Search - Roy Meriwether :: Opening Night

The cure for the Summertime blues

Stephen D. Estep | Strongbadia | 01/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge fan of Roy Meriwether (other than Jesus Christ, Superstar). It's so sad that his early work for Capitol and Columbia in the 60's hasn't been reissued. I just picked up the vinyl copy of Opening Night, Volume 1, which includes the first five tracks that are on the CD. Oh my God. Buy it. This was first issued in '87 on Gemini, and it's amazing to hear that, though the gospel influence has not as much in the foreground, his playing is still as compelling. The way he shreds the piano on Summertime is simply unbelievable and incomparable. Then, as the other reviewer mentioned, he literally does whip the crowd into a frenzy with After Hours. Mad props to a Miami Valley boy and one of the greatest musicians I've ever heard."

Worth It For "After Hours" Alone

Jazzfan | 02/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When this recoding, whose current release differs a bit from its orginal form, was intially issued, it caused a stir on some jazz stations for the cut "After Hours." Done live, this lengthy number shows Merriweather's ability to exite a crowd. He literally whips them into a frenzy. It's a medium tempo piece, but Merriweather's driving style in delivering make it a must-hear."