Haunted Heart

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bassist Charlie Haden was already an avant-garde titan through his role in Ornette Coleman's empire-rattling '60s quartet, an avatar for politically-committed jazz through his Liberation Music Orchestra, and a first-call star thanks to associations with Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, and countless other pathfinders. But Haden was, and is, an omnivorous listener and fan with an openly romantic vein, and this sophomore project for his own mainstream quartet celebrates his love of classic pop and film noir. Opening with the Warner Bros. fanfare that introduced John Huston's classic 1941 realization of The Maltese Falcon, this programmatic gem shifts from '40s covers to sympathetic originals evoking the smoky demimonde of noir classics, and underlined by their allusive titles ("Hello My Lovely," "Lady in the Lake," and "The Long Goodbye" are the obvious Chandlerian connections). Interpolating luminous vocal recordings from the '40s by Jo Stafford (the title song), Jeri Southern, and Billie Holiday, Haunted Heart is cinematic in the best sense, its elegant acoustic jazz looking affectionately back across the decades, yet still in the moment emotionally. --Sam Sutherland

Tracks:

Haunted Heart
River
When Did You Leave Heaven?
You've Changed
Answer Me
My Cherie Amour
In My Life
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
Wozzeck/The Midnight Sun
Liebst du um Schit
My One And Only Love/This Is Always
Can do Amor
Psych
Hard Times Come Again No More

Amazon.com

While countless fans flock to see soprano Renee Fleming's performances of the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro because she's got the voice and the dramatic ability to handle such meaty roles, the versatile singer throws her fans a curveball on Haunted Heart, singing popular standards and ballads as well as a few altered classical pieces. In her liner notes, Fleming calls this album a "look back at the road not taken" -- she played a weekly gig in a jazz club while in school. Nonetheless, her feel for the material here is undeniable. Interestingly, she drops her voice a full octave from her usual tessitura, and the change reveals a robust gospel-oriented approach filled with dramatic breaths and moans. The lyrical Fred Hersch (piano) and the idiosyncratic Bill Frisell (guitar) provide support, and both are adventurous jazz players who create subtle and uniquely haunting backdrops. It adds up to an interesting cross-section of ideas well carried off by the generous talents of all involved. --Tad Hendrickson

Interview with Renee Fleming
Renee Fleming speaks about recent projects, including her memoir The Inner Voice and her recent Handel CD, in our interview.

Customer Reviews:

Sublime and ridiculous.......2007-06-13

The sublime: much of the artistry of this recording is about sound, and the subtle blending/responding of voice with guitar sounds and / or piano sounds. It is in the sensitive musical interplay between the artists where this effort shines. Definitely not recommended for road trips!

The ridiculous: Fleming ended the majority of most phrases in most of the songs with a guttural of some sort which for me becomes irritating to the point of distraction. These punctuations are mostly quite awful: really tasteless, clumsy, and overused big time and I'm amazed at how this ever got released. Without these ersatz testifyin' noises this CD would be stunning.

So, if you have the ability and inclination to edit out this garbage from your perception as you listen I think you'll be glad you experienced these artists at work together. (Unfortunately I'm not up to it).

Eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww.......2007-06-06

Ugh. Like a manufactured home vs. a stick-built house, Fleming's manufactured (aka "training and technique") blues voice compares unfavorably to other jazz/blues singers/lounge acts. Would not, COULD not, listen to this recording straight through--one big long, breathy, minor key train wreck in the making. Took the CD on a road trip and had to pull over and remove from queue--either that or drive into a wall.

Better than I thought it would be.......2007-04-10

I have to admit, Haunted Heart was a lot better than I thought it would be,especially her recordings of "River", "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress, "My Cherie Amour" and "In my life".
I think this is the most artistically successful recording of Pop/Jazz by a classical singer. I enjoyed it even better than the Anna Sophie Von Otter'/ Elvis Costello CD.
The perspective I am coming from is that of a classical singer who started out as a pop singer/songwriter. I perform and teach cross-genre but love a world class instrument such as Flemming's
I wanted to get the perspective of a friend who used to sing jingles and is also a trained singer but is usually critical of any attempts that opera singers make at crossing -over.
My friend is very familiar with Flemming's voice, but did not recognise it in this context when I played the CD for her. Her reaction was very complimentary, although she did comment that the diction was a bit strange.
She then played it for her brother a well known jazz singer and arranger who had a somewhat negative reaction.He found the singing to be overly dark and round. He prefers a cleaner more 'spoken' approach to this style of singing. I understand this perspective and therefore personally prefer Ella to Sarah as well, but let's not get too picky. Obviously, Rene Flemming is of the Sarah Vaghan School of jazz singing, which is not too shabby.

I will continue to enjoy this CD and will wait for another opera diva to top this one. But, somehow I think the next really good CD of Pop/ jazz from an opera star will also come from Rene.

