Swings [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
18 tracks including some of his biggest worldwide hits. Highlights include, 'Beyond The Sea', 'Mack The Knife', 'Lover Come Back To Me' & many more. Unique fold-out booklet & photos. Sleeve notes & track by track commentary by Chris Ingham (Mojo magazine). Metro. 2002.

Tracks:

Oh What A Beautiful Morning
Let The Good Times Roll
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Every Saturday Night
I Can't Stop Loving You
Cryin' Time
Busted
Come Live With Me
Feel So Bad
The Long And Winding Road
Look What They've Done To My Song
Georgia On My Mind

Amazon.com

To fake or not to fake: That is the question consumers must answer for themselves in assessing this feat of aural Photoshopping: an "imaginary concert" created by combining recently discovered soundboard tapes of Ray Charles's vocals from a mid-'70s European show and newly recorded backing by the Count Basie Orchestra--the "ghost band," still on the road 22 years after Count's passing. Charles is in exceptional voice, singing the heck out of standards like "How Long Has This Been Going On?," Genius classics like "Busted," and pop covers like Melanie's "Look What They've Done to My Song." His performance is a thrilling corrective to forgettable posthumous albums like Genius Loves Company, designed to cash in on the new audience created for him by the movie Ray. But as competently as the Basie band fill in the blanks under the direction of Bill Hughes, with Joey DeFrancesco guesting on organ, most of the new arrangements are rather pallid, and the ensemble lacks the personality of both the Basie orchestra and Charles's best groups. And as attractive as Ray Sings, Basie Swings may be for the casual listener, the gimmickry will appall serious fans, particularly since neither Charles nor Basie--who never collaborated in life--was around to lend his approval. Is The Doors Sing, Woody Herman Swings next? --Lloyd Sachs

From Amazon.ca

Ray Sings, Basie Swings proves not only that there's a market for Brother Ray's every last recorded utterance (and a breathless one at that), but that musical grafting can reap some seriously satisfying rewards. After Concord Records A&R chief John Burk mined his label's vaults in 2005 and came across tapes labeled "Ray/Basie," he made a move to re-record the songs, originally performed in the 1970s; the result is these 12 tracks, in which Charles's whiskey-weathered, old-soul vocals are laid over arrangements by the current Count Basie Orchestra. Charles fans couldn't ask for a classier pairing or more seamless studio wizardry: The classics, from "I Can't Stop Loving You" to "Busted" to "Georgia on My Mind," play as though orchestrated by the Genius himself--tight, nuanced, and intimate-sounding. Less familiar tracks, like the down-home deep-South number "Every Saturday Night" and a couple of covers ("Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" and "The Long and Winding Road") offer so much in the way of novelty it's tempting to forget that what's playing is mostly the result of modern experimentation. Deep as the disc runs--and no one who who hears the broken-hearted "Cryin' Time" will deny it runs deep--the most essential track on Ray Sings, Basie Swings may be its most lighthearted one: There is no hearing Ray Charles sing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning"--even if it's four in the afternoon, even if it's raining torrentially--without agreeing. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

The producers of this CD discovered archival reels of Ray Charles and the Count Basie Orchestra performing live together in 1973. Although the vocals were superior, the remaining elements were or extremely poor quality. They decided to bring the current Count Basie Orchestra into the studio and, using the latest technology, they carefully and painstakingly laid down a new musical backdrop for Charles' towering vocals.

More from Ray Charles and the Count Basie Orchestra

Genius Loves Company
Ultimate Hits Collection
Ray!
Soundtrack

America's #1 Band: The Columbia Years
Count Basie at Newport
Swing Shift

Customer Reviews:

THE Best of Two of the Best...............2007-07-03

Ray Charles' songs and the Count's music...an incredible combination that truly showcases the best work ever put together by these two timeless artists. Thanks to technology and a lot of painstaking work, Charles and Basie's "recording" with each other will top the "wish-list" of all jazz/R & B collectors for many years to come!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is what it is, and I like it.......2007-06-11

I was standiing in a well known book store a while back, suffering through Rod Stewart's Still the Same...Great Rock Classics Of Our Time, when finally a young employee put me out of my misery with this great recording. What a breath of fresh air! Compared to Rod's yawning, lifeless, "the tape is full, when do I get paid?" sounding recordings, here is Ray belting it out with all the soul and power that few could ever possess. Sure, I found out later, that we had been a wee bit had, that this was a bit of "aural Photoshopping". but what a great job it was. As a graphic designer, I have created many pieces by splicing 2 or 3 separate photos together. This CD is sort of like that. As long as the purchasers of this work know this before they buy it, I see no problem. It is what it is - a beautiful piece of music, and I like it.

faking and industry crass commercialism.......2007-05-30

This is the recording that never was. One will never know what the original ray charles tapes sounded like--all we know from the liner notes is that much was unuseable and that through the genius of modern technology, ray charles' lyrics were improved and melded with an improvised new basie (after the Count) band's music. Whether Ray would have wished it his way or did it this way is an unknown and the effort, in the circumstances, exploits an artist and his public to improve the bottom-line of a recording company. That, in my view, is a sad commentary on the state of today's music "industry."

