Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michel Camilo: Live at the Blue Note

326

Michel Camilo: Live at the Blue Note

By

Sign in to view read count
Michel Camilo: Live at the Blue Note
It's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer virtuosity Michel Camilo displays at the piano. His level of playing is so high, his technique so flawless, his musical vocabulary so broad, that you can lose sight of what truly sets him apart from the pack of simply proficient pianists; namely his ability to transcend mere notes to convey real emotion.

Although he's ventured into classical, world beat and film music in the past, Camilo is a jazz artist at heart. On his new two-disc Telarc release, recorded live during a six-night run at the Blue Note last year, the Dominican-born pianist is joined by a first-rate Cuban rhythm section of Charles Flores on bass and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums. Together, they stretch out on a set of mostly Camilo originals (plus Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa" and a clever take on the '50s Latin rock standard "Tequila") that clocks in at 2 hours and 15 minutes; but the energy and momentum of the recording rarely sags, save for a few too many ballads bunched together at the top of the first disc.

Camilo, who performed at last month's IAJE Conference, is at his most dazzling on the up-tempo numbers, like "On the Other Hand," "In Walked Sammy," "This Way Out," and the aptly titled "On Fire," which combine Latin jazz, bebop, blues and funk ingredients into a tasty organic stew. His artistry also shines on the slower tunes, like "Twilight Glow" and "Thinking of You," where his classical sensibilities come to the fore. Taken as a whole, Camilo and company have made what is easily one of the best piano trio albums to come along in a while.

Track Listing

1. Cocowalk (Camilo) - 6:12 2. Two of a Kind (Camilo) - 6:53 3. Hello & Goodbye (Camilo) - 8:42 4. The Magic in You (Camilo) - 9:02 5. Tequila (Rio) - 4:50 6. Dichotomy (Camilo) - 7:58 7. Twilight Glow (Camilo) - 8:43 8. Happy Birthday/Blue Bossa (Dorham/Hill/Hill) - 3:53 9. This Way Out (Camilo) - 10:56 10. On the Other Hand (Camilo) - 6:42 11. Mongo's Blues (Camilo) - 6:52 12. Thinking of You (Camilo) - 9:09 13. At Night (To Frank) (Camilo) - 6:14 14. Why Not! (Camilo) - 8:26 15. Silent Talk (Camilo) - 6:29 16. See You Later (Camilo) - 6:22 17. And Sammy Walked In (Camilo) - 6:35 18. On Fire (Camilo) - 13:02

Personnel

Michel Camilo - Piano; Horacio "El Negro" Hern

Album information

Title: Live at the Blue Note | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Telarc Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.