| 1. Believe |
| 2. Wrong Again |
| 3. I Gotta Have You |
| 4. Don't Cry |
| 5. Continental |
| 6. Anaconda |
| 7. Baby-blue Lies |
| 8. I Do |
| 9. Miss You Much |
| 10. Relentless |
Editorial Reviews
Put on "New Standards" and find yourself in a dark corner of a smokey cabaret, halfway through a bottle of low-brow Bordeaux. These intimate, obsessive songs teeter between the tragic and comic sides of love. Featured are Jerret's crafty lyrics, sultry voice and revivalist sensiblity. He is backed by an international sound palette, including vibes, upright bass, accordion, conga, and vintage organ. Similar artists include Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Chet Baker, Serge Gainsbourg, Nick Cave, and Paolo Conte.
New Standards,Jarrett Cordes,Label Vunkturi,Dark, intimate and obsessive torch songs that teeter between the tragic and comic sides of love.
Average customer rating:
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Oh, My Nola
Harry Connick Jr. Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000I2KNU2 Release Date: 2007-01-30 |
Tracks:
- Working In A Coal Mine
- Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey ?
- Something You Got
- Let Them Talk
- Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
- Careless Love
- All These People (Original Recording)
- Yes We Can
- Someday
- Oh , My Nola - (Original Recording)
- Elijah Rock
- Sheik of Araby
- Lazy Bones
- We Make A Lot Of Love - (Original Recording)
- Hello Dolly
- Do Dat Thing - (Original Recording)
Amazon.com
Fresh off his Broadway stint in The Pajama Game, Harry Connick went back to his New Orleans roots and recorded a pair of albums in tribute to his hometown. Released the same day as the similarly themed but mostly instrumental Chanson du Vieux Carré, Oh, My Nola is a loose, effortlessly swinging album that ranks among Connick's best. He traces New Orleans' prodigious musical legacy with well-chosen covers peppered with some originals. Though he wrote only four tracks, at least one of them, "All These People," is a stand-out--a mid-tempo elegy about the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with a strong contribution from gospel great Kim Burrell. When it comes to the covers, Connick chose tracks that either originated in New Orleans or found particular resonance there. The funky, exuberant take on Allen Toussaint's classic "Working in a Coal Mine" that opens the CD reflects the flavor of things to come, but even more fun are the seemingly left-field picks--you'll never think of "Hello Dolly" the same way after listening to the version found here. --Elisabeth VincentelliAmazon.com
Having grown up in New Orleans, Harry Connick, Jr. is an iconic product of a city famous for its rich musical history. His new release, Oh, my Nola, is the endearing ode to the rebirth of his hometown and the bright spirit of her people. The album is an impressive collection of classic songs associated with the city and her culture, and also features four original compositions. Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Harry Connick, Jr. proudly sponsor the New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village. For more information, visit http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/musicians_village.php.
More from Harry Connick, Jr.
When Harry Met Sally: Music From The Motion Picture |
Come by Me |
30 |
Only You |
Harry On Broadway: Act 1 |
Chanson du Vieux Carre |
Customer Reviews:
His Best Yet.......2007-07-15
One of the best songs on the track, IMHO, is "Elijah Rocks", a song I'd never heard before. Usually repeat this one before gpoing on to the next tune.
His versions of "Bill Bailey" & "Hello Dolly" are equally excellent. They don't sound like I remember them, they sound better.
Also, he is definitely the star here, but he allows his band mates to have their turn in the spotlight. It isn't all about him.
Knowing the history behind "All These People" makes it even more poignant. Another new fave song of mine.
I esp like the fast upbeat songs, but even slow numbers like "Careless Love" & "We make a Lot of Love" are excellent.
"Yes We Can" is another one I remembered well by the Pointer Sisters. The message is esp. timely today & I love his version of it.
To be honest, I didn't find a bad song on the entire CD & I think this is his best work yet.
My oh my, We make a lot of Love! This is the BEST! .......2007-07-11
Makes me remember why I love Harry!.......2007-07-10
Would give it more than 5 stars if I could!.......2007-06-28
A classy salute to the city of New Orleans!.......2007-06-03
makes me want to join the Mardi Gras parade, the bluesy "Someday" is fascinating etc. etc. There really isn't a bad cut on this album. Mr. Connick is a master musician/arranger and singer and he's made himself a classic album. Buy it and you won't regret it.
Average customer rating:
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A New Standard
Steve Tyrell Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00001QEOK Release Date: 1999-09-21 |
Tracks:
- Give Me The Simple Life (From Father Of The Bride, Part II)
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street (From Father Of The Bride, Part II)
- I Can't Get Started With You
- Don't Get Around Much Anymore
- The Very Thought Of You
- I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
- A Kiss To Build A Dream On
- I'm Through With Love
- I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby
- Cheek To Cheek
- I've Got The World On A String
- It's The Mood That I'm In
- I'm In The Mood For Love
- The Way You Look Tonight (From Father Of The Bride)
- I'll Be Seeing You
- For All We Know
- Smile
Amazon.com
A New Standard builds on the popularity of Steve Tyrell's appearances in the Father of the Bride movies. In addition to "The Way You Look Tonight" (from the Father of the Bride soundtrack) and "Give Me the Simple Life" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (from Father of the Bride, Part II), the album features Tyrell singing 14 more standards in a casual, gravel-throated style. A New Standard includes the final recorded performances of trumpet great Harry "Sweets" Edison, who solos on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "I've Got the World on a String." Other notable guests include Clark Terry, Plas Johnson, Joe Sample, and Toots Thielemans. But the real keys to the album's success are the impeccably crafted arrangements of rhythm guitarist Bob Mann and Tyrell's unpretentious, warm-hearted vocal delivery. In contrast to so many neoswing wannabes, Tyrell approaches these timeless tunes with the R&B-bred soul of a gray-haired baby boomer who's just discovered his parents' record collection. In the jazzbo tradition of Louis Armstrong and Jack Sheldon, he doesn't try to blow anyone away with his chops. He just sings the songs with an infectious enthusiasm and easy swing that's impossible to dislike. --Rick MitchellCustomer Reviews:
So much more than "ear candy" music--BRAVO, STEVE TYRELL !!!.......2007-06-15
The CD track set begins with two songs from the movie entitled Father Of The Bride, Part II. "Give Me The Simple Life" signals the beginning of a CD that is soothing and just plain wonderful to enjoy. Bob Mann's arrangement makes great use of the percussion; and the music complements Steve's performance perfectly. "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" has always been a favorite of mine; and Steve treats this ballad with an infectious enthusiasm and a type of boyish playful energy that charms you instantly. Bob Mann plays guitar very well to enhance the beauty of "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," too. Listen closely and you'll also hear Steve improvising some of the lyrics, too--and this works well on this number.
"I Can't Get Started With You" lets Steve sing of how, despite financial and material success, he cannot be truly happy without his one true love. Once again Steve improvises some of the lyrics for a great effect. Awesome!
Steve's interpretation of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" sparkles; and the trumpet solos by Harry "Sweets" Edison and Clark Terry add color to this classic ballad. Joe Sample plays the piano magnificently, too.
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" is another high point for this album; Steve's jazzy rendition infuses this standard with new depth and a type of vigor you just don't hear too often these days. Bob Mann plays great guitar as Bob Magnusson weaves magic on bass; Steve's vocals and the work of the band create a sublime rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby." "Cheek To Cheek" boasts a great arrangement by Alan Pasqua; and Steve performs "The Way You Look Tonight" better than I've ever heard this number done.
Other high points on this CD include "I'll Be Seeing You" written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal; Steve plays with the tempo of the vocals ever so slightly to add an extra touch of class to "I'll Be Seeing You." In addition, "Smile," the last track, features a harmonica solo by "Toots" Thielemans that shines like pure gold. I wish Steve had performed "Smile" at just a slightly slower tempo; but "Smile" reflects good judgment nevertheless.
The liner notes include great black and white photos of Steve and the members of the band; and Steve writes a few words thanking the numerous people who helped make this album a reality. Burt Bacharach personally adds a small tribute to Steve as well.
It is increasingly rare that an artistic male singer of our times is bold enough to tackle the older standards the way Steve does; and the way Steve makes it seem so easy proves that he has a special gift to share with us. I would highly recommend this CD for Steve Tyrell fans; and anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals will love this CD as well.
Enjoy!
WOW!!!!!!!.......2007-03-19
Great singer, great album........2007-01-18
TIME REMEMBERED.......2006-03-15
Mister Smooth!.......2006-03-14
Steve Tyrell's voice is very distinct. Sometimes playful, other times a true crooner. But he really does justice to the choice of music here.
'Give Me The Simple Life', 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street' and 'The Way You Look Tonight' (An all-time favorite of mine) are done to perfection.
All tracks are done straight with a great orchestra and arrangements, no doubt. Hearing this cd I thought to myself that he would be a better 'sinatra-esque' than a few others out there. The reason being his voice.
I can't say much more than that. I promise if you like standards, you will really really really like this cd. Give it a shot.
Average customer rating:
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Chanson du Vieux Carre
Harry Connick Jr. Manufacturer: Marsalis Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000ICMFNK Release Date: 2007-01-30 |
Tracks:
- Someday You'll Be Sorry
- Panama
- Ash Wednesday
- Chanson du Vieux Carré
- Bourbon Street Parade
- Petite Fleur
- Fidgety Feet
- Luscious
- New Orleans.
