Classics In The Key Of G - Kenny G

Classics in the key of G - Kenny G

Well, as promised, it is time to review some jazz, but for those detractors, I'll start with smooth, then will gradually work up to some nice hard jazz, swing and bebop.

Kenny G is a very interesting saxophonist, not least in that he does not fit the mould of a classic jazz saxophonist; in fact many jazz fans are ardently NOT Kenny G fans. He looks more like an 80's prog rock star, ...
...much too 'smooth' for many jazz fans, you are certainly more likely to hear Kenny g in the lounge of a hotel than you are Albert Ayler or Ornette Coleman.

His main instrument is soprano sax, but he does play alto and tenor as well. For those that don't know, all the key positions and spacings are pretty much the same on all types of saxophone, and as they go up and down the scales in octaves (using or not using a back octave key), ... more

Classics in the key of G - Kenny G

Well, as promised, it is time to review some jazz, but for those detractors, I'll start with smooth, then will gradually work up to some nice hard jazz, swing and bebop.

Kenny G is a very interesting saxophonist, not least in that he does not fit the mould of a classic jazz saxophonist; in fact many jazz fans are ardently NOT Kenny G fans. He looks more like an 80's prog rock star, all long perm and casual clothes. In addition he is much too 'smooth' for many jazz fans, you are certainly more likely to hear Kenny g in the lounge of a hotel than you are Albert Ayler or Ornette Coleman.

His main instrument is soprano sax, but he does play alto and tenor as well. For those that don't know, all the key positions and spacings are pretty much the same on all types of saxophone, and as they go up and down the scales in octaves (using or not using a back octave key), learning on one saxophone gives the player a pretty good idea how to play another.

I digress, this album is actually a working of traditional jazz standards, so should have pleased many jazz lovers, yet most people I know hate it, saying it is far too smooth and melodic!! He does not really improvise, which of course is what all jazz musicians aspire too do, instead he 'decorates' the melody, embellishing it where it makes sense and backing off when you expect a big solo.

For me there is something to learn from any good saxophonist, and he is good make no mistake, and I am not ashamed to admit that I own this album.

~~~~~A review of the tracks~~~~~

Track 1. Summertime - (with George Benson)
Track 2. The Look of Love
Track 3. What a Wonderful World - (with Louis Armstrong)
Track 4. Desafinado
Track 5. In a Sentimental Mood
Track 6. Girl From Ipanema - (featuring Bebel Gilberto)
Track 7. Stranger on the Shore
Track 8. Body and Soul
Track 9. 'Round Midnight
Track 10. Over the Rainbow

Summertime: For me the fact that he gets George Benson to play guitar on this is in itself an endorsement. He plays it strong and slow. To me he plays the melody so perfectly well that the words are almost heard. He can also hold a note for a serious amount of time with pure clarity. Not as edgy as Albert Ayler playing this, and not as frantic as Charlie Parker but he does 'own it'. Very smooth and very nice. 8/10.

The Look of love: This is actually far too smooth for me, feels like it should be played over Ally Mc Beal or something, pass the bucket. 3/10.

What a Wonderful World: One of my favourites, both to listen to and to play. The fact that we get a Louis Armstrong original vocal seems to justify the song, not that it needs justifying. He plays well as backing to the vocal, and then takes it up a volume level in the 'spaces', replacing the vocals with a very strong melodic offering. Excellent. 9/10.

Desafinado: I have never liked this song, too 60's lounge lizard, and I have to say Mr G has not changed my mind at all. 3/10.

In a Sentimental Mood: Now this is a song I like and it works well with a nice bit of piano playing here, bit cruise ship but that's okay, there is not much one could do different with this. If I am being critical, a bit high pitched for me in places. 6/10.

Girl from Ipanema: This is a tricky song to play (or sing) without sounding too cheesy, and he just about pulls it off with the help of the singer, if you like Bossa Nova this is for you, for me, not really. It is no doubt very accomplished, but not exactly exciting. 6/10.

Stranger on the shore: As made famous by Acker Bilk on clarinet, and I have to say it should stay there, hate it. 1/10.

Body and soul: Now this is smooth jazz, he takes a few chances here for a change and plays just off the melody a bit, and it works, much stronger playing, I like this. I especially like the way he manages to make very quick changes, very smoothly, there is one bit where he obviously plays a whole bar of semi quavers which just flows like it was one. Very good. 8/10.

Round Midnight: Kind of 'sax in the evening', not sure about this track, played well, does not really 'do it' for me. 6/10.

Over the Rainbow: This is a song that I love to play. He puts some real feeling into this, lots of vibrato, lots of well held notes that you think should finish and yet he holds them just long enough. I actually think that this is his best offering on the album, maybe this is because I can 'feel' how he is playing (not that I am any where near that good). 9/10.

There is a final instrumental version of Girl from Ipanema, not much to say about that.

So what do I think? It is certainly not my most treasured album and although I did pay £7.99 from iTunes, I wish I had only bought tracks 1, 3, 8 and 10. The album as a whole is one of those you might play on a Sunday evening, or as a backing track to an evening meal with friends. He is a fantastically smooth and accomplished saxophonist and yet I like less brilliant saxophonists that play a little edgier.

Also posted on dooyoo, same member name. 

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