Record Reviews

MICHAEL GARRICK ~ LIVE AT PIZZA ON THE PARK, LONDON VOCALION 9000 (Barcode: 765387900021) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This DVD captures his exquisite performance with his new quartet (Garrick – piano, Martin HathawayFind albums by this artist – reeds, Paul MoylanFind albums by this artist – bass and Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist - drums with guest musician Mark HanslipFind albums by this artist – tenor sax). Garrick seems to be untouchable by time, as he not only looks great but also plays beautifully, as if no time passed at all since he touched the keyboard for the first time. The music includes some of his old and some new compositions, as well as a few standards (all from the Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist stable), which get a typical Garrick treatment, with a dash of British humor. He also recites a couple of poems, as appropriate for a pioneer of the Jazz & Poetry movement and gives a chance to a young gifted player as a guest. A most enjoyable performance of great Jazz, which warms the heart and makes your feet go “tap tap tap”. The DVD also includes an insightful interview with Garrick, where he warmly (and with a lot of humor again) remembers the “good old days”, which were glorious indeed. I had a great time watching / hearing this and I’m sure anybody familiar with Garrick’s splendid and innovative contributions to music will do as well. 140 minutes.

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MICHAEL GARRICK ~ PETER PAN JAZZDANCE SUITE JAZZ ACADEMY 09 (Barcode: 801082016725) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 Following the establishment of his own record label Jazz Academy in 1993, British pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist started to record again on a regular basis and quite prolifically at that, to the delight of his many fans, myself included. He continued to records with small ensembles (trio, quartet, etc.), but in parallel he also started to score and record his new works for extended orchestras / Big Bands, this album being a superb example of his work in that field. Garrick’s life-long love affair with the written word (poetry, prose and even religious texts), especially British literature, has always been a prominent part of his output. From his early-days involvement with the Jazz & Poetry movement and throughout his entire career his work was always related one way or another to literature. Therefore it’s hardly surprising that Garrick should write a complete suite based on a book, in this case the classic children’s (or is it?) tale of Peter Pan. Garrick even includes here a set of poems written by him, which he and the lovely Anita WardellFind albums by this artist recite (she also sings). The suite is performed by an Jazz orchestra, which includes some twenty players, mostly Garrick “regulars” in his orchestral projects, including the rhythm section of Paul MoylanFind albums by this artist on bass and Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist on drums (both members of current Garrick’s trio and quartet). Garrick’s writing and arrangements are an obvious tribute to the Godfather of orchestral Jazz, Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist. The music is lyrical and somewhat melancholic and Garrick’s score uses the orchestra cleverly to play around with the various moods the music goes through. The sound is mostly laid back as Garrick seldom makes the orchestra blast in its full potential power - less in definitely more in his case. Plenty of great solos of course, as all the musicians are first class players. Overall it’s a delightful musical experience, full of surprises and hidden treasures, with lots of typical Garrick’s tasteful humor. A must!

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend