“Henry Robinett has a light, precise touch on his guitar strings. As a lover of ‘swing’ and bebop, I am drawn to Henry Robinett’s music like a fish to water. I find a comfort level swimming in his clearly defined melodies and soaking up his rich improvisations. Every tune becomes a favorite and each arrangement is brilliantly highlighted by the gold-plated excellence of these musicians.”
https://musicalmemoirs.wordpress.com/
HENRY ROBINETT – “JAZZ STANDARDS, VOL. 2: THEN AGAIN” – Nefertiti Records
Henry Robinett, guitar; Joe Gilman, piano; Chris Symer, bass; Michael Stephans, drums.
Henry Robinett has a light, precise touch on his guitar strings. His bebop style skips along at a brisk pace on their opening number, “Yours Is My Heart Alone.” It’s a great way to open this album and to introduce us to the players. Joe Gilman steps into the spotlight with a bright, intriguing piano solo. Michael Stephans, an extraordinary drummer, keeps the pace solidified and ever-moving. He ‘trades fours’ with Gilman and Robinett, showing off his technical skills and strength. Back in 2020, I enjoyed and reviewed the first release of Robinett’s 20-year-old recording project that he called “Jazz Standards, Vol. 1.” At the time of this recording project, Henry Robinett was working as an engineer at ‘The Hangar’, a recording studio in Sacramento. The quartet managed to record enough material in two days to create two volumes of exceptional music. Although Robinett has gone on to make his mark as more of an electric jazz player, when he re-listened to these dynamite tracks, Henry recognized the brilliance and beauty he had overlooked in his younger years.
“After listening to it again, after so many years, I like it. I think it stands up well and shows another side to my playing,” Robinett explained in his press package.
Henry Robinett is not only a jazz guitarist, bandleader, composer and artist, but he’s also an educator. He’s been in love with the guitar since age thirteen. His diverse and extremely different musical influences were Jimi Hendrix and Charles Mingus, who was his father’s first cousin. When Robinett isn’t performing, you may find him teaching in Vienna, Austria at the American Institute of Music or on the faculty of the University of the Pacific and Consumnes River College.
As a lover of ‘swing’ and bebop, I am drawn to Henry Robinett’s music like a fish to water. I find a comfort level swimming in his clearly defined melodies and soaking up his rich improvisations. The songs this quartet offers are mostly familiar and range from a swinging arrangement of “On the Street Where You Live” to the sexy ballad, “Body and Soul.” They swing “Like Someone in Love” and shuffle through “Milestones.” Every tune becomes a favorite and each arrangement is brilliantly highlighted by the gold-plated excellence of these musicians.
_____________________________________________
Thanks to
Paul D Berg
of From Vinyl to Plastic for his pro audio review of
Henry Robinett
's 20-year-old recording (now being released!!), "Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again"
"A very enjoyable performance... each track had a little extra something to give the listener,"
https://fromvinyltoplastic.com/henry-robinett-quartet.../
Henry Robinett Quartet – Then Again – CD Review
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.
Plastic – CD
Surface noise: N/A
Dynamic Range: 4
Stereo Imaging: 4
Image depth/perspective: 4-
Overall frequency response: 4
Please see here for my comments on reviewing albums.
Track List:
1. Yours is My Heart Alone
2. Like Someone In Love
3. I Thought About You
4. On The Street Where You Live
5. Milestones (original version)
6. Body and Soul
7. How Am I To Know
8. Darn That Dream
9. I Love You
10. It Could Happen To You
11. Monk’s Mood
12. San Francisco Holiday (Worry Later)
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Line Up:
• Henry Robinett – Guitar
• Joe Gilman – Piano
• Chris Symer – Bass
• Michael Stephans– Drums
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This album was originally recorded and engineered by Henry Robinett at The Hanger, Sacramento, CA. April 19th-20th, 2000. It was mixed and mastered by Henry Robinett at Henry’s Place – his own recording studio. The album is due to be released on Henry’s own label Nefertiti Records on January 8th, 2021.
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Welcome to Volume 2 of a 4 volume series entitled Jazz Standards. Both volumes 1 & 2 were recorded over 20 years ago, the first being titled Then. Henry Robinett does it all, jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader, recording engineer and teacher. Robinett also leads his own band; The Henry Robinett Group, with whom he has released 5 albums.
