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Serenity | 
| Artist: Bobo Stenson Label: ECM Category: Music
List Price: £20.99 Buy New: £16.99 You Save: £4.00 (19%)
New (17) Used (3) from £15.59
Rating: 3 reviews Sales Rank: 5296
Format: Double Cd Media: Audio CD Discs: 2 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3 Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 731454361125 EAN: 0731454361125 ASIN: B00004TJYK
Release Date: June 26, 2000 Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | T | | • | West Print | | • | North Print | | • | East Print | | • | South Print | | • | Polska Of Despair (II) | | • | Golden Rain | | • | Swee Pea | | • | Simple & Sweet | | • | Der Pfalaumenbaum |
Disc 2
| • | El Mayor | | • | Fader V (Father World) | | • | More Cymbals | | • | Extra Low | | • | Die Nachtigal | | • | Rimbaud Gedicht | | • | Polska Of Despair (I) | | • | Serenity | | • | Tonus |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review Serenity is an apt title for the Bobo Stenson Trio. Swedish pianist Stenson, bassist Anders Jormin and drummer Jon Christensen explore the spaces in between their probing fingers, giving sound and silence equal weight. Stenson has a way of captivating his listeners, coaxing them towards a private melodic terrain. When partnered by Jormin (previously heard with Charles Lloyd and Tomasz Stanko) and Christensen (a Bobo buddy and prolific ECM "house" musician since 1969), Stenson's never forced to re-invent himself or compromise his approach. Band originals dominate the first of this set's two discs, the second opening up to an unusual array of non-jazz interpretations. The trio acts like the limbs of a single being, circling cautiously, completing each other's logical development. All three are perpetually soloing, sliding into the foreground for illuminated moments rather than lunging into the spotlight. Christensen splashes cymbals and patters toms, enjoying a very minimal canvas. Jormin pings his high strings, savouring their ringing tones, then strokes out melancholy moans with his bow. The approach seems more actively engaged on disc 2, with works by Alban Berg, Hanns Eisler, Charles Ives and Cuban songwriter Silvio Rodriguez all filtered through the Stenson gauze, the pianist now favouring bright, chiming phrases, interior harp-plucks or harmonically cheerful progressions. --Martin Longley
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| Customer Reviews:
A different sort of "soul" music December 16, 2003 10 out of 10 found this review helpful
How did you come to be checking out Bobo Stenson? Assuming that you didn't stumble onto this page while looking for Bobo the clown, the fact that you're here means that you're one of those out-of-the-ordinary musical explorers rather than one of the mainstream many who stick to the safe highways of easy-on-the-ear music. And I bet you're one of those inquisitive types who actually reads the liner notes and takes note of who plays what on which tracks.So you're probably the sort of person who has the discrimination to recognize outstanding musicians, and the patience to listen to what they're doing. "Serenity" will reward you richly. I first came across the great Bobo on Charles Lloyd's excellent "Fish out of water", bought on the strength of a Q-magazine recommendation years ago. And maybe 10 years after first buying it I was listening again and was intrigued by the piano playing. By this time Amazon.com was doing its stuff and I was able to check whether there were any Bobo Stenson recordings. Hey presto, "Serenity". One click and it was done. On several tracks I found the sound that had first intrigued me - the opening "T", "El Mayor" and "Golden Rain" for example. But a number of others were too abstract for my liking and the CD languished at the bottom of the pile for a couple of years, until I once again felt a yen for that sound. Since then I've played this double CD through endlessly, including all the more abstract pieces. The beauty of the music and the playing has gradually revealed itself. Initially it tends to remind people of Keith Jarrett, probably because he's become the standard reference for ECM-type piano. But the sensibility is different. Certainly Stenson has an easily accessible sweetly lyrical vein, but the reward is in finding out just how different he is. Thank you Bobo Stenson, Anders Jormin and Jon Christensen for opening my ears just that little wider. When's the next CD?
Serene, but with an edge October 2, 2003 7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I love all of Stenson's ECM work, and this disc is another step forward for him. Graciously leaving a lot of the writing limelight to bassist Jormin - in my opinion one of the world's best - Stenson nonetheless stamps his personality all over the 2 discs with his thoughtful and beautiful playing. The inclusion of 'covers' by the likes of Alban Berg and Charles Ives is an added bonus, for he brings something special to these pieces, puts them through his own filter to create something unique every time. Anders Jormin's bass playing has never been better, never more quietly brilliant, and Jon Cristensen's playing - drumming is too crude a term for what he does here - weaves delicate but strong textures over which the other two work their magic. I enjoy the wide range of moods here, from the harmonically simple and attractive to more abstract pieces, not to mention the covers, of course, all of which go to make these 2 discs a source of discovery every time they are played. Keith Jarrett - much as I love his earlier stuff - was never in this territory, believe me.
swedish jazz - wow March 9, 2001 0 out of 4 found this review helpful
this is really fascinating stuff, but i must say that it is ground well trod by the great man jarrett beforehand. of course there is always room for more great jazz, and this is certainly worth checking out in its own right. also have a look at that other swedish piano player esbjorn svensson - very different style but fantastic nonetheless.
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