just gorgeous from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor and leave it in your CD player and push repeat. This album is perfect to put on when you are just wanting peace and relaxation, and even better when you snuggle up with your loved one... This is sure to set the right mood for Valentine's day. Thanks to John for putting great music back into the world.

From Yesterday to Penny Lane: Contemporary Works for Solo Guitar and Guitar & Orchestra

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Delightful guitar music

From Yesterday to Penny Lane: Contemporary Works for Solo Guitar and Guitar & Orchestra

Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

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General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Siboney

ASIN: B0000006TH
Release Date: 1996-10-08

Tracks:

Two Ladies: One Old, One New!
Cumberland Road
Clio
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: Eleanor Rigby
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: Yesterday
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: She's Leaving Home
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: A Ticket To Ride
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: Got To Get You Into My Life
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: Here,There & Everywhere
From Yesterday To Penny Lane: Seven Songs After The Beatles: Penny Lane
Etude In A Menuet Form
El Colibri (Hummingbird)
Confesion
Blue Clouds
Embers
Rhap In Blue

Customer Reviews:

Delightful guitar music.......2003-02-21

Are you a fan of acoustic guitar? Or maybe acoustic guitar backed by an orchestra? If you are, this cd is for you. Carlos Barbosa-Lima weds his guitar to some old standards, bring lovely new sounds out of the familiar melodies.

There are, of course, seven Beatles songs that are done with acoustic guitar and string orchestra. How they manage to breathe new life into "Yesterday" (which I believe is the _most_ recorded song_ever-) is amazing. It still has the yearning in the music but it's shaded by something a little different than the usual recordings of this song. I especially liked "Here, There & Everywhere", which might be my favorite Beatles song of all time. Here the guitar and string orchestra make the song vibrate anew with the wonderful feeling of love.

But, you're saying, what about the other music? Is it good? Yes, it is, an excellent cd for a Sunday afternoon, sort of lounging around, drinking tea and maybe looking at the papers. I was very impressed with the rendering of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". It's such a different sound than what you normally get from the piano work on this piece. It is a marvelous piece of work.

Tracks:

Nancy
Katamiya
See Ya Thursday
Bagatelle N 4, Op. 126 (Presto)
Marimbology: I. Scherzando
Marimbology: II. Rhapsody
Marimbology: III. Sarabande
Marimbology: IV. Toccata
Morning Glory
For Susanna Kyle
Beau Baiser (A Beautiful Kiss)
Three Moves for Marimba: Hop
Three Moves for Marimba: Turn
Three Moves for Marimba: Slide
Paraguas (The Umbrellas - Mazurka)
La Orilla de un Palmar (In the Grove Among the Palms)

Product Description

Marimbist Nancy Zeltsman's 2nd solo CD. The centerpieces are three major contemporary works for marimba (that were composed for Zeltsman) by Steven Mackey, Gunther Schuller & Paul Lansky. Surrounding those are shorter works adapted by Zeltsman. 1: Nancy (Emmanuel Séjourné) 2: Katamiya (Emmanuel Séjourné) 3: See Ya Thursday (Steven Mackey) 4: Bagatelle No.4, Op.126 (L.v.Beethoven/Zeltsman) 5-8: Marimbology (Gunther Schuller) 9: Morning Glory (Duke Ellington) 10: For Susanna Kyle (Leonard Bernstein) 11: Un Beau Baiser (Louis Andriessen/Zeltsman) 12-14: Three Moves for Marimba (Paul Lansky) 15: Los Paraguas (Federico Chueca/Tárrega/Zeltsman 16: A La Orilla de un Palmar (Traditional Mexican/Zeltsman)

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Classical Offering
Isaac Albeniz , Johann Sebastian Bach , Ludwig van Beethoven , Georges Bizet , Claude Bolling , Johannes Brahms , Arcangelo Corelli , Claude Debussy , Felix Mendelssohn , R. Patterson , Franz Schubert , Shaker Traditional , Bettine Clemen , Richard Patterson , and Ware-Patterson Duo
Manufacturer: Sugo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD