For This Cause

Editorial Reviews
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It's fitting that on the heels of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney the most prominent worship leader from Australia has released a live album that was recorded at the very stadium where the games were held. While For This Cause contains the flavor of big sounding live-stadium projects, the recording is so clean, distinct and precise that if it wasn't for the cheering crowd that underlies each track, these 14 songs could pass for studio quality.

And while Zschech's name is on the CD, this is anything but a solo show. In fact, there's nary a minute or two where Zschech sings alone. From the galloping, frenetic electric guitar that kicks off opener "One Day" to the subdued, slightly minor-key acoustic arrangement of "Everyday" that closes the CD, this album is dominated by a large contingent of voices and musicians from Zschech's home church, Hills Christian Life Centre in Sydney.

One of the album's prettiest songs is "Dwell in Your House," which features a finger-picked acoustic guitar pattern reminiscent of Extreme's 1991 radio hit, "More Than Words." Again, it's not anchored by Zschech singing alone, but by several vocalists sharing the leads and harmonies.

The remaining songs are decent enough-and especially so for choirs who want to hear how Zschech's worship team does it-but the vocals and melodies sound fairly homogenous after awhile (same voices, same inflections, same pacing). While there's some variety with songs like "Faith," with its south-of-the-border horns and a decidedly salsa-meets-disco flavor, overall the sense of sameness tends to pervade as the album wears on.

But even with the homogeneity, For This Cause represents an honest-to-goodness worship experience, captured live. It's the next best thing to being there. -- Dave Urbanski (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.

Album Description
FOR THIS CAUSE was recorded LIVE at the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympic games with a crowd of 5000 worshipers. This latest album from Hillsong Music Australia unleashes a new level of expression and heart. Led by Darlene Zschech, it also features Reuben Morgan and Russell Fragar in a spectacular evening of worship. Filled with new millennium love songs for our Savior, this album is like no other. With an irrestible blend of masterful arrangements you will be caught up in the captivating worship and wildly infectious praise.

For This Cause, Music, Hillsong Australia, Christian

An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen
Average customer rating:

Ring introduction critique

FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE

Welcome back to a classic analysis

Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle

Very Functional

An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen
Deryck Cooke , Georg Solti , Wiener Philharmoniker , Anita Valkki , Berit Lindholm , Birgit Nilsson , Brigitte Fassbaender , Christa Ludwig , Claire Watson , Claudia Hellmann , Dame Gwyneth Jones , Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau , Eberhard Wächter , George London , Gerhard Stolze , Gottlob Frick , Grace Hoffmann , Gustav Neidlinger , Hans Hotter , Helen Watts , Helga Dernesch , Hetty Plumacher , Ira Malaniuk , James King , Jean Madeira , Joan Sutherland , Kirsten Flagstad , Kurt Böhme , Lucia Popp , Marga Höffgen , Marilyn Tyler , Maureen Guy , Oda Balsborg , Paul Kuen , Régine Crespin , Set Svanholm , Vera Little , Vera Schlosser , Waldemar Kmentt , Walter Kreppel , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti

Decoding Wagner: An Invitation to His World of Music Drama (includes 2 CDs)

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)

Ring of the Nibelung

ASIN: B00000424H
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Of All Great Musical Compositions... (Examples 1-4)
The Fundamental Symbol... (Examples 5-11)
Returning Now To The Nature Motive... (Examples 6, 12-16)
A Number Of Further Motives... (Examples 5, 17-21)
A Second, Much Smaller Family... (Examples 22-25)
So Much For Nature. (Examples 26-38)
The Cause Of The Deterioration... (Examples 39-44)
The Other Transformation... (Examples 45-48)
Several Other Motives... (Examples 49-52)
Two Further Motives... (Examples 41, 53-61)
The Basic Motive Associated With The Spear... (Examples 62-68)
Along Another, More Complex Line... (Examples 69-72)
In Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 69, 73-75)
Returning Now To Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 76-79)
Love Is Another Of The Central Symbols... (Examples 80-83)
Later In The Same Scene... (Examples 84-87)
Freia's Motive Has Two Independent Segments... (Examples 88-91)
The Label 'Flight'... (Example 92)
When Fasolt, In Scene Two Of Rhinegold... (Examples 93-98)
A Little Later In The Interlude... (Examples 99-103)

Tracks:

