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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Blues Dream

Universal acclaim
Based on 7 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Nonesuch/Atlantic
Release Date: 30 January 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Jazz, Blues
Summary
Also By This Artist: The Intercontinentals
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Launch.com
The music gets gorgeously bizarre, but there is always a sleepy dog and a piece of apple pie waiting at night's end.
Read Full Review >The Wire
Blues Dream is both a compendious evocation and synthesis of a range of genres that never sounds merely eclectic... It's one of Frisell's most ambitious productions to date. [#207, p.61]
Sonicnet
With the twangy, kaleidoscopic blend of country blues, downtown jazz and so many other unexpected flavors and sounds on Bill Frisell's latest album, Blues Dream, one can't help but be reminded a little of the updated American folkloric music score in the Coen Brothers' latest film.
Read Full Review >Billboard
With the addition of trumpet, trombone, and alto sax to his quartet sound, however, Frisell is on the job with a jumbo-sized sonic palette. The results, tune by tune, are as eccentric as they are intriguing.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Blues Dream is one of those rare instrumental records that neither bores or infuriates.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Frisell’s fondness for putting unusual combinations of instruments together adds to the overall effect, leaving the listener to wonder why no one has ever tried this before. Blues Dream is a lovely release that should satisfy Frisell fans as well as jazz, country, and blues fans looking for a genre bending experience.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Blues Dream, Frisell's best collection since 1995's breakthrough Nashville, frequently incorporates blues as the base for a strong batch of evocative arrangements...
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bill W gave it a3:
Bill Frisell is a very talented musician ! 1/3 of the music on this album is great ! However, the other 2/3 of the music is too noncommital. Its atmospheric music. No one takes a solo. I would expect more from him. So, I must give it a 3 which is 1/3 of 10.
Dan S gave it a 10:
Heartbreaking, beautiful. You're driving across Kansas, 3 in the morning, it's still 95 degrees outside, the windows are open, and you know you'll be in Denver by morning. One of the best jazz records in recent memory.
Armando C. gave it a 10:
We need more of this music.
Jarrad P gave it an 8:
Finally, I can say I listen to and all types of music, including country. A couple of skippable tracks, but the album as a whole is quite enchanting. Great photography too.
franz k gave it a 9:
Of late I've missed the edgy tension and moody atmospherics that Frisell did so well on "Where in the World?"; albums like "Nashville" and "Good Dog Happy Man", while enjoyable, have a tendency to get a little too mellow. "Blues Dream" is a perfect mix of Frisell's gentler side and his more raucous, dissonant sounds. I love it.
Charles P. gave it a 10:
Simply magnificent.
Michael A. gave it a 10:
This disc is easily one of his best. For reference, other favorites of mine include Look Out For Hope, Is That You? and Nashville.