A treasure.......2007-05-26

Of the many wonderful Ray Charles collections, this disk is one that would be a perfect introduction to those who might not have experienced the music from this late genius of his realm. Perfect recording for the upcoming summer months out by the pool, or at the beach!!!

Best of the Best.......2007-04-26

This is one collaboration...well re-mixed, dubbed, whatever CD that you could ever ask for.

Average customer rating:

ROCKING, SWINGING & SOULFUL VOCALS~BRAVO PAUL!!!
Very Cool
Nice experiment, but it doesn't quite work
Paul Anka Rocks
Impressive Regardless of the Concept

Rock Swings
Paul Anka
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Moonlight Serenade
30th Anniversary Collection
Aperitif for Destruction
Guilty Pleasures
In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy

ASIN: B0009A1BXG
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

It's My Life
True
Eye Of The Tiger
Everybody Hurts
Wonderwall
Blackhole Sun
It's A Sin
Jump
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Hello
Eyes Without A Face
Lovecats
The Way You Make Me Feel
Tears In Heaven

Album Description

Sonically amazing, musically impeccable, vocally superb, this album swings hard from start to finish. Crank it loud on a great stereo. Crank it loud in your car with the windows open and the top down. This is fun music, this is music to drink cocktails to, this is a seriously fun album that seriously swings hard!

Beginning his career by entering amateur contests and sneaking into clubs, Paul Anka has gone on to become one of the most prolific, successful songwriters in history. This year marks his 47th Anniversary in show business, which he celebrates with the June 7th Global release of his latest album, "Rock Swings." It is a concept that takes rock hits from the 80's and adds a swing arrangement to give them a completely different, and fresh new sound. Songs like "Jump" by Van Halen, "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, "Wonderwall" by Oasis.

Customer Reviews:

ROCKING, SWINGING & SOULFUL VOCALS~BRAVO PAUL!!!.......2007-07-09

Incredible that this Legendary Singer/Composer has been making spectactacular music for fifty years and in 2005 records a true Masterpiece that stands as one of his finest recorded works and never have Paul Anka vocals been finer or quite as mesmerizing and deeply soulful...Bravo Paul!!!
Opening with Bon Jovi's "It's My Life", Mr. Anka makes this song a personal athem all his own that takes the listener back through the years in a way that becomes a memorable trip back throught the great Sinatra years plus the big band era in an original yet updated way that is a totally great musical experience that ultimately becomes a personal slogan of life and survival...smooth as in a Neil Hefti kind of way, "True" is another personal trip back through time that is a deeply personal Anka statement that reflects years with greats such as Ella...these interpetations are so deeply personal that it is as if Anka composed every song in this masterful collection and I can only imagine this is because he is on of the great singer/songwriters from the past fifty years and a true original.
"Eye Of The Tiger' is cool, rhythmic, sophisicated and so totally hip plus quite a unique listening experience not to be missed by those who enjoy the true greats in sublime form as this magnificent performance hopefully won a Grammy Award and if it didn't, for shame!!!
For those who love to be hypnotized, then "Everybody Hurts" will become a regular addiction that will become a daily fix...this song is soul-deep and magnificent...by now you real music lovers must realize that this is a work that comes once in a lifetime and Mr. Anka is a truly incredible musical legend that must be a killer in concert and please Mr. Anka come to L.A.!!!
"Wonderwall" is programmed on T.V. Cable under "Singers & Standards" and was thankfully my introduction to this classic work and it just took one listen...a magical and engrossing song with a hot rhythm track and a stellar Anka performance that is one of his finest...and those great keyboards!!!! "Blackhole Sun" is another kicking big-band arrangement with a tremendous vocal that takes one away...a soulful arrangement and mesmerizing vocal make "It's A Sin" a true standout in this stellar collection of hypnotic and magical performances from a true master and this haunting ballad is an experience that will linger long after its over...get lost in these great songs as music doesn't get finer and is seldom like this!
"Jump" is definitive...plain and simple as this is hot and cooking and who would have ever imagine Paul peaking like he does here and this sounds so great and Paul is having a totally awesome time and in the end so do we!!!
Another great and surprising definitive masterful performance, how can one describe how great Mr. Anka is in his deeply soulful "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which compares to nothing...this is wild and awesone.
Lionel must marvel at how Paul goes so deep inside "Hello" and ultimately makes it his own...yikes does this guy have no mercy taking all these songs away from the originals...an emotional journey is where Paul takes "Eyes Without A Face"...smooth and sophisicated "Lovecats" is exotic and mesmerizing...blusey and intoxicating with "The Way You Make Me Feel", the finale "Tears In Heaven" will make a believer out of anyone with a feeling for those who can take us away with the magic of their voice and none is more magical than the voice of Mr. Paul Anka!!!
Thank you for all the years of the greatest in music both in singing and in composing...you are the ultimate in the world of music and please Mr. Anka keep it coming...you are one of the true masters and we love you!!!