- I Still Get Jealous
- That's A Plenty
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Amazon.com
As a Sinatra-molded swinger, Harry Connick, Jr. may have had some of his thunder stolen by young star Michael Buble. But with his raved-about performance on Broadway in Pajama Game and his continuing development as a jazz pianist, he's doing quite nicely, thank you. Chanson du Vieux Carre is one of two new simultaneously released big band tributes to his hometown of New Orleans by him. Released on Marsalis Music, it is a largely instrumental big band session divided between originals and classics that shows off his writing and arranging skills while featuring his longtime trumpeter Leroy Jones and trombonist Lucien Barbarin on incidental vocals. (Connick is in full vocal mode on Oh, My Nola, released by his longtime "A" label, Columbia.) Though his surprisingly few turns at the piano are mostly Basie-like in their edgy economy, his coloristic, sectional approach on tunes such as his own "Luscious" and Hoagy Carmichael's "New Orleans" evokes Duke Ellington. Named for the storied old section of the French Quarter, the album takes a few songs to get going, but once it does, it has plenty of spark and swagger--and heart. The ghostlike background voicings on Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur" seem to embody spirits of New Orleans past while it's always great to hear Connick honor his onetime mentor, Professor Longhair, on Longhair's bumptious "Mardis Gras in New Orleans." --Lloyd SachsAlbum Description
For Harry Connick, Jr. and the members of his big band, New Orleans has always been a constant state of mind. Connick's hometown, the birthplace of so much of America's musical culture, defines all of his performances, but never more so than on Chanson du Vieux Carré, the third disc in the Marsalis Music label's Connick on Piano series. The album was conceived and executed in May 2003, well before Hurricane Katrina, and showcases Connick's talents as a pianist, arranger of favorite New Orleans classics, and composer of three titles in debut performances. While Connick does not sing on the recording, key band members Lucien Barbarin (trombone) and Leroy Jones (trumpet) do. Chanson du Vieux Carré is a Crescent City love letter, composed two years before the deluge yet never timelier. The album will be released on January 30, 2007, the same day Columbia Records issues Connick's vocal tribute Oh, My NOLA. A portion of Connick's royalties from both discs will benefit New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village.Customer Reviews:
Great Jazz.......2007-06-30
Great Stuff.......2007-05-13
Harry Connick, Jr.- Chanson du Vieux Carre.......2007-05-02
Fortunately, Connick sticks to the ivories in his more lucid moments and on his latest effort, Chanson du Vieux Carre', he makes his grand piano perform wondrous magic along with his sensational big band.
Chanson du Vieux Carre' is a tribute to New Orleans and the cross cultural hybrid of blues, old time spirituals, and honky-tonk that earned the moniker of New Orleans jazz. Connick and his band rip several pages from past giants such as Louis Armstrong and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to make Chanson, however, this doesn't diminish the amazing power and overflowing spirit that lifts Chanson du Vieux Carre' to masterpiece status.
Like many of Connick's past big band efforts, he is nearly imperceptible, working as a small piece of an ensemble musical landscape. The band features some incredible players, including regular Arthur Latin on drums, Dave Schumacher on baritone saxophone, Mark Mullins, Craig Klein, John Allred, and the incomparable Lucien Barbarin on trombones, Jerry Weldon and Mike Karn on tenor sax, and the steady backbeat of Neil Caine's standup bass. Together, they navigate the salty waters of standards like Armstrong's "Someday You'll Be Sorry", Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur", Hoagy Carmichael's "New Orleans", and Sammy Cahn's "I Still Get Jealous"; plus about half dozen of Connick's original compositions. Each song is arranged brilliantly, making the most of the steamy sensuality of Crescent City jazz.
It's hard to know where not to recommend this album, but standout performances include Barbarin's vocal and solo trombone tracks on Connick original "Luscious", the unexpected horn blasts on "Someday You'll be Sorry", and the jump up and shout enthusiasm of the final track "Mardi Gras in New Orleans". The entire album succeeds in weaving a voodoo spell that will have jazz fans grooving zombie-like under its myriad charms.
Connick himself finds a groove too, and is smart not to hog the show with his solo work. When he does solo, it's simple and non-obtrusive, showing a great loyalty to the sound that has captivated him since childhood.
If all of that's not enough to convince you to buy this album, then you should also know that the profit from this album will go to building an old musicians home in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, and to help with the reconstruction of the area in general.
So as much as I'd like to see Harry Connick the singer laid to rest, the pianist has made a huge contribution to jazz preservation with Chanson du Vieux Carre'. In so doing, he has earned his place among the legends of the musical form, and for the heart that has driven him to make this album.
See What Happens.......2007-04-19
"Chanson du Vieux Carré" is a wonderful collection of Crescent City big-band charts by Mr. Connick, Jr. and company. Having nothing to do with Katrina as the sessions themselves date back to 2003, you can nevertheless feel the teamwork and dedication put forth by players who respect each other and love the music they are making. Turns out that having this disc handy provides one with the perfect tonic for a fine gin like Tom Sancton's 2006 account "Song For My Father: A New Orleans Story in Black and White" (Other Press). Later we'll add a product link here and see if the whole review dies.
How about one more? Fans of Harry Connick, Jr. the pianist and composer can also be abundantly rewarded for their time and effort by another of his instrumental albums from yesteryear, "Lofty's Roach Soufflé", a trio outing on Columbia made in 1990 that reveals the not-so-subtle impact of Thelonious Monk on Connick's music-making. It's lots of fun, as is "Chanson". Both come highly recommended. Now watch - soon as we add a link for LRS this thing is DOA.
