Mike Stern ever has displayed a large be-bop influence inward both his playing in addition to compositions thus this Cd was inevitable. What nosotros goal upwards hearing on this disc is the closest affair to seeing Mike Stern's band alive until he truly releases a alive disc. The playing is amazing in addition to he adds novel life to some standards. Although all of the covers were written for pianoforte or saxophone, Mike shows that guitar is a bully medium for Jazz. Among the highlights are "There is no greater Love" in addition to "Straight No Chaser". There isn't a dissapointing 2nd on the entire disc. The i noticable divergence betwixt this i in addition to the others is the audio of Mr. Stern's guitar. Unlike the other discs ,where he volition contain a distorted note during a part of a song, the whole Cd is played with a construct clean tone. However, this does non halt Mike from displaying non-jazz influences inward his playing. Mike Stern doesn't play with the unbelievable speed of other guitarists (Holdsworth,Lane,Etc.) only he does accept a unique agency in addition to nobody puts together phrases ameliorate than him. For anyone that would similar to acquire some other agency to approach the musical instrument this is a bully house to start. Actually this Cd is bully for whatsoever jazz/fusion lover because at that topographic point are many lessons to live on learned on this recording.
Stern's 'Standards in addition to Other Songs' originally came every bit a disappointment to me, though I'm ashamed to acknowledge it. The issue, I think, was that I expected the same variety of 'balsy' distorted funk-bebop of, say, 'Play'--a bully album inward in addition to of itself--yet, 'Standards' is much to a greater extent than subdued than whatsoever other Stern outings I tin mean value of. No distortion. Quiet. Little audible harmonic accompanyment to many of the solos.
The bully affair almost this album, then, is the agency Stern truly comes through every bit the killer bebopper that he is. Close listeners volition hear the harmonic displace imbedded inward the lines in addition to non immature adult woman some other comping musical instrument (there is a keyboard on a few tracks, only it is quite subdued in addition to quiet).
Though, I confess, I mean value 'Between the Lines' in addition to 'Give in addition to Take' are my favorites of Stern's, 'Standards' offers something that these don't. Much similar Metheny's Trio outings, it gives i a dissimilar perspective in addition to a dissimilar flavor--and a wonderful i at that. It's technically impressive, grooving, in addition to it also helps to solidify Stern every bit i of the best bebop guitarists out at that topographic point today.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few other points
* For those who've seen Mike at the 55 Bar inward NYC or wishing to, 'Standards' is much to a greater extent than inward occupation with that variety of playing than his other work, salve perchance 'Give in addition to Take'.
* Those who are non well-versed inward Bird, Trane, etc--ie, stone fans getting into jazz via Stern, Chick, etc (as I was when I showtime got the album at 16) volition in all probability non "get it" showtime fourth dimension out; conversely, unopen listening volition speed that transition
* Again, it is a real tranquillity album--indeed, perchance this is my biggest complaint; non alone is the playing subdued (not a problem), only recording book is non peculiarly high.
Mike Stern - Standards in addition to Other Songs
Stern is a fusion guitarist, only hither turns his attending to jazz standards. This CD shows them played inward a agency I had never earlier heard them played on the guitar. His playing is fleet in addition to his lines run nimbly ... at that topographic point is an irrepressible momentum that makes every bar compelling in addition to propels the music onward. There is bully subtlety of dynamic command too, in addition to beauty inward the tracks 'Circles' in addition to 'Peace'. (His note is lightly chorussed, an upshot that commonly does non appeal to me, only inward Stern's handsk it fits perfectly - he has made this audio his own.) It changed forever my agency of thinking almost jazz guitar: hither are standards, played inward a non-standard way, with virutosity in addition to without cliche. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 totally fresh in addition to essential jazz guitar album.
Guitarist Mike Stern, who has earned accolades in addition to awards for playing high-energy rock-oriented fusion on albums such every bit "Give And Take" in addition to "Play", did an about-face inward 1992 yesteryear releasing a CD of. jazz/bebop standards. Standards (And Other Songs) also includes 3 master copy numbers (the 'other songs'), only for the most part, Stern uses a lightly-chorused, construct clean guitar audio on such classics every bit Miles Davis' "Nardis" in addition to "Jean Pierre", John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice", Chick Corea's "Windows" in addition to Thelonius Monk's "Straight No Chaser". Stern recruited a number of more-than-able musicians to accompany him through the adventurous material, including trumpeter Randy Brecker, sax human Bob Berg, in addition to keyboardist/producer Gil Goldstein. Standards (And Other Songs) may accept received fiddling fanfare upon its initial release, only it is a CD good worth acquiring for a fresh, virtuosic in addition to guitaristic spin on these compositions.
Track listing:
06:37 Like Someone In Love
01:49 Source
09:12 There Is No Greater Love
05:46 L Bird
04:40 Moment's Notice
06:47 Lost Time
06:29 Windows
05:26 Straight No Chaser
05:17 Peace
01:44 Jean Pierre
07:37 Nardis
Personnel:
Mike Stern - Guitar
Al Foster - Drums
Jay Anderson - Acoustic Bass
Ben Perowsky - Drums ("Lost Time" in addition to "Nardis")
Larry Grenadier - Acoustic Bass ("Lost Time" in addition to "Nardis")
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Bob Berg - Saxophone
Gil Goldstein - Keyboards, Production
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