Search - Charlie Byrd :: Music to Dine By

An Overlooked Masterpiece

Peter Cherukuri | Washington, DC | 05/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the early 1980s, PBS launched a television series known as the "Great Chefs". The producers of the series had the great insight that bossa nova music was the perfect compliment to any exquisite dish prepared by any of the great chefs around the world.



In 1983, Charlie Byrd, one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, began recording music for the series performing delectable melodies capturing both the essence of bossa nova and a "good meal".



This CD is a compilation of these melodies and each track is simply delicious. Although often overlooked, this CD ranks among the greatest bossa nova albums of all time.



Byrd recently passed away taking his acoustic guitar to the quiet stars joining Jobim, Gilberto, and Getz as one of the greatest bossa nova performers of all time."

Good music, horrible recording.

jeffreister | Bothell, WA USA | 12/29/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The music is typical Byrd (good to great), but the quality of the recording (at least on the CD I have) is so bad that it is unlistenable. I don't think I have ever heard worse. Another issue that disturbs me is that the song titles and credits are not listed. This is not a purely improvised work - somebody (probably Byrd) did the compositions and arrangements and should have been given credit.This would be another top knotch Charlie Byrd CD if the publisher cared enough to remix it and rework the liner notes.Steer clear of this one, but don't hesitate to buy the many other avaliable Byrd CDs that were published by someone who actually cared about the music. Some of my favorites are "The Bossa Nova Years", "My Inspiration", "Au Courant", "Brazillan Byrd", "Du Hot Club De Concord", "Moments Like This" and "Bluebyrd"."