The Other New Motive... (Examples 104-109)
There Are Several Independent Love-Motives... (Examples 110-114)
The Characters In Whose Lives... (Examples 115-120)
One Further Motive Belongs... (Example 121)
The Sword Motive Recurs... (Examples 122-130)
Ironically, This Phrase... (Examples 131-135)
Closely Associated With Gutrune's Motive... (Examples 136-140)
Here We Come To The End... (Examples 141-146)
Complemtary To This Symbol... (Examples 147-149)
One Last Central Symbol... (Examples 150-157)
One Further Motive Connected... (Examples 158-161)
There Are One Or Two Motives... (Examples 162-168)
These Motives Of Alberich And Mime... (Examples 169-171)
Quite A Number Of The Subsidiary Motives... (Examples 172-176)
Besides This Family Of Motives... (Examples 177-180)
Our Final Example... (Examples 10, 181, 182)
In The Final Scene Of Gotterdammerung... (Examples 181-183)
Even More Masterly... (Examples 184-188)
Now If We Return... (Examples 189-191)
This Masterly Way... (Examples 192, 193)

Amazon.com

When Wagner set the Ring to music, he intended the orchestra to act in the fashion of a chorus from a classic Greek tragedy--setting the mood and commenting on the action. In order to allow a nonverbal musical line to reflect on the plot, Wagner developed a psychologically and musically complex symbology to communicate his thoughts to the listener. From the beginning the Ring has spawned numerous written commentaries on the relationships of the motif structure, but by using examples from the Decca Ring recording, Deryck Cooke's thoughtful spoken commentary is by far the most accessible guide for either the fledgling Ring enthusiast or the seasoned veteran. --Christian C. Rix

Customer Reviews:

Ring introduction critique.......2006-11-04

This is very worthwhile, at the same time it requires time, patience and attention, but it does provide some keys to better enjoyment of a sensational piece of music.

FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE.......2006-08-16

This may look an intimidating, daunting and dull prospect - a 2+ hour lecture on the motifs in the Ring. Don't be put off. Whether you're a relative novice to the Ring and want to find out what it's all about, more experienced with a desire to understand the composer's methods better or an afficionado who thinks he knows it all inside out, there is great pleasure as well as elucidation to be had from this set. Originally made to accompany the Decca Solti Ring, it contains a multitude of musical illustrations taken from those recordings as well as some specially recorded by Solti just for this Introduction.

It wasn't the first time this has been tried. The famous HMV sets from the late 20's also included recorded examples of over 100 motifs. (These, by the way, are available as part of the Pearl reissue of those wonderful HMV recordings). What that set lacked was the wonderful insights as well as the approachability of the talk by Deryck Cooke. Cooke was a great and much missed musicologist - a Mahler expert responsible for the performing edition of the Tenth Symphony still most played today, a fascinating explorer into the nature of music's basic building-blocks in his excellent book, The Language of Music, and an inspiring and elucidating critic of Wagner's work as shown by the fascinating book he left unfinished at his death, I Saw the World End.

On these CDs he does much more than list the leitmotifs and identify them as calling-cards. He shows the amazingly integrated and organic growth of the musical material that Wagner uses throughout his vast work. He demonstrates how motifs can change their sense and meaning as they evolve through the drama. And he shows how the complex combinations of motifs can radically advance both the musical and the dramatic narrative of the piece. There are even places where he corrects the misinterpretation of some of the motifs that had become ingrained from early commentators' false labels.

This set should engage and enlighten anyone with an interest in Wagner's huge and inexhaustible tetralogy. Do give it a try - no matter how far down the road to Wagnerianism you are.

Welcome back to a classic analysis.......2006-05-28

Deryck Cooke's lecture series upon THE RING is almost as much a classic by now as the Solti RING cycle, with which it was originally issued on LP, and from which it derives its musical examples. The difference is that whereas the Solti RING has been continuously in print ever since it was completed, and was among the first opera sets to benefit from the CD revolution, the Cooke analysis was for long almost totally unobtainable. Now we have it back. It should be welcomed: it is a classic. Cooke's mellow, deep voice with the hint of a Celtic burr - which made him ideal on BBC radio - patiently explains Wagner's melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic metamorphoses to such good effect that if you own this recording, you really require no other RING analysis. (A pity about the abrupt beginnings and endings of too many vocal and orchestral illustrations, though.) Musicology lost a fine, sensitive thinker with Cooke's premature death in 1976.

