Re: a CD review (Howard Levy-Anthony Molinaro)

["Flipper Weintrager" <klezharmonikoo@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the clue-to, Rob.  I'm DEFINATELY going
to credit-card order this new disc right away.  It
sounds absolute ispired.  Best, Richard Weintrager -

- --------

>Hello Freinds,
>
>         I apologize for the bandwidth, but I created this review 
>especially
>for Harp-L, I should put in the usual disclaimer that I have no financial
>affiliation with this project and I present this solely as a service to our
>community here at Harp-L.
>
>
>
>A CD Review "The Molinaro - Levy Project : LIVE"
>
>A new recording by Anthony Molinaro (Piano) and Howard Levy (Diatonic
>Harmonica)
>
>By Rob Paparozzi
>
>To order contact: http://www.nineteeneight.com/
>
>Other related sites:
>
>www.anthonymolinaro.com
>
>www.levyland.com
>
>
>
>          When I think of "duet" records, a few favorites come to mind, 
>first
>is one Bill Evans did with Tony Bennett called "Together Again", and second 
>is
>Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans, an LP titled "Affinity".  Why are these 
>two
>my favorites? Because of the Chemistry that is captured by the two artists,
>the interplay is spontaneous yet perfect. Though one is a Vocal and Piano 
>and
>the other Harmonica and Piano, it really doesn't matter, it's the 
>intertwined
>coalition of ideas that spawns these beautiful interpretations of timeless
>Standards and original works.
>
>
>
>      Now, another duet recording has struck my interest in the same way, 
>The
>Molinaro-Levy project. I guess I should provide a little background first 
>on
>these two world-class musicians:
>
>
>
>             Anthony Molinaro is a classically trained Pianist and winner 
>of
>the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1997. He has
>performed Bach, Mozart and original concertos with acclaimed symphonies 
>around
>the world. But his credentials don't stop there; Anthony is equally at home
>playing improvisational Jazz in a way that combines his years of classical
>training with fresh original ideas.
>
>
>
>             Howard Levy (a Pianist in his own right) is a Grammy-Award 
>winning
>artist, and is featured on this recording on Diatonic Harmonica (aka Blues
>Harp) only. Howard has pioneered new techniques enabling the 'Blues Harp' 
>to
>be played modally and chromatically. Levy also plays Mandolin, Guitar and 
>Sax
>and Pennywhistle and Jaw Harp. He was a founding member or Bela Fleck and 
>the
>Flecktones and has recently performed his own concerto for Diatonic
>Harmonica.
>
>
>
>    The CD is a culmination of 4 "live" performances, since the duo started
>performing last year (2002). The Standards range from Ellington and Miles 
>to
>Gerswhin all with very 'original' interpretations and arrangements. The
>Originals are by both artists with one collaboration.
>
>
>
>             The CD starts out with a very unique arrangement of Miles 
>Davis'
>"All Blues", Howard plays a  dazzling bluesy (Train meets Trane) solo 
>intro,
>when the Piano joins in they have fun with some unique 'stops' on the
>'Head'(melody)...and then its off to the races! Anthony's last solo is an
>amazing study in right-left hand coordination; Howard can't resist 
>overlaying
>soaring arpeggios bringing us down for a very smooth landing.
>
>
>
>             Next up is a Molinaro composition titled "19/8", in the liner
>notes Anthony explains how this piece which after going through several 
>meter
>changes end ups in 19/8. Anthony was inspired by JS Bach, Legeti and 
>Prokofiev
>and will use this piece to lay the groundwork for the last movement of his
>forthcoming piano concerto. What is so mesmerizing about this piece is his
>ostinato bass line more powerful than a locomotive! Molinaro has impeccable
>time and this enables both of them to play off this amazingly pulsed left 
>hand
>line.
>
>
>
>             The 3rd and 4th tunes are Gershwin's' "Prelude #2" and
>"Summertime", and are basically Molinaro's interpretations. These pieces 
>allow
>for much Bluesification of the melody which Howard accomplishes so 
>'warmly'.
>On the Prelude, Howard uses a Low F# Diatonic and it really sits well.
>'Summertime' is exquisitely performed by these two in a VERY 
>non-traditional
>manner which Anthony attributes to the spiritual vibe he feels from Bach's
>music when he rearranged this Gershwin classic.
>
>
>
>             "Amazonas" is a Levy original that was inspired after he 
>viewed an
>Aerial Photo of the incredible Xingu River that flows into the Amazon.
>Howard's love for Brazilian music is obvious in this beautifully flowing
>melody which seems quite river-like with all the "twists and 
>turns"...Howard
>plays this piece on a C harmonica.
>
>
>
>             If I had to describe this next tune in 4 words it would read:
>"Duke in a Mug". Howard uses a low Eb on this beautiful Ellington Ballad, 
>he
>uses a Coffee Mug as mute and the texture becomes Trombone like but with 
>all
>the Bluesy bends a 'Bone' just doesn't have!
>
>
>
>             The second Miles tune "Solar", is unlike the other tunes as 
>they
>didn't pre-arrange the song and it was totally improvised. It's in Cm and
>Howard uses a Bb Harmonica. There's evidence here of a "telepathic
>arrangement", each sending musical signals to other, when the conversation
>ends so does the song!
>
>
>
>             "Donna Lee" was Charlie Parker's re-creation of  the old "Back
>Home in Indiana", This is the duo's  reshaping of both of these tunes.
>Howard's solo intro touches on his Harmonica Concerto with some 
>"Break-Neck"
>arpeggios that segue into a rubato version of "Indiana"  with some haunting
>double stops by Levy. Anthony enters with his array of almost metronomic
>arpeggios and Howard joins in over that which bops into "Donna Lee"  at a 
>very
>quick tempo, quite a unique  medley arrangement.
>
>
>
>             "Sketchy" is the original collaboration of a tune based on 
>"Rhythm
>Changes", Anthony's piano combines a unique take on "Stride" piano and Levy
>has no trouble keeping up with this energetic arrangement.
>
>
>
>             The Finale, it turns out is a medley of two old American 
>tunes:
>"Amazing Grace" into "America the Beautiful" and it also happens to be a 
>live
>Radio Broadcast when the duo first performed together. Anthony points out 
>in
>the notes and I agree totally, "Timeless songs and Soulful Harmonica 
>playing
>ARE an awfully good mix"....
>
>
>
>
>
>             So there you have it, I just added another CD to my favorite
>'Duets' list, of course there are many I haven't mentioned like Sonny &
>Brownie, Karin Krog & Dave McKenna...so many great musical couples have 
>teamed
>up and made two people sound almost 'orchestral' and beyond, here yet is 
>more
>evidence.  Molinaro and Levy seamlessly weave us thru profound standards as
>well as original pieces with ideas culled from their vast musical
>experiences..check it out for yourself, and enjoy...as I did!!
>
>
>
>Rob Paparozzi
>--
>Harp-l is sponsored by SPAH.
>Hosted by ValuePricehosting.com, www.valuepricehosting.com


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