Record Reviews
11 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | WEB ~ THERAPHOSA BLONDI
ESOTERIC 2055 (Barcode: 5013929715523) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008
2nd album by the British band WebFind albums by this artist fronted by singer John L. WatsonFind albums by this artist. The band played a nice mix of Pop, Rock, Psychedelia and Jazz, which still sounds good today, but lacks a focal point, which they only found on their next seminal album. Apart from Watson, the band included guitarists Tony EdwardsFind albums by this artist and John EatonFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tom HarrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Dick Lee-SmithFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist / percussionist Lennie WrightFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny BeveridgeFind albums by this artist. The great pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist guests on one tune. The material is a mixture of originals and standards and overall is very well played. The late 1960s sound and production create that sound, which unfortunately is lost forever, which is another good reason to give this album a spin. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JIMMY WEBB ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES
RHINO 081227955878 (Barcode: 081227955878) ~ USA ~ Classic Pop
Recorded: 1970 - 1977 Released: 2015
This Box Set collects five (second to sixth) albums by the great American singer / songwriter Jimmy WebbFind albums by this artist, released between 1970 and 1977. They are: "Words And MusicFind albums with this title" from 1970, "And So: OnFind albums with this title" from 1971, "LettersFind albums with this title" from 1972, "Land`s EndFind albums with this title" from 1974 and "El MirageFind albums with this title" from 1977.
Webb is one of the most influential figures on the American popular music scene, thanks to his phenomenal success as a songwriter. His albums, however, never really achieved much commercial success or recognition, which is a great pity as they are full of beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics. This is an excellent opportunity to re-discover them. Webb is also a very sensitive singer and his interpretations of the songs made famous by others, are often deeper and more interesting.
Of course Webb will be remembered for his memorable collaboration with The 5th DimensionFind albums by this artist, Glen CampbellFind albums by this artist and numerous other Pop stars. The outrageously beautiful albums with British actor / singer Richard HarrisFind albums by this artist ("A Tramp ShiningFind albums with this title", "The Yard Went On ForeverFind albums with this title" and "My BoyFind albums with this title"), the first of which included the epic "McArthur Park", are to this day absolute Pop masterpieces, regardless of the denigration by some pompous music critics at the time of their release.
Still active today as a performer and songwriter, Webb symbolizes the American songwriting at its best, in complete contrast to the infinite oceans of non-musical garbage that America produces on a massive scale.
Side Note: The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label and the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases have been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 09/01/2016 | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STAN WEBB ~ BLACK NIGHT
INDIGO 2064 ~ UK ~ Blues
Legendary UK blues guitarist / singer and founder of Chicken ShackFind albums by this artist ( one of the most important UK blues groups in the late 1960`s) Stan WebbFind albums by this artist is caught here live playing some of the most heart-breaking blues you`ll ever hear. A masterful player and a true blues scholar Webb is always a source of inspiration and admiration. This is blues as it should sound!
| | Updated: 12/12/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | EBERHARD WEBER ~ ENCORE
ECM 2439 (Barcode: 602547120519) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1990 - 2007 Released: 2015
According to his own words, spoken in an interview included in the liner notes of this album, this is probably the last album by the seminal German Jazz bassist / composer Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist. It is a companion to the "ResumeFind albums with this title" album released three years earlier and presents the same concept created from the same musical source – a series of bass solos played by Weber between 1990 and 2007 while he was a member of Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist´s group, edited out of live recordings by the group made in many locations across Europe. This album includes thirteen such pieces, following the twelve pieces previously issued on "Resume".
Since his stroke in 2007 Weber is no longer an active performing musician and since his disability prevents him from playing the bass, he uses the edited bass solos as vehicles to "re-compose" them into new musical pieces, adding keyboard parts and inviting his old friend, Dutch trumpeter Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist to add flugelhorn to some of these pieces, whose contributions turn out to be brilliant and fit the bill like a glove.
This album is not only a great musical achievement but also, and perhaps more importantly so, a symbolic triumph of mind over body. The fact that Weber is able to overcome the physical and mental obstacles and continues to be a creative human being is a tremendous lesson teaching us that disability and illness are just a minor hindrance for heroic artists.
The music is, as usual, a superb example of European approach to Jazz improvisation, with grace, elegance and sophistication play the first fiddle. Weber always was, like many of his German companions, a proud European, refusing to restrict his unlimited vision and artistic scope to rigid mainstream Jazz guidelines. He stated that fact repeatedly, and paid the price, as his music never really "made it" in the US, where he was often described as "a weirdo playing that no good Euro-jazz".
