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Product Description
Review
There's a kind of magic about Kenny Wheeler, both his playing and his composition. Everything he invents, even the most abstract musical shape, turns out to be melodic. He is surrounded here by 20 of Britain's finest jazz players from several generations, and everything they play comes out sounding like a bit of Kenny. He's a great trumpet player, but here he sticks to the mellow, soft-voiced flugelhorn, sidling in and stealing the show every time. His orchestration is gorgeous, too, with the remarkable, wordless voice of Diana Torto prominent. The squad of excellent soloists includes saxophonist Ray Warleigh, trombonist Mark Nightingale and pianist John Taylor. FOUR STARS --The Observer
Kenny Wheeler, the expat Canadian trumpeter and jazz composer, was 82 last week but this big band session featuring new themes and plenty of flugelhorn improvising, was recorded only a few months ago. Wheeler still practises four hours a day and writes for another four. The pieces here glow with his inimitably bittersweet harmonies and build melodic fragments that sound like snatches of wistful songs into richly layered, choirlike effects. They sound as fresh as if he'd just discovered his muse. Wheeler's flugelhorn-playing has its wobbly moments, but his upper-register sound still soars and glides. It's complemented by trenchant playing from a classy band that includes alto-saxist Ray Warleigh, trombonist Barnaby Dickinson and pianist John Taylor, with Italian vocalist Diana Torto functioning as an extra saxophone, soloing dazzlingly on Enowena. Comba N3, with its pensive flugelhorn and delicate alto-sax passages, and the lovely Old Ballad (a Wheeler staple) are among the highlights of another essential item for followers of Britain's most reluctant jazz hero. FOUR STARS --The Guardian
[Wheeler's] ear is as attuned to the beauty of melancholy as it ever was. His bittersweet harmonies remain so distinctive that even soloists as strong as pianist John Taylor and saxophonist Stan Sulzman can t escape their wistful embrace. And Wheeler s trademark flugelhorn (he solos on every tune) is as agile and as touching as ever. The Long Waiting was worth every minute. --CORMAC LARKIN, Irish Times, 17 February 2012
Kenny Wheeler, the expat Canadian trumpeter and jazz composer, was 82 last week but this big band session featuring new themes and plenty of flugelhorn improvising, was recorded only a few months ago. Wheeler still practises four hours a day and writes for another four. The pieces here glow with his inimitably bittersweet harmonies and build melodic fragments that sound like snatches of wistful songs into richly layered, choirlike effects. They sound as fresh as if he'd just discovered his muse. Wheeler's flugelhorn-playing has its wobbly moments, but his upper-register sound still soars and glides. It's complemented by trenchant playing from a classy band that includes alto-saxist Ray Warleigh, trombonist Barnaby Dickinson and pianist John Taylor, with Italian vocalist Diana Torto functioning as an extra saxophone, soloing dazzlingly on Enowena. Comba N3, with its pensive flugelhorn and delicate alto-sax passages, and the lovely Old Ballad (a Wheeler staple) are among the highlights of another essential item for followers of Britain's most reluctant jazz hero. FOUR STARS --The Guardian
[Wheeler's] ear is as attuned to the beauty of melancholy as it ever was. His bittersweet harmonies remain so distinctive that even soloists as strong as pianist John Taylor and saxophonist Stan Sulzman can t escape their wistful embrace. And Wheeler s trademark flugelhorn (he solos on every tune) is as agile and as touching as ever. The Long Waiting was worth every minute. --CORMAC LARKIN, Irish Times, 17 February 2012
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are a fan of Kenny Wheeler's uniquely melodious, slightly melancholic but upliftingly satisfying compositions then this recording is a must. Such is the stature and reputation of the man that he attracts a stellar cast of faithful, top-notch players for this Big Band and they deliver Big Time. Wonderful arrangements, perfectly judged instrumental contributions and fabulous Winstonesque vocals from Diana Torto that blend into and create a listening experience that, by the end, you just want to play again and again. As he gets older and physically frailer, Kenny's music just gets better and better. Thoroughly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What an album this is! Diana Torto's voice soaring over Kenny Wheeler's intriguing and wistful music. Flawless ensemble playing and some great soloing - not surprising given the stellar line-up. Beautifully recorded and engineered.
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