Search - The Modern Jazz Quartet :: European Concert

A Wonderful Concert, but an Edited Version of the Album

P. Kauber | 03/09/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the most treasured recordings of the Modern Jazz Quartet. A live album that serves as an introduction to MJQ like no other collection could. However, this is not the complete album. Label M had edited out the introductions to the pieces by MJQ's leader John Lewis. Without the introductions the album loses a lot of its appeal. The introductions frame each song beautifully and provides a lot of intimacy to what could otherwise be a concert in an anonymous hall.Nowhere in the liner notes to this CD is there any mention that the CD is edited. Label M should have warned potential listeners or noted it in its liner notes. Or better yet it should have relased it on 2 CD's."

Nothing but the best from the MJQ.

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 02/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in 1960 during a stop in Scandanavia, this long out of print classic makes a triumphant return. This classic quartet featured the line up of John Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraharp, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums that toured the world for 40 years. One of the definative MJQ albums, "European Concert" is a showcase for the style of jazz that made the quartet one of the most successfull and popular jazz groups of all time. The lead track, the John Lewis standard "Django", is a perfect example of their accessable laidback swing, Milt Jackson plays the sensitive intro and kicks it up for a masterful solo punctuated by his confident, shimmering vibraharp tone which glides seamlessly over the rock solid support of a rhythm section as tight as a lead pipe sinch. This cd is packed with memorable highlights with some of the best being a tender, bluesey take on "I Should Care", the MJQ standard "Bag's Groove", and a lovely version of "I Remember Clifford". This is a perfect introduction to the easy swing of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and a must have for long time fans who have waited too many years for it to resurface."

Excellent music, flawed release

P. Kauber | Greensboro, NC | 04/07/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In my estimation, this music represents the MJQ at its best. I have waited years for the original to be re-released in CD format. Unfortunately, it appears that the "master" from which the CD is produced is flawed. I have played two copies, and the same flaw was found in both. There is a "skip" in the "Pyramid" track; in fact, it sounds as if the "master" was made from a vinyl recording, and that the needle jumped a groove, unbeknownst to the engineer."