Very Cool.......2007-01-10

I loved this CD. It's a really interesting concept. Famous pop and rock songs are remade in a swing-style. At first, the songs don't sound familiar, but then you start to notice that you know the words! Then you realize you are listening to a Bon Jovi or Michael Jackson song! It's really fun. Try popping it into the the CD player and not telling anyone about it, and see if they start to notice the songs' familiarity. Very cool!

Nice experiment, but it doesn't quite work.......2006-11-29

It's a fun experiment, taking a number of pop and rock hits and turn them into jazz songs. And the performances are very good, both by the band and by Paul Anka. But the problem is that most of the songs just don't work in this format. All songs are the exact same pace, and it does justice to very few of the songs.

The fact that the album is the same pace throughout makes it a bit dull after a while. It's background music. If you want to hear these songs, the original versions are better. If you want to hear jazz music, get a jazz album with jazz songs on it. 3 stars for production, singing and for an interesting idea. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out very well.

Paul Anka Rocks.......2006-11-03

As a long time Paul Anka fan and having seen him in concert this past summer, the DVD is excellent. It is very similar to the concert. I would recomment it to all Anka fans.

Impressive Regardless of the Concept.......2006-10-28

At first I was tickled by the idea of taking rock songs and turning them into big band swing compositions. But the more I listened, the more I realized two things: just how good some of these songs are regardless of music genre; and just how good Mr. Anka's instrument and these arrangements are.

The chord progressions in Black Hole Sun are simply beautiful. They all but remove the memory of the truly disturbing video that accompanied Soundgarden's recording, replacing it with warm tone colors and focusing in the meat of the song-- the lament of a man seeking a romantic love free from the storms that deluge far too many amors. The swing phrasing mixed with the post-modern, late-20th century poetry and melody demostrates the universality of this emotion. We all want the rain washed away, don't we?

Paul Anka's baritone is outstanding. The arrangements are lush and worthy of Nelson Riddle or Harry Connick's big band pieces.

This is a wonderful album. Give your ears a treat.

Average customer rating:

Good but not great
LOVE IT
Does the oldies justice...
Excellent interpretation
Great!

Bolton Swings Sinatra
Michael Bolton
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

$9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Duets: An American Classic
The Greatest Songs of the Fifties
The Greatest Songs of the Sixties
Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV
Andrea Bocelli - Amore

ASIN: B000F8DSTW
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

You Go To My Head
Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
For Once In My Life
Summer Wind
My Funny Valentine
I've Got You Under My Skin
That's Life
The Second Time Around
The Girl From Ipanema
Night and Day
They Can't Take That Away From Me
New York, New York

Amazon.com

Rod Stewart greased the wheels, and now everybody's lining up for a ride. Bolton Swings Sinatra, like Barry Manilow's The Greatest Songs of the Fifties before it, is an obvious bid to snare some of the spotlight Stewart's expertly executed Great American Songbook series generated. A recap for those who have yet to crack the time capsule: The mood of these discs is forcibly retro (nobody shows up for a CD cover shoot without a suit jacket), the pulse romantic. So if the big-belting Bolton is not exactly a natural fit--here's an artist you wouldn't go out of your way to call suave, a major prerequisite for marching along in this recycled hit parade--he's not wholly out of his element, either. Bolton can swing Sinatra, sort of. Classics like "Fly Me To the Moon," "Summer Wind," and "I've Got You Under my Skin" sneak up on the listener and reveal a quiet reverance for the departed chairman of the board; only on "My Funny Valentine" does Bolton-esque over-singing threaten to spoil the brew. "The Second Time Around," a duet with Nicollette Sheridan, also doesn't overreach, landing on the ears like an open love letter. And the arrangements work consistently. Still, there are those who will roll their eyes and call this project too ambitious, too cheeky, and they may have a point. What next, they might reasonably ask: Richard Marx Rocks Elvis? Chris Botti Scales the Brill Building? --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

International superstar Michael Bolton has taken on another extraordinary challenge with Bolton Swings Sinatra (PASSION MUSIC CO./Concord Records). The collection finds him singing classics like "New York, New York," "Night and Day," "My Funny Valentine," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Girl From Ipanema" and "That's Life," and bringing in special guest Nicollette Sheridan for a duet on "The Second Time Around."

"For years I've kept a list of dream projects," Bolton notes. "At the top of that list was an album of songs made famous by Frank Sinatra."