If all you want is dilettantish baby food, there are plenty of dumbed-down Wagner commentaries on the market, stretching from Anna Russell's famous monologue (which doesn't pretend to be anything other than a parody aimed at morons) to the latest standard-issue "Wagner-was-a-Nazi-boo-hiss" feuilleton (which, unfortunately, does). Without reasonable score-reading skill you will find Cooke useless, however diligently you have ploughed through Marx, Jung, Freud, or other gurus purportedly relevant to THE RING. Cooke expects you to use your brains and your musical sense. Quelle horreur. At today's BBC his "elitism" would render him unemployable.

Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle.......2006-05-15

I originally bought this set on vinyl in the early 70s when I discovered the Ring in college. I studied the records and booklet assiduously, and after about three run-throughs I finally started getting it. Wow! Thirty-five years later, I still remember Mr. Cooke's analyses of various motive families, and I don't know how I could have mastered and loved the Ring without him. I now own this set on CD and listen again on the rare occasion of attending a Ring performance. My wife calls me a "Ring nut," but of course I'm nuts about many other things as well.

Bottom line, buy this set and study it if the Ring has captivated you as it has countless others. The presentation is dry, but sticking with it brings measureless and longlasting rewards.

Very Functional.......2006-03-19

This CD set is excellent for what it sets out to do: present the leitmotives of the Ring according to their relationship to one another and their role in developing both characters and plotlines. Deryck Cooke's lectures on each motive are very insightful, very helpful at cueing the listener into the semantic aspect of Wagner's orchestral writing. The one drawback is that the musical examples are a bit jarring. Without fade-ins or -outs, the engineering is quite barbaric. And though the orchestra was, I believe, conducted by Solti, and is beautifully done, the vocal performances can be quite unpleasant. Point being: this is not background music, but in accomplishing what it sets out to do, it is very successful, and I don't know of anything else like it.

Average customer rating:

Kari Gaffney is "Angel Eyes"
Angel Eyes Sparkle
Angel Eyes It Screams Sex Appeal

Angel Eyes

Manufacturer: Kari-On Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Satin Doll
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Your Eyes
The Very Thought of You
Surrender

ASIN: B00005OMUN
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Undecided
Walking After Midnight
Lover Man
Autumn Leaves
I Don't Know
My Favorite Things
Angel Eyes
Feel Like Making Love
Route "66"

Album Description

Verbatim is a Vocal Jazz Label. Dedicated to celebrating the most accessible and oldest instruments: The human voice. Our Artist's Include: Kari Gaffney, Quatica & Jordon Miles.

Customer Reviews:

Kari Gaffney is "Angel Eyes".......2002-02-03

The title track oozes sensuality. Kari Gaffney truly is "Angel Eyes". Her heart filled emotion and intimate contralto can cause heart palpitations. Gaffney is a true singer. She does not hide in the fluff and fan-fare of over scatting a song to its death. This album is filled with lush, scrumptious vocals. She takes a wonderful scat on her first song "Undecided" with a hint of Miles Davis blue note and so begins the journey. She paints a picture of vivid and movingly expressive color that can only be seen in a dream.

Angel Eyes Sparkle.......2001-10-11

I bought this CD for my wife. She is a big fan of vocal jazz. I found myself borrowing it from her often. It's actually a CD we can agree to listen to together in the car. Kari Gaffney's Angel Eyes CD is filled with rich, lush vocals and classic standards that make even myself an avid instrumental listener appreciate what vocal jazz has to offer.

Angel Eyes It Screams Sex Appeal.......2001-09-06

I have seen many reviews on Kari Gaffney, but I had never listened to her CD. Reviews claiming Sultry, Powerful, Seductive. Was it hype, fact or fiction? When I got my copy, I saw rare beauty on the cover. This really set my alarm off. Is this another vocalist with great looks and no substance or grit? So I sat back having turned my skepticism dial to it's full potential. Not only were the other Critic's right, they were dead on! I have my claims to add as well, Sultry, Powerful, Seductive, Sensuous, Confident and all encompassing. Gaffney's ethereal vocals soar. Inviting the listener to journey through the lyrics with her. For the uninitiated I definitely recommend this induction.

