Classic Moods

Musica da ascoltare durante la cena, atmosfera veramente piacevole.Bellissima da ascoltare nei momenti di relax quotidiani, sopratutto serali.Consiglio a tutti gli amanti del piano bar.

A superb all-star quartet presenting fresh and often stunningly elegant performances of classic ballads: 1996, with Watts on tenor, Mulgrew Miller on piano, George Mraz on bass, Jimmy Cobb drums - all passed masters!One of the unsung heros of the modern tenor, Mr. Watts paid his dues with the Buddy Rich orchestra and the Tonight Show band, where he did twenty years hard time! He can also be heard on countless ad jingles and movie scores - "all that anonymous stuff," as he calls it. But be not deceived: this schooling is what produced Michael Brecker and Pete Christlieb. These ballads are not commercials or smooth jazz licks for the doctor's office. Ernie is a master improvisor who delights in each turn of phrase, embellishes the end of each bar with a flourish, and invents new ideas to garnish each measure of these classic tunes. Watts is a virtuoso who can blend taste and soul. And if you get a chance to hear him in person, do it! He is one of the most exciting players out there. In the high registers, he is capable of going places I never knew a tenor sax could go. (I play the tenor, and what he does blows my mind more than any of the better know tenors of today!)In his past work, Ernie's tone has seemed a bit brittle, at least in the recording studio. He has not come off as a deep-hearted low-register player. This ballad set should correct that misperception. His tone is lush yet elegant: a glass of Chardonnay in white gloves. Ernie Watts is a name that should be up there as high on the list as James Carter or Joshua Redman. Even higher, in fact, because while those guys are still searching for a distinctive voice, Ernie's sound and style are instantly recognizable.

Ernie Watts rose to prominence through his inclusion in Charlie Haden's 'Quartet West', and he's since released a number of albums as leader, including 'Classic Moods', which follows on from Gramophone rated classics such as 'Unity' & 'The Long Road Home' (which gained an unprecedented 10/10 from this Jazz Guide). In Classic Moods we have an introduction to Watts influences, from Coltrane, through Miles Davis to Billie Holliday. He's used other members of this quartet before, including Mulgrew Miller on piano, and the interplay between the two is one of this album's highlights. There's also some lovely warm bass playing, and some lovely clattering drum sounds& high hat work.However, these influences are used as a 'departure point' for Watts, rather than straightforward homage, and this disc also showcases 3 of his own compositions. Two of my personal highlights are the the Ellington opener 'In a Sentimental Mood', with an exquisitely lyrical sax intro; another is Watts lovely 'I Don't Know Why', which is a beautiful ensemble piece. This is impeccable, straight-ahead, melodically supple, ensemble playing, and bass & drums are as integral to the sound as the sax/piano dialogue. Recorded sound quality is crystal clear, and this is a very fine album by a horn man who deserves to be better known. Well worth investigating.

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