Accentuate the Positive

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Al Jarreau's style bridges Jon Hendricks's vocalese and Bobby McFerrin's incredible flights of fancy. This CD, with Diana Krall's rhythm section--guitarist Anthony Wilson, drummer Peter Erskine, and bassist Christian McBride--should please fans of albums like Jarreau's phenomenal 1977 live LP, Look to the Rainbow. Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light" is illuminated by Larry Goldings's down-home Hammond organ, while Lionel Hampton's "Midnight Sun" bops with hip-hop-friendly rim shots. Jarreau's tenor tones curve with saxophonic dexterity and pulse with percussive precision, especially on Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin' High," where he slyly drops in a few words from the old show tune, "Whispering." --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Tracks:

Cold Duck
The Nearness Of You
I'm Beginning To See The Light
My Foolish Heart
Midnight Sun
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
Betty Bebop's Song
Waltz For Debby
Groovin' High
Lotus
Scootcha-Booty

Amazon.com

Al Jarreau's style bridges Jon Hendricks's vocalese and Bobby McFerrin's incredible flights of fancy. This CD, with Diana Krall's rhythm section--guitarist Anthony Wilson, drummer Peter Erskine, and bassist Christian McBride--should please fans of albums like Jarreau's phenomenal 1977 live LP, Look to the Rainbow. Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light" is illuminated by Larry Goldings's down-home Hammond organ, while Lionel Hampton's "Midnight Sun" bops with hip-hop-friendly rim shots. Jarreau's tenor tones curve with saxophonic dexterity and pulse with percussive precision, especially on Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin' High," where he slyly drops in a few words from the old show tune, "Whispering." --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Soulfull, slightly jazzy.......2007-04-08

Such a great talent when it comes to melody, married to harmony and rhythm, Jarreau usually choses to stick to the corny arrangements and lazy rhythms, even when performing songs that really yearn for some of his old "Better than anything" magic...

Only on few songs, such as the title cut of this album, he gives a small taste of what he is capable of (most of the repertoire of modern jazz + occasional old fashioned blues inflection are at his disposal)...

It is not un entirely unpleasant CD (far from it), but it definitely is disappointingly drowsy and uneventful for such a potentially great and mostly wasted vocal artist.

Simply disappointing! I don't recommend this album to anyone!.......2006-11-15

It seems that all the energy, the "music stamina" Al Jarreau had, is definitely gone. I waited until I could read all the comments on this album, then bought it. Wasted money! If you're expecting to find more of the magnificent Jazz & Pop exercises Al Jarreau did in "Breakin' Away", "Jarreau" or "L Is For Lover", just forget it...!!! This album is for dark-Jazz & Blues fans only. Anyway, Jarreau's voice sounds simply murky and boring.

"For This Time It Isn't Fascination Or A Dream That Will Fade And Fall Apart" .......2006-06-25

"Tons and tons of thanks to Susan and Ryan, my wife and son, co-captains of the `A-Team' and both sharing the MVP Award (Congratulations, Mr. Jarreau, for garnering this prestigious award). They continue to buoy me up, take up the slack, and watch my back while cheering and bootin' me in the butt. Picturing that is hard to do, but they do it and it's priceless. Thank you dear Susan and Ryan. ~ Al Jarreau ~

This is one of the greatest and best-ever jazz albums of all-time and it's to-die-for every time I listen to it especially tracks two, four and five. Al Jarreau has been one of the exceptional jazz artists in my list of favorites. My stunning sister, Debbie, who's in her forties (but looks half her age) with a model-like figure who was once a piano teacher and has an exquisite taste not only in music, but everything else, introduced me to Al Jarreau's music in the eighties thru one of his earliest recordings, "Breakin' Away" and from that point on, I was hooked with Mr. Jarreau's kind of music and his extraordinary vocal artistry. My top favorites from among his many hits are "Wait For The Magic," "Try A Little Tenderness," "Ain't No Sunshine," "After All," "Mornin'," "Since I Fell For You," "My Favorite Things" and "Teach Me Tonight." I can't wait to be at his concert with another great jazz artist, George Benson, at the Hollywood Bowl this August.

