Live at Blues Alley [Live]

Live at Blues Alley [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
When Eva Cassidy is swinging her way through "Cheek to Cheek" and getting down and bluesy on "Stormy Monday" on this live set from 1996, it's nigh impossible not to get swept up in her voice's vast, barreling force. Her full range, though, becomes most obvious--and soul-shaking--on the slower side, as with Paul Simon's "Bridge over Troubled Water," Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Tall Trees in Georgia," and "What a Wonderful World." On these latter tunes, Cassidy's mix of aching clarity and rich warmth has a melting quality, speaking through the body to some evanescent presence that she seems to know all too well. She improbably makes Sting's "Fields of Gold" an emotional powerhouse just as easily as she makes Billie Holiday's "Fine and Mellow" an offhand declaration of feeling equal to nearly anything in the jazz vocal canon. In doing so she earns her place among the great singers--artists who could take any song and stamp it indelibly as their own. What Eva Cassidy had in her short life was an unbelievably perfect voice and a musical soul that grasped gospel, folk, blues, jazz, and all points in between as if they were mere stops on a single train ride. Alas, her ride ended in 1996, tragically early. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description
Recorded live at Blues Alley, Washington, D.C., Jan. 2, 1996, where the late folk singer/songwriter had a loyal following. 13 tracks, including four that appeared on her breakthrough 1998 album, 'Songbird'. Blix Street.

Tracks:

Cheek To Cheek
Stormy Monday
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Fine And Mellow
People Get Ready
Blue Skies
Tall Trees In Georgia
Fields Of Gold
Autumn Leaves
Honeysuckle Rose
Take Me To The River
What A Wonderful World
Oh, Had I A Golden Thread

Amazon.com

When Eva Cassidy is swinging her way through "Cheek to Cheek" and getting down and bluesy on "Stormy Monday" on this live set from 1996, it's nigh impossible not to get swept up in her voice's vast, barreling force. Her full range, though, becomes most obvious--and soul-shaking--on the slower side, as with Paul Simon's "Bridge over Troubled Water," Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Tall Trees in Georgia," and "What a Wonderful World." On these latter tunes, Cassidy's mix of aching clarity and rich warmth has a melting quality, speaking through the body to some evanescent presence that she seems to know all too well. She improbably makes Sting's "Fields of Gold" an emotional powerhouse just as easily as she makes Billie Holiday's "Fine and Mellow" an offhand declaration of feeling equal to nearly anything in the jazz vocal canon. In doing so she earns her place among the great singers--artists who could take any song and stamp it indelibly as their own. What Eva Cassidy had in her short life was an unbelievably perfect voice and a musical soul that grasped gospel, folk, blues, jazz, and all points in between as if they were mere stops on a single train ride. Alas, her ride ended in 1996, tragically early. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

Recorded live at Blues Alley, Washington, D.C., Jan. 2, 1996, where the late folk singer/songwriter had a loyal following. 13 tracks, including four that appeared on her breakthrough 1998 album, 'Songbird'. Blix Street.

Customer Reviews:

Great performance, great recording.......2007-07-03

I thoroughly enjoyed this and am happy I purchased it. Every bit of it is exceptional, the performance, the venue, and the recording. Definitely a great CD for any collection.

ahead of her time.......2007-05-12

Wonderful music, we have everyone of her CD's. So sad that she isn't still around to make more wonderful music!

Her definitive album.......2007-04-19

As I pulled into work one morning back in '98, I heard a song from this album on a public radio out of DC. Fortunately, reception was clean and clear that morning, and I listened in astonishment to the singer's remarkable interpretation of a song I had heard before (and, quite frankly, didn't really like). I had trouble finding the CD anywhere in Baltimore (there had been only a limited release on a small label), but when I eventually did find it, the whole was as remarkable as the one song.

From start to finish, this is an extraordinary album, showcasing the remarkable breadth of a talent too soon lost. To me, "Live at Blues Alley" is Eva's definitive album, and it ranks in my top ten albums of my fairly extensive collection. Listen to this album.

Great vocalist.......2007-03-20

This album is one of my favorites, the music ranges from joyful to thoughtful to hauntingly beautiful.

One of the best female voices I have ever heard........2007-03-08

This is the second time I have purchased this CD. I bought one for a friend because I have fallen in love with Eva's voice. There are so many qualities in those pipes. She can put her own spin on every song she has redone and made it unique. I really don't have words to describe her. What a loss it is for her family and her fans because she was just beginning to be discovered. She never compromised her art for anyone. She had a pure voice and pure soul and it came thru in her music.

