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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
 Posted - 07/29/2007 : 10:25:55 AM
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Amid the constant new releases of great music, one may be tempted to ignore the impressive works of the past. "From All Sides" provides many good reasons to refocus and study the musical accomplishments of a favorite artist. In this album Guaraldi teams with the famous Brazilian guitarist, Bole Sete. As a slack key guitar fan, the opportunity to study rhythms derived from Spain through this collaboration of famous names created particular interest. Guaraldi's works, with their underlying bass lines, may tempt one to reflect on the link between his piano style and the underling bass line of slack key guitar. Although no one would suggest "slack key piano", the link to musical styles of Spanish/Portuguese origin is clear. Guaraldi's affinity for Brazilian rhythms was apparent in his "Jazz Impressons of Black Orpheus", so Sete's move to San Francisco set the stage for a great musical pairing. "Menino Pequeno Da Bateria" is a familiar piece from the animated specials that is also my favorite on this album. "The Girl from Ipanema" is another familiar work that appears here with Guaraldi at the keyboard. I have to acknowledge that although I recognize this album's value in a historical context, and would certainly expect to find it in the library of any "cool jazz" radio station, there are a couple of pieces where the fondness of the artists for Brazilian rhythm seems to go too far. In both "A Taste of Honey" and "Mambeando" extended rhythmic segments, in my opinion, reach the point where they adversely affect the appeal of the overall album by becoming annoying. With only eight tracks on this album, that's not something that one can easily ignore. If I were new to Vince Guaraldi's works, I'd consider his "Greatest Hits" album before I'd purchase this one. As a unique work worthy of note based upon the significance of the two artists who perform on this album, it merits a listen.
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Thank you. |
Edited by - Absolute on 07/31/2007 12:46:42 PM |
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 1:09:01 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Absolute
As a slack key guitar fan, the opportunity to study rhythms derived from Spain through this collaboration of famous names created particular interest.
A great review and on the money. It is extremely worthwhile to listen to the Brazillian guitarists because their approach to the instrument is the same as slack key - the full utilization of the instrument to become an orchestra unto itself (melody lines, rhythm/chord accompaniment, and bass line).
To hear Sete's work more clearly, hear his trio work reissued as "Tour de Force." (I have the original vinyl LP, but the reissue of the same name contains two LPs' worth of trio material.) In the trio setting, Sete can really stretch out and be the whole orchestra without competing for attention with - or getting in the way of - another rhythm instrument. |
Join me for the history of Hawaiian music and its musicians at Ho`olohe Hou at www.hoolohehou.org. |
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