Search - Wynton Marsalis :: Live at Blues Alley

Simply Very Great

Reginald R. McCann | Front Royal, VA USA | 12/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I played a good portion of this CD for my brother and nephew, over the Thanksgiving holiday, and just ordered it for my brother. I was very surprised to see that no one had shared an opinion about it. This is simply one of the hottest live jazz performances that I have ever bought or listened to. I have owned this set for more than ten years and each time I play it, I am amazed and elated. It kicks off with "Knozz-Moe-King"--a highly energetic tune that showcases WM's trumpeter mastery and strength. "Juan" (Track #4, Disk #1) is a dazzling tune with a piano solo that you will find hard to replicate and easy to play again and again and again. The two successive versions of "Juan" are very cool also. And check out "Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans". It is a mellow, blues-stirring ballad that you will need to pull the car or SUV over to really appreciate. Wynton Marsalis...Louis Armstrong...Gabriel. When you have heard Marsalis and Armstrong play, Gabriel is all that is left."