Sweet New Orleans jazz.......2007-04-18
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Ken Burns's Jazz: The Story of American Music
Various Artists Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000050HVG Release Date: 2000-11-14 |
Tracks:
- Star Dust - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Soon One Mornin' (Death Come A-Creepin' in My Room0 - Mississippi
- Memphis Blues - Lieut. Jim Europe's 369th Infantry ("Hell Fighters") Band
- Livery Stable Blues - The Original Dixieland Jazz Band
- Charleston - James P. Johnson
- Chimes Blues - King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
- Back Water Blues - Bessie Smith
- The Pearls - Jelly Roll Morton
- Dead Man Blues - Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
- Wild Cat Blues - Clarence Williams's Blue Five
- Cake Walkin' Babies (From Home) - Clarence Williams's Blue Five
- Sugar Foot Stomp - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
- Heebie Jeebies - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
- Potato Head Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven
- West End Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
- The Mooche - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Duke Ellington & His Washingtonians
- Black Beauty - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- Mood Indigo - The Jungle Band
- There Ain't No Sweet Man (Worth The Salt Of My Tears) - Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
- Singin' The Blues - Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
- Riverboat Shuffle - Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
- Hotter Than 'Ell - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
- I Got Rhythm - Ethel Waters
Tracks:
- It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- Echoes of Harlem - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- Moten Swing - Benny Moten's Kansas City Orchestra
- St. Louis blues - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Ain't Misbehavin' - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- For Dancers Only - Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra
- King Porter Stomp - Benny goodman & His Orchestra
- Rose Room - The Benny Goodman Sextet
- Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) - Benny Goodman Sextet
- Jumpin' at the Woodside - Count Basie & His Orchestra
- Sent for You Yesterday and Here You Come Today - Count Basie & His Orchestra
- Lester Leaps In - Count Basie's Kansas City Seven
- Oh, Lady, Be Good! - Jones-Smith Incorporated
- Without Your Love - Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra
- Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday
- God Bless the Child - Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra
- Three Little Words - Art Tatum
- Rebecca - Pete Johnson & "Big" Joe Turner
- Harlem Congo - Chick Webb & His Orchestra
- A-Tisket, A-Tasket - Chick Webb & His Orchestra featuring Ella Fitzgerald
- Shine - Django Reinhardt & Le Quartet du Hot Club de France
- Dear Old Southland - Noble Sissle & His Orchestra
Tracks:
- Body and Soul - Coleman Hawkins
- Cotton Tail - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- Take the 'A' Train - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- Begin the Beguine - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
- In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
- Well, Git It! - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
- Solitude - Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra
- Drum Boogie - Gene Krupa & His Orchestra
- Salt Peanuts - Dizzy Gillespie & His All Star Quintet
- Groovin' High - Dizzy Gillespie Sextet
- Ko-ko - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers
- Scrapple From the Apple - Charlie Parker Quintet
- Enbraceable You - Charlie Parker Quintet
- Get Happy - Bud Powell Trio
- Epistrophy - Thelonious Monk
- Straight, No Chaser - Thelonious Monk
- Manteca - Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra
- Moon Dreams - Miles Davis Nonet
- Just Friends - Charlie Parker
- Rockin' Chair - Louis Armstrong
- They Can't Take That Away From Me - Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio
- Walkin' Shoes - Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan
- Fine and Mellow - Billie Holiday
Tracks:
- Doodlin' - Horace Silver & The Jazz Messengers
- I Get A Kick Out of You - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
- St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
- Django - The Modern Jazz Quartet
- Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
- So What - Miles Davis Sextet
- Giant Steps - John Coltrane
- Rick Kick Shaw - Cecil Taylor Trio
- Chronology - Ornette Coleman
- Original Faubus Fables - Charles Mingus
- Acknowledgment - John Coltrane Quartet
Tracks:
- Hello, Dolly! - Louis Armstrong
- Desafinado - Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd
- In a Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
- Tourist Point of View - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
- E.S.P. - The Miles Davis Quintet
- Spanish Key (single version) - Miles Davis
- Birdland - Weather Report
- Mister Magic - Grover Washington, Jr
- Rockit - Herbie Hancock
- Un Ange en Danger - M.C. Solaar & Ron Carter
- Tanya - Dexter Gordon
- Soon All Will Know - Wynton Marsalis
- Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson
- Take The "A" Train - The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Amazon.com
This five-CD box set soundtrack to filmmaker Ken Burns's 10-part, 19-hour documentary Jazz spans nearly a century of jazz styles, from the martial rhythms of James Reese Europe to the soul-jazz of Grover Washington Jr. It includes time-tested classics like Benny Goodman's 1938 classic, "Sing, Sing, Sing"; John Coltrane's chanting 1965 immortal track, "A Love Supreme"; Billie Holiday's blue-ember ballad, "God Bless the Child"; and Ella Fitzgerald peeling off "A-Tisket A-Tasket." Bebop is represented by Charlie Parker's orchestral bop version of "Just Friends"; Thelonious Monk's nocturnal calling card, "'Round Midnight"; and Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts" and "Groovin' High."The jazz-instrumentalist-as-singer comes to life on Coleman Hawkins's "Body and Soul" and Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers' "Doodlin'." Clifford Brown and Max Roach's "I Get a Kick out of You" epitomizes the hard-bop era, while Miles Davis's "So What" stands as the modal masterpiece. The cool school is in session with Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan dishing out "Walkin' Shoes," and the Modern Jazz Quartet's soulful elegy "Django" straddles all the above musical orbits. As for Django Reinhardt, he's featured on "Shine" with the justly famed Le Quartet du Hot Club de France.
