Search - Courtney Pine :: Visions Tale

Best OF BRITISH JAZZ

Duncan Lawrence | leicester, leicestershire United Kingdom | 04/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Courtney Pine - The Vision's Tale 1989On hearing this album for the 1st time you may have to check the CD cover to reassure yourself this is actually Courtney Pine ! This is NOT bringing any new 90's sound or retro 70's funk to your ears but IS instead firmly rooted in the " Standards " of jazz. You see "The Visions Tale" is more of a dedication to the Coltrane / Be- Bop & Post Bop sounds of Cool smoky filled clubs with cool people wearing cool clothes and nodding their heads in appreciation. Maybe Pine is making a statement to his critics about his serious devotion to his roots and inspirations.Pine plays the Sax with a vibrant maturity his fellow musicians take turns to solo on most of the 13 tracks. Delbert Felix is on double bass, on track 3 , " Just you , Just me " you can hear the severity of the strings being plucked!! Ellis Marsalis is commanding on the piano with Jeff Watts providing great support on saxophone. Courtney gives space to all the musicians to play and do their solo thing. It made me feel that this album was more of a Courtney Pine and His Band showcase rather than simply a highlighting of Pine's skills.The album succeeds in feeling 60's retro even down to the sound production, helped by the famous Marsalis family ( Branford included ). There are tracks like " No Greater Love" where the piano is playing in your right ear, the drums are banging away in your left ear whilst Courtney Pine is playing his Sax from the back of your Head. You can imagine all the musicians on stage if you close your eyes long enough. Cool!
"A Raggamuffin's Stance " illuminates Pine's technical abilities as he rides the scales and also producing notes that he is "not supposed to play on that instrument"
"Our Descendants" is a track written by Pine and does blend in with the Coltrane /Ellington / Holliday tunes of the album. It shows the freedom of Pine that you see explode in later albums , especially in Devotion ! I would say this is an album for the dedicated Jazz lover and especially one for anyone who simply wants to support British Jazz of the Now generation."

A must listen for the jazz standard enthusiast

Buckley J. Hugo | Metuchen, NJ United States | 05/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great set of jazz standards for any aspiring saxophonist to enjoy. Pine's playing is superb, and is complemented especially well by his supporting rhythm section. If you can get your hands on a copy, buy it!"