Supervising the arrangements and orchestrations down to the last note, he's created an affectionate, dynamic tribute to some of the greatest recordings of the 20th century. The result will be a revelation even for longtime fans - passionate, playful, boisterous, intimate, and everything in between; Bolton Swings Sinatra is a dazzling pairing of singer and material.

Customer Reviews:

Good but not great.......2007-06-09

Nice renditions of Sinatra favorites. Bolton hasn't lost his voice with age. I just wasn't wowed.

LOVE IT.......2007-04-18

This is my favorite of all his CD's. I hope he does another just like it! I listen to this even more than my Michael Buble cd!

Does the oldies justice..........2007-02-08

I know some of the reviews of this disc have been poor. I'm a big Sinatra fan and I think Bolton accomplished a nice redo of Sinatra's oldies. We have to remember he isn't trying be Sinatra here, and his gravely voice gives the tunes a nice flavor. The arrangements are great and the music makes you feel like you stepped back into the old Sinatra days. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because there are only 12 songs on the disc.

Excellent interpretation.......2007-01-25

I have always liked Michael Bolton, thought he was good, and that was it. But this album really blew me away. His voice sounded better than ever, and his interpretation of Sinatra's songs was wonderful. I personally think Frank Sinatra would be pleased. Wonderful orchestrations add a nostalgic touch,while at the same time making them sound more contemporary. I can't speak for anyone else, but I loved this album.

Great!.......2007-01-18

Another great CD. He done a beautiful job. Enjoyed the music and all of his other CD's

Average customer rating:

Unique, diverse, rich
I tried
Much Better Than You're Being Led To Believe
Singificantly better than many diehards will tell you.
Unfocussed Slosh

Wild Mood Swings
The Cure
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bloodflowers
Wish
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
The Cure
Disintegration

ASIN: B000002HH9
Release Date: 1996-05-07

Tracks:

Want
Club America
This Is A Lie
The 13th
Strange Attraction
Mint Car
Jupiter Crash
Round & Round & Round
Gone!
Numb
Return
Trap
Treasure
Bare

Customer Reviews:

Unique, diverse, rich.......2006-09-21

Man oh man oh man; I cannot fathom these 1 star reviews by people. There must be SOMETHING they just DON'T get about this album, because it's brilliant. I won't go into specifics, but let me just say that I own every single Cure album and song ever released, from Three Imaginary Boys in '79 to Self-Titled in '04, along with the Join the Dots (B-Sides and Rarities) release in '04. In any case, my point is that I know ALL Cure. Everything. Many fans will compare this to other Cure releases such as "Disintegration" or "Pornography" or "Faith" or "Wish" and diss the heck out of it...just seems bizarre and strange to me. This album has so many eclectic features and and an incredible range of diversity, yet it is still held together by all things Cure. The songs are downright beautiful. For people to call this slosh and self-indulgent is just plain ignorant. To attack the lyrical content is downright immature. So what if he's singing about cheating? Each song is unique with a wide array of themes. Pay no regard to the bad reviews. You can trust me as someone who has everything The Cure has released that this is a more-than-worthy addition to your collection. I actually prefer the second half of the disc more than the first, but still love the first half as well. Do it up and treat your ears to a real work of art.

I tried.......2006-09-09

I was a huge Cure fan in the 90s. When this came out I really really wanted it to be great. I listened to it many times. I remember none of the songs and didn't like ONE song on the CD. If you want an underrated Cure CD, go get Wish. Don't even bother with this one. Completely forgetable.

Much Better Than You're Being Led To Believe.......2006-09-06

Wild Mood Swings is not a bad cd. Many of the negative reviews come right out and admit to trying to pull the rating of this cd down. Why? It usually comes down to being stuck in the past. There are a lot of people who cannot accept Robert Smith doing anything outside of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or Disintegration.

Wild Mood Swings is different. It's upbeat in some places and downbeat in others (ok, ok, I know that describes Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me but the instrumentation is different here); it's not your typical Cure release but I like it. It reminds me some of The Top, a much more psycho and, in many cases, just as maligned an effort.

WMS also reminds me of many of the silly music that made up the mid-80's. There are lots and lots of great keyboard sounds to go around and a ton of great guitar. What's not to like?

Singificantly better than many diehards will tell you........2006-08-22

An album that is generally dispised by fans of the Cure, "Wild Mood Swings" is as different from everything else in the band's catalog as can be, and a the time of release it was a bit jarring. It's an album of acoustic guitars and bright production and of open space, and while it was significantly different from anything the band has done, a decade after its release, it's pretty clear that the album, taken out of the shock of its appearance, is a decent record in its own right.