Average customer rating:

You Will Be Listening To This CD 50 Years From Now!
A lot of sweat
I was there......
Still listening
Excellent live jazz!

Live at Blues Alley
Wynton Marsalis Quartet
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000026AH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Knozz-Moe-King
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Juan
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Juan (Skip Mustaad)
Autumn Leaves
Knozz-Moe-King (Interlude)
Skain's Domain
Much Later

Customer Reviews:

You Will Be Listening To This CD 50 Years From Now!.......2006-04-13

Just to have this rendition of 'Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans' is worth the price of buying it. While I loved it before, after Hurricane Katrina I found myself listening to this track over and over and over, day after day, week after week. It's soulful refrain seeped into my soul and my mind was awash with memories of my tiny apartment in The French Quarter back in the late 80s. It is truly inspirational.

A lot of sweat.......2004-05-16

There was a lot of sweat that night - or so says the linear notes. You can almost feel the sweat, the raw emotion, through the recording. Engineered brilliantly and performed even more brilliantly, uppity songs like "Knoz moe king" and all of its variations make this cd an amazing buy. It lasts forever - but I listen to it all the way through whenever I start it up -- it works as a whole extrememly well. All the instruments are at their finest.

The first track is so fast I love playing it for my trumpet friends just to watch them drool and grow red with envy. Oh well, this dude's talented - and it shows.

I was there.............2004-04-19

This is one of the most definitive recordings ever made. I had the great privelege of being there for the entire run. There was a fantastic "Blues & Ballad" set that was never released from this engagement. It'll be interesting to see if Columbia ever releases these alternative tracks.

Skip Norris
Detroit, Michigan

Still listening.......2001-07-20

I wrote the review above, and this disk came up again in a conversation a few weeks ago with tenor saxophonist Brice Winston. Brice and I were in the McDonald's Jazz Band in the summer of 1988, and hadn't seen each other until a concert that I attended at Blues Alley (live near DC now) where Brice was with Terrance Blanchard. After the set, we talked about how both of us had purchased this album since our tour with the McBand, and both of us had worn it completely out on cassette. A common experience for those who are into instrumental jazz that is heavy on improvisation and close musical communication between the musicians. With so many albums these days "studioized," its great to hear improvization rule the roost with some of todays brightest musicians, just as it did on this two CD live set.

Excellent live jazz!.......1998-11-16

I purchased this album while I was a music performance major several years ago on cassette, played out that tape, and had to buy it on CD. The musicians assembled on this album are all-stars on their individual instruments, but this combo is now long gone. Shortly after this recording, Wynton's musical style changed significantly, and they went their separate ways. The level of sophistication on this album is nearly infinite. I've listened to each of these tracks more than 30 times, and everytime, find something more to appreciate. Marcus Roberts' solo on "Juan" (track 4) is one of the best live improvised piano solos ever. His dark harmonies, and boundless patience "unwinding" this improvised masterpiece, make it absolutely electric. This album is (in my opinion) the best recording ever released by any of Wynton's bands. It's a shame that he didn't pursue this musical avenue further, although his brother later did, with Jeff Watts, Robert Hurst, and Kenny Kirkland.

Average customer rating:

A Hard Swinging Big Band
Live at Blues Alley
Big Swing!

Live at Blues Alley
Taylor / Fidyk Big Band
Manufacturer: Oa2
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

Blues Alley Intro
Full Count
Maiden Voyage
Bradley's Bop House
My One And Only Love
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
What'll I Do
Anthropology
Brush Taps
My Cherie Amour
The Gorillaman Blues

Customer Reviews:

A Hard Swinging Big Band.......2007-03-11

This CD really swings! The band, a mixture of Army and Air Force musicians, is really tight. The lead trumpet (Liesl Whitaker), bass trombone (Jeff Cortazzo), and baritone sax (Scott Silbert) are exceptional. The sound quality is especially high for a live recording. This session is a nice follow up to their debut album "A Perfect Match." Fans of modern big band music will definitely enjoy this one.

Saxes:
Joseph Henson (tenor),Tedd Baker (tenor), Bill Linney(alto), Antonio Orta(alto), Scott Silbert (bari)

Trombones:
Matt Niess, Jim McFalls, Jay Gibble, Jeff Cortazzo(bass)

Trumpets:
Liesl Whitaker(lead), Brian MacDonald, Craig Fraedrich, Graham Breedlove

Rhythm:
Tony Nalker(p), Jim Roberts(b), Steve Fidyk(d)

Live at Blues Alley.......2006-12-29

Killen CD!! This is one of the most swingin big bands on the market today. Nice job guys!

