Search - Ahmad Jamal :: Live at Montreal 1985

Great Live Album

J. Murray | 02/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recording on tape years ago and I think that it is one of Ahmad Jamal's best work. The album is recorded live. The format is a percussion dominante quartet (2 out of 4 members) that starts with "Yellow Fellow" (13 min.) the piece has a fast tempo and Jamal counters the strong visual movement of the percussion. "Yellow Fellow" is why I bought the cd and tape originally. The next two "Make Someone Happy" and "Acorn" are slower with the first cut a solo and "Acorn" having a distinct meandering quality that creates a defined mood. "Crossroads" returns to the upbeat tempo with a penetrating journey that lends itself to more abstract qualities. "Rossiter Road" has more of a medium beat that builds to a cresendo and has some stylized characteristics and is a worthy piece. The classic "Round Midnight" is flighty and moody and complex. "Footprints" uses percussion and piano to portray a sense of free association that is interesting and complex. The last cut,"Ebony", is slow at the start and builds to a strong end.

I thing ths is a great example of Ahmad Jamals talents as a jazz pianist.

"