This CD not only makes a statement vocally but it also conveys musical maturity. The release is a quartet configuration without drums. Jeff Williams is featured on guitar. With a sound and style reminiscent of Pat Martino meets Joe Pass & Metheny. Williams's guitar lines were cohesive and storytelling. Williams also doubled on bass on this release. His bass lines were fluid and legato driving this release with a solid force. His linear lead lines and melodic harmonic concepts added a refreshing approach. The pianist was Craig Wilcox. I was a bit disappointed with the minimalist approach he took on many songs, but was very taken by his approaches on Ballads. Gaffney is definitely a force to be reckoned with on Ballad's and Wilcox rose to the occasion on "Lover Man" and "Angel Eyes". Saxophone and Flute featured Rob Foster. The bluesy sax solo on "Walking After Midnight" (which I might add, is a refreshing slant on that already great rendition by Patsy Cline) definitely satisfied my hard edge desire. It was raw and real. The flute on "Feel Like Makin Love" was simply Beauty. The mood on this release was that of Seduction & Power. I found my experience to be one that surprised me and astounded me. Absolutely superb!!

Tracks: Undecided, Walking After Midnight, Lover Man, Autumn Leaves, I Don't Know, My Favorite Things, Angel Eyes, Feel Like Making Love, Route 66.

Tracks:

One Day
Faith
Awesome In This Place
Dwell In Your House
You Are Near
I Simply Live For You
Carry Me
Lifted Me High Again
Here To Eternity
For This Cause
Reaching For You
It Is You
Believe
Everyday

Album Description

FOR THIS CAUSE was recorded LIVE at the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympic games with a crowd of 5000 worshipers. This latest album from Hillsong Music Australia unleashes a new level of expression and heart. Led by Darlene Zschech, it also features Reuben Morgan and Russell Fragar in a spectacular evening of worship. Filled with new millennium love songs for our Savior, this album is like no other. With an irrestible blend of masterful arrangements you will be caught up in the captivating worship and wildly infectious praise.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect worship music!.......2006-02-02

As always, Hillsong has a freshness to their songs that goes the distance. This is one of their older projects, but filled with upbeat worship songs, as well as great ballad style worship songs. I highly recommend this one!

For This Cause review.......2002-09-10

I love how this album starts off on One Day,(one of my favorite Hillsong Songs) then goes straight into Faith (my favorite song in this album)with lots of Spanish horns and rythms. I also think For this Cause, Carry Me, and Lifted Me High are also good songs.
All in all, this album is worth getting.

HILLSONG THE BEST.......2001-10-10

THEY ARE A VERY SPECIAL GROUP WORKING FOR OUR LORD, JUST LISTEN

Great praise songs.......2001-07-23

I bought this to have "Faith" (the song, too :) ), after our praise band sang it. All the songs are wonderful. The only complaint I have with the album is Darlene Zschech's inability to talk between songs other than a high-pitched monotone yell.

For this Cause.......2001-07-12

I love the music on the album, it's refreshing and uplifting.

Average customer rating:

For This Cause
Hillsong
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Live Recordings | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Blessed
For All You've Done
United We Stand
Touching Heaven Changing Earth
People Just Like Us

ASIN: B00006DU1M
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

One Day
Faith
Awesome In This Place
Dwell In Your House
You Are Near
I Simply Live For You
Carry Me
Lifted Me High Again
Here To Eternity
For This Cause
Reaching For You
It Is You
Believe
Everyday

Average customer rating:

Shakespeare's Songbook, Vols. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Azica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Shakespeare's Songbook
Songs and Dances from Shakespeare
Shakespeare Songs
Shakespeare's Musick (Songs & Dances from Shakespeare's Plays) / Pickett, Musicians of the Globe
William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B0002IQL08
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

