By: Grant Green Average Rating: Binding: Audio CD Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered Label: Blue Note Records Number of Discs: 1 Release Date: April 20, 1999
Album Description: Time is suspended on these four haunting, extended tunes by this brilliant guitarist with the aid of an all-star cast. Unique in Green's discography for its relaxed, lengthy performances and almost dream-like lyricism, this Blue Note classic could well be called "Ballads for the Ages."
Amazon.com: The alluring title track alone makes this CD a must-have. A 15-minute dreamscape laid down by pianist Duke Pearson, the song features enchanting solos by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Guitarist Grant Green's single-note melody heightens the song's suspense. Grant's original "Jean de Fleur" finds the ensemble in brisker tempo, while their cover of John Lewis's "Django" exudes the spine-tingling coolness of Lewis's brand of bop. --John Murph
The most un-Blue Note recording of them all. The title track is likely to hit the listener with the force of Hera's heavenly ethers seducing Zeus. It's some of the most relaxed, unforced playing on record, the musicians all sharing an empathetic wave length in a kind of suspended telepathic or mystical state. Coming as the last tune of the recording session, the musicians were tired but primed, ready to create with the jitters long gone and with exclusive concentration on each other and the music. Less than "perform," they seem to be meditating out loud, or telling stories to one another in hushed tones so the children won't awaken. It's the most uncharacteristic Van Gelder or Blue Note recording I've ever heard, at times making the similar-sounding, sedate and classical Modern Jazz Quartet sound aggressive by comparison.
Give pianist Duke Pearson credit for taming these guys, and Grant Green all the praise for this rare, unexpected combination of deep and peaceful soul jazz. Hutcherson's vibes and Henderson's tenor pick up the spirit, and the result is some of the most productive idle moments one could possibly share with an ensemble of musicians fully communicative with the music and one another.
Sometimes you wish musicians would cut their losses, but in this case it's more a matter of cutting their winnings. After the 15-minute title tune, the two alternate takes contribute to a long program that cannot help but sound anticlimactic. Moreover, two takes of "Django" will seem excessive to anyone who has heard its composer, John Lewis, play it repeatedly throughout his career--even if Green can make a string throb with the same passion as Django. Don't plan on listening to this disc in a single session. It's best saved for an idle moment and savored one track at a time.
Dang it! Now I Have to Rethink Everything! I'm a jazz guitar player. Not great, not too bad either. My listening is tuned into Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, and Wes Montgomery (though I still don't "get" this guy). I ashamed to admit that until yesterday, I did not own ANY Grant Green music even though I'd seen him as part of a CTI musicians tour back in 1976. I seriously didn't know what I was missing!
Idle Moments is a wonderfully rich CD. All the guys show up and the chemistry is fantastic (just read the Duke Pearson liner notes as he describes how the title track at a whopping 14:50 ended up being selected as the "master" take despite its length). There are few releases that I can say I feel are perfect. Obviously Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme, perhaps Blues and the Abstract Truth come to mind. Well This session is on par with say that great Oliver Nelson release I just noted. I used the adjective wonderfully rich to describe this music, that's the only thing I can think of. I can tell you that as much as I know about jazz and jazz guitar (which after 30 years of serious listening and playing I think I know quite a bit) I'm now going to have to rethink everything as far as who the "mutha" players are. Everybody likes to talk about Wes and his soul but I have to tell you that after hearing Idle Moments, I prefer Grant to Wes. does that make me some sort of jazz guitar heretic?
If you like nice, laid back jazz with exceptional musicianship then you want Idle Moments. Green is fantastic but so are Pearson, Hutcherson, and Henderson... especially Henderson. I have to rethink that guy too. I always thought he was a 2nd tier player... WRONG!
Wonderful For me this is definitely the best Grant Green album. One of those "must haves"! Even if jazz is not particularly your genre, this is a wonderful recording from a "slightly" lesser know jazz guitarist.
Idle Moments by Grant Green The deeper I reach into the Grant Green bag of musical delights, the more I am aware of what true musical mastery is.
unsung jazz genuius Idle Moments is a jazz masterpiece: understated, elegant, flowing; a veritable delight on a late night listen. All of the players shine and blend together well. Both Grant Green and Duke Pearson rate with the best. This is a trippy, laid back session; subtlety reigns supreme.
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