What I was Listening to - Vol #7

Joe Satriani - Crystal Planet, Epic Records Decca Records, 1998 (EK 68018)

There really isn't much to say about this latest release from Satriani, other than it is another winner.  The CD starts off with a great cut, "Up in the Sky", and basically goes non-stop from there.  There are a total of 15 cuts with a nice mix of rip-roaring tunes like the title cut "Crystal Planet" to some with a slower pace like "Love Thing".  Whether you're a hard-core Satriani fan or just like good guitar music, this is one for your collection.

Richard Elliot - City Speak, Blue Note Contemporary, 1996 (CDP 7243-8-32620-2-1)

For those of you who like tenor sax jazz, you should pay more attention to Richard Elliot.   Although he hasn't reached the prominance of other jazz sax artists like Kenny G or Warren Hill, his technique is just as good.  This CD has 9 cuts which he wrote along with Dave Reinhardt and Ron Reinhardt. There are an additional two cuts, one written by Richard Smith and another by Babyface.   Although I had heard him before, I first took serious notice of Elliot on a business trip.  I had the radio on in my hotel room when I heard "When the Lights Go Out".  Sultry isn't the right word to describe it, but this tune really had heart and soul in it.  Other cuts on this CD I like include "City Speak", "Unspoken Words", and "Downhill Run".  If you're looking for something new to listen to in the sax department, check this one out.

Coleman Hawkins - Body and Soul, Victor Jazz, 1996 (09026-68515-2)

I've been spending some time trying to go back and listen to some of the great jazz legends.  I was very fortunate to have found this particular CD, which has a wonderful selection by the legendary sax player Coleman Hawkins.  This CD has 19 cuts covering his performances from 1939-1956 and includes some great tunes like "Body and Soul", "My Blue Heaven", "Say It Isn't So", and others.  The liner notes contain a very nice biography of Hawkin's carreer written by Dan Morgenstern, director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.  I can highly recommend this CD to anyone who is into traditional jazz.

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