Search - Rick Della Ratta :: Live in Brazil

Here is one of the most satisfying recent CDs

John Adams | Mass USA | 01/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Here is one of the most satisfying recent CDs. The compositions are good; the solo work is fine, and the trio performs with vigor and taste. Over and over throughout the two record set of 1-1/2 hours of music, DellaRatta's extraordinary musicianship makes itself felt. There are several excellent originals included in this collection by DellaRatta such as Living Inside a Daydream, 7th Heaven and Little Song which by-the-way, he also sings, DellaRatta is a pianist with minds of his own, a fine touch, a very musical sound, and a technique to spare (but used with discretion). He also has a style and doesn't make a pastiche or melange of what he's heard others do. His time is good, too, and he has a refreshing way of voicing chords. In any event, the eleven compositions serve as an excellent vehicle for DellaRatta's proving, ever-inventive mind; his improvisations reveal a fertile, witty restless imagination at work-one that is apparently never at a loss for ideas. His ideas rush forth with as great speed as taste and inventiveness. As for Rene Hart and Denis Charles, they are able assistants. My picks from Stella Records releases are: Little Song, Black Orpheus, Moon and Sand, and When It's Sleepy Time Down South."

"

Seriously Swinging Stuff

Rose | NY, NY USA | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's some seriously swinging stuff on here. You can really hear how well Rick and the late great drummer Denis Charles played together. In addition you can feel the contrast of continents between Brazil and New York on these 2 CDs."