Search - Taylor Eigsti :: Lucky to Be Me

Full of surprises!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I learned about Eigsti late last year from the November 2006 issue of "Jazziz" magazine. Not only was he on the cover but the sampler CD that came with the magazine also featured his song "Get Your Hopes Up" with its brilliant interplay between Eigsti and Julian Lage. I only had to hear the first few bars to know that this was a dude whose music I had to know more about. I was surprised (surprise #1) to learn that he already had several CDs under his belt before this one. I was also surprised (surprise #2) to learn that this particular CD had been out almost a year!



According to the article in the magazine "former child prodigy" Eigsti doesn't like a fuss being made about his age. He especially wants this album "to be seen as a musical statement and not in terms of 'good for [his] age'". At 21, he says he'd rather not see the word "youth" mentioned in any reviews of his work at all. Lucky for me then that he probably won't be reading this one but I was truly staggered (surprise #3) to learn he was so young. But then I considered the fact that Herbie Hancock was only 22 when he released "Takin' Off" and that I had never once made an issue of that fact; it was, and always ever has been, all about the music. So I see his point and will thus never mention his age again, not even among my friends.



Previous reviewers have said all that needs to be said, really. The man and this CD are simply awesome. I was shocked though, (surprise #4) to learn that "I've Seen It All", probably my favourite song on the whole album, is not just a cover but a Bjork song. An e-correspondent of mine has been urging me for some time now to get into Bjork but I've always resisted. I think I might check her out now though if she writes songs this good.



Other covers like "Giant Steps", "Love For Sale" and "Woke Up This Morning" (or the "Sopranos" song) are all handled well and Eigsti is surrounded by top-notch talent like Christian McBride (bass), James Genus (bass) Lewis Nash (drums) and Julian Lage (guitar). Even so, this album really is all about him and his piano playing. His own compositions, "Get Your Hopes Up", "Argument", "True Colors" (written with Julian Lage) and "Adventure One" are all just as brilliant. It's the ballads that I usually love the most and rarely like fast-paced playing but I was surprised (surprise #5!) to realise that even on the fast-moving cuts on this CD, (like "Freedom Jazz Dance" for instance), I was thoroughly enjoying myself.



Surprises all round then, and a thoroughly enjoyable CD. The album is produced, recorded and mixed by Al Schmitt. I remember him doing excellent work recording and mixing alongside producer Tommy LiPuma on albums by people like George Benson, Joe Sample, Natalie Cole and even Diana Krall. He's done a great job here; the music is crystal clear.

"

Where Does He Go From Here?

Allan Suchinsky | Kensington, MD United States | 07/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to this brilliant 20 year old, I kept asking myself what this guy needs to grow into as a pianist. Much of what I thought might be missing I suddenly heard. So the question is, where does he go from here? What a delicious thought to contemplate."

Taylor Eigsti's "Lucky to be Me" is wonderful!!1

Mary Ann Laing | Victoria, B.C. Canada | 08/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a find for me when I ordered this album. I had not heard of Taylor Eigsti before, but knew I would like his music by the samples I was able to hear first. His ability to play the piano far surpasses anything I had hoped for. He is amazing. But it is more than just his incredible talent. He has an astonishing way of communicating a language of music, a voice from many brilliant artists from the past, yet a very distinct style of his own that is captivating and exciting. I love his work. And the other players on this album compliment it so well, as they are wonderful artists too. It is a superb album, and I look forward to getting more of his work."