If People Could Talk

Let me say, first off, that this disc is NOT what I expected -- nothing even close. My only previous exposure to the work of Vic Stevens was "Addition By Subtraction", by McGill-Manring-Stevens. Vic Stevens' "Mistaken Identities" could not have been better named, given my expectations!!That being said, none-the-less, THIS IS GREAT JAZZ. Demetrious Pappas is a fabulous keyboardist. Though it is Vic's band -- and his grooves throughout are trademark smooth and tasteful -- it is the silky keyboard work of Pappas that shapes and carries the music. The soundscapes he creates here are lush, dynamic and potent, and worth the ticket price, alone.There are some really nice contributions made by Michael Manring (fretless bass), Hector Rosado (percussion), Ken Gioffre (sax) and Alex Domschot (guitars) -- as well as a cameo appearance (on "Which One's Moe?") by one of my personal all-time fusion faves, the great Percy Jones (and he is in stellar form here!).Hot on the heels of downloading the .mp3 CD of the aforementioned "Addition By Subtraction", I ran a search on Amazon for Vic Stevens and discovered this. There was plenty of money still in the checking account (at that time, anyway!), so I said 'what the heck' and got this. The jazz here has NOTHING in common with MMS, with the exception of the fact that both Vic and Michael Manring are present! It was a shock to hear Vic equally at home with music as docile, by comparison, as this. My two CDs with Vic Stevens could not be further apart, stylistically.Despite my expectations and the reality of what I purchased, I really love this CD. "Peace" is a great opening number, with Pappas clearly in command, and Stevens, Rosado and Manring decorating it nicely. "Circle", the disc's third cut, is an interesting tune which features a 7/8 time time signature, some superb soprano sax work by Gioffre and some nice supporting classical guitar work, as well.If there is one song on here that showcases the greatness of Vic Stevens, it would have to be the fourth cut, "Run If You Must" -- my personal favorite (albeit, a tough choice). It actually finds the entire band (except for guitarist Domschot -- not present on this cut) in very fine form. The song is tight, syncopated, full of brief pauses and suspense, and very dynamic. Everyone really shines on this one."The Beginning" features some stellar fretless work from Michael Manring, drawing up images of Weather Report -- between his bouncing, popping, bubbly style here, and the walls of sound that Pappas creates. The next song, "Which One's Moe?", is probably the most "outside" of the bunch -- featuring Percy Jones at the top of his game, and the rest of the band pushing the envelope in comparable fashion. The song is filled with unexpected turns, and is a fun, interesting composition.Overall, I found this disc to be very satisfying, although not in the sense I expected when I purchased it. I would say it is more "jazz" than "fusion" -- although there are a number of moments where that line is clearly blurred. (... Hmmm -- "clearly blurred" ... I like that!) I start my days by getting out with my dog, first thing, and walking 2-1/2 to 3 miles every morning. While walking, I always have my ear buds in place and the .mp3 player cranking. "If People Could Talk" is a regular listen during this trek, and it is TRULY SUPERB early AM jazz.I only write reviews for discs that I HIGHLY recommend -- this one is certainly no exception ... BUY IT!

Schon bei der Beschreibung und dem Albumtext handelt es sich um nichts als Vic Stevens' banale Selbstdarstellung, nach dem Motto "Sieh her, was ich schon alles gemacht habe."Kein Wort ueber seine Mitspieler oder womoeglich die Musik. Das ist so peinlich, es ist schon wieder witzig.Nun denn, man kauft so ein Album ja wegen der Musik und da wurde die Ausserordentliche Gelegenheit Percy Jones und Michael Manring zusammen im Studio zu haben voellig verschwendet - zumindest was die Aufnahme angeht. Man bekommt nur sehr wenig und eben nur Standard Bassbegleitung von ihnen zu hoeren, wo die beiden Virtuosen Musiker Front und Center haetten einnehmen sollen.Wer dieses Album wegen Vic Stevens gekauft hat wird das vielleicht anders sehen. Kennt den jemand? Insgesamt gibt es ein paar "nette" arrangements darauf, aber auch ein paar nervige. Mal mehr Jazz, mal mehr Fusion. Nichts was ich nicht schon anderswo besser gehoert haette.Derivativ nennt man das wohl. Und genau da liegt die Schmach - den beiden Bassisten die noch nie etwas gemacht haben das man "derivativ" nennen koennte, wurde offensichtlich nicht erlaubt ueber Hintergrundbegleitung hinauszugehen. Dabei haette dieses Album einen Hoehepunkt darstellen koennen.Damit sind wir wieder bei dem Albumtext. Wer nicht ueber Selbstdarstellung hinauskommt wird wohl auch nie ausserordentliche Musik produzieren koennen. Da fehlt einfach die enge Verbindung zu den anderen Musikern, die notwendig ist um etwas Besonderes zu erreichen.Man denkt an John McLaughlin, welcher immer jedes seiner Bandmitglieder auf voller laenge musikalisch zu Wort kommen laesst, ob allein, zu zweit oder manchmal in langen von der Band zurueckhaltend untermalten Solos.Ich warte auf die naechste Gelegenheit...

２００７年リリースのサードアルバム。私にとってヴィックスティーヴンスは、ボンロザーガ（Ｇ：ゴングジラｅｔｃ）＆スコットマッギル（Ｇ）に関わっているドラマーです。雑誌等で取り上げられる事はまずない方ですが（笑）、ＡＭＡＺＯＮできちんと品揃えされているのは流石です・・・最近やっと購入させて頂きました！内容は、クールでゆったりした感じのＪＡＺＺＲＯＣＫ／ＦＵＳＩＯＮです・・・特にもベースのフレーズが、目立つ仕上がりになってます。それもそのはず、マイケルマンリング（Ｂ）が弾いてますし、７曲目にはパーシージョーンズ（Ｂ）が参加しています・・・このアルバムにパーシー参加してたのは知らなかったので、とても嬉しかったですね！！他、ディミィトリアスパトス（Ｐ）・アレックスドムショット（Ｇ）・ケンジオフレ（Ｓａｘ）・ヘクターロサド（Ｐｅｒ）と知らないメンバー（すいません！）が参加してます・・・スコットマッギルのアルバムとは違い、ギターはあまり目立ちません。メンツにピンときたら、物欲に走って良いかと・・・いきなり入手困難になるアルバムと思います（笑）。