artist : Ulf Wakenius
title : Enchanted Moments
label : Dragon Records
cat# : DRCD278
genre : Jazz
street date : 1996-05-16
tracks : 10
bitrate : 185 kbps avg. 44.1/Joint Stereo
size : 73.49 mb
source : CD
type : Retail
url : http://www.dragonrecords.se
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Those who've been exposed to Ulf Wakenius' more aggressive side will be
pleasantly surprised by Enchanted Moments, a generally rewarding
collection of ballads and standards that finds the Swedish fusion/hard
bop/post-bop improvisor playing acoustic guitar exclusively. Wakenius'
range of influences has included Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin as well
as earlier guitarists like Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall -- and in this very
lyrical and reflective setting, Metheny's influence is especially
apparent. Well-respected in Swedish jazz circles but little known in the
U.S., Wakenius is, for the most part, well-served by Scandinavian jazzmen
Lars Jansson (acoustic piano, synthesizers) Lars Danielsson (acoustic
bass, synthesizers) and Raymond Karlsson (drums, percussion). Overall, the
synthesizers have a warm, strings-like sound that compliments Wakenius'
vulnerable lyricism -- although on occasion, they take on a dull, new
age-ish quality. But thankfully, this CD (available on the Stockholm-based
Dragon label) has more strengths than weaknesses.
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01 Hymn 4:08
02 Little Girl Blue 8:10
03 Cry Me A River 5:19
04 When I Fall In Love 6:26
05 Old Folks 5:41
06 I Wish I Knew 5:58
07 A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square 4:00
08 Blues At Night 5:07
09 My One And Only Love 3:38
10 Ballad Of The Sad Young Men 6:30
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