I'm kicking off my blog with something I've been wanting to do for a while - review albums. And I'm kicking off these album reviews (which I hope I'll do at least a few of) with one of my absolute all time favorite albums, Ahmad Jamal Live at the Pershing.
This is my favorite jazz album. Ahmad Jamal is my favorite jazz pianist, and in this recording he exemplifies everything I like about his playing. This recording of "Poinciana" is probably my favorite single jazz recording of all time. Ahmad Jamal's style is often called "minimalist", but Jamal preferred to describe it as "disciplined". He has the discipline not to waste any notes, and when he has nothing special to play he just lays out. Lately, I've been trying to bring something from this approach to my own playing. I have a lot of trouble laying out like that, especially when I solo. I often worry that if I stop playing notes, I'll lose people's attention. Jamal proves here that if your lines are good, people will wait for them. Rating: 5/5 Standout tracks: But Not For Me, No Greater Love, Poinciana Final thoughts: Listen to this album!!!
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