Search - Mary Lou Williams :: My Mama Pinned a Rose on Me

Eternal blues

T. Bekken | Austmarka Norway | 02/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Mary Lou Williams' tribute to the blues as a musical form and idea. She writes in the liner notes that at one time in her career she was ashamed of the blues, and that she considered it too simple and and somewhat embarrassing. I suppose we just have to be very thankful indeed that she realized the true worth of the music, because this album is a total triumph over any kind of degradation of the blues as a musical and spiritual form. Williams plays the blues in every way - fast,slow,inside, outside,boogie woogie, stride, boppish - and even though she states that she's not a singer, she gets through a short vocal with flags flying... She is joined on several numbers by the outstanding bassist Buster Williams, and singer Cynthia Tyson contributes on one song. What makes this album such a standout in the jazz/blues realm is the way Williams uses the blues as an underlying inspiration in her approach to the entire stylistic scope of piano jazz; the way she is in total command of the music's history, and still manages to play music for the future. No small achievement.

I consider this album to be among the crown jewels of jazz. May it remain available to interested listeners forever."

Yes, Mary and pure blues, wonderful!

David Keymer | 05/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"note to note, Mary Low "writes" the tour over your blues story. With Cynthia Tyson singing the tracks 1 and 15 ( and Mary on the track 7),mary plays the piano how ever: perfect!... all the people knows that Mary is perhaps one of more great pianist in the XX century ( and composer). Here she is in the recording: superb!. Also the "work" over the double bass by Buster Williams put on over the piano's Mary the top. Please if you want listen a great album of blues, jazz...or MUSIC, buy the record!"

A TREASURE NOW LOST

David Keymer | Modesto CA | 06/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is apparently a composite of two sessions, one with Mary Lou Williams alone on piano (joined on the first cut and one other by singer Cynthia Tyson) and the other a duet session, with consummate bassist Buster Williams. The music is on both sets is excellent --all blues, played at every tempo and in every style from boogie woogie to bop. On the title song, Mary Lou sings, not expertly but affectingly. There is one short cut that is all Buster, a stunning two minute soliloquy that should be used as an advanced lesson for all aspiring jazz bassists, so well executed and beautiful is it. I have favorite cuts on this album --the title song and "Turtle Blues"-- but they are all good. A minor note of discomfort: it is apparent that the piano used on the solo session needed tuning. A few notes clang whenever she hits them. And although singer Tyson sings well, I would have preferred a rougher, less polished singer on those cuts. But all in all, this is a masterful outing by one of jazz's greatest pianists."