CD-Charts Position 101
Average Rating:

Live at Birdland

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: John Coltrane

Release Date November 05, 1996
I have posted what I hope are at least thoughtful reviews of LIVE TRANE, the "COMPLETE" IMPULSE QUARTET recordings and the COMPLETE 1961 VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS...So let it not be said that I don't "understand" or appreciate Coltrane's genius.

But oh dear, goodness gracious, and, if I may add, heavens to Betsy. It seems I am the only one to rain on this particular parade, but (as I gingerly don my bulletproof vest) here goes...The three live Birdland performances, from which this album takes its name ("Afro-Blue," "I Want to Talk About You" and "The Promise," recorded October 8, 1963) ARE truly great. But...But, they are rendered excruxiating by the out-of-tune piano which McCoy Tyner is condemned to play.

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CD-Charts Position 102
Average Rating:

The Paul Desmond Quartet Live

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Paul Desmond Quartet

Release Date November 21, 2000
Paul Desmond at the peak of his powers, despite suffering from the lung cancer that would take him from us not long after this gig.

I remember reading an account of Desmond asking Jim Hall to recommend musicians to work with in Canada. Hall reportedly advised "don't use piano. Ask for a guitar player named Ed Bickert."

"He's good?" Desmond asked.

"He's the only cat that scares me when I walk into the room" Hall replied.

Bickert pulls some amazing chords out of his axe, and is clearly listening to and communicating with the other players; and they with him. Desmond's work here is riveting - among the best ever documented. Jerry Fuller is not given a great deal of opportunity to stretch out, but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 103
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Jazz: Red, Hot and Cool

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Dave Brubeck

Release Date April 10, 2001
Dave Brubeck's cool piano, Joe Morello's rythms, and Paul Desmond's floating altosax never sounded better.

CD-Charts Position 104
Average Rating:

In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk, Complete

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Miles Davis

Release Date June 03, 2003
Some of these recordings are available elsewhere...but they are incomplete ! This is the COMPLETE Friday and Saturday night excursions into jazz nirvana Miles put down so many years ago. Having listened to the scratchy , edited vinyl releases of these for years , it was GREAT to have these released in 2003.

CD-Charts Position 105
Average Rating:

La Scala

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Keith Jarrett

Release Date January 25, 2000
Ok, shoot me---Koln Concert isn't my favorite solo concert. To me, this just shoots Koln in the foot! Why?

Koln Concert is a masterpiece, full of development and extreme detail to development. However, La Scala is romance in his language. To me, the first 7 minutes musically define love--and God, "....for God is Love (Christian theology)". IMHO, this is the best music to make, hands down!

However, this was recorded right before he got sick; not very easy to find and many do not know about it. Sad--this is what started me listening to Keith Jarrett.

Overall, this is awesome. Just listen--and open yourself. Take it in completely--as a Wagner or Verdi Opera. It will probably break your emotions--let it. At that point, you ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 106
Average Rating:

Jazz at Massey Hall

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Quintet, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Max Roach

Release Date July 01, 1991
This concert has the makings of something quite magical. Five of the best bebop musicians ever taking to the same stage. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to it's potential. Apparently Bird, Diz, and Powell were all drunk...with Bird being the worst offender. And Diz kept leaving the stage to go watch a big heavyweight boxing match that was being broadcast. Bird also forgot to bring his sax so he was playing a cheap alto borrowed from a local music store. Bud was on leave from a mental institution and required supervision, so he wasn't exactly at his best to start with. Moreover, Bird and Diz left the stage for more than half the concert leving just a trio performing. Max was impeccables that night, however, playing an amazing set with some powerful solos. Mingus ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 107
Average Rating:

Showtime at the Spotlite, 52nd Street, New York City, June 1946

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Dizzy Gillespie

Release Date June 17, 2008
(From a broader feature, copyright 2008 Michael F. Hopkins)

Whether your taste is for delightfully joyful Music, scorching Jazz seriously sending you soaring into high flight, or an invaluable testimony of African American culture at its deepest, gather here.
One of the most potent editions of Dizzy Gillespie's Orchestra is captured in a breathtaking 2-CD set, presenting the band live from
1946 at 52nd Street's Spotlite Club. The set unveils a pair of
concerts recorded by acclaimed aficionado Jerry Newman, and digitally transferred over 60 years later by Ted Kendall (same pair who brought 1945's epic Town Hall concert by Gillespie and Charlie Parker to CD
a few years ago), released through Uptown Records.

Those who know Gillespie only through ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 108
Average Rating:

One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: John Coltrane

Release Date October 11, 2005
This music was previously available on unauthorized releases. It is such an incredible set that over the years it has been held up as an example of excellence in ensemble playing in jazz studies in music departments all over the country. As if that wasn't praise enough (actions speak louder than words), I'm going to add my paltry 2 cents worth on what an incredible find these recordings are and how much, as a semi-pro jazz musician, I enjoy them.

I'm listening to Song of Praise from this set as I type this. First of all, it's just amazing to me that it took about 40 years after Trane's passing to get this out to the public in non-bootleg form. I have an EXTENSIVE Coltrane library that runs from his early days with Miles' quintet in the mid 50's up until the Live In Japan 4 CD set. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 109
Average Rating:

ECM Touchstones: Trio Music, Live In Europe

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Chick Corea w, Miroslav Vitous & Roy Haynes

Release Date August 26, 2008
This music was previously available on unauthorized releases. It is such an incredible set that over the years it has been held up as an example of excellence in ensemble playing in jazz studies in music departments all over the country. As if that wasn't praise enough (actions speak louder than words), I'm going to add my paltry 2 cents worth on what an incredible find these recordings are and how much, as a semi-pro jazz musician, I enjoy them.

I'm listening to Song of Praise from this set as I type this. First of all, it's just amazing to me that it took about 40 years after Trane's passing to get this out to the public in non-bootleg form. I have an EXTENSIVE Coltrane library that runs from his early days with Miles' quintet in the mid 50's up until the Live In Japan 4 CD set. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 110
Average Rating:

Paris Concert

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Keith Jarrett

Release Date February 29, 2000
there are few people on earth who can do something like this and keith is one of them . what a brilliant monster . i won't even grope for the adjectives to describe how magnificent this is (those around me already have) . their right . BUY THIS CONCERT and leave the chrysalis behind .