Grover Washington Jr. - Standing Room Only

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The late saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. was playing "smooth jazz" long before there even was such a term. Then again, whoever invented Muzak was a pioneer of sorts, too, which goes to show that innovation doesn't necessarily make for great art. The analogy isn't inappropriate. Washington's fusion of breezy melodies, flowing funk-lite grooves, slapping bass riffs, and synthesizer chords (all amply displayed throughout this hourlong concert) too often resembles elevator music with a beat. It's a blend that made him rich, as tunes like "Winelight" and "Just the Two of Us" (the latter played as part of a medley, without the Bill Withers vocal that helped make it a hit) connected with a broad audience that doesn't really like jazz but finds it digestible when it comes with a sugar coating. To be fair, the saxophonist (who triples on tenor, alto, and soprano horns) and his band do cook up some hard-charging, infectious grooves, especially on "Let It Flow"; they're all good players, and the sound mix on this disc is superb. But Washington, who has the chops of the jazz musician he once was, could do so much more. There's an antiseptic quality to this music; while it might rock, it simply doesn't swing (the exception is "Blues for DP"). One surprise: a cover of Steely Dan's "Time Out of Mind," which at first sounds as slick and superficial as the rest of Washington's repertoire but actually is by far the most melodically and harmonically engaging tune in the set. --Sam Graham

Description

One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was a pacesetter in his field. With roots in rhythm and blues and soul-jazz combinations, he also played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and chance-taking of a masterful jazz musician. This is very evident in this performance from the Trump Regency Cabaret Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey. You will feel the magic of this legendary performer captured at his artistic peak. Tracks: Winelight, Nice and Easy, Take Me There, Blues for DP, Time Out of Mind, Medley: Inner City Blues/Mercy Mercy Me/Where is the Love/Knucklehead/Black Frost/Santa Cruzin'/Just the Two of Us/Feels So Good/Sausalito/Let It Flow. 57 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

A Classic All the Way!.......2005-08-17

I bought this dvd as a gift for my husband and we watched it the day it arrived. We were blown away by this performance featuring all of our favourite music by this most talented musician. This is a definite must-have for lovers of the jazz sax as well as of Grover himself. We couldn't be happier with it.

Standing Room Only.......2005-06-04

For those of you who like the get right down to business approach, this is definitely the one. Not only that, it contains some of the most awesome performances by Grover and his band! If I had something bad to say about this video, it would be, there was no bass player solo, and not much camera coverage of the bass player's fingering, seeing how i'm inspiring to be a bass player. I think, up close video coverage of a master at work is a student's best teaching aide. But, we must not forget that this about, Master of Sax, Grover Washington Jr.

simply the best.......2004-02-19

This is one of my favorite dvds. Grover is in fine form here, he plays most of his hits. It's obviously kind of old, but if you're familiar with Grover you won't be disaippointed. The rest of the band gave him great support & the man did his thing. I don't know what that other reviewer was talking about. If you want to hear straight ahead jazz, this isn't for you. But, Grover's playing is a cut above the current class of so called "smooth jazz". You could say he started the genre. He had the chops a jazz cat, but chose to play music that more people would enjoy & feel. I get it. I feel it. This is good stuff. I just hope there's more of him on dvd. I saw him live 3 times. Truly a legend.

I was disappointed.......2002-04-14

I am a fan of Grover, and an aspiring musician myself. If you are a musician, this video will be very dissappointing. There are hardly any solos by other instruments, Grover plays the whole time on almost every song. I don't know why the band is even there, there may as well be a tape playing in the background. I've heard Grover do much better than this, and I am disappointed. The whole thing sounds empty, the visual effects are average. Just an overall disappointment. I would recommend "Live at the Bijou" as a good Grover album. On this video, though it seemed like they just wanted to slap something together so they could sell a video of Grover. Maybe at this point in his life he was just catering to the audience, and was tired of playing the same songs over and over.

It is the best.......2001-03-04

It's Grover...........What more can be said. It is the bomb!

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