Of course, from the opener, you wouldn't know it'd be full of bright songs-- "Want" is classic dark Cure stuff-- ringing bass, clean tone melodic electric guitars, and noisy leads supporting a vocal that turns as fierce and jarring as anything Smith has done. But there is a sense of space that's obvious in it that permeates the album, and the record's brightness is obvious throughout, whether in the form of explosive pop songs ("Mint Car", a positively ecstatic explosition of new love), bizarre blues/funk tinged horn driven pieces ('Gone!"), moody, acoustic Bowie-styled reflections ("jupiter Crash") or just downright bizarre (more of the record than you'd guess-- Latin-tinged "The 13th" defies explanatio and the lower register vocal of "Club America" is in direct opposition to the usual Cure). Admittedly, amidst all of this there's a couple bunts (propolsive rocker "Trap", somewhat dull pop song "Strange Attraction") and yeah, the bright production can get irritating in its lack of subtlety ("Round & Round & Round"), but there's a lot to be heard here, just put aside your preconceived notions of what the band should be at the door.

"Wild Mood Swings" found the Cure crippled-- longtime guitarist Porl Thompson and drummer Boris Williams, who had both been with the band for a decade, left, and leader Robert Smith seemed to have felt painted in a corner stylistically. This one is definitely quite a detour, and if you're not one to like your band's drifting from their core sound, this isn't one for you. For the rest of us, "Wild Mood Swings" is one of the more intriguing things the band has done.

Unfocussed Slosh.......2006-05-17

No matter how often and how many times I've tried to listen to this album I cannot get more than half way without getting so bored with it that I'm compelled to change discs. The Cure has been my all-time favourite band since 1985, and still is to this day (2006), but this album is simply unlistenable drivel. It's not that objectively speaking, the album is the worst thing since Celine Dion, but, standing against the background of such groundbreaking classic Cure favourites as Faith, Pornography and Disintegration; Wild Mood Swings falls right out of the swing and hits itself badly on the head, concussing and haemmorrhaging to death on the hard earth of reality.
Some tracks are catchy enough, especially the openers Want, Club America and The 13th, but nonetheless come over as sounding so similar to tracks already done wonderfully before (respectively Open, Harold & Joe and The Lovecats) that they're less like original variations than pale caricatures of them. From there it's all down-swing as the album does a bland, unfocussed and uninspired take on jangly Brit-style pop and ballads. Songs like Mint Car sound so obviously like Smith is trying so incredibly hard to be happy and poppy and fluffy (when he's probably just really drunk) that you can't help cringing when you listen to them. Smith himself has said this is his least liked album The Cure has done of them all.
If you're interested in The Cure but new to them - avoid this one, and stick to one of the certified greats, such as the above mentioned titles.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding 1950's jazz violin

I Love John Frigo...He Swings
Johnny Frigo
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Johnny Frigo's DNA Exposed!
Cat on a Hot Fiddle
Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session
Debut of a Legend
Live from Studio A in New York City

ASIN: B00014AUSC
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

What A Diffrence A Day Made
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Blow Fiddle Blow
Blue Orchids
Gone With The Wind
Squeeze Me
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Moonlight In Vermont
If Love Is Good To Me
Big Me - Little Me

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding 1950's jazz violin.......2005-01-19

Frigo plays standards with elements from Bebop and Cool
in this session from 1957. Highly recommended (and I believe
it will be in print for only a limited time). Nice arrangements
and playing by Frigo, Herb Ellis, Cy Touff and others. Clearly a
labor of love...

Average customer rating:

Unexpected pleasure
Best John has done
Doctor Who's Captain Jack Sings!
John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter
It's a Keeper

Swings Cole Porter
John Barrowman
Manufacturer: First Night (Red)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Reflections From Broadway
Putting It Together: A Musical Review
Torchwood: Another Life
Simple Song
Aspects of Lloyd Webber

ASIN: B0002YLDN2
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Just One Of Those Things
What Is This Thing Called Love
In The Still Of The Night
I Happen To Like New York
Anything Goes
After You, Who?
Ca C'est l'Amour
Don't Fence Me In
Miss Otis Regrets
Do I Love You?
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
It's Alright With Me
Easy To Love (from the 2003 recording "Anything Goes") (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

John Barrowman delivers a solid collection of Cole Porter standards on the heels of his on-screen role opposite Kevin Kline in the Porter biopic De-Lovely. Barrowman, who has appeared on Broadway and in London, played Jack, the actor who had to be coached through the "impossible" song, "Night and Day." That song is absent here (it was on the movie soundtrack), but there are 14 other songs, including the gorgeous "In the Still of the Night," the piano-accompanied "Miss Otis Regrets," and the swinging "Ca, C'est l'Amour." John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter is nothing ground-breaking, just a well-sung set of great tunes backed by tasteful arrangements throughout. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected pleasure.......2007-07-17

I originally ordered this simply because I was smitten with John Barrowman from having watched him as Capt Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and Torchwood. I was more than pleasantly surprised to hear how well he executes these Cole Porter songs. His voice is clear and reminiscent in spots of a modern, minimal Irish tenor. And I was thrilled with his delivery on some of the songs as well. "I Happen to Like New York" is a keen favourite of mine. His hot photo on the cover is also a plus. What a dreamy, gorgeous man! I was so impressed by the cd that I bought 2 more to give as gifts. This is definitely worth your dollars.

Best John has done.......2007-02-13

I have seen John on stage but never paid that much attention. (Sorry John). But with this CD, Dr Who (Sci Fi & BBC TV services) and Torchwood (BBC TV Series) - John is really someone to notice and notice again.

Doctor Who's Captain Jack Sings!.......2006-08-05

John Barrowman isn't just another pretty face, and his credentials for entertaining go way beyond the new Doctor Who/Torchwood series, so why not buy this CD and listen to the Man sing his favorite Cole Porter classics?

You won't regret it! Order SWINGS COLE PORTER, I did!

John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter.......2005-06-25

John Barrowman has produced an excellent CD of the music of Cole Porter, containing many classic Cole Porter numbers mixed with a selection of the not so well known. Each of the selections is given a superb interpretation by the multitalented John Barrowman.

I must confess that this CD has taken up residence in my car CD player since I purchased it. CD's like this performed expertly by the popular singer and actor John Barrowman will no doubt introduce many of today's youngsters to the music of one of the great song writers of the 20th century.

It's a Keeper.......2005-06-23

Have to agree with Mr JD Arndt (reviewer) This simply is a well put together cd. Cole Porter being my very favorite composer of American standards, John Barrowman put out one hell of a cd with this one and I'm sure Cole would be just beaming. Also purchased his Broadway cd, that one is no comparison, infact, I sold it. Being a fan of Mr Barrowman, I expected better. This one is a winner, one that you should enjoy for years to come, I promise.

Paul Moravec: Tempest Fantasy; Mood Swings; B.A.S.S. Variations; Scherzo

Average customer rating:

Paul Moravec: Tempest Fantasy; Mood Swings; B.A.S.S. Variations; Scherzo

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Paul Moravec: The Time Gallery; Protean Fantasy; Ariel Fanstasy
Stephen Albert: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
John Harbison: Piano Trio No. 2
Hailstork: Symphonies 2 & 3
Joan Tower: Made in America

ASIN: B000MRP1VE
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy May

Average customer rating:

Anita's voice could swim around words and music as she effortlessly sold every song she ever sang !!!
Nice up-tempo versions of excellent songs...
Two reviews in one
ANITA TAKES CHANCES
Easier to Love

Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy May
Anita O'Day
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

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

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Anita O'Day and Billy May Swing Rodgers and Hart
Anita Sings the Most
Anita O'Day Sings the Winners
Pick Yourself Up with Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day's Finest Hour

ASIN: B0000047CF
Release Date: 1991-05-21

Tracks:

Just One Of Those Things
Love For Sale
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Easy To Love
I Get A Kick Out Of You
All Of You
Get Out Of Town
I've Got You Under My Skin
Night And Day
It's Delovely
I Love You
What Is This Thing Called Love
You're The Top
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Why Shouldn't I
From This Moment On
Love For Sale
Just One Of Those Things

Customer Reviews:

Anita's voice could swim around words and music as she effortlessly sold every song she ever sang !!!.......2007-06-14

Anita O'Day remains one of the greatest singers of the entire twentieth century. Anita could take a tune and inject it with a type of electricity that was all her own. Never afraid to scat, change tempos or just play with intonation and syllables, Anita displayed a boldness and flair that set her apart from many vocalists. This CD proves it.

The CD starts with the twelve tracks that were on the 1959 record album entitled Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter With Billy May; and then we get a few bonus tracks Anita did with other arrangers.

"Just One Of Those Things" starts the CD as if it were a piñata that's just been struck wide open; Billy May's typical use of the horns works well as Anita weaves her magic from the start. Anita sings this as a true jazz song and a classic both at once. "Love For Sale" gets a flashy treatment by both Anita O'Day and Billy May; the tempo changes enhance the beauty and drama of the number.

Other gems in the track set copied from the 1959 record album include "I Get A Kick Out Of You;" this song explores the joys of being with your one true love. Anita and Billy May start this slow with an opening verse; and when the tempo increases you can feel the jet engines whizzing faster than you've ever felt them! Anita doesn't always stick to the melody as she sings the lyrics; this proves her excellent ability to do any and all vocal gymnastics.

"I've Got You Under My Skin" gets the royal Latin treatment from Billy May's arrangement; and naturally Anita more than keeps up with May's work. Anita's voice oozes femininity as she uses her voice to jump up, down and all about on this number. Anita truly performs "I've Got You Under My Skin" to perfection!

