Quincy Jones
Live In Montreux: The 75th Birthday Celebration DVD
Eagle Eye Media
www.eaglerock.com
By George W. Harris

Here’s a fitting celebration to a guy that has either taken part in,
defined or ushered in more musical styles and trends that anyone can
imagine. From bop to 60s soundtracks to fusion to world music to rap,
Quincy Jones as done it all, and this tribute to Q from July 14, 2008
covers the breath and depth of his musical vision.

An all star collection of musical artists are captured on this almost 3
hour 2dvd concert. Just to name a few before hitting some high (and
low) lights: Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour,
Toots Theilmans, James Moody, Bill Cobham, Petula Clark, Monty
Alexander, Nana Mouskouri along with a big and small band go through
songs from Spaghetti Westerns to Thriller.

Hancock’s opening salvo, along with a resplendently glowing Austin, is
a wild and wicked treatment of “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” which
sounds marvelously up to date. Moody joins with Austin for a loely
“Moody’s Mood” before an embarrassingly over plasticized Freda Payne
warbles through “Honesuckle Rose” and “Shine Stockings” with Joe
Sample. Payne should take some cues from Austin about aging gracefully.

Jarreau’s “Midnight Sun” and Petula Clark’s “One Mint Julep” are
surprise successes, as is the Gil Evans styled “My Ship/Summertime”
which features Fronco Ambrosetti’s trumpet heralding the Swiss Army Big
Band. Nana Mouskouri is slightly out of tune on “Smoke Gets In Your
Eyes,” while a coolly cooking take of “What’s Goin’ On” with vocalists
Ledisi, Rahsaan Patterson, violinist Tobias Preisig Theilimans is a
glorious read.

Most surprising of all is the a cappella band Naturally 7 stealing the
show with an inspiring take of “Billie Jean” and “Wall Of Sound” that
makes groups like The Persuasions and Take 6 seem obsolete. Curtis
Stiger’s gravelly “Everything Must Change” is particularly moving, and
Hancock brings down the house with a snappy “Killer Joe.”

Good gig and a blast to watch, especially if you’re thinking about
having a face lift or implants. A visual lesson in growing old in
style, visually and musically.