"McPartland & Pickens glitter...are hot together!"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 07/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We all know the distinctive style of Marian McPartland...unmistakable...but let's look at Willie Pickens...plays up a storm on the piano, never stops when it comes to pleasing the audience...Marian and Willie are completely spell-binding on every track...but the stand out ~ "JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS", a Cole Porter tune...the two musicians burn up the keyboard with over a seven minute performance...can only be described as the epitome of two classic jazz-people enjoying what they do best...perform on the piano...so do yourself a favor...pick this one up...spin it, sit back and groove to the best live jazz concert you'll ever witness.You might try other albums by Marian Partland on Concord Jazz, all worthy of a good listen ~ "The Single Petal Of A Rose" (CCD-4895-2)..."Reprise" (CCD-4853-2)...Plays The Benny Carter Songbook" (CCD-4412)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.Total Time: 59:02 on 9 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz CCD-4968-2 ~ (2001)"
Communion of two distinct, and fine-aged, spirits
Phillip F. Wroblewski | Escondido, CA United States | 07/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some say that all creativity and inspiration is a communion with God. The precision of science displays how God thinks; while artistic effort hints at the emotional side of God. What we are suposed to do with this gift is, in part, portrayed in the music on this album. Truth and beauty alternately flow and surge from the shared minds of McPartland and Pickens. The two of them are simply dazzling with each other--picking up each other's ideas, examining them, elaborating on them, merging them in a "wall" of sound and then softly winding down and disengaging in quiet reflection. The essence of jazz is musical conversation----spontaneous and disciplined conversation. There are no distractions in this dialogue--just the stark beauty of twin and solo acoustic pianos. This is a live concert and the audience is very enthusiastic. Clearly, there is a spiritual "electricity" connecting Pickens and McPartland, which got transmitted to the crowd. Their response is thunderous.Pickens and McPartland are from different jazz generations. He from Be-Bop and she from Swing. Even though their styles are well individuated from each other--they easily get "in each other's backyard" so to speak. These are old traditions; but the music on this disc is as fresh as the odor of a newborn infant. Though both musicians are "about as old as The Hills", neither one sounds "dated" in any way. This music, like most great art, is timeless.Their solo works are mini-masterpieces. Willie Pickens' versions of "Spring is Here" and "Paper Moon" are unique and I don't think I have ever heard "Spring" done more delicately and with such quiet intensity--it's a great, romantic, mini-concerto all it's own. I can't hear enough of McPartland's "Autumn Nocturne". It makes me go "Aaahhhhhh...." each time I hear it.I can only hope that they will do another one like this very soon."