2008 Grammy Award Winner for:
• 'Album of
the Year'
• 'Best
Contemporary Jazz Album'
The legendary pianist and innovator explores the words and
music of another musical pioneer Joni Mitchell on his first new studio
recording for Verve since 1998's GRAMMY® Award winner Gershwin's World.
Inspired in equal parts by Mitchell's poetic lyrics and unique
melodies/harmonies, the musicians play with a restraint and elegance that
achieves a perfect balance between the adventurous aesthetics of jazz
improvisation and the emotional directness of one of the finest
singer/songwriters of the last five decades.
Musicians:
Herbie Hancock, piano
Wayne Shorter, soprano & tenor saxophone
Dave Holland, bass
Vinnie Colaiuta, drums
Lionel Loueke, guitar
Norah Jones, vocals (1)
Tina Turner (2)
Corinne Bailey Rae (4)
Joni Mitchell (6)
Luciana Souza (
Leonard Cohen (10)
Selections:
1. Court and Spark - featuring Norah Jones
2. Edith and the Kingpin - featuring Tina Turner
3. Both Sides Now (Instr)
4. River - featuring Corinne Bailey Rae
5. Sweet Bird (Instr)
6. Tea Leaf Prophecy - featuring Joni Mitchell
7. Solitude (Instr)
8. Amelia - featuring Luciana Souza
9. Nefertiti (Instr)
10. The Jungle Line - featuring Leonard Cohen
Pianist Herbie Hancock's River – The Joni Letters (Verve) is
the eleventh Grammy-winning album in the jazz legend's diverse long-ranging and
diverse catalog. It was a shock to the pop music world for a jazz album to win
over the recordings of stars such as Amy Winehouse and Kanye West, but the
music on River represents a high level of sophistication and craftsmanship
while remaining accessible and enjoyable for a popular audience.
A Jazz Master
Hancock rose to fame as a member of trumpeter Miles Davis'
quintet in the early 1960s, where he displayed his prowess as a straight-ahead
jazz soloist. That quintet – which also included Wayne Shorter, the saxophonist
heard on River – was one of the pinnacle jazz groups of the 1960s. Since his
time with Davis,
Hancock has stretched his limits and has displayed his versatility and ease in
various styles of music, including jazz, pop, funk, R&B, and rock.
Paying Homage to a Pop Icon
River is a tribute to Joni Mitchell, whose pure voice and
colorful lyrics have lifted her to an iconic status in American folk and
popular music. In the 1970s, Mitchell began to experiment with jazz concepts,
featuring the drums and accompanying instruments like trumpets and saxophones,
and singing over grooves and jazz rhythmic feels. Each track on River is a
contemplative interpretation of some of Joni Mitchell’s jazz-influenced songs.
A Master's Interpretive Skills
Hancock’s technical virtuosity is not on display on this recording,
but instead his sensitivity to the singers shines through. He lays down a lush
bed on which the warm voices of Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae,
Luciana Souza, and Joni Mitchell herself curl up and daydream. On “The Jungle
Line,” featuring Leonard Cohen’s gravelly spoken word, Hancock’s gestures play
the characters in the story.
His playing drifts with the comfort of a musician who has
seen and done it all. He stays away from the fiery and frenetic lines that
younger jazz musicians tend to employ. His solos are relaxed and reflective,
and when he accompanies the singers, each of whom has a distinct style, his
support allows them to grasp nuanced moods with meditative ease.
Top Tracks on River
“Court and
Spark” – Norah Jones treats this Joni Mitchell classic with restraint, as Wayne
Shorter’s soprano saxophone interjections blossom into a beautifully agitated
solo.
“Edith and
the Kingpin” – Tina Turner seems perfectly at home in this groove-oriented
piece. Her voice is a great match with Shorter’s tenor saxophone sound.
“River” –
British pop star Corinne Bailey Rae gives an emotional rendition of the title
track, her spirited embellishments evoking the image of a frozen river.
“The Tea Leaf
Prophecy (Lay Down Your Arms)” – Joni Mitchell’s voice on this track, although
more limited in range than when she was younger, has taken on a smoky, haunting
quality.
“Nefertiti” –
Absent of vocals, this track is a classic Wayne Shorter tune, and the
instrumentalists demonstrate a playful freedom and a variety of moods.
Making Jazz Appeal to All
For the non-jazz listener, this recording will expose some
of the subtleties, freedom, and cerebral ambiances that jazz is so good at
achieving. Jazz aficionados can find satisfaction in the masterful way Hancock
cracks open and explores Mitchell’s songs, and the way Shorter crawls inside
the harmonies and nudges and pokes through the blanket of textures provided by
the expert rhythm section, composed of Hancock, Dave Holland on bass, Lionel
Loueke on guitar, and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.
River is an example of one musical hero feeding off of the
innovations of another, and the energy and appeal of the recording is due to
the musical and expressive growth that results.
Condition : New and Mint
Price : SOLD
Contact / SMS : 0195941098
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Xavian XN125ES Bookshelf Speaker。（New。）
List Price : RM6600, Special Offer : RM4300。
Condition ： 10/10。(New。)
Living Audio
Lot 1-017A / 1st Floor Endah Parade（Carrefour）/ Sri Petaling。
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Dali Mentor Menuet Bookshelf Speaker。（Used。）
Dali MENTOR MENUET – the smallest loudspeaker available in MENTOR series. Despite its small dimension, it is one of the most powerful speakers out there that expose you to great musicality with plenty of clean, undistorted bass, open and dynamic midrange
Price ： RM4200。
Condition ： 9/10。
（Mint Condition like new， Owner use less than a year and seldom use。）
Review,
http://www.dali-speakers.com/en-US/Loudspeakers-1/MENTOR-MENUET.aspx
Whathiifi 5 Star Review,
http://www.whathifi.com/review/dali-mentor-menuet
Living Audio
Lot 1-017A / 1st Floor Endah Parade（Carrefour）/ Sri Petaling。
Please Call or SMS Ean Soong 019-5710383。
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Naim NAC 102 Pre－amp and Naim NAP 180 Power Amplifier。（Used。）
Price ： RM6300。
Condition ： 7.5/10。
Living Audio
Lot 1-017A / 1st Floor Endah Parade（Carrefour）/ Sri Petaling。
Please Call or SMS Ean Soong 019-5710383。
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Quad 66 CD Player。（Used。）
Condition ： 7/10。
Price ： RM1900。
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Lot 1-017A / 1st Floor Endah Parade（Carrefour）/ Sri Petaling。
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Roksan Kandy mk III Integrated Amp。（Used。）
Condition ： 8/10。
Price ： RM1900。
Living Audio
Lot 1-017A / 1st Floor Endah Parade（Carrefour）/ Sri Petaling。
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