Derek Bailey : Ballads

CD [Cover Art for Derek Bailey / Ballads]

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Your Price: $12.30 (List Price: $16.98)
Rated 7 with 3 responses
Availability: In Stock
Sell date: 4/2002
Label: Tzadik/Koch
Mfg's Catalog#: 7607
CDC Part#: 671467
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 Notes & Reviews
 
Full title is: Ballads

The All Music Guide rating for this album on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 8

The All Music Guide rating for this album among this artist's works on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 8

  Derek Bailey - Guitar, Main Performer

It's not as though Derek Bailey hadn't given a hint or two before. On his wonderful Drop Me Off at 96th (on Scatter ), he tantalized listeners with a couple of bars of 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was.' Even those who might have preferred that he stood steadfast and true to the non-idiomatic free improv 'tradition' might have wavered slightly. Still, for those so inclined, Ballads might be a bittersweet experience. They might prefer to understand that Bailey was quite capable of playing in a traditionally, romantically beautiful manner but feel that he had no need to prove it, rather having him wend his unique way through a strange landscape. However, met on its own terms, Ballads is stunningly gorgeous, lovely melodies like 'Laura' being passionately stroked even as they abut against Bailey 's questioning angularities and brusque, impolite commentary. The pure sound he elicits from his acoustic guitar is mouthwatering, so reverberant and alive. When he absolutely wrenches the melody of 'Stella By Starlight' from the poor body of his instrument, it's enough to leave one gasping. And longtime Bailey fans might simply shake their heads in disbelief when he strums with schmaltz -- as well as beauty -- the sentimental theme from 'My Buddy' before taking it on a circuitous walk. Whether one is glad or distressed that he chose to dip his toes into these waters, Ballads is a singularly lovely recording, one that certainly stands out in Bailey 's oeuvre and one that is nigh impossible not to smile about and linger over. Highly recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide

 
 Tracks and Sound Clips   Click here for the Windows Media player
 
Laura - 2:58 Play the Windows Media clip
What's New? - 1:40 Play the Windows Media clip
When Your Lover Has Gone - 3:18 Play the Windows Media clip
Stella by Starlight - 7:21 Play the Windows Media clip
My Melancholy Baby - 3:13 Play the Windows Media clip
My Buddy - 1:12 Play the Windows Media clip
Gone With the Wind - 2:06 Play the Windows Media clip
Rockin' Chair - 1:56 Play the Windows Media clip
Body & Soul - 5:33 Play the Windows Media clip
Gone With the Wind - 2:28 Play the Windows Media clip
Rockin' Chair - 2:04 Play the Windows Media clip
You Go to My Head - 1:47 Play the Windows Media clip
Georgia on My Mind - 4:57 Play the Windows Media clip
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - 0:50 Play the Windows Media clip
 Recommendations

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