Customer Reviews
A different sort of "soul" music - By: Mr. Stuart Robert Harris, 16 Dec 2003 
How did you come to be checking out Bobo Stenson? Assuming that you didn't stumble onto this page while looking for Bobo the clown, the fact that you're here means that you're one of those out-of-the-ordinary musical explorers rather than one of the mainstream many who stick to the safe highways of easy-on-the-ear music. And I bet you're one of those inquisitive types who actually reads the liner notes & takes note of who plays what on which tracks.
So you're probably the sort of person who has the discrimination to recognize outstanding musicians, & the patience to listen to what they're doing. "Serenity" will reward you richly.
I first came across the great Bobo on Charles Lloyd's excellent "Fish out of water", bought on the strength of a Q-magazine recommendation years ago. And maybe 10 years after first buying it I was listening again & was intrigued by the piano playing. By this time Amazon.com was doing its stuff & I was able to check whether there were any Bobo Stenson recordings. Hey presto, "Serenity". One click & it was done.
On several tracks I found the sound that had first intrigued me - the opening "T", "El Mayor" & "Golden Rain" for example. But a number of others were too abstract for my liking & the CD languished at the bottom of the pile for a couple of years, until I once again felt a yen for that sound.
Since then I've played this double CD through endlessly, including all the more abstract pieces. The beauty of the music & the playing has gradually revealed itself. Initially it tends to remind people of Keith Jarrett, probably because he's become the standard reference for ECM-type piano. But the sensibility is different. Certainly Stenson has an easily accessible sweetly lyrical vein, but the reward isin finding out just how different he is.
Thank you Bobo Stenson, Anders Jormin & Jon Christensen for opening my ears just that little wider. When's the next CD?
Serene, but with an edge - By: , 02 Oct 2003 I love all of Stenson's ECM work, & this disc is another step forward for him. Graciously leaving a lot of the writing limelight to bassist Jormin -in my opinion one of the world's best - Stenson nonetheless stamps his personality all over the 2 discs with his thoughtful & beautiful playing. The inclusion of 'covers' by the likes of Alban Berg & Charles Ives is an added bonus, for he brings something special to these pieces, puts them through his own filter to create something unique every time. Anders Jormin's bass playing has never been better, never more quietly brilliant, & Jon Cristensen's playing - drumming is too crude a term for what he does here - weaves delicate but strong textures over which the other two work their magic. I enjoy the wide range of moods here, from the harmonically simple & attractive to more abstract pieces, not to mention the covers, of course, all of which go to make these 2 discs a source of discovery every time they are played.
Keith Jarrett - much as I love his earlier stuff - was neverin this territory, believe me.
swedish jazz - wow - By: , 09 Mar 2001 
this is really fascinating stuff, but i must say that it is ground well trod by the great man jarrett beforehand. of course there is always room for more great jazz, & this is certainly worth checking outin its own right. also have a look at that other swedish piano player esbjorn svensson - very different style but fantastic nonetheless.
