Uncensored

by Nigel Kennedy

Overview

The outrageous graphics may lead one to conclude that this is simply a new release in a long sequence of them by violinist Nigel Kennedy, but in fact, it's a three-volume compilation of his work, with the graphics a nod to the bad-boy image he cultivated to the delight of some and the consternation of others. Uncensored is issued in conjunction with a Kennedy memoir of the same title, excerpted in the booklet; from what's seen here, it looks admirably straightforward. However, the album also stands on its own as an overview of Kennedy's career, with selections (two movements from Elgar's Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61) from as early as 1984 and stretching up to 2018. Thus it falls into two parts. The first, covering the first two CDs, offers traditional classical repertory, in which Kennedy was always a good deal less radical than his image suggested; there are several slow movements that show his cantabile, the strongest feature of his playing. The last volume gives excerpts from the jazz and rock Kennedy has played in recent years, containing both traditional jazz pieces and Kennedy originals, which have a surprisingly distinctive quality and have attracted high-caliber players such as Jack DeJohnette and Nana Vasconcelos, as well as vocalist Boy George. Kennedy plays electric violin, viola, cello, piano, treated piano, and "forest saxophone & vulcan harp," and he even sings. Certainly, those planning to read Kennedy's book will want this release, and it could serve anyone as a look over his career. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	12/10/2021
Label:	WARNER CLASSICS
UPC:	0190296674945

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nigel Kennedy   Primary Artist,Harp,Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin,Vocals,Cadenza,Conductor,Saxophone,Harpsichord,Treated Piano,Violin (Electric)
Daniel Stabrawa   Primary Artist,Violin,Featured Artist
Kenny Werner   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
J.D. Allen   Primary Artist,Vocals,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
English Chamber Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Jeffrey Tate   Primary Artist,Conductor
Jacek Kaspszyk   Primary Artist,Conductor
North German Radio Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist
Polish Chamber Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Nigel Kennedy Quintet   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Ron Carter   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals,Double Bass
Klaus Tennstedt   Primary Artist,Conductor
Danny Sadownick   Primary Artist,Vocals,Percussion
Jack DeJohnette   Primary Artist,Drums,Vocals
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Dave Heath   Piccolo
Vernon Handley   Conductor
John Etheridge   Guitar (Classical)
Stephen Duffy   Vocals
Boy George   Vocals
Doug Boyle   Guitar (Rhythm)
Nana Vasconcelos   Percussion
Rupert Brown   Drums
Danny Thompson   Double Bass
Mitzi Meyerson   Harpsichord,Featured Artist
Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra   Orchestra
Bogumila Gizbert-Studnicka   Harpsichord
Simon Heath   Trumpet
Bill Dillon   Guitar (Rhythm)
Caroline Dale   Cello
Philip Dukes   Viola
Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra   Featured Artist,Ensemble,Orchestra
Beata Urbanek-Kalinowska   Cello
Rolf Bussalb   Guitar
Tomasz Kupiec   Bass,Double Bass
David Roscarrick-Wholey   Vocals
Howard Alden   Guitar
Pino Palladino   Bass
Brix Smith   Vocals
London Philharmonic Orchestra   Orchestra
Manu Katche   Drums
Daniel Sadownick   Percussion
Caroline LaVelle   Vocals
Simon Clark   Organ (Hammond)
Taro Takeuchi   Lute,Featured Artist
NDR Symphony Orchestra   Orchestra
Olaf Maninger   Cello,Featured Artist
John Themis   Guitar
Ravi   Kora
Alec Dankworth   Double Bass,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Edward Elgar   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Jay Newland   Producer
Caroline LaVelle   Composer
Stephen Duffy   Composer
Jacquie Turner   Producer
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Doug Boyle   Composer
Mark Vigars   Engineer
David Bottrill   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Max Bruch   Composer
Simon Kiln   Producer
Andrew Keener   Producer
Hughes Mousseau   Liner Note Translation
Paul Mitchell   Photography
Tobi Corney   Photography
Nigel Kennedy   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes
Bill Dillon   Rhythm Programming
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
J. Katz   Photography
Phil Ault   Engineer
Nick Drake   Composer
Brix Smith   Composer
Antonio Vivaldi   Composer
Rankin   Cover Photo,Photography
Jonathan Allen   Engineer,Balance Engineer
Eckhardt van den Hoogen   Liner Note Translation
Mieczyslaw Karlowicz   Composer
David Groves   Producer,Recording Producer
Ludwig van Beethoven   Composer