To those who have been unreasonably mean and negative towards her, I can only say you are not fit to polish her shoes!

Brava Renee.......2007-04-09

This talented woman can sing anything. I really enjoyed this cd with the lights turned down and a glass of wine to relax after a very stressful day at work. Renee could definitely have another singing career outside of opera should she choose. Hearing her drop that gorgeous voice down one octave rivals the best chanteuses in the business - Cassandra Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Regina Belle, Sarah Vaughan, etc. This cd of different musical styles reminds me of Nina Simone and Cassandra Wilson, two great singers whom could interpret any song genre and make their versions special. I loved all the songs and the standouts here are "Haunted Heart", "River", "My One and Only Love", "My Cherie Amour", "Cancao do Amor", and Beatles "In My Life", and "Hard Times Come Again No More".
I hope Renee keeps recording whatever catches her fancy because I'll certainly always listen.

Art is always new. .......2007-03-10

Renee Fleming is an artist bringing us something new, and beautiful. The poor will always be with us as manifest in those who resent other's movement from their established zones. Renee Fleming is a great female voice with accomplishments her detractors will never have, but in their dreams.

I welcome Renee's elan demonstrated with her recent recordings, Love sublime with Brad Mehldau, and Haunted Heart with Fred Hersch and Bill Frissell. Bravery, fun, and talent combined by artists and for people who are listening. Hearing long time favorites Mehldau, Hersch, and Frissell is all the more sublime.

Average customer rating:

Haunted Heart
Good traditional country sound
Real people on Sammy Kershaw's Haunted Heart
NOT AS GOOD AS HIS FIRST, BUT BETTER THAN THE REST TO COME!
Great country, yet somehow different (and better)

Haunted Heart
Sammy Kershaw
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Feelin' Good Train
Don't Go Near the Water
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Maybe Not Tonight
Labor of Love

ASIN: B000001DXQ
Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks:

A Memory That Just Won't Quit
Queen Of My Double Wide Trailer
Still Lovin' You
She Don't Know She's Beautiful
I Can't Reach Her Anymore
Haunted Heart
Neon Leon
What Might Have Been
You've Got A Lock On My Love
Cry, Cry Darlin'

Customer Reviews:

Haunted Heart.......2001-08-04

Sammy Kershaw's CD Haunted Heart and the songs I like is A Memory That Just Won't Quit, Queen of my Double wide Trailor, She don't know she's Beautiful, I Can't Reach her anymore, Haunted Heart, Neon Leon are the best songs by Sammy Kershaw.

The Lobster Tank is lobsters in the water.

It is like music and it reminds me of Dan Tyminski's CD Carry Me Across The Mountain and the Soundtrack CD O' BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

There cool music and O' Brother, Where Art Thou is a Soundtrack CD from the movie.

Throw Away The Keys.

Good traditional country sound.......2000-12-12

What some people may be interested in, about this 1993 album, is that one of the background singers is Shania Twain. Of course, an unknown at that time. Anyway, this is truly a good traditional style country album. Sammy has a good country voice, and every song here is a good song. The title song is especially touching.

Real people on Sammy Kershaw's Haunted Heart.......2000-04-02

Great songs off the cuff conversations from real people. Where did he find this stuff. You would have to go to a drunk on a stool to get such honest writes. And Sammy Kershaw did a bang up job. I feel aquainted with all the guys and gals in the songs.

NOT AS GOOD AS HIS FIRST, BUT BETTER THAN THE REST TO COME!.......1999-10-28

Sammy is still pretty traditional here; although he seems to be getting into more of the "pop" arena. Still, it is much better than his more recent albums.

Great country, yet somehow different (and better).......1999-06-24

This is a truly outstanding CD. Sammy has a great voice and the songs on here are top-notch. While the songs are easily classifiable as "country", they are really a cut above the norm. One example--a lyric from "Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer" goes, "He rebuilds engines and his name is Earl, he's the Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench." Is that great or what? Also outstanding--the title track, "I Can't Reach Her Anymore", and "She Don't Know She Is Beautiful." Heck, they're all good. Buy it!!

Average customer rating:

Alan Broadbent and Ernie Watts are good.
new music in an old mode, with better pictures
Surprisingly good, accessible, moody, intimate jazz...
Already a classic
Quartet West 's best recording

Haunted Heart
Charlie Haden Quartet West
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

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ASIN: B0000046L7
Release Date: 1992-07-28

Tracks:

Introduction
Hello My Lovely
Haunted Heart
Dance Of The Infidels
The Long Goodbye
Moonlight Serenade
Lennie's Pennies
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Lady In The Lake
Segment
The Bad And The Beautiful
Deep Song

