Search - Cal Tjader :: Jazz at the Blackhawk

A studio recording done in a live setting

Michael A. Lopez | Fremont, California | 02/22/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album was recorded "live" at San Francisco's Blackhawk jazz club on January 20th,1957. The music itself is very good, as there is no one smoother than Cal Tjader on vibes. The same can be said for his pianist, Vince Guaraldi. However, on this particular project, the quartet seemed to have attempted to produce a "studio like" sound in a "live" surrounding. In doing this, the album really lost a lot of it's potential luster. There is absolutely no dialog, all spaces between songs are done with hasty fade out, and Tjader himself saw to it that any extra sounds from the club itself were kept to an extreme minium. And with the excellent accoustics the Blackhawk provided, this album could easily fool the passive listener as a studio recording rather than done before a live audience. The title of the album, "Jazz At The Blackhawk", is well suited though; "Live at the Blackhawk" would have been somewhat of a misnomer. The music itself being superb, this album is worth owning, but if looking for music with that "live club sound" this album comes up short."

Tjader & Guaraldi jazz before the Brazilian period- dynamite

Michael A. Lopez | 07/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a live concert album from 1958 in San Francisco. There is more than one Tjader quartet album while Vince Guaraldi was still with him, but none better than this one. "When the Sun Comes Out" alone is worth the price of admission. The rythm section is outstanding."

Excellent Cool Jazz

Steven R. Seim | Beaver Dam, WI United States | 07/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll admit up front: I'm not a big Cal Tjader fan. But, I am a big fan of Vince Guaraldi, and "Jazz at the Blackhawk" is probably the best recorded example of his pre-solo work. He had not yet developed his signature sound at this point, although glimpses of it can be heard on his whimsical original composition, "Thinking of You, MJQ." And, with straight-ahead cool jazz piano, a solid rhythm section, and Cal Tjader on vibes, the title of that song could make a good title for the entire album."