The charmer on this CD is Victor Young and Ned Washington's "My Foolish Heart." I have always loved this song and his interpretation is so sublime, his vocals soft and mellow and its Bossa Nova arrangement is so pleasing to my ears! Listen to it and you'll definitely agree with me that it's the best track of all. It starts off with a beautiful piano intro by Larry Williams who is also the arranger on this gem of a song and most of the tracks as well. It also features Anthony Wilson on guitar, David Carpenter on bass, Peter Erkstine on drums and Luis Conte on percussion.

"For this time it isn't fascination
or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's love, this time it's love
my foolish heart."

The rest of my top favorites are Johnny Mercer, Sonny Burke and Lionel Hampton's "Midnight Sun," which highlights the hauntingly beautiful harmonica playing of Tollak Ollestad, Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington's "The Nearness of You," Duke Ellington/Don George/Johnny Hodges/Harry James' "I'm Beginning To See The Light," Dizzy Gillespie and Al Jarreau's "Groovin' High" and last but not least, the song that I dedicate to my sister, Bill Evans and Gene Lees "Waltz For Debby." Thanks so kindly my beautiful sister! You really got an ear for good music.

Listen to this CD and enjoy the magic of Al Jarreau's extraordinary vocal artistry and the exceptional musicianship of his band: Larry Williams (keyboards/arranger), Christian McBride & David Carpenter (bass), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Mark Simmons & Peter Erkstine (drums), Luis Conte (percussion), Keith Anderson (sax), Russel Ferrante (piano), Tollak Ollestad (harmonica) and Larry Goldings (organ). Did I miss anybody?

Music to enjoy for a lifetime!

Great!.......2006-01-21

This Ripon College graduate never fails to come up with quality CD's. "Accentuate the Positive" is a treat from a musician who is still growing in many ways.

Manna from Heaven!.......2005-09-01

I picked this CD out of my mailbox at 2 pm today, it is now midnight and I am still listening to it! Thank goodness for that repeat button. "Betty Bebop's Song" is a poignant tribute to songbird Betty Carter. "Midnight Sun" - what can I say? I had to play that one alone for a couple of hours. Tollak Ollestad on harmonica had me thinking Toots, very lazy, extremely sensuous (Dee Dee Bridgewater also does a steamy rendition on "Dear Ella"). This CD has opened my eyes to some older material, i.e., "Accentuate the Positive" - who'd a thunk it? Absolutely fabulous as only the inimitable Jarreau could accomplish such a feat! "I'm Beginning to See the Light" - Larry Goldings and Anthony Wilson definitely get it together and AJ does it so effortlessly (for him). I did, however, think I was about to hear "You Don't See Me" when "Groovin' High" started, but after the intro, that thought was no longer . . . . If you are a serious Jarreau fan, DO NOT WASTE ANOTHER MOMENT, pure heaven. . . Amen

Average customer rating:

Accentuate the Positive
The Andrews Sisters
Manufacturer: Flare UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000AA4K1U
Release Date: 2005-10-10

Tracks:

Mambo Man
Say "Si Si" (Para Vigo Me Vay)
Joseph! Joseph!
If I Had a Boy Like You
Love Is Such a Cheat
My Isle of Golden Dreams
Ti-Pi-Tin
Oh, You Sweet One
Malaguena
Now That I'm in Love
Old Don Juan
Begin the Beguine
One for the Wonder
Piccolo Pete
Yes, My Darling Daughter
You Too, You Too
Money Is the Root of All Evil
Fugue for Tin Horns
South American Way
AC-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
Oh Johnny! Oh Johnny! Oh!
What Did I Do?
Near You
Oh, Ma-Ma! (The Butcher Boy)
Blossoms on the Bough
That Ever Lovin' Rag

Average customer rating:

WOW!

