Search - Eddie Daniels :: Homecoming: Eddie Daniels Live at the Iridium

Still on top of his game

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 11/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie Daniels has been recording as a solo artist for four decades and still manages to turn out an album like this one that makes his fans ask, "Could this be his best ever?" I've been listening to Eddie's recordings for a long time and own 16 of his albums, and I'd put this one near the top.

Among the things that make this album stand out: it's a two-disc set, it's a live performance (recorded in October 2006), and it's a quintet that includes vibes. Eddie's concept was for an updated Modern Jazz Quartet plus clarinet, and the combination works beautifully. Actually, there's plenty of tenor sax too - five of the twelve tracks.

There are a couple of tunes we've heard before from Eddie: "Falling in Love with Love" was on his debut album "First Prize" and on his "Real Time" CD, and his own composition "Love's Long Journey" was also on "First Prize." But there's plenty of new material and all of it sounds fresh. You'll find sultry ballads that will be great additions to your romantic evening playlist, such as "Not Alone," "Love's Long Journey," "Warm Valley," and "Prism," as well as high-adrenaline pieces like "Falling in Love with Love," "That's for Afta," and "Night and Day." That last selection may seem out of place since it's usually performed as a ballad or in a light Latin style. When I listened to this up-tempo version of "Night and Day," I was surprised that it sounded more like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." This was intentional: according to the liner notes, the chord progression was changed to emulate Trane's classic tune.

The clarity and balance of the CD are studio quality and will make you forget this was recorded at a live performance. In addition to the twelve tracks mentioned earlier, there are three bonus tracks on the second disc. These are labeled Radio Edits and are shortened versions of three of the primary tracks, reduced to lengths that may be more acceptable for radio play. (For example, the 14.5-minute "Django" is cut back to less than half that length.) Most listeners probably will prefer the full-length tracks, unless the shorter ones help them fit more tunes onto a limited-capacity music player.

Overall, this is a great showcase for Eddie on both clarinet and tenor, but let's not forget the seasoned professionals in the rest of the quintet who make it sound easy: Tom Ranier on piano, Dave Finck on bass, Joe LaBarbera on drums, and a special nod to Joe Locke, whose outstanding vibes playing (for example, check out "Under the Wire" and "Deja Vu MJQ") gives a special character to this session."

Nothing but the best from Eddie Daniels

Brian Clements | Philadelphia, PA United States | 03/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a relatively new fan of Eddie Daniels. Being a music student in college, this CD has brought an incredible amount of musical enjoyment as well as musical material for study. As a woodwind player myself, it has everything I could ask for; it has burners on both clarinet AND tenor sax, plus some gorgeous ballad playing on both horns. For a newcomer to his music, this is must get and possibly one of his best to get.

I can only tell it's a live recording when I hear the audience applause. It's that good of quality. And the playing from the entire band is incredible the whole way through. This is me tipping you over the fence...go ahead and add it to your cart."

A Solid Set of Tasty Jazz

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 07/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie Daniels is a talented and versatile musician who has recorded both jazz and classical music. Homecoming is a jazz recording featuring Daniels on both tenor sax and clarinet backed by Joe Locke on vibes, Tom Ranier on piano, Dave Finck on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. With a 2-CD program that includes both standards and originals, ballads and up-tempo romps, Daniels and his bandmates provide as solid set of tasty jazz that should appeal to a broad spectrum of jazz fans.



Especially enjoyable is the interplay between Daniels on clarinet and Locke on vibes on several of the cuts, such as "Under the Wire," where they really get into trading off with each other. Another highlight is the band's take on John Lewis's classic "Django," which provides more than 14 minutes of musical pleasure. With good sound and informative liner notes to boot, this is a first-class production all the way, well worth seeking out."