Search - Paul Smith :: Romantic Piano paul smith

One of the TRUE Masters of the Piano!!

Robert S. Weaver | Dana Point, California, USA | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Paul Smith since... 1965! I saw him live the night before I left for SE Asia in '65 and his was the first piano I heard when I returned. This collection is just a taste of his skill, talent and style. There are many good piano players, a few great piano players and even fewer masters of the piano. Any style, any song, Paul Smith owns the piano! It's a shame more of his work is not available. He was so busy over the years providing solid back-up for the likes of Ella, Sammy Davis, Jr. and the like that he never seemed to develop a pop following of his own. Hear him once and you'll be hooked! Hear him LIVE and you won't believe your eyes and ears!!!"

Unbelievable Mastery of the Piano

Alan | Victorville, US, Canada | 10/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the other reviewers, I heard Paul Smith live when I was in college in the late 1970's. He played in the bar of the Velvet Turtle in Redondo Beach and the experience was surreal: a big man sitting motionless at the piano with a little down light casting a shadow over his face; he was staring across the room and never looked at his hands. All the while he played the piano with such mastery that it was as if it was a part of his body. Rhythmically, harmonically, and technically, he is unmatched in jazz piano. This CD is a good example of what he brings to standards, fresh arrangements that are played flawlessly and seem to have the most perfect voicings that could ever be constructed for the songs. After one hears his interpretation of these songs, one asks, "how could anyone ever want to hear these songs played any other way?" This CD, like his others, is truly a gift."

Should be called "Fantastic Jazz Piano"!

Daniel E. Sawyer | 07/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the title and packaging of this CD, you would think it's another cheesy record of lounge-y, background music full of arpeggios. Perish the thought. This is a swinging, jazz piano record of the highest order- two fisted playing with jaw dropping technique and a very sophisticated harmonic sense. He plays like a great arranger. It might be tempting to say Paul Smith is similar to Oscar Peterson but there is much more. There is a Peterson influence here, but Paul is definitely his own man, with his own style. He does things I've never heard another jazz pianist do. One thing I appreciate is his wild sense of humour.



This CD is a great bargain at this price. Unfortunately there is virtually no information on the insert to tell us who the drummer, bass player and guitarist are!"