Search - Lee Ritenour :: Alive in L.A.

Awesome recording quality!

Eric R Sand | FT WAYNE, IN United States | 02/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The production quality is top-notch... Anyone wanting to convey a sense of "being there" to the listener should hook-up with the crew that was responsible for crafting this rare gem. Most of my HDCD recordings do not sound this good. EXCELLENT job! when do we get more?I wish more artists would engage such talent to boost the end quality of their product."

Great stuff!

Eric R Sand | 10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't heard Ritenour before but was recommended to give him a listen. As I chanced upon this one I realized I had found a gem. Put it on, close you're eyes and be there!"

I'm normally a Lee basher...

20to20K | Maryland | 02/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When a friend of mine whose taste in music I trust immensely recommended this CD to me I thought he had lost his mind. Or perhaps been kidnapped and brainwashed by the Kenny G Gestapo!



I've always saw Lee Ritenour as a candy coated, by the numbers studio guitarist. One of those guys who played well enough, but whose music left you empty and unmoved. I heard a few cuts off his "Wes bound" tribute CD that showed promise...but still not enough to convince me otherwise.



After countless comments and bantering by my friend...and the fact I found myself in Tower once with nothing to buy...I decided to check this out just so I could bash it to my friend without being ignorant. Boy did I have some crow to eat!



This CD is slammin'. There isn't a weak cut to be found. Lee fans will probably hate me for saying this, but I think the biggest difference betweeen this music and Lee's typical releases is the kick-butt band he has supporting him. These guys are awesome together. I was pretty familiar with most of them on other projects (Bill Evans with Miles, Sonny Emory with several bands) but the driving force behind this band is bassist Melvin Davis. This guy is awesome, keeps impeccable time, great funk slappin, and can play any style. A little bit of Marcus and a tad of Louis Johnson.



The recording is audiophile quality to boot...not an easy task for a live CD. It's a crime this wasn't recorded for video. This would have made an awesome DVD for 5.1 sound.



The only semi-weak point is a few of the songs drag on a bit too long...or longer than neccessary to get their point across.



If you only want one Rit CD in you collection...this is the one to have."