Great music despite sub-par recording quality
M. Perini | 09/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Joe Lovano's latest cd, recorded live at the Village Vanguard has been receiving a lot of press, some of which has to do with the recording quality. Well, let me say that the music on this disc is 5 stars all the way. Great songs, arrangements, and solos. Joe's nonet is a superb band, and if you like Joe Lovano, or "little big bands", get this cd. The sonic quality is not great, yet it is not horrible either. I'd say its different. It sounds a bit like some bootlegs that are recorded in the audience, but only a bit. The sound quality is not as good as most recordings from the Vanguard, includings Joe's previous recordings there. But if you are a fan of Joe Lovano and small big band recordings, I'm pretty sure you will like this cd, and will consider it money well spent."
Beautiful sound!!!!
Ahamefule J. Oluo | 06/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I know that I am in the minority but I think this is a beautiful sounding album. There is definitely a place for the "I can hear each and every breath" pristine ECM style recording process but that is not what you actually hear when you see a group live. It sounds to me like the engineer(s) were trying to capture this moment as it actually was, unfiltered and unfooled around with. It is just my opinion but I feel they succeeded masterfully and I wish more records were recorded in this manner."