Search - Jon Lord :: Sarabande

Master craftsman at his best

Gary Ark | Winchester, MA United States | 11/24/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been Purple fan since its Concherto album and Jon has always been my favorite group's member. This album is Jon's masterpeice as a craftsmen musician. I alwayas felt that Jon has had difficulties coming up his own original material but has been unsurpassed in developing whatever material he's got to work with. I'm convinced that it is his collaboration with Ritchie Blackmore, who had no problems coming up with catchy riffs but neither skills nor patience to develop them into memorable compositions, created the phenom of Deep Purple. What makes Sarabande so good is that its "core tunes" are very reminisent of some popular tunes. For example, you cannot help thinking of "Take five" by Dave Brubeck when listening to Jon's Sarabande, or "Love theme from ..." when listening to Aria, to name a few. I gave it three stars for the reason to be objective to its real musical value, although in my book it's a five star album. If you are a hard rock fan who likes classic music, jazz or any noise that can touch your soul, this album is a must. Enjoy."

Purple Passages, indeed.

David West | Hebron, KY, United States | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found Deep Purple in 1974 at the Lewisham Odeon in London. It was a moment that changed my musical outlook. I saw Jon Lord with Tony Ashton doing the big band thing and when "Windows" came out I readily snapped it up. 30+ years later, it still confuses me.

When "Sarabande" came out, it fair knocked me over. This is a brilliantly realised interpretation of a baroque dance suite, from the genteel "Aria" to the almost dervish-like "Gigue."

For me, everything about this album is understated and that is its strength. It is simple; it is accessible and you don't have to know a darned thing about baroque. It jazzes, it swings, it rocks. It is as far removed from Purple as day is from night and I still listen to it with the same awe and wonder as I did then.

Jon Lord has said that it is his best work. Or he hasn't, depending on what you read. I also keep seeing the word "masterpiece" in other reviews. I can speak for neither of these but I will say that "Sarabande" is among the greatest albums I have. It is a work that reaches true heights; it is a work that endures and I think that that's because, freed from the distractions of Deep Purple, he got it right this time.

"Sarabande" is impeccable.

Oh, and for you music lovers, somewhere around 1977 I saw the "Sarabande" gig at the Albert Hall, complete with deliberate bum notes and Pete York sight-reading a drum solo, supporting David Bedford's "The Odyssey" which featured a very shy and reclusive musical genius by the name of Mike Oldfield on guitar."

A feast for the ears

Scheherizade | 03/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have had this album, yes the hard vynl thing, since 1981. Now we can get these great works of art right on our pcs. My favorite as always been Bouree. I think this is one of the neatest pieces ever written. I love the images it invokes. Strap those head phones on and be transported into the romance of dancers in veils and moonlit desert nights."