Search - Gil Evans :: Svengali

Svengali = Gilevans

Peppino | 01/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The anagram is obvious, no?This has been one of my favorite Gil Evans recordings, I wore the LP right out years ago!I do not comprehend exactly what the 2 previous reviews mean by "fusion", but then, try define the word "jazz"..(The wash of a synth or an electric piano Fender ? I hope this not the criteria used to define, but no matter!)This recording is pure "Evansonia", with his trademark lush arrangements and innovative chord voicings.Featured soloists this turn , the seldom heard and quite individual concepts of Ted Dunbar on electric guitar, and the Texas "big horn" sound meets the post bop.avante guard tenor sax of the underrated Billy Harper.Mr Harper contributes 2 compositions, "Cry of Hunger" and the opening romp, "Thoroughbred", and is also an individualistic composer.Howard Johnson, maestro of the baritone sax oan tuba, "Mr Low Frequencies" is featured in solo settings on tuba and Flugehorn, and is a quite inventive soloist!Hannibal Peterson, another sadly neglected musician (A trumpet more worthy than the obscurity he has been banished to..)features on "ZeeZee", a delicious track.For me, the highlight of the recording is a moody and thoughful version of the standard "Summertime", which features a medlodic solo statement from Mr Dunbar over a wash of beautifully altered chords from the orchestra, a treat!
With 2 books released this year about Mr Evan's musics and lifestory, I hope interest is still high in his musics now and for the passing years to come..This cd is a "must have" for every jazz afficionado, to sound a bit cliche (but true!).1000 stars , Viva Gil Evans! A true innovator!"

Fantastic Gil Evans

historyone | 01/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thoroughly agree with the above reviewer. This is a great Gil Evans fusion album. Great Gil Evans arangements of THOROUBREED, CRY OF HUNGER, BLUES IN ORBIT are interspersed with some exciting solo work from Howard Johnson, Ted Dunbar, Billy Harper, Trevor Koehler and David Sanborn. I still have the original vinyl copy and am glad a CD came out, as I was wearing deep grooves into this one. Yes, the only thing missing was Miles Davis. I still give it 5 Stars."