Search - Don Grolnick :: Weaver of Dreams

I want to be happy

M. Rondaij | Amsterdam / The Netherlands | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having bought this CD when it came out, it was a bit of a dissapointment.

I was in to heavy fusion back then, and a Steps Ahead, Mike Stern follower so to say. Seeing the list of musicians on this album I bought it immediately and found out it was way over my head. But over the years I got to understand the brilliant and wonderful arrangement/compositions of Don Grolnick and today I would rate this recording among the best ever made. Nothing Personal (also featuring on Michael Brecker's solo album in a different version) is amazing, and the old Steps tune Persimmons is highly underestimated as a composition. Highlight to me is the amazing arrangement and version of I want to be Happy. Historically an old Dixieland tune that you can whistle to. This version is by all means a-ma-zing. With the sad passing of Mike Brecker I am going through all my Grolnick and Brecker songs and this CD, that features both of them, is truly worth a million. Worth mentioning is the Bob Mintzer bass clarinet appearance :-)"