JAZZ IN THE KEY OF BEAUTY
DAVID HALL | USA | 12/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the album I have been hoping to discover (and own) that I'd just about given up on ever finding. I, like so many others, fell in love with Miles Davis' KIND OF BLUE. There was a coolness, a tastefulness and beauty to that album that I don't think I'd ever heard before, and absolutely have NOT heard since. So there I was always wanting another taste of of a particular kind of magic that was somehow always, just out of my reach. Until I sampled the cuts on the JIMMY COBB QUARTET: JAZZ IN THE KEY OF BLUE. Which I immediately ran out, purchased and found (to be): a dream come true. It seems absolutely predestined that the connecting link would have to be Jimmy Cobb. He held the reins of the stardust that was KIND OF BLUE. And, it is precisely his own particular kind of genius as a drummer that is at the heart of this album. First, in the musicians he has chosen: Roy Hargrove (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), Russell Malone (Guitar), and John Webber (Bass). The musical approach to each and every song on this album is simply something awesome to behold. Each musician in service of each of the songs and one another, throughout. No one ever, not for an instant, gets in anyone's way. And no one, not for an instant, ever points to his own chops, musically. I kept wondering if Mr. Cobb would, being the leader and a legend, step in the direction of musically pointing to himself. Or throw in something up-tempo for the sake of variety; after all, its an album of ballads. Only Jimmy Cobb would know exactly what NOT to do to capture and sustain the gossamar, phosphorescent quality that was at the heart of the most popular Jazz album of all time - and give birth to another album that has completely its own SUPREME BEAUTY: unique, original, wholly belonging - UNTO ITSELF. There is an intimacy to the sound that each member of this quartet communicates that is absolutely sublime; a warm, burnished tone to each of the instruments and the way they are played that gives the listener the feeling that this quartet is performing in their own living room and playing just for the listener. There are ten tunes on the album (Every Time We Say Goodbye / With You I'm Born Again / I'll Still Be In Love With You / Emily / Stairway To The Stars / I Had The Craziest Dream / Remembering U / What'll I Do / If Ever I would Leave You / We'll Be Together Again). Several of the ballads swing, but with such cool, sweetness & subtlety it takes your breath away. I suppose, if I had to pick a favorite, it might be the one written by Jimmy Cobb and David Matthews: Remembering U. I'm glad I don't, though, because I love each and every cut on this c.d. Chesky Records, who recorded this album in New York City at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on October 14, 2008 deserves the highest praise for the way they went about approaching and capturing the magic that is this album, in their recording of it. I thank my lucky stars for this album: JIMMY COBB QUARTET: JAZZ IN THE KEY OF BLUE. I cannot highly recommend it enough."
Mellow and fantastic
Bret L. Miller | 06/08/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Natural sound from one magic microphone that really captures the air and subtle sounds of an intimate performance by master musicians. A great morning listen."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1