Dutch basketball
J. Gordon | 10/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The review above is stupid. Just because a melody doesn't familiarize itself as Harry-Connick-obvious, doesn't mean it isn't jazz. Mengelberg is a genius and he looks funny too. -Goose Guy"
Creative and Brilliant
J. Gordon | 09/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The reviewer who didn't like it should stick to Kenny G and Barry Mannilow (however you spell his name). Clearly that reviewer ventured into an unfamiliar genre. As a musician and major Monk fan, I must say the buzz among musicians who like Monk compositions and Joey Barron's drumming is very great about Misha Mengelberg's piano work.
Clearly, Mengelberg's playing is heavily influenced by Monk, yet maintains its own character and is not a clone. The main elements I hear in his work are passion, danger, risk, humor, beauty, anger, playfulness and virtuosity. He plays beautifully, yet with fellow instigator Joey Barron on drums, Mengelberg will take a standard tune off the main drag, down a sidestreet, into a back-alley cockfight, then back to the main boulevard and into an upscale restaurant, escaping without a scratch and bruise.
If you like Don Pullen, Eric Dolphy, Attilla Zoler, Ornette Colman or Monk, there's a very good chance you'll like this CD. It's part of the abstract art element of jazz. Stay away if you're looking for big band sing alongs.
"
What a treat
leo | Beijing, China | 02/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"full of dexterity and humor; endlessly inventive. at times angular, at times curvalinear. just wonderful."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1