9 11 2002

The recordings on this LP were originally supposed to be released by the Mode label in the late '50s but the company went defunct before it could come out. Released for the first time by V.S.O.P. in 1986, these 16 selections (all recorded the same day) feature five different pianists (Carl Perkins, Jimmy Rowles, Paul Smith, Gerald Wiggins and Lou Levy) in fine form on three or four songs apiece. It is interesting to compare the players' similar but individual styles and to see how they adapt their bop-based approaches to the demands of playing solo.

Another album, another tour, another live album souvenir of the tour. Paul McCartney has essentially followed this pattern since his 1989 return to arenas for the supporting tour for Flowers in the Dirt, and each of the records is essentially the same: the big solo hits, some of the big Beatles songs, plus a few tunes from the latest solo album…

Edward the Great collects most of Iron Maiden's hits, including the punishing "Number of the Beast", the super-dramatic "Can I Play with Madness?" and their sole chart-topper "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter". Since their late-1970s rise as prime movers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden have unleashed a ferocious pack of hit singles and million-selling albums. Their recipe was simple: They took their lyrics from bloody world mythology and classic gothic literature and backed them with a soaring, bulldozing twin-guitar assault driven on by main man Steve Harris' relentless bass. It was an approach that would influence countless rock bands, from Metallica to a string of Scandinavian death-merchants.

Stunning limited edition box set by this great Swiss neo prog band. Box set includes all 4 studio CD's that are remastered with bonus tracks, booklet with biography and photos as well as an autographed certificate of authenticity. Hand-numbered edition of 1,000.
Many aspects feature in their beautiful music, mainly the outstanding voice of Aluisio Magini, which fits perfectly on top of a well structured instrumentation. Although this band continues the path signed by IQ or Pendragon, they do it in a more bombastic and powerful way, keeping the sense of melody and beauty at the same time. Listener won't find tons of originality, but this album guarantees an excellent hour, specially to neo-prog fans.

The first three cuts of CD 1 are the first traces of Cannonball in France. Today, they seem especially short to us. But the Adderley brothers were not the only ones playing on this Jazz at the Philharmonic tour organized by Norman Granz. Also on the trip : Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter, Don Byas, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Lalo Shifrin, J.J. Johnson. Sorry there is so little. The other five titles are from the April 15, 1961 concert.
Two changes in the rhythm section of this second Julian and Nat Adderley Quintet : Bobby Timmons is replaced by the English pianist-vibraphonist Victor Feldman (1934-1987) and, on one piece, the addition of then-unknown Ron Carter, which allows bass player Sam Jones (1924-1981) to show off on cello…