Search - Marian Mcpartland :: Music of Alec Wilder

Her best of the 1970s

02/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably the only full-length exploration of Wilder's music on record, and Marian does it justice. "Jazz Waltz for a Friend" was written by Alec Wilder for McPartland due to their long friendship, and Marian continues to play his material often in her performances. Other memorable tunes include a bouncy version of "I'll Be Around" (compare this to a much more pensive version that concludes "Live at Maybeck" nearly 20 years later), "Where Are the Good Companions?" and "It's So Peaceful in the Country." The sound is a bit dim, but it's a fine disk nevertheless and was originally recorded for Marian's own Halcyon label."

Here are the Good Companions

N P MERRILL | Mpls MN | 12/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""How blue the skies, Oh, sweet surprise" as Marian McPartland sails into the Wilder blue yonder. Sparkling, evanescent luminosities. Brilliant renditions of some of Alec Wilder's best tunes."