Louis Armstrong's "West End Blues" and "Potato Head Blues" and Duke Ellington's rousing rendition of Billy Strayhorn's anthem, "Take the A Train," and his moody "Solitude" show why they are the Olympian masters of this art form--and the most frequently featured artists in the series. Although Ken Burns tries bringing the music up-to-date with Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, and two jazz-hip-hop-influenced tracks--Herbie Hancock's robotic "Rockit" and the French-language "Un Aige en Danger" by MC Solaar and bass legend Ron Carter--there are significant holes here. After Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman, the avant-garde period from the late 1960s to the 1980s is lacking. And aside from the bossa nova hit "Desafinado," Latin jazz is also missing. It's a tough task summarizing jazz in five CDs, and Burns has given us a vibrant and vivid multicolored aural portrait of the music. --Eugene Holley Jr.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Selection, An Odd Accompaniment to the Documentary.......2007-04-25
Great Intro to Jazz.......2007-03-23
Ken Burn's Jazz CD.......2007-01-14
A must have.........2007-01-05
Good starter set for jazz beginners.......2006-02-22
Average customer rating:
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Porgy & Bess
Ella Fitzgerald , and Louis Armstrong Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000046Z5 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overture
- Summertime
- I Wants To Stay Here
- My Man's Gone Now
- I Got Plenty O'Nuttin'
- Buzzard Song
- Bess, You Is My Woman Now
- It Ain't Necessarily So
- What You Want Wild Bess?
- A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
- Oh, Doctor Jesus
- Medley: Here Come De Honey Man/Crab Man/Oh, Deh's So Fresh And Fine (Strawberry Woman)
- There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
- Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
- Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way
Amazon.com
Getting the two most personable voices in jazz to sing an hour's worth of George Gershwin's opera Porgy & Bess (Ella doing all the female parts, Satchmo all the male) was a good idea, but not quite as great as it sounded. Armstrong savors the down-and-dirty Charlestonisms that inspired the cadences of the music and lyrics, and they fit his happy rasp like an old shoe; Fitzgerald, conversely, sounds almost prissy every time she has to sing the word "ain't," though her melodic genius gets Gershwin's bold, supple tunes over. The arrangements are full-throttle Broadway, with a few leaps into Dixieland (including some fine Armstrong trumpet solos), but the disc works best when the vocalists break character and let their jazz side out. --Douglas WolkCustomer Reviews:
Absolutely peerless.......2006-11-17
Gershwin and Gershwin must be among the top composers of the last century and this opera showcases their talents more than anything I've heard. Ella and Louis are peerless as a vocal duo and though I doubt the West End performance will capture the magic in the same way they did, I still remain very keen to go see it. Is it opera or is it a jazz performance? I don't really know. I just know that I love it. And strongly recommend it.
once-in-a-lifetime greatness.......2006-10-06
But after its premiere in 1935, no less than Duke Ellington said, "It has grand music and a swell play, but the two didn't go together. It does not use the Negro musical idiom --- the times are here to debunk Gershwin's lampblack Negroisms."
A quarter of a century later, the producers of the film version had trouble assembling a cast. Harry Belafonte rejected their offer to play Porgy. Sidney Poitier took the part --- and wished he hadn't. Poitier later wrote that the movie insulted black people; when he chose clips of his best performances for his tribute at the American Film Institute, he picked nothing from "Porgy and Bess."
And in 1985, when Grace Bumbry was a sensation as Bess in a Metropolitan Opera production, she slammed the opera: "I thought it beneath me, I felt I had worked far too hard, that we had come far too far to have to retrogress to 1935."
All that may be. All I know is that I have, in a long life, rarely been confronted with more genius than in the Fitzgerald/Armstrong recording of "Porgy & Bess." Set aside the achievement of George and Ira Gershwin in transforming DuBose Heyward's novel into a folk opera. Let's just focus on Armstrong and Fitzgerald, who were at the peak of their popularity when this record was made in 1957.
"Summertime" --- the first song --- sets the tone. A baleful horn figure, then violins. And then Armstrong's trumpet: slow, steady, dignified. But wait --- here comes a slurred note. And a cool little improvisation. Just enough of each. Very tasty.
Fitzgerald sings a verse. She is cool and formal. A lady. Not to be taken lightly. Now it's Armstrong's turn. Tender, but let's not kid ourselves --- this is not singing as others define it. This is melodic speech: rough, gutteral. And thus he is ideally cast: His Porgy may have his charms, but he'll have to stretch to keep Bess.
And so it goes throughout the CD. Trumpet mastery --- Armstrong has dazzling control. His tone is bright, but never shrill; there's a warmth in his playing no one else could produce. And Fitzgerald is just a study in inevitability; to hear her is to wonder how anyone could sing these songs any other way.
"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'." "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing." "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" "Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way."
All brilliantly conceived, orchestrated and recorded.
The greatest trumpet player in this history of jazz.
The father of scat singing.
The queen of the jazz vocal.
There are no-brainers, and then there is this Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong collaboration --- music that imprints on your soul.
We love this album.......2006-08-22
Simply great.......2006-03-04
A must have for everyone!