Ah Robin (Round)
And Let Me The Cannikin Clink
And Will He Not Come Again
Be Merry, Be Merry
Black Spirits
Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind
Bonny Sweet Robin
But Shall I Go Mourn
Can'st Thou Not Hit It
Come Away
Come Away, Hecate
Come Live With Me
Come O'er The Burn
Come Thou Monarch (Version 2)(Round)
Come Unto These Yellow Sands
A Cup Of Wine
Farewell, Dear Heart
Fathers That Wear Rags
Fear No More
Fie On Sinful Fantasy
Fill The Cup (Round)
Flout 'Em And Cout 'Em (Round)
Fools Had Ne'er Less Grace
For I'll Cut My Green Coat
The Friar And The Nun
Full Fathom Five
The George Alow (Version 1)
Get You Hence
The God Of Love
Hark, Hark The Lark
Have I Caught My Heavenly Jewel
Heart's Ease
Hold Thy Peace (Version 2)(Round)
Honor, Riches
I Am Gone Sir
I Loathe The I Did Love
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Jepha
Jog On
Jolly Shepherd (Round)
King Stephen Was A Worthy Peer
Lawn As White
Love, Love, Nothing But Love (Version 2)
The Master, The Swabber (Version 2)
No More Dams
An Old Hare Hoar (Version 1)
O Mistress Mine (Version 1)
Orpheus With His Lute
O Sweet Oliver
Pardon Goddess Of The Night
Roses Their Sharp Spines
Sigh No More, Ladies
Some Men For Sudden Joy (Version 1)
Take, O Take Those Lips
Tell Me, Where Is Fancy Bred
That Sir Which Serves
There Dwelt A Man In Babylon (Version 1)
There Was Three Fools
Three Merry Men (Round)
Tomorrow Is St. Valentine's Day
Under The Greenwood Tree
Up And Down (Round)
Urns And Odours Bring Away
Walsingham
Was This Fair Face
Wedding Is Great Juno's Crown
What Shall He Have (Round)
When Arthur First In Court
When Daffodils Begin To Peer
When Daisies Pied
When Griping Grief
When Icicles Hang By The Wall
When That I Was And A Little Tyne Boy
Where The Bee Sucks
While You Here Do Snoring Lie
Who Is Silvia
Why Let The Strucken Deer
Willow, Willow (Version 1)
Will You Buy Any Tape
The Woosel Cock
You Spotted Snakes

Tracks:

Awake, Awake
Battle Of Agincourt
Bride's Goodmorrow
Broom
Callino
Carmen's Whitle
Chi Passa
Come Kiss Me, Kate (Round)
Come Thou Monarch (Version 1)
Cup Of Wine (Version 1)
Damon
Daphne
Diana (2 Versions)
Dulcina
Eglamore
Eighty-Eight
Fortune My Foe
George Alow (Version 2)
Glass Doth Run
Goddesses
Go From My Window
Greensleeves (2 Versions)
Guy Of Warwick
Hem Boys (2 Versions)
Hey Ho for A Husband (2 Versions)
Hobbyhorse
Hold Thy Peace (Versions 1 & 3)
Hunt's Up
I Cannot Come Every Day (2 Versions)
In Crete
In Peascod Time
Jack Boy (Round)
King Cophetua
King Lear
King Solomon
Light O Love
Loath To Depart (2 Versions)
Love, Love (Version 1)
Master, Swabber (Version 1)
Mounsier Mingo
Mounsieur's Almaine
My Mind To Me
Nutmegs (Of All The Birds)
Nutmegs (Wooing Of The Baker's Daughter)
O Death (2 Versions)
Old Hare Hoar (Version 2)
O Mistress Mine (Version 2)
O' The Twelfth Day Of December
Oyster Pie
Peg A Ramsey (2 Versions)
Phillida (3 Versions)
Please One
Pyramus
Queen Dido (2 Versions)
Ratcatcher
Rich Jew
Robin Goodfellow
Robin Hood
Rogero
Rowland
Sellenger's Round
Shore's Wife (2 Versions)
Sick, Sick (3 Vesions)
Some Men For Sudden Joy (Round)
There Dwelt A Man (Version 2)
Titus Andronicus
Tom A Bedlam (2 Versions)
Troilus
Troy Town
Wellady
Whenas We Sat In Babylon
Where Is The Life
Whoop
Why Let The Strucken (If Care Do Cause)
Willow, Willow (Version 2)
Will Ye Buy A Fine Dog
With A Fading

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Songs of Ned Rorem

Manufacturer: Composers Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

The Nantucket Songs: From Whence Cometh Song
The Nantucket Songs: The Dance
The Nantucket Songs: Nantucket
The Nantucket Songs: Go, Lovely Rose
The Nantucket Songs: Up-Hill
The Nantucket Songs: Mother, I Cannot Mind My Wheel
The Nantucket Songs: Fear Of Death
The Nantucket Songs: Thoughts Of A Young Girl
Ferry Me Across The Water
The Nantucket Songs: The Dancer
Some Trees
Some Trees: The Grapevine
Some Trees: Our Youth
Six Songs: Little Elegy
Six Songs: Night Crow
Six Songs: The Tulip Tree
Six Songs: Look Down, Fair Moon
Six Songs: What Sparks And Wiry Cries
Six Songs: For Poulenc
Women's Voices: Let Not Charitable Hope
Women's Voices: A Birthday
Women's Voices: To My Dear And Loving Husband
Women's Voices: To The Ladies
Women's Voices: If Ever Hapless Woman Had A Cause
Women's Voices: We Never Said Farewell
Women's Voices: The Stranger
Women's Voices: What Inn Is This?
Women's Voices: Defiled Is My Name
Women's Voices: Electrocution
Women's Voices: Smile, Death

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Steely Scam
quite satisfying interpretations of Steely Dan standards
yes, but what does it sound like???????
A breath of fresh air!
Someone got it right again!

