Lee Ritenour - Overtime
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Movie Reviews of Lee Ritenour - Overtime
Movie Review: Lots of Musicians and lots of Music -- all first rate
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been something of a casual listener to Lee Ritenour since the mid Ninety's. I have consistently enjoyed much of what I have heard. Overtime on DVD is the first concert of his that I have actually watched and it has raised my appreciation of him to a new level, both as a player and a writer.
The show is aptly named as it runs for right around two-and-a-half hours and features a round-robin of musicians on every instrument. The setting is unique. It is a large room, not a concert hall. The show is an intimate one, not only among the musicians, but between the band and the audience. This is captured very well on the DVD. On the right night, one feels like one is in the room and is a part of the audience. The variety of musicians, and songs for that matter, are a large part of what makes this such a worth while concert. My personal favorite to watch, and listen to is Anthony Jackson on Bass. He is one of those people that you have to both see and hear to fully appreciate. Patrice Rushen on the Rhodes/Keyboards is also very nice. And of course it would not be Lee Ritenour without Dave Grushin somewhere in the mix.
As far as songs go, "A Little Bumpin" and "Captain Fingers" are my personal favorites. With 19 songs that span the better part of Ritenour's career on two discs there should be something for all of Lee's fans to enjoy. Interspersed between the songs are interview segments with Lee and many of the other guest musicians. There have been some comments from others that this interrupts the flow of the concert, but I don't think so.
As far as the DVD itself is concerned, the show looks and sounds great. It is exactly what a DVD concert should be. It is spread out over two discs which is a little inconvenient, but not really a problem. The back of the DVD box states that the show was shot in Hi Definition, so it would be nice to see this released on one or both of the HD disc formats. If it were I would spend the money for it.
The DVD revolution has done some good things for a variety of genres, both in film and music. It has created something of a renaissance for classic movies and had also taken great concerts from the last several decades and brought them back to life. Recently is seems to have done some the same thing for Jazz, or in this case something closer to Smooth Jazz. There is a lot of good stuff getting released that is sparking a genuine interest for this type of music. This DVD is an excellent example of that. If you are a fan of Ritenour, or merely a fan of good music, or simply curious about Jazz, then you should get this concert. Strongly recommended for both newcomers and aficionados alike -- enjoy it.
Movie Review: The Best of one of the BEST
Summary: 5 Stars
I first heard Lee Ritenour when I started listening to Fourplay. Before then, I didn't really listen to much jazz. A friend got me hooked on Pat Metheny, and it all started there.
This DVD is an important contribution to any jazz fan's collection. It spans Ritenour's career from the 70s to now, and it does it by featuring not only the music but also the people he played with. And the atmosphere is not what I thought it would be: rather than a "this is Lee Ritenour, and these are the people who I have decided to allow to play with me on this project," it was "these people are good in their own right: I brought them here to celebrate history, and to make a little as well." The DVD is also NOT an extended guitar solo. It is very much Lee Ritenour and Friends.
The interaction between artists in this setting is amazing to watch. The fact that they can all improvise so well, and stay close to the theme of the piece, and bring everything back together when it's time says a LOT for the quality of the musicians that Ritenour assembled for this project. Dave Grusin, Ernie Watts, Patrice Rushen, Anthony Jackson and more - these are not just studio musicians hired to make one man look good. The whole in this case is indeed greater than the sum of it's parts.
Some standout moments on the DVD:
* A set featuring the Brazilian music of Ivan Lins, including "Harlequin."
* Ritenour's hand-punishing "Captain Fingers."
* My personal favorite: A rendition of Miles Davis' "Blue in Green." When I was 10, I used to listen to an AM station in Washington DC that played jazz every Friday and Saturday night from about midnight to six in the morning. This song reminded me a LOT of the songs I used to listen to with that transistor radio under my pillow.
The interviews that are included add a lot to the historical value of the DVD set. This can't be stressed enough - this is a DVD that has some long-term value to people who are serious fans of jazz, because of the way it covers a 30-year span of time. It's also a great collection for someone whose jazz collection is looking a bit thin, because right here you can see and hear some great talent.
It's clear that after 30 years of playing jazz, Lee Ritenour hasn't lost a step. This collection proves it, and is highly recommended.
Movie Review: Amazing, still watching after all these months
Summary: 5 Stars
I was one of the first to review the Overtime CD, but I have yet to review the DVD. I won't rehash what has already been written, but will try to offer unique insights and/or elaborate on those already made.
I have picked up on a few things, such as:
1. Ritenour the conductor.
2. Ritenour the exemplary studio musician.
3. Ritenour, the smiling, jamming, let's have some fun jazz guitarist.
As far as Ritenour the conductor, it's interesting to watch him cue the other musicians either with a nod of the head, a quick hand movement or even a wink. The man has an idea and he's making sure everyone else is aware of it. During "Dinorah Dinorah" was Anthony Jackson messing with Rit when after being cued he simply sits there and does nothing for a couple of seconds?!
As far as Ritenour the studio guitarist, who can walk away from this DVD without realizing why Rit in the 70s was worth every penny he earned as a triple scale studio guitarist, earning $600 per hour - and this in the 70s! He simply makes everyone else sound good, especially vocalists.
As far as Ritenour, the smiling, jamming, let's have some fun jazz guitarist - he simply does everything with a smile. In this sense, unlike with Rit, it's much easier to listen to a guitarist like Pat Metheny than it is to watch him. I believe this may be one reason why Rit has everyone fooled - he makes it look too dang easy! He rarely even looks at his fingers on the fretboard.
I think the one song, for me, which encapsulates the whole project is the song "13." Not just wow, but double wow!
So sit back and enjoy. They all just want you to have some fun.
Movie Review: Eagerly awaited and not disappointed !!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I pre-ordered the DVD from Amazon (don't normally do this) since I am a huge Lee Ritenour fan and have been waiting for the US release of this for many months. It arrived yesterday and when I got home from work, popped it in and went through both discs. Although the Amazon review is fair, the reviews to date fail to mention that the DVDs contain a number of mini-interviews. I enjoyed these mini-interviews with most of the artists with particular interest in Rit's comments. Despite his critics, I have enjoyed listening to all of Ritenour's music and admiring his career. The CD covers most of his hits or well known songs. Particularly interesting are the new artists Ritenour always seems to introduce to his audience. Kenya Hathaway and Grady Harrell are 2 vocalists that Lee has performing songs like "Is It You?" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (maybe my favorite track). Kenya also performs who original song "Possibilities."
The guest/supporting artists are legendary studio musicians and the sound quality is real treat (if you have the requisite system)!!!! Basically, this is pop/jazz instrumental audiophile dream. Even if you are not lee Ritneour fan, this project should still capture your attention given the other contributing artists' performances.
All in All, a real gem!!!!!
Movie Review: Buy it!
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is fantastic. I have been a fan of Lee Ritenour for many years and this is a treasured addition to my DVD collection. The musicians on here are top notch including Anthony Jackson, Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Ivan Lins, and Ernie Watts amongst others. The tracks with Ivan Lins are terrific including one called Dinorah, Dinorah which I had not heard before. Lee also plays some upbeat numbers with Eric Marienthal on sax, Melvin Davis on electric bass, and the amazing Oscar Seaton on drums. There is also a clip on here of Fourplay live when Lee was still in that group.
The video quality is amazing, but I am not sure why this is presented in a Matte 4:3 aspect. Audio is an excellent stereo mix or 5.1. There are interview segments between most of the songs which is somewhat disruptive, but this does not appear to be all shot on the same day anyhow.
The only thing lacking on this set is Phil Perry on vocals. That would have made this great DVD even better.