Amazon.com

Bassist Charlie Haden was already an avant-garde titan through his role in Ornette Coleman's empire-rattling '60s quartet, an avatar for politically-committed jazz through his Liberation Music Orchestra, and a first-call star thanks to associations with Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, and countless other pathfinders. But Haden was, and is, an omnivorous listener and fan with an openly romantic vein, and this sophomore project for his own mainstream quartet celebrates his love of classic pop and film noir. Opening with the Warner Bros. fanfare that introduced John Huston's classic 1941 realization of The Maltese Falcon, this programmatic gem shifts from '40s covers to sympathetic originals evoking the smoky demimonde of noir classics, and underlined by their allusive titles ("Hello My Lovely," "Lady in the Lake," and "The Long Goodbye" are the obvious Chandlerian connections). Interpolating luminous vocal recordings from the '40s by Jo Stafford (the title song), Jeri Southern, and Billie Holiday, Haunted Heart is cinematic in the best sense, its elegant acoustic jazz looking affectionately back across the decades, yet still in the moment emotionally. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Alan Broadbent and Ernie Watts are good........2006-08-12

His music is the good music which reminds the old good United States.

new music in an old mode, with better pictures.......2004-02-18

I heard Bob Belden's "Black Dahlia" earlier and only heard this recently. Maybe this is where Belden got his idea for a soundtrack of the mind, using late 40's early 50's themes. And a Raymond Chandler gumshoe, chantueses and smoky LA nightclubs.

This one is quite different than Belden's, Black Dahlia is edgier and more orchestrated, and more like a film track. Haunted Heart contains mostly quartet arrangements: swing songs, bebop, ballads, a little latin jazz. And also original period ballad recordings by Jo Stafford, Billie Holliday, Jeri Southern. The recordings from the period, some of the better known songs, are dark with great depth. Like Hayden's "Moonlight Serenade". I was deep in the song before I recognized the melody. Haden and group maintain the mood, the noir darkness and a sense of romantic nostalgia, while making new music in a late 40's mold. It's like a memory of a failed love affair.

As is said elsewhere, there are also dark, little played moody songs by famous vocalists of the period. This help the mood.

Recommended. The more you hear, the more you like it. Someone once said they "liked radio, because the pictures are better"!

Surprisingly good, accessible, moody, intimate jazz..........2004-01-31

I have a slightly different take on this disc than the seven reviewers who posted before me, and I urge you to read them all. To me, the only weak parts of the project are the three brief vintage vocals by Jo, Jeri and Billie. Respected singers all, for sure, but the Quartet West plays so strongly, the solos are so beautiful, the swinging parts are so much fun, that the vocals seem distracting to me. This is my first experience of Haden and QW, but I love it. For a 1990's group to capture the feel of '40's movies and '50's jazz as well as they do is remarkable. If you like traditional small-group jazz, this is an hour you shouldn't miss.

Already a classic.......2002-01-26

And it may well be for you too. Beautifully conceived, marvelously played. A gem.

Quartet West 's best recording.......2001-09-23

Charlie Haden's Quartet West is a great group : Alan Broadbent on piano,Ernie Watts on tenor,and Larance Marable on drums.This recording is a tribute to the musicazl scene and the movies of the fourties, and surely the quartet's best effort.Larance Marable,a descendant of Fats Marable,shines again behind his drums,after a long period of drug addiction;Ernie Watts shows that he is a prodigious saxophonist,always underrated;Alan Broadbent is one of today's greatest pianists,as good in solo than backing someone (I had the opportunity of seeing him with singer Mark Murphy some two years ago).This session pays tributes to great musicians of the history of jazz.Now about the tunes: the introduction is the 1937 Warner Bros.fanfare,and the intro of the "maltese falcon" soundtrack."hello my lovely" is a beautiful Haden's tune."haunted heart" is a Dietz/Schwartz tune,followed by Jo Stafford's 1947 interpretation with Paul Weston's orchestra;"dance of the infidels" is a Bud Powell tune;"the long goodbye" is by Broadbent;"moonlight serenade",of course, is Glenn Miller's absolute masterpiece,one of the greatest tunes of the century,and you must agree with this,even if you don't like Miller."Lennie's pennies' is one of the most celebrated tunes by Lennie Tristano;"every time we say goodbye" is the marvelous Cole Porter song,one of Coltrane's favorites,followed here by Jeri Southern's great singing."segment" is Bird's,"the bad and the beautiful" is a David Raskin's tune (you know,the guy who wrote "Laura" for the unforgettable movie with Gene Tierney),and finally,the haunting "deep song",followed by Billie Holiday's 1947 version,which is one of the saddest and most beautiful recordings she's ever made.The great idea Charlie Haden had,doing this session, is to couple his quartet versions with the original versions of the Stafford,Southern and Holiday tunes.For those who don't know Billie's "deep song" (it figures in her Decca sides), it will surely be a shock.This song is as important in his carreer than "god bless the child" or "good morning heartache",even if she only recorded it once.Far from the Liberation Music Orchestra,Charlie Haden's Quartet West did a marvelous album in October 1991.This was recorded in the South of France,in Sète,Georges Brassens' hometown.