Joe Lovano - I'm all for you

[stevebop]

What a perfect pairing: Joe Lovano and Hank Jones doing a session of ballads! "I'm All for You" the title and only "original" on the date is wonderful. Lovano's unique tone, Jones' perfect touch, Mraz and Motian lending support wherever needed. This project could not have turned out any better as far as I'm concerned. What do you think?

Steve Schwartz
Jazz from Studio Four
Friday 7p-midnight
WGBH, 89.7FM, Boston
www.wgbh.org/jazz

[james harrigan]

What a perfect pairing: Joe Lovano and Hank Jones doing a session of ballads! "I'm All for You" the title and only "original" on the date is wonderful. Lovano's unique tone, Jones' perfect touch, Mraz and Motian lending support wherever needed. This project could not have turned out any better as far as I'm concerned. What do you think?
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I think I'll buy it tomorrow, when it is released.

[BlueMiles]

I was gazing at this at Borders today. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be set up on a listening post.

I would agree that Lovano, Jones, Mraz, and Motian would seem to be can't miss.

The repertoire seems pretty standard indeed, though that has never hurt great musicians.

Of all the players who have truly emerged in the past two decades, Lovano strikes me as simply the very finest ballad player.

[makpjazz57]

Simply the best and most beautiful recording I've heard this year, to date. Creativity and beauty in abundance.

Marla

[Stuckinagroove]

I'm looking forward to buying this. The thought of an entire set of ballads performed by Joe makes me all warm inside. Hank Jones is a perfect choice for the piano chair, he has such a beautiful touch.

[Jazzooo]

Wow--you've kind of reviewed it already, and you haven't even heard it yet!

[Richardo Caerleoni]

Review of Lovano's latest below for info: I've heard some tracks from it and it is a beautiful (the right word for once) recording...And Hank Jones is a total knock out...that family are (Elvin still lives on in my mind) amazing... Best RC.



Joe Lovano, I'm All For You Dave Gelly
Sunday May 16, 2004
The Observer & GUARDIAN (UK)

RECORD OF THE MONTH

Lovano is one of the great tenor saxophonists of our time, and every new release reveals him in a slightly different light. He devotes this CD to nine quiet, reflective pieces of the kind known in jazz by the shorthand term 'ballad'. But it soon becomes clear that this is no simple excursion into nostalgia or sentimentality.

For one thing, more than half the pieces are by jazz musicians, including Lovano himself, and quite knotty in their outlines. And, although he plays with gentle, unassertive grace, his approach is curiously detached, more like thinking aloud than seeking to stir the passions of the listener.

The enjoyment comes from eavesdropping on those thoughts, the apparently rambling phrases that never quite get lost, no matter how wayward. Almost as important as Lovano is the presence of veteran pianist Hank Jones, the most discreet and sophisticated accompanist imaginable, supported by the bass of George Mraz and drums of Paul Motian.