Search - Michel Petrucciani :: Marvellous

A different Petrucciani recording - with string quartet

C. Hensing | Valby, Denmark | 07/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a special recording from Michel Petrucciani: Besides MP at the piano it features Tony Williams/drums, Dave Holland/bass - and a string quartet (not heard before og later on a Petrucciani record). Lets take the good news first: Petrucciani plays well - with both feeling on the slower tracks (fx. Hidden Joy, Besame Mucho and You Are My Waltz) and rhytmic energy on the faster ones (fx. Shooting Stars and Dumb Breaks). The rhytm section also does their stuff very nice. On the darker side, I must admit its hard to see/hear what the strings really add to the overall quality of the music. The string-arrangments (except on Besame Mucho) sounds somewhat "pasted on" the tunes - and I keep catching my self thinking: "This maybe was a better record without the string quartet...". Petrucciani himself sounds like he's in the romantic-and-blue corner - which is not necessarily bad, but his playing is not as optimistic and encouraging as on his best records (Theatre de Champs Elysee, Solo Live, Pianism, Conférence de Press vol 1 - and others). If you're unfamiliar with Michel Petrucciani, this record is not the best place to start. If you (like me) has already fallen for this small person and large musical personality you'll probably buy it anyway !"

A brilliant masterpiece

D. Carbone | Arlington, VA United States | 03/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brilliant in every way! The compositions are unique and beautiful, and combine together in a unified way, like separate movements in one piece. The string quartet is used sparingly and adds color here and there, like a painting. And the great drummer Tony Williams adds so much. He studied classical composition, and he has a special communication with Mr Petrucciani. I have 35 cds featuring Tony Williams , and this is some of his best playing . The fast numbers drive like none other, and the slow ones are poetic. This is a masterpiece."

Another Fine Album From Petrucciani!

J. Rich | 12/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Mavellous" released in 1994 on Dreyfus Records is, in my opinion anyway, one of my favorite Petrucciani albums next to "Michel Plays Petrucciani" and his self-titled album. All of his albums are worth checking out, but if you like jazz piano, which obviously you do because you're looking at a Petrucciani album, then you will want to get this album as soon as possible.



The musicians on this album are all fantastic! I mean how can you go wrong with Dave Holland and Tony Williams backing you up? They are just two of the most amazing musicians to arise in jazz in the last 40 years. Joining Michel besides this stellar rhythm section is a string quartet called the Graffiti String Quartet who do a fine job of accompanying Michel and his trio. What a fine album this is. Every song is just bursting with emotion and deep feeling. The music as with anything truly speaks for itself.



I highly recommend this album for fans or potential fans of Petrucciani's music. Don't listen to this review who gave this album 3-stars, he doesn't know what he's talking about."