Of course time is often the best judge of values and this music is undoubtedly here to stay. Weber´s completely unique approach to the bass technique and particularly sound made a tremendous impact on many Jazz musicians around the world and his subtle aesthetics is always a source of first rate musical experiences. If this is indeed the last time we are able to hear new music created by this sublime artist, I can only hope that reality will prove everybody wrong…
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | EBERHARD WEBER ~ ONCE UPON A TIME
ECM 2699 (Barcode: 602438331369) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1994 Released: 2021
This is a live solo bass album by the great German Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of modern German Jazz. Recorded in 1994, the album was released only in 2021, and is so far the last Weber’s album on the ECMFind albums on this label label. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Weber and one is a standard. He plays electric upright bass and utilizes some electronic sound manipulation.
Weber’s collected recorded discography marks him as one of the most prolific and universal European Jazz bassists of all time. His unmistakable, highly melodic bass sound and sublime compositions are instantly recognizable and have been a source of joy for music lovers since the mid-1960s, when he shaped the modern German Jazz scene Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and others. Later on he also became the bassist of choice for many American Jazz musicians and of course led his own ensembles for several decades. I had been lucky to hear him perform on many occasions and his is absolutely unique each and every time.
Solo bass albums are often ridiculed and considered as sign of vanity by the bassist who record them, which of course sometimes is justified, but in some extraordinary cases, like this one, they can be truly divine. Weber is not only a great virtuoso, but more importantly he is a superb songweaver, which turns off of his soli into fully melodic, complete compositions. This album exemplifies this phenomenon perfectly, and anybody listening to this music will not miss anything else to be present beyond Weber’s bass.
Overall, this is truly music from out of this world, harmony of the spheres, angel’s lament or whatever else that comes to one’s mind when hearing Weber touch his bass. The entire album, from start to finish, is an uninterrupted orgy of pleasure, as if he was playing directly on the strings of the listener’s soul. It is one of those unrepeatable moments, and thank God it was caught for eternity for us to enjoy! This is way beyond just recommendable, it is absolutely essential!
| | Updated: 08/08/2023Posted: 08/08/2023 | CD 1 Slipcase Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | EBERHARD WEBER ~ THE FOLLOWING MORNING
ECM 1084 (Barcode: 602567431015) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2019
This is the 3rd album as a leader by German bassist / composer Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist and members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. The album presents four tracks, all composed by Weber. The music was recorded at the Talent Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist.
Weber is one of the most distinctive European Jazz voices and his inimitable bass sound and phrasing remains a classic expression of European lyricism and aesthetics, especially in the Chamber Jazz idiom, which combines Jazz and Classical music vocabulary and sonic aura.
The music develops slowly and builds up a feeling of tension and expectation, with Weber’s bass soloing on top, creating a unique atmosphere, often similar to cinematic music, somewhere between Minimalism and Romanticism. But it always remains uniquely Weber’s, recognizable easily from his idiosyncratic touch of the bass and the use of delay and reverb when amplifying the instrument.
Weber’s recording with his brilliant ColoursFind albums by this artist ensemble is the more Jazz oriented facet of his work, whereas his intimate albums, mostly in solo or duo format, are his Chamber Jazz creations. Of course, he is always brilliantly himself.
Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music and a true European Chamber Jazz gem, worth being listened to and returning to from time to time. Weber’s collective recorded legacy, both as a leader and sideman, is true chest of wonders, as this album clearly exemplifies.
| | Updated: 21/02/2024Posted: 21/02/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | NICO WEBER KWARTETT ~ ELA
UNIT 5130 (Barcode: 7640222861305) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024
This is the debut album by young German Jazz trumpeter / composer Nico WeberFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Maxim BurtsevFind albums by this artist, bassist Jakob JagerFind albums by this artist and drummer Leo EbertFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Florian TrubsbachFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Weber.
The music is mostly pretty straightforward mainstream modern Jazz, which keeps the tradition intact and offers solid musicianship. The original compositions are all based on melodic themes, frequently pretty melancholic, which are pleasant, but not really memorable. One of the tunes offers a less constrained formula, but is certainly the exception on the album, rather than the rule.
The rhythm section performs well, as expected from today’s well-schooled young musicians, swinging and keeping the music moving forward. The pianist is certainly a very interesting player and I hope to hear more from him in the future. The leader’s trumpet playing is somewhat hesitant at times, but generally is pretty expressive and coherent.
Overall, this is a promising debut album, which offers pleasant mainstream Jazz, well played but not exciting enough to turn heads. Perhaps the album was recorded a bit too early, before Weber found his own voice and style, but obviously showing potential for the future.
| | Updated: 16/04/2024Posted: 16/04/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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