Big Swing!.......2006-11-09

Mark Taylor and Steve Fidyk's new live disc is inspired and hard swinging. The highlight of the cd is big band specialist Steve Fidyk's both mean driving and dynamic playing. The band is certainly in league with the great bands of this era, and Steve kicks in a fashion reminiscent of Mel Lewis' command and Buddy's incendiery temperment. The biggest surprise is Brush Taps; a hip and delicate expression of brush mastery. If you dig the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra, VO, or any of the great bands (Kenton, Basie, you get the idea), then you'll like this....ALOT. Enjoy!

Blues Harp Meltdown, Vol. 2: East Meets West Live at Moe's Alley

Average customer rating:

Blues Harp Meltdown, Vol. 2: East Meets West Live at Moe's Alley
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Mountain Top Prod
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00068NW10
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

Telephone Blues - RJ Mischo
Moe's Blues - RJ Mischo
You Can't Hurt Me No More - Gary Smith
Story Telling Woman - Gary Smith
It Ain't Right - Gary Smith
Intro - Frank Goldwasser
All These Blues - Frank Goldwasser
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Tracks:

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Little Dog - Paul & Annie
Annie's Rocker - Paul & Annie
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Everything Gonna Be All Right - Johnny Dyer
Mojo Boogie - Johnny Dyer
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Can't Stand You When You're Drinking - Gary Primich
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Ain't She Trouble - Gary Primich
Goodbye Intro - Gary Primich
Goodbye Little Girl - Gary Primich

Average customer rating:

Masterful BeBop Piano

Live at Blues Alley: First Set
Hod O'Brien
Manufacturer: Reservoir Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Award Winner: Stan Getz

ASIN: B0007RTAFC
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Nothing Like You Has Ever Been Seen Before
Frog's Legs
Thespian
It's Love
Lullaby Of The Leaves
Tangerine
Bye Bye Blackbird
Just In Time

Customer Reviews:

Masterful BeBop Piano.......2006-03-27

Hod O'Brien is a masterful jazz pianist. His style is rooted in bebop and he borrows very little from later pianists such as Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. Yet he easily displays the continuing vitality of the Bud Powell school. O'Brien is an individual stylist, who swings powerfully with long, flowing lines which capture and keep the listener's attention. O'Brien never uses his abundant technique to overwhelm the listener, but always to tell a heart-warming, uplifting musical story.

The music on this CD (and its companion - Second Set) was well recorded at Washington's D.C.'s Blues Alley club in the summer of 2004. The musicians playing with O'Brien here - Ray Drummond on bass and Kenny Washington on drums are masters in
their own right, and together they form a tight, responsive and supportive trio.

The opening "Nothing Like You" by Bob Dorough is a real swinger, as is "Tangerine", and the closing "Just in Time." Ray Drummond is well featured on a memorable reading of "Lullaby of the Leaves." Freddie Redd's "Thespian" begins as a reflective, gentle ballad before shifting gears into a hard-driving, uptempo romp. "Bye-Bye Blackbird" contains an lengthy and impressive block-chord solo by O'Brien. These are but a few highlights from a recording in which every track has a special appeal.

This excellent and highly enjoyable CD is recommended without reservation to lovers of jazz piano.

Average customer rating:

Life's Antidote

In Person: Live at Blues Alley
Marcus Johnson
Manufacturer: Lightyear
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Maxin
Dukin' It Out
9 Floatilla
Sandy Point
My Funny Valentine - Marcus "Benjy" Johnson,
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Customer Reviews:

Life's Antidote.......2006-08-19

This is a great CD.
This music relaxes and prepares you for whatever is coming your way or a great way to close a long stressful day.
It is perfect background music for when your having a dinner party or just having company because it is relaxing and calming. It is a great compliment to anyone's jazz collection. This along with Just Doing What I Do is a definite plus for your truck or car disc changer. This is a great buy.

Average customer rating:

Live at Blues Alley
Melanie Mason
Manufacturer: Melanie Mason
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2005-03-08

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I'm In the Mood
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Work Your Magic
Born In the Country
Love's Slow Burn
Before You Accuse Me
Thrill Is Gone
Castles Made of Sand
Crossroads
When Love Comes to Town
Gospel By the River

Product Description

"Live at Blues Alley," the third release from blues guitarist/vocalist Melanie Mason, contains 14 songs - half of which are penned by Mason. Featured on the album are Sam Goodall on bass, ElTorro Gamble on drums, and special guest Tommy Lepson on organ. Recorded in the summer of 2004, the album captures their powerful live performance at the legendary Blues Alley - the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club.

Average customer rating:

Live! At Blues Alley

Manufacturer: Blues Alley Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BP8ZYM

Product Description

10 Tracks