Music Banter - Pianoriental by Maurice El Medioni

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Pianoriental by Maurice El Medioni

This is an invitation for anyone to comment on or ask about an album that recently won a FAIR album club poll:-

Quote:

Pianoriental by Maurice El Medioni (2000)

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/50...anoriental.jpg

This accomplished piano player learned his trade in the bars of Algeria during the Second World War, but it seems that he didn´t record anything until this century. So although this album has a modern date, it preserves a spirit from about 75 years ago. With a slightly dated sound and a sophisticated blend of styles, it´s easy to conjure up visions from the movie Casablanca as you listen to this virtuoso playing.

On this link, you can hear the whole album. (If that´s too much to take in all at once, take a break and go back another day; this album is a slow grower imo.)

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So does anyone have an opinion, a story to tell or a comparison to make about Maurice El Medioni ? It was only recently and by chance that I found this album, so I´d be curious to know if anyone else has come across it before.

I kinda like it. It's a bit irritating at first, and I can see it irritating all of my friends, but I enjoyed it a lot toward the middle -- tracks 7-11 are my favorites. Unfortunately, it doesn't cross the threshold of dance-able for me, so I don't know if I'll give it another listen.

Usually with this kind of music, I'd listen to it as background music at work and proceed to be extremely efficient. It definitely is not distracting, but it doesn't really help me get into the zone -- it's almost too lively. I kinda get what is meant about the Cassablanca thing, but I don't think any of these tracks convey a storyline.

Just a bit too noisy. :/

3/5 overall, though.

Glad to see that you haven´t abandoned MB, misspoptart. Your comments on Pianoriental were very welcome, especially as they mirror what I feel about this album.

First hearing, I didn´t like it much, then it suddenly grew on me for a while, but now it´s withering again. As you suggest, it´s got this really busy vibe which is right on the borderline of irritating. The guy is a formidable player, but I really wish -and I´m not recommending that anyone try this at home- I really wish he would take some recreational drugs or something and slow down the pace a bit. Track after track of all that relentless dexterity gets rather exhausting - so I pretty much agree with you, misspoptart.

Anyway, many thanks for giving it a listen, and I´m sorry if it´s not really as interesting as it looks. For that reason I´m voting it disappointing, because that´s how it´s been for me tbh.