Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(7 customer reviews) 25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
The solo hero,
February 28, 2000 D. Earls (Kingsville, MO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Midnight on the Water (Audio CD)
Is there anything this man can't do?After paying tribute to his various sources of inspiration on Heroes - by playing duets with them - O'Connor began a journey into "serious" music. As a composer and performer, Mark O'Connor disappointed me on those early outings, even while I admired and respected his courage to stray from his roots.It all pays off here. For not only are the master (Paganini) and mentor (Benny Thomasson) here, but all the other heroes as well: Stephane Grappelli, Russ Barenboim, Sam Bush, Vasser Clements, Pinchas Zukerman, to name a few. They've all become Mark O'Connor.This recording demonstrates maturity in every aspect of O'Connor's craft - as composer, as classical violinist, and as pure fireworks fiddle player. The tone that defines O'Connor (for me) is here, but it shines through the other styles he's absorbed.The album's title piece is simply the finest O'Connor recorded performance - so far. It pays tribute to Benny Thomasson...Read more
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Arguably One of the Best Violin / Fiddle Recordings Ever,
June 14, 2001 By A Customer
This review is from: Midnight on the Water (Audio CD)
I've followed Mark O'Connor's career since his 1976 "A Texas Jam Session" LP and have watched him evolve into one of the best violinists / fiddlers in the business. This album, which represents the kinds of live one-man shows Mark has been performing for over a decade, is probably my favorite of everything he has ever recorded, and it has squarely established his reputation as a performer, improviser, and composer. Mark sounds better than ever, and these are some of his finest compositions, improvisations, and interpretations.O'Connor's performance of his musically inventive caprices is absolutely hair-raising. His improvised tracks range from pyrotechnic displays to forays into the blues to ghostly explorations of violin timbres. Additionally there is some beautiful guitar playing on this album. Star-Spangled Banner is incredible; Amazing Grace is stirring, and the traditional Midnight on the Water paired with Bonaparte's Retreat makes for a satisfying high point of the...Read more
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Midnight on the Water,
January 4, 2000 Cynthia K. Duncan (Concord, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Midnight on the Water (Audio CD)
Listening to Mark O'Connor playing Midnight on the Water, I was certain I heard the Beloved. And, when it was over and I wasn't sure, I knew it to be so when Amazing Grace captured me. Mark O'Connor understandably speaks of Nicolo Paganini as his inspiration. I would suggest that Sir Paganini is dancing with the angels at this very moment listening to these *amazing O'Connor caprices.*