"It's Delovely" boasts an energetic yet romantic flavor to it; the tempo may be fast but make no mistake: Anita O'Day sings this with passion and Billy May's arrangement shines like pure gold! The arrangement makes great use of the horns. "What Is This Thing Called Love" features Anita singing with confidence as she scats, plays with the tempo of her vocals while Billy May's tempo stays much more constant, and pours her heart and soul into performing this number as only she could.

We also get bonus tracks that reflect Anita's genius with other arrangers. I love the passion and forcefulness of Buddy Bregman's arrangement for the trombones on "You're The Top;" Anita's voice is in excellent form once again for this number. The romantic number "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" shows how Anita could get away with singing this number by occasionally leaving out the "My" in "My Heart Belongs To Daddy." And you know what? Anita does it with such a natural talent that it works very well. Jimmy Giuffre's arrangement works well, too, for "My Heart Belongs To Daddy."

"From This Moment On" begins with a beautiful piano flourish and Anita whizzes through this ballad without stumbling--and she doesn't sing a superfluous note, either! This number shines and stands as a highlight of this CD. The final track, another interpretation of ""Just One Of Those Things" has different tempo changes than the first version on this CD; the arrangement by Ralph Burns also features guitarist Tal Farlowe.

The liner notes include the recording dates for each song and Will Friedwald contributes a fine essay about Anita O'Day and her work with the different arrangers on this album.

Anita O'Day is something to be personally experienced; I can't quite find the words to completely convey the high octane, forceful energy and electricity with which she performed countless songs throughout her very long career. This CD would be a "must-have" for Anita's fans; and people who enjoy classic jazz will enjoy this CD, too. If you want to become better acquainted with the artistry of Anita O'Day, this CD is also a great place to start.

Enjoy!

Nice up-tempo versions of excellent songs..........2007-01-09

Since Anita died in late 2006, and was still performing sporadically up to her final year of life, meaning well into her mid-80's, this 1959 release can't even be called "Mid-career O'Day." She started making records with the Gene Krupa Orchestra before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so at the time of this project, she was about 20 years into a 60-year gig as a paid jazz vocalist. And I do mean "jazz" because Anita never did achieve "pop" stardom or true mass appeal. This offering is quite cheerful, but while it reveals Anita's originality and devotion to jazz arrangements, it also demonstrates her weakness. O'Day did not quite have the ability to "act" a lyric and inhabit a song situation, the way Doris Day, for instance, had in the same era. That is not a harsh criticism---Ella Fitzgerald did not always make the lyric she was vocalizing warm and intimate and believable, either, for all her greatness. Anita was for fun, not for bringing the listener's own tangled love story to life via bittersweet empathy. An even better CD than this one for understanding O'Day is "Let Me Off Uptown" which features her 1940-42 tracks with Krupa. That one makes you want to get up and dance...fast. This one's 18 tracks show that Cole Porter had great enough skills so that songs he meant to be done slowly can survive and thrive when speeded up by a singer the quality of Anita O'Day. If you are an O'Day fan, you'll need this one in the collection, for sure, and Billy May and his men contribute a great deal to the success of this release. If not already a fan, it might make you one, but I'm betting that her early work with Krupa will please you even more.

Two reviews in one.......2004-11-02

The title to this review refers to the fact that I consider this album the perfect companion of Anita O'day Sings Rodgers and Hart so I'm speaking here about the two albums and I suggest to everyone the purchase of both. Anita was accompanied here like in the R&H album by Billy May who has been a spectular choice for Anita. Some people seem unable to catch impressive Anita's vocal genius. She's one of the best Jazz singers in the whole history of Jazz music. She's so personal, so charismatic, so graced with talent that hearing her singing Little Girl Blue or Bewitched (R&H album) is incredibly rewarding. She flies over May's powerful or tender arrangements like only a master Jazz musician can do. She hadn't Vaughan unreachable instrument and her black attitude (Vaughan has been the greatest of them all, no doubt about it), she wasn't divine. She was human, but with an impressive talent of her own. She hadn't Holiday black tragedies to tell. She was white, she wasn't discriminated (even if she surely saw some bad things travelling with black people in those days) so she sang like a white girl, with a white blues feeling, with perfect intonation, perfect time and an originality that hook me every time I hear her sing. She can really enlight a song or a lyric. She's incredible. I really love Anita and probably the two albums (Cole Porter and R&H) are some of the best music she's ever recorded. Billy May prepared for her thunderous arrangements with her voice in mind and the results of course became legendary.

ANITA TAKES CHANCES.......2003-10-14

You probably heard PORTER tunes done by ELLA or SINATRA,and that's interesting.With ANITA ,the approach is more risqué but so rewarding in the end.ANITA is a singer who likes to takes chances,and on this 1959 session,she is matched with BILLY MAY,who was born to work with the often difficult O'DAY.What fun it is to hear them do relectures of the famous PORTER tunes,even if you know them by heart!So, you may like that album a lot if you are game ,or hate it if you are not,it's just as simple as that.The lyrics to YOU'RE THE TOP are not the originals,but work just the same with YOU'RE THE BOP,SARAH and YARDBIRD among the word changes made to the song.One wonders though what PORTER thought of the liberties taken with his songs.This is ANITA O'DAY in full command and in her prime.A message to VERVE:will you please release the 1960 ANITA O'DAY swings RODGERS AND HART with BILLY MAY in north AMERICA?

