"This man is a phenomenon. Jazz musicians need to hear him to understand what the accordion is capable of doing, and accordionists should listen to him to learn more about melody and harmonizations. Galliano packs a serious punch: he's probabaly one of the best professional accordionists in the world, he's one of the best jazz musicians I've ever seen, and he writes serious music.
I had the great fortune of seeing Galliano two nights in a row in NYC in 2003 with this very band. For 2 years I wished those concerts were recorded. Well, this recording isn't from the same set of shows but it sounds every bit like being at a concert. Incidentally, all of his studios albums are great too (with the exception of 'Spleen')."
Galliano is extraordinary by any standards.
Robert E. Markison | San Francisco, CA USA | 09/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Galliano plays the chromatic button accordion. He is stunning in his creative command of the instrument across various idioms. This CD got air time on SF Bay area's jazz station, KCSM, 91.1 - that's how I first heard it. The album title - Ruby, My Dear - sets the mind a stir in imagining what a fine pairing Monk would have been with Galliano. This is the best imaginable free reed fresh air. It's also great listening through and through. Those who know of Galliano probably also have seen him close up on an incredible Birelli Lagrene DVD called Jazz a Vienne. This is wonderful music."
Great Musicianship
Dale Nelson | Fountain Hills, Arizona United States | 03/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I also heard Ruby, My Dear in San Francisco on 91.1 FM and I also knew I had to have this CD. I started my musical life at the age of 5, taking accordian lessons in Milwaukee. 55 years later, this was the best I have ever heard. Every cut on this album was unfamiliar to me as RG stuck to his French/Italian roots. I would like to hear his interpretations on some more familiar standards. His pairing on Face to Face with the Hammond Organ is great too. I wonder if he will tour the USA again?"
This is no Ump pa pa accordion music !!!
Ronald G. Haste | Baltimore | 07/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard a cut from Ruby My Dear on the radio, I was so taken aback by the contrast of bone shaking bass and brilliant accordion colored by outta sight drums. I knew I had to get my hands on it.......and soon !"