Search - Martial Solal, Dave Douglas :: Rue De Seine

Stunning !

R comme Ralingue | Bordeaux, France | 03/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Am I the first reviewer on Amazon.com to talk about this gem which came out on CamJazz records a few weeks ago ?... This is an outstanding duet between trumpetter Dave Douglas and pianist Martial Solal. Both don't need to be introduced. As for Douglas, listen to Masada quartets, John Zorn's group. As for Martial Solal, well Duke Ellington himself said that the French pianist was one of the most exciting pianist ever heard. A 50 year- carreer with a climax at the end of the 80's and early 90's... Solal has got a technique which will let you at a loss for words. I saw both men in different concerts. Hearing them both on this record is just amazing. The facilities, the technique, the way they play together, exchanging ideas, provoking each other is quite fun. There's improvisation, good sense of humour, jokes, pleasure, suspense and pleasure again. The record opens like a book with originals by Solal and Douglas and ends up with four standards. All I can say is that they tell stories in an amazing way. After 48 minutes, you remain flabbergasted. A true gem for 2006. Well done, fellows! and Thank u for this wonderful music !

PS : I listened to it twice four or five weeks ago. At first I was a bit upset. I said, it's just nice. But then, I decided to give a third listen tonight, and then a fourth. The magic had operated. I was in the right mood to listen to this one. I hope you'll enjoy it too. But don't let the first impression catch you. Give time."

Masterful

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 12/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dave Douglas and Martial Solal team up to play four standards, a few songs Douglas recently recorded with his quintet on "Meaning and Mystery", and three Martial Solal songs. The opener, "July Shower", is a jumpy Solal tune with some pinched-sounding trumpet. Douglas switches to a broader, warmer tone for "Blues to Steve Lacy". On it, he plays an absolutely killer solo, making this version much better than the "M & M" version. "34 Bars Blues" is a slightly slanted blues. The blues are what make this CD preferable to some of the other piano duo CD's released this year. Solal and Douglas play with soul on this CD. "For Suzannah," which isn't on "M & M", but is ironic because a) Douglas wrote it for his wife, and b) he doesn't play on it. "Fast Ballad" isn't fast. Douglas returns to the broad tone on "Elk's Club". The four standards finish the album, and as a group are weaker than the six originals. Dave Douglas is a contemporary trumpet great, he's played well in a variety of different settings, groups, and music styles. This CD shows he conquered another setting. Martial Solal is a French jazz master, meaning his work is a lot harder to get in the US. This is my first CD with Solal playing on it. This CD shows I should pick up whatever I can find him playing on. Excellent album.

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