Arrangements for Guitar Trio

Advantages: Very soulful, seriously impressive guitar/instrument arrangements give sound extra depth
Disadvantages: Some may find it a bit gloomy, not the loudest of albums.

...instrumental talents and showcases Jimmi's bass playing which is certainly one of the bands strongest points. Here it Comes is the first song proper and is another bass driven track with a brilliant piano part playing moodily over it. This song has an infectious jazzy groove. Sea Song is one of my favourites a slow burner which gently builds up over six minutes. The vocals are minimal on this largely instrumental track but the sound created as the guitars and bass phase in and out and build towards the end is phenomenal. For me it's these kinds of songs that make Doves stand out above the rest. The guitars may be understated and soft but they are so beautifully arranged that they give their songs a great power and depth. Cedar room is another song that displays this quality with aplomb. Catch The Sun is a loud full-blown guitar driven effort... Read review

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Advantages: A masterclass in arranging and playing
Disadvantages: None

...Gil Evans was at a creative peak when this was recorded in 1960. Having completed a trio of classic albums with Miles Davis (Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain), he was now bringing classical influences into his own work - with amazing results. Often these were in quite small but important details: the delicate use of woodwinds (the barely noticeable bassoon on "La Nevada", the flute on John Benson Brooks' attractive "Where Flamingos Fly"); the inclusion of Harry Partch-style homemade percussion on George Russell's "Stratusphunk"; and more evidently in the choice of material (in this case, Kurt Weill's "Bilbao Song" - arranged so that, perhaps unexpectedly, it's Ron Carter's bass that takes the identifying vocal line from the song's chorus). It's Evans' own piano that introduces the album, on his own composition... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent arrangements, brilliant musicianship
Disadvantages: A couple of weak links - often the latin ones

...reinterpretation of the original Cab Calloway classic. As track 4, it successfully slows the pace of the album and avoids things getting too crazy. As backing singers, the band are in "interesting" voice. While not perfectly in tune, their howling "Hi-de-hi" lines cut through the tingling piano. Feeling sufficiently rested after the drop in tempo, track 5 bursts into your ears. The good-time, fun-time melody and lyrics of "You and Me and the Bottle Make Three" cuts into the album with its perfectly-formed brass arrangements and witty call-and-answer lyrics recounting the drinking exploits of a band member out on the town. "Jump with my Baby" is a more traditional, almost Glenn Miller, swing song for much of the verse. However, it begins to verge on early rock n roll with its chorus and beautifully crunchy guitar solo - the first time Scotty... Read review

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