Search - Stanley Jordan :: Stolen Moments

Somethin Else

Russell Diederich | Littleton, CO United States | 06/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like jazz and/or guitar you will love Stanley Jordan. He is one of the most unique players out there. Playing nearly everything in touch-tap technique and sometimes playing as many as three guitars at once. You can hear Jordan playing both the rhythm and the melody at the same time. His speed and precision are amazing. Stolen Moments is recorded live at the Blue Not in Tokyo in 1990. He opens with a cover of the Led Zeppelin classic, "Stairway to Heaven". This instrumental version provides a new twist, which brings life into a very overplayed song. He follows with a very moving rendition of Coltrane's "Impressions". A very fast tempo piece in which each of the band mates gets to take a chance in the spotlight with a solo. The only original score of his that appears on this album is "Return Expedition" which explores an opportunity for each member to solo, and they do for more than four minutes each. He ends this flawless album with his version of "Over the Rainbow." It's all great music from beginning to end.Giants Kenwood Dennard on drums and Charnett Moffett on acoustic bass (he only picks up an electric bass for "Lady In My Life") complete this very small, very tight band. This album has more of a jazz feeling than some of his other studio albums. Like so many talented artists, when Jordan takes to the stage he turns it up. His studio albums are great, but this is somethin' else. If you're a Bruce Willis fan, you can catch a glimpse of Jordan in Blake Edwards' 1987 movie "Bind Date" with Kim Basinger."

The Prodigy Returns

Todd and In Charge | Miami, FL | 01/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stanley Jordan has been treated pretty roughly by the critics over the years. After breaking out in 1982 with virtousic performances on the streets of New York (and a highly unusual guitar technique), Jordan was feted by the New York jazz critics and educated elite, and his records and reviews soared as he signed onto Blue Note and embarked on a tremendous career.



Then something happened along the way. The critics found his extraordinary sound "boring," his material "lightweight," he was dropped by Blue Note, couldn't get any of his new records reviewed, and the critics and public lost interest. He is now rarely mentioned when jazz guitarists are discussed, and his records now come out on small, indie labels to little fanfare and no media or critical attention.



What happened? I don't know -- he sounds as great as he did when he was the toast of New York in the early 80s, except his sound has deepened and broadened. Take this mid-career 1990 set, recorded live in Japan in a crack trio setting. Jordan gives a Michael Jordan-like display of dizzying guitar wizardry, opening up and swallowing whole the rock warhorse "Stairway to Heaven" in the opening number. That's just the start -- he then unpacks Coltrane's "Impressions," reinvents "Autumn Leaves," funkifies "Lady in My Life," and, as you gasp for breath from the commanding control of their sound this trio has -- he comes onstage for the closer: a solo, heartbreaking version of "Over the Rainbow."



Anyone listening to this recently would have to agree the dude deserves a second look. An impressive set."

Stanley Jordan -- I'm impressed!!

Todd and In Charge | 08/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Stanley Jordan in concert recently and couldn't wait to get his CD! Stolen Moments had some of my favorites tunes which he performed, and its so great! If you love to mellow out with his incredible guitar playing, you've got to get this!!!!"