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Musicianship was very good providing a tight, enjoyable and entertaining performance having no obvious bum or fluffed notes. This album is really all about Henry’s electric guitar performance that was excellent, providing a clean and detailed, center image. Depth of image was very shallow with the kit filling most of the space between my speakers and sitting just behind Henry’s guitar playing that was placed front and center. The double bass was set of to Henry’s left hand side, midway between him and my RH speaker and the piano set midway between Henry and my LH speaker. With stereo imaging being stable at all times.
Henrys electric guitar sounded full and mellow never changing its tone from track to track and having a pleasing level of reverb that you occasionally hear tail out. There was no plectrum, finger or fret noise of consequence. His guitar being virtually ‘tied at the hip’ to the piano, when Henry played, there was the pianist accompanying him. There were therefore no real Henry solos, but there again they were hardly necessary with Henrys guitar leading all of the numbers.
The piano sounded very natural with good attack and a clean, bright and mellow tone. During a couple of solos like the one on T6 when its level was raised, it seemed to pull much more to the center front stage. No key or damper action was apparent. There are several short breaks and solos on every track, but here are a few that I singled out; T6, T7, T8 and T10.
The double bass was always well detailed, tight, natural sounding and uncolored, but on a couple of occasions almost vanished into the mix. When bowed on T8 sounding rich and mellow. The real issue was that the bassist either; hit the strings with his nails or the strings slapping the neck producing a loud and distracting “click” that emanated from the bass image location. At first I thought it was electronic clipping but on further listening realized it was just the way the bass was being played. Occasional general finger work was heard providing just a slightly more intimate feel. Solos of note would include; T5 and T9.
All toms provide a well damped, short decay with a slightly hollow sound, while the kick drum was a very solid dull thud with no beater sound. The snare had a short well damped ring and provided a few very impactful rim shots. All brush work was very detailed and almost exquisite on T8, being bright, clean and open, as were all the cymbals and hi-hat that just needed a little more top end in order to sparkle. The chimes on T6 & T11 providing a detailed and refined sound. Solos of note would include; T1, T5 and T9.
Despite this entertaining musical performance the recording lacked a little in presence, even during some of the more dynamic solos the instruments never managed to ‘appear’ in my room. This twenty year old recording exhibited little background noise and no hum, however, even with this low noise floor the dynamics never really excelled, but nor were they obviously compressed.
All instruments were ‘wrapped’ with reverb that was short and low level, not interfering with or coloring the musical performance, but managing to add just a little warmth.
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Clearly not a state-of-the-art recording, but never the less a very enjoyable performance. Each track had a little extra something to give the listener, be it an instrumental break, solo or a new take on an old number. The numerous instrumental breaks and solos giving the listener time to get to ‘know’ the instruments. I am sure that Henrys fans and lovers of jazz will enjoy these resurrected tracks from his earlier life.
fromvinyltoplastic.com
Henry Robinett Quartet - Then Again - CD Review - From Vinyl To Plastic
Henry Robinett Quartet - Then Again - CD Review. Taken from a recording made 20 years ago. How does this album hold up technically?
__________________________
Thanks to
Dick Metcalf
of Contemporary Fusion Reviews for his write-up of
Henry Robinett
's "Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again"
“Some of the most superbly swinging, accessible jazz you’ve ever listened to… my choice for personal favorite is “Milestones”… the quartet infuses this tune with an original energy that will make you come back to listen again and again…”
https://contemporaryfusionreviews.com/superbly-swinging/
Superbly swinging accessible jazz guitar Henry Robinett Quartet – Jazz Standards Volume 2, Then Again
By Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
December 22, 2020
Superbly swinging accessible jazz guitar Henry Robinett Quartet – JAZZ STANDARDS VOLUME 2, THEN AGAIN: When I reviewed Henry’s “Jazz Standards Then” album, I was ultimately impressed with his excellent jazz pacing; on his new release (slated for January 8th, 2021), you’ll hear some of the most superbly swinging accessible jazz you’ve ever listened to… though I didn’t find live performances from the album, to get a taste of his swinging style, check out this LIVE video first…
…if you liked that, you’ll want to be sure you SUBSCRIBE to Henry’s YouTube channel, where you’ll find many more LIVE videos for your jazz enjoyment.
