Search - Bob James :: Rameau

Tres Grand!

James R. Prater | Cleveland Tn. | 11/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob James' first classical release is a true gem in every sense! It started as a Christmas present for family and friends, but soon expanded into its present form. The charming "Fanfarinette" starts us off. Rameau's most popular keyboard work, "Gavotte with 6 Doubles", is given an intense treatment here. Two contrasting Minuets follow. "La Livri" is given a slightly faster rendering than usual. "L'Arlequinade" is elegant and graceful. "La Timide" are two rondos pieced as one. "L'indescreet, another rondo with it's theme in thirds, ends the first half. The harmonically challenging "La Chasse" starts the second half. "La Nais de Solongne" feature Bob at the acoustic piano along with the synths. "La Soupirs" is as a gentle breeze. "Air Pour L'Esclaves Africans" is a broody piece. "Les Triolets" is soft and quiet. We close with two contrasting tambourins, the first given rubatos and accelerandos throughout. Bob uses synth percussion to great effect here. I would also recommend that the listener find Bob's 1988 recording, THE SCARLATTI DIALOGUES."

A "Switched-On" gem!

James R. Prater | 02/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There was a time when I first saw this CD in a store. While I looked on back for the listing of the pieces, I read the print on the bottom that mentioned what kinds of instruments did Bob James played. One of them was the Mini-Moog. It also mentioned "Oberheim," "Roland," and "Yamaha." These names made me think they're synthesizers. I suspected this must be inspired by Wendy Carlos' interpretation of Bach. However, I didn't want to waste my money on a full priced CD. I wanted to get it on sale.Well, one day I was at a flea market looking through CDs. In that box of compact discs was THAT particular one. I got that for about $10! When I first listened to the CD back home, it was very much what I expected. I'm not a jazz fan and I don't have to be. This particular one that Bob James did is not jazz but classical (very much like the way Wendy Carlos did on "Switched-On Bach"). The only non-synthesized instrument I heard is the piano. It blended in very well with the synthesizers. Did you know that Bob James' "Rameau" and Wendy Carlos' Switched-On albums were originally issued by CBS Masterworks? There's something in common besides performing on synthesizers.Years later (sometime after Y2K), I wonder if amazon.com would list that particular CD. What a discovery! It is listed! But, as you may notice, it's out-of-print and it could be hard to get. In case you wanna know, I still have that CD in mint condition. I'm telling you out there reading this review, if you like the "Switched-On" albums by Wendy Carlos, you may wanna look for this out-of-print CD of Rameau's music. I think this shoud be back in print. Oh yes, also look for "The Scarlatti Dialogues!""