Negative Positive
Title: A technical marvel and a real joy
Review: One thing about this album that is perhaps under-recognised is the superb quality of the recording - this is possibly the best recorded double bass sound I've ever heard, and the percussion is crystal clear (perhaps a mixed blessing, depending on one's opinion of how many bells and chime strings are strictly necessary on a couple of the tracks). The key to this album is to approach it with a sense of humour; there is a degree of appropriate respect shown to the Bach material, but once you realise that the superficially "hokey" treatment given to the Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring theme on "Precious Joy" is a colossal musical joke rather than a serious attempt, it really does give you an understanding of the reality behind the rather straight-laced image of the MJQ
Is the review positive or negative? 