Porgy and Bess.......2005-10-14
Average customer rating:
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Now the Day Is Over
The Innocence Mission Manufacturer: Badman Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002ZMJ4I Release Date: 2004-11-09 |
Tracks:
- Stay Awake
- Over The Rainbow
- What A Wonderful World
- Moon River
- Somewhere A Star Shines For Everyone
- Prelude In A
- Once Upon A Summertime
- My Love Goes With You
- Edelweiss
- Sonata No.8
- Bye-Lo
- It Is Well With My Soul
- Now The Day Is Over
Amazon.com
The Innocence Mission have, over the course of a decade, created a half dozen albums which celebrate small pleasures, fragile details and the wistful edges of life. As the title suggests, Now the Day Is Over offers a set of lullabies. The dozen covers and one original were not all written as bedtime reveries, but it's a testament to the graceful nuances Don and Karen Peris that such a familiar song as "What A Wonderful World" can bring out the twinkling stars of nighttime with heartfelt purity. Free of embellishments, either internal or studio created, Karen's vocals are at once magical and direct. The trio has done much more than to simply streamline or slow down these selections, they've found the core of each number and built around it only that which is necessary. -- David GreenbergerCustomer Reviews:
Innocence Mission is an appropriate name.......2007-06-02
Sickenly too sweet.......2007-05-12
absolutely love this album.......2007-01-12
I Love You, Innocence Mission........2007-01-04
And so, I kept up with their oeuvre. Enjoying the experimental phases of beauty along with the return to simple folk beauty. "Bright as Yellow", on "Glow", piqued the world's interest on the "Empire Records" soundtrack. They toured at least a little with Lilith Fair one year. I found later they've done a blatantly spiritual album "Christ Is My Hope", and that Don (genius of guitar understatement/suggestion) has a couple of his own albums out. I still need to get those 3.
Anyway, the idea of a lullaby album from The Innocence Mission is so perfectly obvious that I never expected it. I mean, she sang songs to her "Someday Coming Child" (on "Umbrella") years before she birthed!
It is as perfect as it could be. Minimal in performance, maximal in effect. (With 3 little boys, I'm a connoisseur of artfully-lulling lullaby albums. Get the Disney Lullaby Album too--no, really--Greg Diakun and Fred Mollin create real art right under DisneyCorp's nose.)
Finally, Karen can sing me to sleep--and my family too.
works beautifully.......2006-10-18
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New Moon Daughter
Cassandra Wilson Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000005H0D Release Date: 1996-03-05 |
Tracks:
- Strange Fruit
- Love Is Blindness
- Solomon Sang
- Death Letter
- Skylark
- Find Him
- I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
- Last Train To Clarksville
- Until
- A Little Warm Death
- Memphis
- Harvest Moon
Amazon.com essential recording
Her luscious alto has the depth and texture of a great tenor saxophonist, but Cassandra Wilson's defining asset is a postmodern song sense that enables her to surf through Son House, Neil Young, Johnny Mercer, Billie Holiday, and (gasp!) the Monkees in pursuit of strong songs that can provide that instrument with a canvas. Her second Blue Note album extends Wilson's seductive pilgrimage beyond the conventions of jazz repertoire and accompaniment, yet it's her instincts as a jazz singer that inform these brilliant readings. The settings again step away from traditional small group jazz (for starters, there's no piano) to evoke the emotional core of these songs. Anyone who can turn the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" into a slow-burning erotic vignette deserves your attention. --Sam SutherlandCustomer Reviews:
dreamy, unexpected, every song a unique interpretation.......2007-01-03
"Love Is Blindness" Is Worth The Price Alone!!!!.......2004-11-01
"Blue Light Til Dawn" is Cassandra's most acclaimed CD but "New Moon Daugher" is equally as good. I love them both dearly but "New Moon Daughter" is still my favorite. The material on this CD is just so damn strong. Plus it's got "Love Is Blindness" on it. Like I said before, I LOVE that song!
WUL, YES-of course this is GREAT vibes herein and..............2004-09-09
'Last Train...."? OUTRAGOUS!! boom da boomboom dee BOOM!
Upstate New York,to boot,ey?Bearsville.Man- what a beautiful GIFT this woman posseses.WANT MORE PLEASE!!Her newest one is REALLY her best so far,imo.Gettum all! Check out the Jamie Cullum "TwentyFour Something" jams too!! WOW!! A La HOT!!
Karyn Allison...and Ben w/ The Medicine Wheel.Jean-Luc Ponty?YES!!
Quiet, yet fiery inspiration from one of today's greats.......2004-05-14
Other high points on this enormously well-conceived disc are a gorgeous version of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," a summery, engaging "Skylark" (yes, Hoagy Charmichael) and U2's "Love is Blindness," an aching ballad that Wilson imbues with overwhelming regret. And just the right choice to end is Neil Young's glowing "Harvest Moon," gently fading out in a haze of shimmering guitar work. Wilson's outstanding musicians -- creative, enthusiastic, yet never overpowering -- must share some of the credit for the success here.
If you go for Wilson's ethereal yet husky voice, not to mention her marvelous taste in choosing and reworking material, this recording shows her at her most luminous. Arguably her best to date, and one of the great jazz vocal recordings of the 1990's.
ONE INCREDIBLE JAZZ SINGER.......2003-04-23
Jazz numbers here and she's no slouch as a writer. Case in point: "Solomon Sang". There's also her arrrangements which feature a Joni Mithchell style of "Whack Tuning" as it's refered to in the liner notes, as well as some very diverse instrumentation. It might take you a few listens to really get into, but most great music does and this is without a doubt, great!!!!
