Reviewers are divided on whether the symphonic approach elevates or obscures the material:
Art Farmer's Maiden Voyage (1983) is a lush, orchestral interpretation of modern jazz classics that has received polarized reactions from critics and listeners alike. While some celebrate it as a showcase for Farmer's lyrical flugelhorn, others find the heavy string arrangements distracting.
Expert and community reviews highlight the tension between the stellar personnel and the orchestral style. Art Farmer - Maiden Voyage (1983) [EAC-FLAC]
: A reviewer on Rate Your Music describes the project as a "well-intentioned misfire," arguing that the ornate orchestration smothers the intimacy of the original compositions. The reviewer also notes that the overall sound can feel "murky and diffuse". Album Overview
: Art Farmer (flugelhorn), Masahiko Satoh (piano/electric piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Jack DeJohnette (drums), accompanied by a 14-piece string section. Reviewers are divided on whether the symphonic approach
: The album features seven "cornerstones" of modern jazz: Nica's Dream (Horace Silver) Ruby, My Dear (Thelonious Monk) Blue Bossa (Kenny Dorham) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Charles Mingus) Blue in Green (Miles Davis/Bill Evans) Maiden Voyage (Herbie Hancock) Naima (John Coltrane) Community Sentiments
: AllMusic's Scott Yanow praises Farmer for being in "excellent form" and capable of carrying the heavy melodic load. He describes the treatments of jazz standards as "fresh" and considers the album worth searching for. : A reviewer on Rate Your Music describes
Watch a performance of the title track to hear how the orchestral arrangements interact with Farmer's flugelhorn soloing: Art Farmer Maiden Voyage JazzBreakTV YouTube• May 7, 2014 Maiden Voyage - Art Farmer | Album | AllMusic