Search - Phineas Newborn :: Great Jazz Piano of Phineas

Jazz piano as it should be played ! PERIOD !

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 08/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boppin' and burnin' !! Tons of fun and deepness in Phineas's music !! Probably one of the five most talented piano player in the whole history of jazz, Phineas was simply a marvel with the ivories. I can't understand people's complaining about excess of technique in Phineas music. What's the point? For this people a pianist or a jazz musician should play only at medium or slow tempos or only play simple to be taken seriously. What's the point? I think it is a lack of understanding of the real beauty of music. For me it is never a matter of speed or of simple things against complex things .. it is always a matter of beauty! And Phineas knew the meaning of the word for sure. Moreover bebop language is a complex idiom, think of Charlie Parker, Dizzie Gillespie .. did they play slow? Did they play simple ? Of course not !! Were them little musicians? Obviously not, they were simply the greatest Jazz players of all time .. so what? What's wrong with Phineas need for speed? He always delivers a great music experience. He touch me in the deepest just when he play at the highest speed. Playing fast and RIGHT saying things is a something few players can do. But Phineas can play spectacular and emotionally deep slow solos too. Listen how he played on "Prelude to a kiss" for example .. of course there are some doublings here and there but Bird would do them too ... man Phineas plays magnificiently with octaves, block chords, I mean, he was incredible.

This album is a wonderful bebop album. I treasure every album Phineas did. He was a master and he will always be one of my all time favourite musician. And I am a Jazz guitarist not a pianist. Enough said."

Phineas cuts Oscar, Tatum, and even Bud Powell.

twinky@start.com.au | 03/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"He is a monster. At first, I was just thrilled by Oscar Peterson's playing (and I still am) but then I heard Phineas Newborn Jr. You can even hear in his playing some things that Oscar has borrowed from him. Listen to Phineas for some of the greatest work in parallel lines. From start to finish, you will need to wear a seat belt for this cd. He is great!!!!!"

This CD reissue is the great Phineas Newborn Jr at his best

twinky@start.com.au | Canberra, Australia | 01/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1961/62 date is extraordinary form start to finish. Phineas experiments with several tempos and styles throughout this recording and each one shines in its own respect. Highlights include "This Here" and a version of Monk's "Well, You Needn't". The only faultering moments appear in "Celia" and Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" but these faults are very minor. If you like jazz piano then this album is quite simply a must buy."