Extended Play: Live at Birdland [Live]

Amazon.com
Having convinced many people that they are the finest working group in jazz in the studio, the Dave Holland Quintet here bids to convince those who haven't seen them live--and those who have--that they're the best working group anywhere. Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to document themselves in performance in full, expansive flight--the pieces push the standard envelope at 10 and 15 and 20 minutes, across two discs--the band shows off the heady sense of interaction they have developed during their years together. Veteran bassist Holland, who drew acclaim for his first big band effort, breaks down his original themes with surgical precision, maintaining a sharp edge with driving unison lines, geometric divisions, and full-bodied solos by saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks (who steals the show) and vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Whenever the resolutions get too neat, drummer Billy Kilson restores their power with his explosive drumming. --Lloyd Sachs

Tracks:

The Balance
High Wire
Juggler Parade
Make Believe
Free For All

Tracks:

Claressence
Prime Directive
Bedouin Trail
Metamorphos

Amazon.com

Having convinced many people that they are the finest working group in jazz in the studio, the Dave Holland Quintet here bids to convince those who haven't seen them live--and those who have--that they're the best working group anywhere. Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to document themselves in performance in full, expansive flight--the pieces push the standard envelope at 10 and 15 and 20 minutes, across two discs--the band shows off the heady sense of interaction they have developed during their years together. Veteran bassist Holland, who drew acclaim for his first big band effort, breaks down his original themes with surgical precision, maintaining a sharp edge with driving unison lines, geometric divisions, and full-bodied solos by saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks (who steals the show) and vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Whenever the resolutions get too neat, drummer Billy Kilson restores their power with his explosive drumming. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Can jazz be any better?.......2006-12-04

After listening to this cd over and over again for quite sometime now, I'm still impressed by these 5 tremedous musicians. This is musicmaking of the highest order and anyone with a liking of jazz could safely add this to their collection. You will not be dissapointed

Awesome CD.......2006-04-28

This CD is just an unbelievable CD. This is the best CD that Dave Holland and his crew have ever put out so far. My favorite part of the CD is Robin Eubanks and Chris Potter soloing together. The quintet has so much energy when it needs to be loud and knows when to be quiet, if you listen to jazz this is a must own. Even if you don't listen to jazz you should try buying this album, it will open up your mind to what music is really all about instead of listening to brain-numbing pop music being replayed. This album makes most pop music sound terrible. My favorite music album ever.

A Really Stunning Record.......2006-04-05

The downside of this CD set is that it will spoil a lot of other music for you including other Dave Holland CD's. When this group first recorded "Prime Directive" in the studio, it was a really nice piece of music. In this recording, "Prime Directive" will lift you out of your chair. At least three other pieces in this set will do the same.

The musicians are in top form, the format allows for long solos, the live audience knows they are hearing something very special. Absolutely buy this music.

Same good old Holland.......2005-12-31

I have rated this release from Dave Holland Quintet five stars like all the enthusiastic reviewers that wrote before me. In this manner I express clearly my high consideration for this quintet, this music and Dave Holland as an exceptional musician and band leader. I suggest the purchase of this double album because it's great. Nevertheless I want to express my opinion which I don't know how many of you would agree with. I mean .. ok this band is great and this Jazz too, it's a post modern free jazz that personally I find attractive and that interest me. I own almost all Dave's album. But I have to say that I can't hear all that evolution in Dave's music. If you take the music Dave played with his combo in the eighties (Steve Coleman, Robin Eubanks, Kenny Wheeler, Marvin Smitty Smith or with the other band he had with Kevin Eubanks and without Wheeler in the album "Extensions") it was more or less this same stuff. Ok it's great stuff, great Jazz (and I love it, you can be sure) but why all this enthusiasm? It seems as it was the first album with this free Holland stuff around.. Maybe some guys, some reviewers here don't know Dave's previous recordings. I don't know. Dave play this music since 20 years ago, and maybe more. You can go to "Conference of the Birds" and you can find almost this same music. This quintet is more or less on the same level (very high) of the other Holland's quintet or quartet he had in the past. And if I had to express a personal preference even if I really love what Potter played here, I still love Steve Coleman more than him, so I prefer that combo to this one. A lot of people here pointed out the (truly exceptional) drum work from Billy Kilson. He plays great, absolutly, he is really creative drummer, but Marvin Smitty Smith? What about him? Wasn't he spectacular? I don't find Kilson superior to Smith! Smith is probably one of my all time favourite drummers so... I have to say that I prefer two guys from the old DHQ to two elements which are in this band. But these are only personal preferences of course and we're talking about exceptional musicians all the way so .. and I don't want to end my review with something that seem unfair to this band. I simply wanted to say that this album didn't surprised me as it seems happened with some guys here. Dave has always had fantastic bands and musicians and simply this Dave's music has been around since "Conference..". Anyway. This is a fantastic group of musicians with one of the best band leader around (and bassist, don't forget) and they play a sort of free Jazz which is particular, but very very interesting music. I suggest this album to everyone which is into post-bop, free Jazz, maybe together with "Seeds of time", The razor's edge" and "Extensions" still from Dave's catalogue. "What goes around" it has been another fantastic, exceptional release that you can buy with confidence if you'll love "Extended play".

Better than sex!.......2005-10-16

Damn. Just buy it. Just go right now and buy this CD. There are no words to describe this cd other than that it totally kicks ass. This is the kind of music that makes you stare dumbfounded at your stereo speakers. What? you will say. Is this real? and then you will smile, lay your head on a pillow and have the best time of your life. Dave--you and the guys are incredible.

Average customer rating:

Extended Play: Live at Birdland
Dave Holland Quintet
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000CD7WC
Release Date: 2003-11-03

Tracks:

Balance
High Wire
Jugglers Parade
Make Believe
Free for All

Tracks:

Claressence
Prime Directive
Bedouin Trail
Metamorphos

Pop Music:

Pop Music