Bolero

The majority of this album focuses on the title track, a cover of Maurice Ravel's orchestral piece. A great tune to begin with, Jordan modernizes it with his style, making it more of funky. The composition is good, and does credit to Ravel. Although it is a great song, it does clock in at over twenty minutes making for a long listen. It leaves the rest of the album short, but what is left is still very good as well. "Chameleon" is another good track that makes for a good follow up to "Bolero". It has a good beat and some exceptional guitar work on it. About halfway through the song, Jordan takes a nice clean solo, and then jumps on the distortion pedal giving it a bit of extra punch. The song is extra funky for a smooth jazz sound and has a good theme he keeps returning to. The cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Drifting" is pretty cool as well. Much more mellow than the original, and smooth-ified. His outro solo is fairly raw, bringing into play a bit of the Jimi sound to end. "Plato's Blues" is purely Jordan jamming on his own. He starts of soft and slow before kicking it up several notches, blowing us away with a wall of sound, fast fingers and raw power. He ends the album with the sweet solo of "Always and Forever", which is basically the same as the second song without the singing. Another fine cut with only Jordan playing.

This is an impressive album from Jordan. Most of the songs here are very good, but the singing on a couple of songs makes it too much of smooth jazz. He is incredibly talented as can be heard from his solo work, but he also does well composing wrapping in a dozen instruments and effects to make a song. If you're a Jordan fan, this is pretty good stuff here. My favorite is still his live performance on "Stolen Moments".


One of best technical guitarists,ever!!!   May 6, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Stanley Jordan is one of that men,better at "live"performance than at studio works.Those people that listened to this cd,and didn't have the opportunity to see him at a stage "live"performance,can't imagine of what this fantastic guitar player could do with the instrument!!He is a virtuose,and he'd played in my city almost 8 or 9 years ago,to promotes exactly this "Bolero" tour,and what those people saw at Quitandinha Theatre that night was something out of this planet!For me,one of the most "live'performances i've ever saw in my entire life.Absoluted fantastic.The cd is an extension of that night i'll remember forever.Great cd of great guitar player!!!!I really recomend this one,and the others of Stanley!


Excellent technique   January 8, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I've had this CD for years, and recently started listening to it again. Can't believe I've left this treasure gathering dust on the shelf for so long! The instrumentation is catchy, the music keeps you moving, whether it is intended to or not. If you are familiar with the classical piece "Bolero" by Ravel, you will appreciate Stanley Jordan's rendering even more. Try this, you will not be disappointed.


PRETTY GOOD   May 7, 2000
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I ENJOY HIS PLAYING ALot.He is A Great Talent but IT Fells Like Formula On this Disc in Parts.Always&Forever&Betcha By Golly Wow Sound Good but it isn't as Strong as His other Discs.