With just his piano, his tunes, and several duet partners on Dancing on the Water, Bob James's deftness with a hook is unmistakable. His smooth-jazz group Fourplay could easily buff up "Hum Drum" and "Bogie's Boogie" into ... more »bona fide hits. On the duets with pianists Joe Sample and Keiko Matsui, James submerges his style to go inside the musical worlds of his partners. He probably wrote "Altair & Vega" and "Duo Oto Subito" for the Japanese dynamo, as it is sometimes difficult to tell on these Asian-flavored tunes where Matsui ends and James begins. Even if Sample and James weren't set on each side of the mix, it's easy to tell who's who, because Sample's rhythmic playing and solo style are unique and dominating. James does his best soloing on the duets with bassist supreme Dave Holland, including a great reading of "Last Night When We Were Young." They're perfectly in sync on the gorgeous James original "Autumn Nocturne." Guitarist Chuck Loeb plays on the title track, and it's the only tune that's solidly identifiable as James, because it's a reminder of the pianist's gold-selling duets with Earl Klugh. As this set proves, Bob James isn't Keith Jarrett, but thankfully, he isn't George Winston either. --Mark Ruffin« less
With just his piano, his tunes, and several duet partners on Dancing on the Water, Bob James's deftness with a hook is unmistakable. His smooth-jazz group Fourplay could easily buff up "Hum Drum" and "Bogie's Boogie" into bona fide hits. On the duets with pianists Joe Sample and Keiko Matsui, James submerges his style to go inside the musical worlds of his partners. He probably wrote "Altair & Vega" and "Duo Oto Subito" for the Japanese dynamo, as it is sometimes difficult to tell on these Asian-flavored tunes where Matsui ends and James begins. Even if Sample and James weren't set on each side of the mix, it's easy to tell who's who, because Sample's rhythmic playing and solo style are unique and dominating. James does his best soloing on the duets with bassist supreme Dave Holland, including a great reading of "Last Night When We Were Young." They're perfectly in sync on the gorgeous James original "Autumn Nocturne." Guitarist Chuck Loeb plays on the title track, and it's the only tune that's solidly identifiable as James, because it's a reminder of the pianist's gold-selling duets with Earl Klugh. As this set proves, Bob James isn't Keith Jarrett, but thankfully, he isn't George Winston either. --Mark Ruffin
"Bob James consistantly releases great CD's, but this one is truly a masterpiece. I have enjoyed his music for many years and this new album adds a new dimension to his work. I am particularly impressed by the numbers with Joe Sample."
Hauntingly Familiar Feeling....
E. B. Hopkins | Seattle, WA | 04/09/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This Bob James CD had me from the first key of the first song. The duet between Bob and Joe Sample was fantastic. As that song ended and the second began, I knew that my recent purchase had been a great one! Bob brought the THUNDER with this album, and for a CD jam-packed with Piano to do that, is in a word....amazing! The title song with Chuck Loeb, Dancing On The Water, was a pure masterpeice for the soul. It doesn't stop there either. Bob and Keiko Matsui's pieces together were inspired as well. Although I've witnessed two people playing the piano together, compared to these two, that's all they were doing WAS playing! I missed the concert with Bob and Keiko in Seattle a couple weeks ago, and I'll be FOREVER kicking myself that I missed it. I normally list a favorite in my reviews, but I'd be hard-pressed to do that right now. The one that does need to "grow" on me is Bogie's Boogie. I have that hauntingly familiar feeling though that it will. I enjoy this man's music because it's no secret that he does what he enjoys, making music...and his art is not bad either. If you get a chance, check his website: bobjames.com and check them out. If you'd like that "ease into a restful mood" feeling, pick this one up!"
Need a vacation from smooth jazz? Try DANCING ON THE WATER!
James R. Prater | Cleveland Tn. | 10/13/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bob James takes us on an unexpected musical journey with this CD. He displays his acoustic side masterfully. "Alone Together" finds him teamed with the great Joe Sample. On "The Green Hour", Bob reminisces about his early days playing in nightclubs. "Bogie's Boogie" is a jumpy little number written for the James' family cat. "Altair And Vega" is Bob and Keiko Matsui's musical telling of a Japanese myth. "Hum Drum" is anything BUT that. The right hand provides the melody (hum), while the left provides the rhythm (drum). Bassist Dave Holland is featured on their version of "Last Night When We Were Young", which has some beautiful lyrics. The title song, one of Bob's best, is a duet with Chuck Loeb. "Modesty" is Bob's musical wording of the modicum "less is more". Sample appears again on "Tapawingo", named after an outdoor restaraunt where Bob held his first art exhibition. "Autumn Noctourne" is a beautiful duet between Bob and Holland. "Duo Oto Subito" (which translates as 'two play right away') is a melodramatic duet between Bob and Matsui. I must counter some of the comments made in other reviews. This CD is for the die-hard Bob James fan like myself, who realizes that there is more to Bob James than "smooth jazz"."
"It?s really sad when legendary artists such as Bob James get negative reviews for trying to do something a little different from his past works. ?Dancing on the Water? is a fresh, brilliant, and solid album. True, this work may initially sound a little bare due to the lack of percussions and electronic sounds, but it is with this simplicity in arrangement that really brings out the tunes? haunting charm. Strewn throughout this album are upbeat and playful tunes such as ?Alone Together? and ?Altair & Vega?, as well as quiet, reflective melodies such as ?The Green Hour? and ?Modesty?. Overall, Bob James has created an inspiring, provocative masterpiece that showcases stripped down contemporary piano music at its very best."
Original and outstanding
Raymond Kurzweil | The Netherlands | 01/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can understand why some Bob James fans, who have bought this album without listening to it first, may be disappointed. It is nothing like Bob James has done before.
However, I think he truly delivered a masterpiece here. Brilliant compositions performed by great artists. My personal favorites are "Altair & Vega" and "Dancing on the Water".
I am happily surprised that every Bob James album gets even better and better."