The Music of Steely Dan
Myron V. Cotton
Manufacturer: Vision Music/Promotion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Piano Jazz: McPartland/Steely Dan
Morph the Cat
Plays the Music of Steely Dan
Steely Dan: The Complete Guide To Their Music (Complete Guide to the Music of...)
11 Tracks of Whack

ASIN: B000060NVY
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Hone at Last
My Rival
I Got the News
Third World Man
The Royal Scam
Maxine
End of the Line
Babylon Sisters

Album Description

This is a completely new recording of some classic Steely Dan songs arranged for jazz quintet. It features some of the worlds finest jazz and studio musicians, including drummer John Guerin (of Joni Mitchell, LA Express, Michael Franks), saxophonist Tom Peterson (of the Tonight Show, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), trumpeter John Daversa (of Dr. Dre, Bob Florence Big Band, Jack Sheldon), bassist Todd Sickafoose (of Noe Venable, Scott Amendola Band), and guitarist/composer Justin Morell. This CD offers a fresh, instrumental take on these beautiful compositions, with new arrangements and lots of improvisation.

Customer Reviews:

Steely Scam.......2005-02-03

I am not a fan of the type of traditional old school jazz that Mr. Morell and company play, and really was not impressed with the jr high stage band amatuerish sound demonstrated on all tracks. These covers are not worthy of the originals, and I am curious why this got so many positive reviews. I would not reccomend this to anyone, frankly.

quite satisfying interpretations of Steely Dan standards.......2004-02-08

Since I couldn't find this CD anywhere, and Amazon has supplied no samples,(see below) I finally decided after months to take a chance on it and just buy it and I'm glad I did.

For as long as there has been Jazz, artists have played their own take off on standards. They are always on safer ground improvising on a song that listeners know than writing thier own music. But it seems lately the list of standards has become overused. So there's plenty of quality pop and rock out there to make new standards from (Beatles, Stones, Doors, etc) and what better source than Steely Dan. In the 70's & 80's Steely Dan approached fusion from the rock side, and turned out much better music than when some Jazz players, who will remain nameless, tried from the Jazz side.

So how does it sound? The lead guitar here, Justin Morrell, stays often stays close to Walter Becker's guitar lines in Steely Dan, the other guys go farther afield. Overall the CD is quite satisfying. So songs cleave close to the Steely Dan original (My Rival), in others (I Got The News) there is more invention. Similar tempos, mostly, to Steely Dan. I particularly like the warmth of Home at Last, My Rival, and Babylon Sisters. Morell and company get a little carries away with The Royal Scam, but I think those who like Cool(er) Jazz and those who like Steely Dan should all seek this CD out. Only available here, as far as I know.

Bravo! good direction, I would like to see other Jazz artists follow this path.

Recommended. Under my tough grading system 4 stars for performance, 4 stars for recording, 1 star for lack of availablity & samples.

yes, but what does it sound like???????.......2004-01-06

I'd like to buy this but I would like to hear some 30 second samples first! Unavailable from other vendors.

A breath of fresh air!.......2002-04-22

The word prolific is not a word to be associated with Steely Dan. That being said, I'll take any release that comes from anywhere regarding my favorite group, SD. Be it a 'Best of' or a 'Tribute', I'll buy it. So when I spotted this gem online I grabbed it like my life depended on it. This CD goes so much farther than Garden Party's medicore "tribute".This is REAL JAZZ played with emotion and verve. Carefully covering these classics is no small feat and TJMQ paints these portraits brillantly without straying too far off the beaten track.Highly recommended from a Steely Dan Head. If you're a fan you must buy this!

Someone got it right again!.......2002-04-17

Not since Woody Herman's 1978 LP, "Chick, Donald, Walter & Woodrow",which featured five Steely Dan covers, have I heard such a loving respect paid to the incredible writing talents of Becker and Fagan.The sound of Justin Morell's quintet reminds me of other keybordless groups like those lead by Jim Hall or Chico Hamilton. There is that intamacy but they also wail. Those of you trying to sell your copy of Garden Party's "no static at all" take heed. The last disc that came close to sucessfully doing an homage to SD was the "Me, Myself & Irene" soundtrack.