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An Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955)
Various Artists Manufacturer: Verve ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003N3T Release Date: 1993-10-26 |
Tracks:
- Rockin' In Rhythm - Duke Ellington
- The House Of David Blues - Fletcher Henderson
- Saratoga Drag - Luis Russell
- Savage Rhythm - Mills Blue Rhythm Band
- Chant Of The Weed - Don Redman
- St. Louis Blues - Dorsey Brothers
- Rock And Rye - Earl Hines
- Down South Camp Meeting - Fletcher Henderson
- Avalon - Jimmie Lunceford
- In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree - Claude Hopkins
- The Darktown Strutters' Ball - Tiny Bradshaw
- Polka Dot Rag - Noble Sissle
- Stompin' At The Savoy - Isham Jones
- Peg O' My Heart - Glenn Miller
- One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie
- Casa Loma Stomp - Casa Loma Orchestra
- South Rampart Street Parade - Bob Crosby
- Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) - Chick Webb
- Dunkin' A Doughnut - Andy Kirk
- You Rascal, You - Louis Armstrong
Tracks:
- Panassie Stomp - Count Basie
- Transcontinental - Spud Murphy
- Jamaica Jam - Teddy Powell
- Okay For Baby - Benny Carter
- Blues In The Groove - Jan Savitt
- Murderistic - Jimmy Dorsey
- Swingmatism - Jay McShann
- Savoy - Lucky Millinder
- Blue River - Jack Teagarden
- Chicago - Muggsy Spanier
- Fish Market - Roy Eldridge
- Gambler's Blues - Stan Kenton
- I've Got You Under My Skin - Woody Herman
- Skyliner - Charlie Barnet
- Million Dollar Smile - Lionel Hampton
- Midriff - Duke Ellington
- Bear Mash Blues - Erskine Hawkins
- The Continental - Artie Shaw
- The Blue Room - Tommy Dorsey
- One O'Clock Jump - Benny Goodman
Customer Reviews:
Very good swing collection.......2006-04-01
Decca and Brunswick recorded many important swing artists in the 1930s and 1940s, the period of focus in this collection.
We are fortunate that GRP has assembled a wide variety of performers on this collection. You have hot swing performers; and you also have more laid back performers such as Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra.
The music on this collection swings! --Even the Glen Miller track is up-beat.
Some reviews in the discographical literature kvetch about the quality of anthologies. They always expect something more: more concentration on the major figures, more obscure tunes instead of hits. This collection definitely meets the bill; but the complainers might be disappointed that few artists are represented more than once. Count Basie is a worthy exception of course. If you liked what you heard in Ken Burns' "Jazz" series, you should get this collection. Given the shrinking amount of swing that is available these days, I would even recommend that "serious" collectors also get this one. Many of the artists here are unavailable in their own recordings.
Nearly all of the tracks are arranged in chronological order. In addition, there is a booklet of commentary that is so long, it hardly fits in the case.
My one disappointment was that there are no tracks with vocalists. For great swing with vocalists I would recommend that you pursue the Columbia (SONY) "His Great Vocalists" collections for Ellington, Basie or Goodman.
Decent Collection.......2005-02-19
A Memorable Collection, But Not Really For the Casual Fan.......2004-06-28
In the big band era, most popular ballrooms and dance clubs had a "house orchestra," and each strove to create a specific style that would set them apart in the highly competitive world of big band music--and overall this collection does a superior job of capturing both the broad differences and subtle nuances that made each band distinctly different from the rest, as well as giving the listener an overview of the form as it changed over time. Consequently, the selections here are not often the most popular, but rather most indicative.
The emphasis here is really more upon lesser known bands and then-popular but now forgotten releases, including such one-hit wonders as Casa Loma Orchestra, a house band that reached a brief popularity with the "Casa Loma Stomp." Even so, there are famous names aplenty, such as Duke Ellington, The Dorsey Brothers, Count Basie, Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Bennie Goodman, Artie Shaw--and yes, even the inescapable and to my mind slightly overrated Glenn Miller, to name but the most obvious.
Hardcore fans are likely to regret the absence of certain artists and certain tunes--my own complaint is that Cab Calloway is absent from the collection, and it is unfortunate that Artie Shaw is represented by "The Continental" instead of "Begin the Beguine." It is also true that the sound quality, particularly re recordings from the early 1930s, is sometimes problematic; this, however, is inevitable, for early recording techniques were a far cry from current standards. Even so, you'd have to go some to find a collection that so effectively captures the wide array of styles seen in big band music over the course of 25 years of popularity.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Swing, swing, swing.......2003-12-13
Well, almost all of us agree.......2002-11-07
A good anthology covers the big numbers (though maybe not the biggest) and also uncovers mistakenly overlooked items. This does a good job on that, for the relative novice. And it also moderates between up-tempo and more relaxed performances, so it's not just constant swing. Another tip o' the hat--well-chosen selections. I had never heard of Lucky Millinder when I bought this, nor The Mills Blue Rhythm Band, nor the Casa Loma Orchestra. Those cuts alone made it worth the price--this stuff swings! And I found some new bands to investigate as well....never enough CDs on the shelf!