Henry’s magical jazz guitar performance is very nicely complimented by Joe Gilman on piano, Chris Symer doing bass and drums from Michael Stephans… that’s especially true on their upbeat iteration of “On The Street Where You Live” (samples will be added when I’m told the album is live)… jazz DJ’s everywhere will be including this unique version of the classic on their playlists often, I predict!
That laid-back pacing I mentioned earlier is perfectly expressed on Johnny Green’s “Body and Soul”… Joe’s piano is just splendid on this tune, too… flawless recording certainly will enhance your listening pleasure.
After a couple listens through the entire album, it was very clear that my choice for personal favorite is “Milestones”… the quartet infuses this tune with an original energy that will make you come back to listen again and again… it also earned a spot on my iPhone player (reserved for only the BEST jazz)!
I give Henry and all his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.98 for this excellent album. Find out more as it comes nearer to the January 8th, 2021 release date on Henry’s website.
#Superbly #swinging #accessible #jazz #guitar #Henry #Robinett #Quartet
contemporaryfusionreviews.com
Superbly swinging accessible jazz guitar Henry Robinett Quartet - Jazz Standards Volume 2, Then A
___________________________
Many thanks to
Marc Phillips
of
Part-Time Audiophile
for his review of
Henry Robinett
's current and prior releases, "Jazz Standards, Vol. 1: Then" and "Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again"
“Vol. 1 is a winner, a masterful outing from a very talented jazz guitarist. Vol. 2 is equally intriguing and is consistent enough with the first volume that this could have been released as a double album. After you hear these two volumes, you’ll be anxious for the rest, just like me.”
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/.../henry-robinette.../
Henry Robinett Quartet, Then and Then Again | The Vinyl Anachronist
Posted on December 21, 2020 by Marc Phillips in The Vinyl
This might be a case of everything old being new again, but I waited so long to review Then: Jazz Standards Vol.1 from the Henry Robinett Quartet (website) that Then Again: Jazz Standards Vol. 2 arrived in my mail box. At first I thought the publicist sent me the same album twice–that has happened on quite a few occasions–but then I noticed the slight differences in the cover. The first volume, which had receded deep into the review pile, was so good, and I kept trying to share that but a lot of things got in the way, such as getting this year’s Buyers Guide out to the world.
So if it’s not too late to save face with the Henry Robinett Quartet, I’d like to go back and state that Vol. 1 is a winner, a masterful outing from a very talented jazz guitarist. Vol. 2 is equally intriguing and is consistent enough with the first volume that this could have been released as a double album, which has been the trend this season. But that wouldn’t be telling you the real story behind Then and Then Again, which is that both albums were recorded twenty years ago.
“Honestly, I don’t know why I left it on the shelf for so long,” Robinette explains. At the time he was between bands and albums, so he assembled a few top musicians who could help him complete this project, one that was distinctly different than anything else he had done. The Henry Robinett Quartet–with pianist Joe Gilman, bassist Chris Symer and drummer Michael Stephans–was born. While Robinette was previously known for a more electric guitar style based in world music, these two releases are based in tradition (“jazz standards,” of course) and the old-fashioned art of jazz improvisation. All four of these gentleman know how to do that very well. That’s why they showed up.
The focus of the Henry Robinett Quartet, of course, is Henry Robinette himself. The liner notes describe his style as “swinging and very accessible. He approaches a tune not unlike a vocalist, emphasizing the melody while adding colors through his phrasing and his harmonic choices.” That’s a great description–Robinette’s guitar is so clear and concise, it almost seems academic. This is how you should do this. But oh, you can try this way, too.
This is not the end of the Henry Robinett Quartet–Robinett is already raiding the vault and preparing the next two volumes for release. Should I have waited until all four were released to tell you about them? Heck no. After you hear these two volumes, you’ll be anxious for the rest, just like me.
___________________
Thanks to Lynn Rene Bayley of The Art Music Lounge for her review of
Henry Robinett
's "Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again"
“Robinett is an exceptional jazz guitarist, one of the very few around today who I will go out of my way to listen to. Highly recommended!”
https://artmusiclounge.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/robinetts-jazz-standards-vol-2/