Search - Ed Bickert :: Ed Bickert: Live Toronto Canada 1976

An honest and well deserved 5 star rating

Glen Murley | Sagamore Beach, MA United States | 11/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't seen a review for this CD yet so I'll put the good word out there. Here we go...



If you like Ed Bickert then you probably are already aware of his style. Very warm, complex, melodic, intelligent, and all the while, very accesible to the virgin ear. However, his CDs are very eclectic. Some are just not for everyone, "Mutual Street" comes to mind. But this CD is is a very straightforward set.



Some of Bickert's live recordings are mixed poorly or just suffer from a seemingly impromtu approach to recording a gig. The music is still there and is obviously enjoyable, but it's hard (for me personally) to fully enjoy a CD that is recorded poorly. "At last" is not one of those recordings. In fact it's sound quality is relatively amazing. Being a live recording the clink of glasses and some very subtle background noise is almost always present. But when recorded correctly this really adds excitement and ambiance to the record and enhances the experience, not detracts from it. This CD is one of the recordings that benefits from the background sounds.



So it's recorded well, how's the music? The music is easily some of the best of Bickert's work. If you like the sounds, chords, phrasing, and soloing he's famous for, then you'll love this recording as he does not really deviate from what has made him a legend to begin with.



If I remember correctly this CD was originally only on vynil for a very long time and I had a copy of it burned to CD. I think the title for the vynil was, "Live in Toronto, Canada 1975." For some reason this CD was retitled, "At Last." Finally, or, "at last" it's on CD and available to the masses.



The whole CD finds Bickert in his element giving a gentle and warm touch to standards. "Come Rain or Come Shine" is one of my particular favorites.



If you enjoyed the CD titles, "Live at the Senator", "Days Gone By", and "At The Garden Party" then this CD should definately be in your collection. In fact, I would have to say it's my favorite Bickert CD and I have virtually anything released by him.



In conclusion, this is quintessential Ed Bickert at the top of his game. I would even say that if you don't have any Bickert CDs, this would be a perfect primer. Everything he's famous for is present on this release. Enjoy!

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