Accentuate the Positive
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Cap Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000C2NM
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

Accentuate The Positive, Take 1
Accentuate The Positive, Take 2
Lisabelle
Opticas
Two Different Worlds
You Leave Me Breathless, Take 1
You Leave Me Breathless, Take 2
It's You Or No One
Blue And Yellow
So True
Be Sure

Customer Reviews:

WOW!.......1999-11-20

My daughter and I had season tickets to the Augusta Synphony. She was ten. Music appreciation, etc. Boy were we surprised. She normally seemed bored at these concerts, but when Joe Kennedy, Jr. started playing we both knew this was different. I've NEVER heard anything like it. I'd never heard of jazz violin before. You just have to hear this. He's a music professor from Virginia - he ought to be famous. If you like violins, and if you like jazz, then you'll love this. Buy it..

Average customer rating:

Brilliant arrangements + lively singing = great fun
Awesome

Oz & Beyond

Manufacturer: Boston Gay Men's Cho
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B00004S2SS
Release Date: 2001-07-26

Tracks:

Get Happy/Accentuate the Positive
I Love to Sing-A/Sweet and Hot
Blues in the Night
Down With Love
I Love a Parade
Blues Medley
That Old Black Magic
Hit the Road to Dreamland
Stormy Weather/The Man That Got Away
Come Rain or Come Shine
Wizard of Oz Medley: Munchkin Land/Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead/Lullaby
Over the Rainbow

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant arrangements + lively singing = great fun.......2000-09-14

What a fun way to learn that there's a lot more to the music of Harold Arlen than "The Wizard of Oz". In fact, it turns out this guy wrote some of the most beloved show tunes and standards of all time --and the best of the best are right here on this album. Chad Weirick's creative arrangements (who'd have thought of a jazz scat section during "I love to Sing-a"?) make these old favorites even more fun. And the guys of the chorus, backed by a large jazz band, sound fantastic! This is a must have for anyone, like me, who loves the old standards but is itching for a fresh presentation.

Awesome.......2000-06-22

A real fun CD. Full of original arrangements of much loved classics. They really are a world class chorus!

Al Jarreau's Accentuate The Positive [IMPORT]

Average customer rating:

Al Jarreau's Accentuate The Positive [IMPORT]

Manufacturer: Verve Records / Universal Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002OES3O

Product Description

Track list: 01. Cold duck 02. The nearness of you 03. I'm beginning to see the light 04. My foolish heart 05. Midnight sun 06. Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive 07. Betty Bebop's song 08. Waltz for Debby 09. Groovin' high 10. Lotus 11. Scootcha-booty

Average customer rating:

Accentuate the Positive
Al Jarreau
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002ADG40
Release Date: 2004-08-02

Tracks:

Cold Duck
Nearness of You
I'm Beginning to See the Light
My Foolish Heart
Midnight Sun
AC-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
Betty Bebop's Song
Waltz for Debby
Groovin' High
Lotus
Scootcha-Booty

Average customer rating:

Accentuate the Positive
Smokey Ritter
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LIPXS0

Product Description

From the Yes-I-Can cowboy.

Average customer rating:

Accentuate the Positive
Matt Rivett , and Emma Pask
Manufacturer: Rajon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000D96GZ
Release Date: 2003-10-13

Tracks:

More
L-O-V-E
You Make Me Feel So Young
You Gotta Have Heart
Sunny Side Of The Street
Beyond The Sea
Almost Like Being In Love
It Don't Mean A Thing
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
T'aint What You Do
Come Rain Or Shine
Come Fly With Me
It's A Good Day
Sing Sing Sing
Accentuate The Positive

Album Details

In the Post was Years of the Forties, Songwriter Johnny Mercer Penned and Sang What Became a Number One Hit with the Up Beat Swinging Tune "Accentuate the Positive". The Song was Just What Ws Needed. An Antidote to the Tough Times and a Beacon of Hope and Positiveness. More Recently, in Australia, the Song was Adopted for an Advertising Campaign and Due to Its Great Success the Advertisers have Been Inspired to Instigate a Conceptual Album Drawing in 14 Other Like Minded, Classic Songs under the Banner of "Accentuate the Positive". The Album is Produced by the Production Company Song Zu who Made the New Version for the Campaign and the Recordings Feature Singer/Musician Mark Rivett who Sang the Song So Well in the Commercial. To Embellish the Project Futher, Noted Singer Emma Pask Has Been Brought in to Join Rivett as Featured Vocalists on the Album.

Music:

Music

Music