Search - Lisa Hilton :: Jazz After Hours

From MainlyPiano.com

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 09/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Jazz After Hours" is an ensemble recording featuring Lisa Hilton on piano, Eric Marienthal on sax, Tal Bergman on drums, and Reggie McBride on bass. Of the eleven tracks, seven are originals and four are arrangements of jazz classics. I have to admit that I prefer Hilton's solo piano work, but this is a really nice selection of pieces that place an emphasis on fun. "Malibu" has been receiving extensive airplay in the US and abroad, and recently reached the #1 position on the Top 20 SIngles World Jazz Chart. On most of the tracks, the piano is part of the ensemble rather than the lead, but the band is excellent and Eric Marienthal really cooks on sax.



"Malibu" is an upbeat and joyous tribute to Hilton's seaside hometown. Known for its carefree surfers and sunny beaches, this piece captures that kind of party spirit. Bill Evans' "Waltz For Debby" is a beautiful trio for piano, bass, and drums - soulful and sensuous, and a great arrangement. "Nocturne" was inspired by Chopin and is a standout. Cool, dark, and slinky, it does indeed sound like the middle of the night. "All That" is another favorite, and sounds like a blast to play. Hilton and Marienthal pull out the stops and really let loose. Duke Ellington's "Azure" is again piano, bass, and drums, and is leisurely and "bluesy." "When We Met" is the only solo piano piece, and I love it. Composed in the style of a standard, it is both old and new, and has a beautiful, romantic feeling. "Listen to Your Heart" closes the CD on a gentle, intimate note.



"Jazz After Hours" is a great album for relaxing and reenergizing, a backdrop for an intimate dinner, or even good party music."

Ummmm....

Darryl Collins | Melbourne - Australia | 10/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I usually leave good reviews... that is mainly because if I am going to purchase an item off Amazon, I usually know that I already like it.



I purchased this CD based on the strength of one track, "Just Do It". Which I really liked and thought showed a lot of potential for the rest of the Album.



Sadly, this time it did not really pay off for me. Now don't get me wrong, Lisa Hilton has more talent in her little finger than I have in an entire body. The woman can play music fine, but I have been listening to the likes of Pink Martini, Paris Combo, 17 Hippies, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz and Orchestra Harlow.



Compared to that, well, my first thought was, "this CD sounds like music you hear in a bar for divorce's on a Saturday night". It was better than 'elevator music' but not by a lot.. For this CD really does lack a certain magic. There was no "wow" factor.



Of course, music is such a personal thing, so please listen to all the tracks and you make up your own mind. I am not a music expert so my opinion is just that, an opinion for me. I can say that this CD fell short of what I was hoping for and I don't play it much at all. :-/

"

Lisa Does It Again!!

smoothjazzandmore | Clay, NY USA | 06/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Her latest album contains the same formula as her last release. Assisted by veteran Saxophonist Eric Marienthal, she continues her venture of providing great, classic Jazz. "Malibu" starts the CD off right with an assist from Bassist Reggie McBride and Drummer Tal Bergman. Her covers of the Miles Davis classic, "All Blues" and Duke Ellington's, "Azure" gives fans of 50's & 60's Jazz something to appreciate. My personal favorites were "Listen to Your Heart" and "All That". The old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies to this CD. Lisa definitely sticks to the same old routine and she scores another winner!"