Search - Emily Remler :: Firefly

" Too Much! "

Mark Riegert | Munster, IN United States | 01/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always been curious about Emily Remler. I had heard so much about her talent, but never heard her playing, until buying this CD. Let's just say that this is about as perfect as a Jazz album can be...it's very easy to listen to, and all of the musicians are tops in their field. A few comments need to be made about the musicians who appear on this album with Remler. Pianist Hank Jones (my personal favorite pianist), bassist Bob Maize, and drummer Jake Hanna. Hanna and Maize offer warm, swinging support to all involved, and never get in the way, which is one reason the album is so effortless to listen to, and Hank Jones is, well, Hank Jones.
Now for Remler. She graduated Berklee College of Music at age 18, and recorded this album, her first as a leader, in 1981 at the age of 24. Listening to her playing, you would think that this was a player of vastly more experience and years. Being a Jazz musician myself I feel that I know a little bit about musicians and their talent levels, and I can honestly say that with this being the first time I actually heard Remler, I was very surprised at what I heard. She plays with a very easy style, and does not fall prey to the mistake that a lot of players make--playing too many notes just to show how fast they can play. She gets a very easy to listen to Jazz tone from her guitar, and her solos are constructed very intelligently. She goes for musicality rather than showmanship, and it pays off well.
While there is no clear cut "best" tune on the album, the seldom heard but very beautiful bossa by A.C. Jobim called "Look to the Sky" is very beautifully played. While Remler is a fine soloist, her exicution of cool, well placed chords is equally impressive.
All in all, this is a very fine album. On the liner notes there is a quote from the famous Jazz author, W. Royal Stokes. It reads...."Remler is a prodigy and a phenomenon....Too much!" Indeed."

Nice Relaxing Virtuosity

Mark Watson | Md. USA | 11/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have long been a fan of Emily Remler, possessing all but one of her albums. She was a shining light for Female jazz Guitarists. Her demise was a great loss to the Jazz world. This CD is certainly as good as 'Eas To Wes' and 'Catwalk'. As the years have passed her music is becoming more difficult to find. But be assured, if you like straight ahead jazz guitar influenced by folks like Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass, this album is it."