Beautiful piano, great drums, but you two never quite
seem to get in a groove, and I'm guessing it's the two-
states-away business. I feel like the drums were mixed a
little heavy for this piece, too. It just didn't seem to flow.
Maybe you guys should meet in Missouri, or whatever
state is in the middle? Or maybe someone else on this site
will have better advice for collaborating on a piece like
this. I have never done it, so I can't offer much help. Jazz
requires a seamless fusion that may be difficult to attain
unless you're in a room together. Mandoliquent and
kacsaito did a jazz piece not too long ago, but I think they
had some rhythmic problems, too.

You guys play well. The talent is there. Very tasty stuff.

(After listening again, I'm not sure if the bass isn't the
problem. It seems to lag a bit? It's a little clunky.)

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Thank you, atwood1996, for your comments. Thanks for taking the time to
listen.

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What a fantastic arrangement. You should check out Klazzbrothers & Cubapercussion (one group), who do jazzy renditions of classical music along these lines. Artistic and original, not cheezy at all. Search the iTunes Music Store for "Klazzbrothers" and "afrolise" and you'll find their version of Fur Elise, but be sure to sample the whole album. (No, I'm not affiliated with them, I just think you'd appreciate them based on this song.)

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Thanks, magritte. I did check them out, and they are great! Love the Cuban
sound on those classics.

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Nice going
I especially like the piano.

Thanks for sharing



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Thank you, thetiler. Interesting handle you've got there.

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...approach, good playing. It's a bit stagnant dynamically, for it ends where it started in terms of development/drive - I would start a lot quieter and calmer, to leave myself room to grow... but still very good overall. Keep it up.

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Thanks, igstudio. Yes, it does rather stay in one place dynamically, that's
true. Glad you liked it overall.

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I wish I had a guiro ('gweedo' [scratcher]) handy. The beginning is reminicsent of Tito Puentes' Oye Como Va. This tune has a really sweet laid back, subtle latin jazz feel. I don't know if that was intentional. Hmmm, a touch of some timbales or little conga work here and there...and Bacardi and Coke, of course...Yeah, baby. :-)

Sounds good, John.

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John is the man behind the awesome piano work on my blues tune, CRUISIN' FOR A BLUISIN'. He's quite the player. Many thanks, John. Glad to see you here at Macjams.com.

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Thanks, Scorp. Glad you picked up on that "Oye Come Va (sp?)" chord
changes. That vi7 -- II9 sequence is one of the most oft-repeated (and most
useful) chord sequence in all of pop/jazz music. It's something of a cliche,
but it works so well with this piece I could not keep myself from using it.

It was a pleasure to work with you, Scorp, on "Cruisin' For A Bluesin." You've
got great guitar chops.

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Hey, John! Welcome to Macjams. Really happy you
uploaded this piece. Very nice mellow piano sound; glad
you were able to get it to work after all the problems you
had initially with the Ivory plugin. Hope you do more. You
have very solid jazz ornamentations and such a smooth
style. I dig the drums, they sound great in my speakers.
man, nothing like real drumming. Very light touch and
perhaps even a too brilliant sound on the ride, but I dug it
all the same. Looking forward to more!

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Thanks, Tobin. Coming from you (I've heard you play), that's pretty high
praise.

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Excellent performance and outstanding arrangement.
Sometimes it's the simpliticy of such an arrangement that
comes to brilliance if it is executed with non-challance
and elegance.

Listening to this, in the beginning I was sceptical hearing
another pickup on Beethovens legacy, but the steady rise
throughout the piece adds so much elation, it totally
flipped me to the other side of loving your piece.

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Thank you, Core.

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I know nothing about Jazz... but this was a terrific
rendition of this song. It was very easy for me to visualize
Snoopy grooving to this ultra cool song!

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Hey, you picked up on the Vince Guaraldi / Peanuts connection! Hearing that
piano jazz while I watched the Charlie Brown cartoon specials (especially "A
Charlie Brown Christmas") as a kid in the 60s was a huge influence on me, as
far as what my concept of what good jazz should sound like became. Vince
was not the most avante-garde player out there, but that didn't matter -- he
was just plain good. Made you feel good to listen to him.

Thanks for your comment, aclarke.

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Love it... this is very enjoyably written, and beautifully
performed, both the piano and drums are great, you two!
My only quibble is that the high end seems slightly muted
on this track, not quite as sparkly as it should be to my
ears. But I'm very impressed by your writing and playing!
Given the other songs of your that have shown up now, I
will be checking back often to see what other gems you
produce.
ttfn,
Drakonis

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i love beethoven. this is a very handsome image you've found. there is something wonderful about taking 200 year old music and making it live in a fresh and new way. connects us to a long line of musical thought, adventure, learning and vision. you must be a very good teacher. your students are lucky.

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Real Nice. Piano is well played. I transposed a Beethoven
piece for jazz and I didn't come close to this excellent
composition.

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After hearing Mozart and Bach Collab's, I searched
through the rest of your catalog. This was the next
to catch my eye.

I am not really a fan of Jazz, but I love what you are
doing with the Classical works.



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I'm new to Mac Jams! I stumbled across this song and
thought it was enjoyable, clean, and smooth. Nice Job!!

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I do like this version and I think, like Tom Atwood said, there is talent in
both players. But, I don't think it quite meshes. After listening to your
other tracks, I think you mix the drums a little hot. They tend to
dominate, especially on this tune.

I would like a little more dynamic contrast, but still nice. I am going to
check out your cd.

Thanks -


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