Search - Claude Bolling :: CBS Masterworks Dinner Classics: A Cocktail Party

Bolling holds a swinging party & I won't leave

Dr. Alan D. Kardoff | Palm Bay, FL USA | 04/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had this CD around and was going to put it up for sale via Amazon Marketplace. I listen to other Bolling CDs. But, somehow I had "missed" the jivvy jazz in this recording.As the sounds of "Baroque and Blue," 5:15, Track 1 started playing, the thoughts of selling the CD disappeared.Bolling plays the piano superbly and Maurice Andre's trumpet radiates pure jazz notes. This is a clasical jazz CD. The 12 tracks tie together like movements of a symphony and there is a bewitching common theme, best heard in track 7 "Mystique." After Andre and Bolling swing in #7, track 8 "Canon," emerges with Jean Pierre Rampal's flute, golden. Guy Pedersen's string bass is crisp and Daniel Humair plays the drums with unhearlded pizzaz. And, how can one overlook the strumming of guitarist Alexandre Lagoya?This is one of the best jazz or instrumental CDs I have ever heard. I normally listen while writing and use the sounds as background music. Lagoya's contribution to #9, Tendre, matching Rampal's clarity is mystical. So, I am enjoying each note and marveling at the classical synergy displayed.The cover notes cite "recipes from Martha Stewart's "Entertaining" and her other best-selling books on food and lifestyle." Sure enough, Martha has a menu: 1. Cocktails & Sparkling Water...the CD's sounds sparkle. 2. Crudites with Anchovy Mayonnaise, complete with the recipe. 3. Chicken on Skewers, also including what to use & how. 4. Prosciutto and Figs: Anyone can lay this dish out. 5. Cornmeal-Fried Oysters: The recipe is for 2 dozen.So, a person can buy this album (just) to get great recipes for dishes to accompany superb jazz. The recipes are simple to follow and delicious to read. One can buy the CD for the delightful cocktails that Bolling presents. But here "one = two." Or, to put this in other words "With two you get eggroll." The eggroll is the delightful dish one savors listening to the music while nibbling on the chicken & oysters. Magnifique!..."

Class Act

11/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Very entertaining, classy music that I can listen to anytime, best of all with friends and suitably classy nosh!"

Great Recordings with a twist

MusicRules | USA | 08/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is full of jazz in spite of the fact that I have associated most of the performers with classical music. This shows the diversity in their ability to perform a wide array of music that I never heard in the past from them.



If you like jazz without too much dissonance, this is a great CD to purchase. The interesting and awkward rhythms are the best parts of this CD.



You can have your own party just from listening to this music.

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