Search - Nigel Kennedy :: Kennedy Experience

R U Experienced?

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This isn't your typical Jimi tribute fare, then again Nigel isn't your typical classical violinst. This is not for the timid listener as it challenges conventional perceptions. The only things classical about this disc is the ensemble and Nigels interpretation of Jimi's music. A unique and masterful job is the result of the explorations of Hendrix's classics. Kudos to Nigel for crossing the lines and blurring the perceptions of music. The songs chosen allow for beautiful improvisations, at times frentic, at others soothing, that are as minding bending as the original rock versions, maybe even more so. The first three songs are extended jam sessions, structured around the fiery bow work of Nigel. The jazzy intonations are puntuated by the guitars, bass and of course oboe and cello. Of the first three tracks "1983" is the more innovative and spacier of the jams. Throughout the disc Nigel explores areas that ebb and flow, melodically shifting and grinding out the music. Nigel is careful to not "out Jimi" Hendrix by overextending his skills to the point of nauseam virtuosity, he carefully plots and exerts his own signature on the compositions as only he can. "Drifting" is exceptioanlly beautiful and lyrical, a superb rendition of a classic Hendrix tune. There are times when the songs are barely recognizable but he eventually brings it all back home, harmonious rapture being the end result. If you like jazz or the music of Jimi this is a disc for you. The free form violin of Nigel, coupled with the timeless compostions of a guitar God make for an undaunted new Hendrix experience."

This fire can stand next to ANYTHING!

Enrique Torres | 09/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Loved it! I was not a fan of Hendrix or classical music, but I went out of curiosity to the Kennedy Hendrix concert in NYC last November, and was mesmerized. Afterward, I had to buy both Hendrix and Kennedy stuff to see where it came from, and found amazing music I never would have found otherwise. I looked forward to this CD, and off the bat, I have to admit I was initially disappointed that this was not a live album - try Kennedy's Beethoven Violin Concerto to get that "you are there" feel -- but I guess the choices available in the recording studio were more attractive than the perils of a live recording. And this one is still a keeper.For a first listen, skip the long opener "Third Stone," and go to tracks 2 and 3 - "Little Wing" goes in and out of recognizability, but just this side of "I know that..." and don't miss "1983..." (my favorite) for all the variations, especially that slapping sound that comes out of nowhere to bridge that whole thing together. I didn't like track 5, "Fire" as much on this as Kennedy's previous go at it on the "Stone Free" Hendrix tribute CD -- it lost some punch here.But overall, I recommend it to music fans of any genre, classical, jazz, celtic, new age, it's all here. And it lives, baby - I play it on long commutes, and it never grows tired. Just save that long opening track for later, when your ear gets attuned to what's going on. Like a previous reviewer I also miss "Hey Joe" from this - but Hey Kennedy - may be there's another LIVE one on the way? Here's hoping.And if you get hooked, try the Kennedy/Rattle Elgar Violin Concerto - unbelievably gorgeous, especially the added track, Williams' "The Lark Ascending." Pure magic."

An artist being an artist!

Enrique Torres | 03/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hats off to Kennedy for this hommage to Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix may not exactly be my cup of tea, but I have enjoyed every minute of this recording. Perhaps some of this album's previous reviewers should try to grasp the idea that a violin has more than one venue for its use. I have seen Kennedy perform with now three major American orchestras and have been come away feeling as though I had seen something special, and I have. Music and art are what we as listeners and observers make of it. I have long admired this performer's committment to performing music and not making music easier to listen to just to gain an audience for classical music. As a student of classical music (what's really in that name?), I enjoy few things as much as a performance that has me leave the hall feeling as though I'd been challenged as a listener...not challenged to make sense of the music, but challenged to really hear the music - its nuance and those qualities which make live performance of classical music different from any other experience we can have.Bravo, Kennedy! And bravo as well to those hearty listeners who are willing to take a chance. The performers on this album are excellent, and all that the nay-sayers can seem to find wrong is that these people have somehow "disgraced" their instruments by performing this music. I hope that these people do not consider themselves music historians in any sense. For how can we condemn this album and praise toher music whose composers challenged the norms? These composers would include: Beethoven, Haydn, Stravinsky, Brahms, Wagner, Mahler, Schoenberg, Shostakovich and many others. Careful of what you consider yourselves, my friends....you may have to actually BE that which you profess to be!"