Artist: Eric Alexander Quartet
Title: Gentle Ballads III
Year Of Release: 2008/2014
Label:  Venus Records
Genre: Jazz, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop
Quality: SACD (DSD64 2.0; Image.iso), cover
Total Time: 00:55:10 min
Total Size: 2,25 Gb

This eagerly awaited Venus release from tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is the third in the renowned "Gentle Ballads" series. Like the earlier Gentle Ballads and Gentle Ballads II, this album is a collection of beautiful ballads that showcases the brawny and powerful Alexander's gentle and lyrical side.

And what a beautiful performance this is! Alexander's maturity as a musician is clearly reflected in his ballad playing. His big tone, his ability to express small nuances, and his muscular style free of cheap sentimentality combine to create stunning effects, elevating this album's status from merely good to one of a modern masterpiece.

All songs were written or intended as ballads, but Alexander and co. avoids uniformity by playing three songs in the middle section in medium tempo. Few tenor saxophonists, especially among his generation, are brave enough to record an all-ballad album. Alexander has done so three times now, and each time, he has given us something to be cherished for years.

Tracklist:
01. Little Girl Blue
02. Don’t Explain
03. All The Way
04. Summertime
05. You’ll Be Mine Tonight
06. They Say It’s Wonderful
07. Killing Me Softly With His Song
08. Smoke Gets In You Eyes

Personnel:

Eric Alexander, tenor sax
Mike LeDonne, piano
John Webber, bass
Joe Farnsworth, drums

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