I found this collection almost perfect. How can anyone say Saratoga Drag doesn't swing....my shoulders gyrate and hips swivel. And I'm an old, non-dancing, rhythm-free guy. Thanks Decca!
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September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000029WM Release Date: 1997-08-19 |
Tracks:
- Mack The Knife - Nick Cave
- Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife - P.J. Harvey
- Alabama Song - David Johansen
- Youkali Tango - Teresa Stratas
- Lost In The Stars - Elvis Costello
- Pirate Jenny - Lotte Lenya
- Speak Low - Charlie Haden
- Oh, Heavenly Salvation - The Persuations
- Lonely House - Betty Carter
- Surabaya- Johnny - Teresa Stratas
- Furchte Dich Nicht - Mary Margaret O'Hara
- September Song - Lou Reed
- Mack The Knife - Bertolt Brecht
- What Keeps Mankind Alive? - William S. Burroughs
Customer Reviews:
some brilliant renditions, but can't quite all mix together.......2006-10-19
In all, there are some brilliant interpretations of Weill here. I am a fan of Cave's "Mack the Knife" and David Johansen's "Alabama Song," and how can someone NOT like Lotte Lenya herself on "Pirate Jenny" and the drolling of the immortal William S. Burroughs talking through "What Keeps Mankind Alive?"
But other tracks feel to be just too short of brilliance. I love that Lou Reed tries to turn "September Song" into a kind of rock ballad, almost a VU "It Was a Pretty Good Year," but the rendition seems a little short of energy and falls flat after a while. Elvis Costello, though magnificent as an overall artist, just doesn't bring new life to "Lost in the Stars."
Perhaps the problem in the end that the choices were a little too much of the Top 40 Weill (if there really can be such a term). These are songs that have for a long time been regarded as the best of Weill, and it might have furthered the purpose of his music to find new gems and bring them into the sunlight.
Cool and Camp.......2006-08-24
September Song Music of Kurt Weill.......2006-08-22
It's a long time between January and December.......2004-06-11
Paul
Ain't we Hip?!!?.......2003-07-23
The mystery here is that there's a perfectly good compilation from the 80s, "Lost in the Stars: the Music of Kurt Weill", featuring many of the same songs--and, if I'm not mistaken some of the same performers. That's the one you want. Too bad it's OP.
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Tears of Joy
Tuck & Patti Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000000NE0 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Tears Of Joy
- Takes My Breath Away
- I've Got Just About Everything
- Time After Time
- Everything's Gonna Be All Right
- Better Than Anything
- My Romance
- Up And At It
- Mad Mad Me
- Love Is The Key
Amazon.com
While unaccompanied jazz guitar can quickly become tedious, Tuck Andress funk-inspired, footloose approach was immediately arresting. Add Patti Cathcart's soul-inflected vocal to the mix, and the result is a disc that very quickly became something of a classic in modern jazz vocal records. While many jazz discs can boast fine musicianship, few have this much personality. Few could take two songs from the Bob Dorough canon ("I've Got Just About Everything" and "Better Than Anything") and make them their own. But that is the secret of this disc--the winning combination of instrumental chops and a personal, individual stamp on the tunes themselves. --Skip HellerCustomer Reviews:
A must-have for any lover, singer, guitarist.......2005-01-24
Patty is not your typical jazz singer; she has much more gospel in her soul. A deep, throaty voice that has warmth and is still flexible. When she sings, her delivery is honest. Still, she has the ability to skitter about and improv as she sings.
Tuck is unbelievable. He has developed this style that combines walking bass, chordal changes and lead playing at the same time. Even better, he varies his arrangement chorus by chorus, so the accompaniment never gets stale.
Put them together and you have music that is overtly romantic, improvised, florid without being busy and real. Incredible.
This is their best album, in my opinion.
I learned a lot about how to play bass from listening to Tuck's line on "I've Got Just about Everything" as he plays it on guitar.
Patty's version of "My Romance" is definitive, even if she has to change the lyric ("I must have one soft guitar" provides the clue to the romance shared between Tuck and Patty.)
But the best tune remains "Time After Time." Tuck and Patty change this from a pop song to a gospel anthem, every bit as significant as "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "You've Got A Friend."
I'll echo the comments of others...get a date and see Tuck and Patty live. I've been twice. Tuck continues to make the impossible seem normal, while Patty sings her heart out, and tears yours up at the same time. I've seen her sing this entire Tears of Joy album WITHOUT stopping, just scatting her way from one tune to set up the tempo of the next.
Overwhelmed.......2003-10-11
I was once asked a hypothetical question: if you were stranded on an island and could only have one CD which would it be? - this was the first that came to mind.
Awesome Duo.......2003-06-25
amazing!.......2003-04-28
Intimate Jazz-Inflected Guitar and THAT Voice.......2003-04-15
I didn't actually own a Tuck and Patti record until college. After all, they were right down the street! This was the first one I bought. Listening to it all these years later, it's like coming home.
Standouts for me were the title track "Tears of Joy", because it showcases Tuck's virtuosity--he's rhythm, brass and guitar all at once--and their lovely cover of the Rogers and Hart favorite "My Romance", which is like having Patti sing you to dreamland.
This is a great introduction to this duo, and I urge you also to move heaven and earth to see them live, if you can.
International Music: