Star Eyes, Hamburg 1983 Explained

Star Eyes, Hamburg 1983
Type:Live album
Artist:Lee Konitz and Martial Solal
Cover:Star Eyes, Hamburg 1983.jpg
Released:1998
Recorded:November 11, 1983
Venue:New-Jazz-Festival, Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany
Genre:Jazz
Length:67:40
Label:HatOLOGY
518
Producer:Werner X. Uehlinger
Chronology:Lee Konitz
Prev Title:Dedicated to Lee
Prev Year:1983
Next Title:Wild as Springtime
Next Year:1984

Star Eyes, Hamburg 1983 is a live album by saxophonist Lee Konitz and pianist Martial Solal which was recorded in Germany in 1983 by Norddeutscher Rundfunk and released on the HatOLOGY label in 1998.[1] [2] [3]

Critical reception

The Allmusic review stated "there is no date, with possible exceptions of Motion and Lone-Lee, that can touch this live duet setting for breaking new ground. Given his apprenticeship with Lennie Tristano, Konitz is well known for his melodic improvising and his ability to re-conceptualize a tune. But what happens here, with Martial Solal's dramatic, often theatrical style of piano playing, is the extension of Konitz's own abilities to visualize inherently what is possible within a given framework ... It's quite honestly the finest live recording of Lee Konitz that exists". On All About Jazz C. Michael Bailey noted "What Solal gave Konitz on this recording was freedom, a mental and creative elasticity that the saxophonist could use as a springboard for improvisation beyond the normal harmonic coloring within-the- lines. This music is perfect for the probing jazz enthusiast who cannot make sense of late Coltrane or fellow saxophonist Eric Dolphy. There is enough of the melody retained to see where the artists are going and appreciate them for it".[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Lee Konitz except where noted.

  1. "Just Friends" (John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis) - 7:43
  2. "Star Eyes" (Gene de Paul, Don Raye) - 7:12
  3. "It's You" - 6:22
  4. "Body and Soul" (Johnny Green, Frank Eyton, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) - 9:02
  5. "Subconscious Lee" - 7:33
  6. "Fluctuat Nec Mergitur" (Martial Solal) - 6:21
  7. "April" - 7:18
  8. "What's New?" (Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke) - 10:21
  9. "Cherokee" (Ray Noble) - 5:45

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. https://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472115871-discography.pdf Lee Konitz discography
  2. Di Filippo, R., Enciclopedia del Jazz: Lee Konitz accessed December 15, 2016
  3. http://www.hathut.com/records/hatology/lee-konitz-martial-solal-star-eyes-hamburg-1983 Hathut Records: album entry
  4. Bailey, C. M. All About Jazz Review, July 22, 2012