Search - Terry Gibbs :: 52nd & Broadway: Songs of the Bebop Era

The Vibes Really Swing

Gary Murphy | Olathe, KS USA | 10/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a wonderfully arranged and orchestrated tribute to some great bebop tunes. With James Moody on sax and Nicholas Payton on the trumpet, we have some exceptional melody and improvisation in addition to the excellent work by Terry Gibbs. Jeff Hamilton, in my opinion the best jazz drummer that ever lived, keeps the drive going in his wonderfully understated performance.



These great musicians are privileged to play some equally great arrangements. These violins REALLY SWING in places. There is a wonderful passage where the violins are swinging the melody and Terry Gibbs is playing the harmony on the vibes.



There is some much content in this album, it is hard to put it all into words. Pick this album up. If you love swinging bebop, you will like this album.



P.S. The third or fourth time you listen to this album, shut out the orchestra and just listen to Jeff Hamilton. Those drum tracks are awesome."

Have a Bopcycle

Nathaniel L. Silver | Bronx, NY, USA | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must-have CD in the tradition of Parker with strings. The tunes are authentic. It is obvious that a lot of work and loving care went into the making. The arrangnments, with strings and horns, soften the tunes and probably would make Bird (and Mitch Miller) proud. This is not elevator music. It will mirror what you bring to the table and is recommended for everyone."

Leave Out The Strings

Carl W. Sundstrom | San Diego, CA | 08/15/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"By reading the previous reviews on this CD, I see that I am certainly in the minority as to my evaluation. I bought this CD bacause I know that Terry Gibbs is an outstanding talent and I own several of his CDs; the songs listed on the CD cover are certainly a selection of many of the best tunes of the bebop era; and the musicians listed are fairly well-known jazz artists. Unfortunately, when I put the CD on my audio system I was hit soon after the intro to the first tune with the onslaught of violins, violas and other instruments that I personally do not associate with jazz. I was very disapointed. I was lead to believe by the CD cover that I was purchasing a jazz album and there was no mention on either the back or front of the CD that a bunch of extraneous strings were included. I tried to listen to the whole CD and I did get through it; however, I kept wishing that the strings would just disappear and let the jazz musicians do their thing. Alone. No strings attached. I love jazz; however, I have never liked jazz backed up with strings, including the Charlie Parker album mentioned in one of the reviews above. Nor did I like Chet Baker with strings. Sorry. Not my idea of jazz. Call me a purist, but this same CD without the strings would have been a five star CD without question."