Easier to Love.......2002-09-01

I've always felt Anita O'Day deserved better from me. Her inerrant ear, impressive vocal technique and sexy, intimate sound all should have added up to recordings that would get no fewer playings than Ella's. But Ella's simplicity and transparency always did better by the song to my ears.

Tracks:

Queen Of Quiet
Blackbirds
Didn't They?
La Petite Mort
The Little Cowboy
Daisy And Prudence
Fast As I Can
You Mustn't Kick It Around
How To Open My Heart In 4 Easy Steps
Dirt Gardener
Love In 2 Parts

Amazon.com

Erin McKeown's quirky, folksy music weds the intimacy of the coffeehouse circuit with the braininess of her daytime gig as an ethnomusicology student at Brown University. Accompanying herself on guitar, piano, banjo, and the odd sampler, this precocious Virginia native has crafted a winning album of original songs that range from the coy minimalism of "Queen of Quiet" to the genuine beauty of "How to Open My Heart in 4 Easy Steps." McKeown infuses her songs with a droll wit and a keen awareness of jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley traditions (how many 23-year-olds cover Rodgers and Hart's "You Mustn't Kick It Around"?). With its echoes of Gillian Welch, k.d. lang, Suzanne Vega, and the Handsome Family, Distillation is an eclectic collection of mostly upbeat tunes that play nicely while the barn is burning. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews:

Fresh.......2007-03-25

She's different than the rest -- some old fashioned sounds with an entirely unique style -- entirely McKeown.

www.glasswerk.co.uk review.......2003-04-09

The topics of uncertainty and love has never been so subtly expressed as Erin McKeown has managed to do so, and in her debut proper 'Distillation' she explores swing, folk and Tin Pan Alley jazz with beguiling consequences. Acoustic guitar number 'Queen of Quiet' is the first and the shortest song, with McKeown's Deep South drawl adding to the uplifting mood set by this opener. 'Blackbirds' develops with a more of a jazz/blues style, delivered with a great deal of swagger, and she manages to do that to more or a lesser degree in every song.

It is with lyrics that the 24 year old excels in the most. Subjects of death among others are dealt with humour and sensitivity, "....we both found heaven right then, you just chose not to come back...." in 'La Petite Mort' a country number with bluegrass roots, and touches on the topics of cocaine and roses in the poignant 'The Little Cowboy' where McKeown reaches Joni Mitchell levels of diva dizziness. The slim production of the record successfully brings out McKeown's ability to use an instrument both rhythmically and sonically. As a result of this the songs sound resolute and bright, with the result that the quieter moments on this record are at times the memorable and striking moments, especially on the quieter times on 'Daisy and Prudence' and the yearning 'Love In 2 Parts' which shows her songwriting to be strong and her delivery impeccable. Swing is also an obvious influence, and provides the jollier moments with a cover of Rodger and Hart's 'You mustn't kick it around' and the quirky 'Didn't They?'. Each song is intricate despite its simplicity, overflowing with invention and sentiment, and is sure to win the hearts of those who cross her path. With 'Distillation' Erin McKeown has proved that less is indeed much, much more.

Ricky

Hasn't left my CD player in 4 months.......2003-02-26

Wow, what can I say, the lady is the complete package, an intersting voice, the most original lyrics and the coolest guitar playing I've heard since Richard Thompson. Hearing blackbird once propelled me to buy Distillation and have not been dissapointed. It has occupied my #1 slot in my 6 disc changer for 4 months, obsessed? I guess!

distilled!.......2003-02-19

She's the queen of quiet and soon the UK is going to see what the US has been keeping from them when her debut album "Distillation" gets a UK release in February. Already very popular and well known among the folk community of the states, this is the 24 year old Erin McKeown's first major release after her two successful 2,500 cassette only releases, a self-titled debut and "Monday Morning Cold" (1998) and. One of America's best-kept secrets and well worth the wait.

Mrs McKeown in her songs achieves the goal of both being distinctly modern, living up to her post-Bjork and Moby comparisons and at the same time old fashioned brining swinging 1920's jazz onto such songs as "Blackbirds". Erin grew up in Virginia and it was at Brown University that she found her unique gift for combining music old and new into her own hybrid style. Very difficult to pigeonhole in one genre toying with everything from modern pop, swing jazz and cabaret. She showcases here all her past influences and love of music and movies. While it's easy to get caught up with the comparisons it must also be said that this is unlike anything else before it, Erin is the first of her kind and it's easier to imagine that in the future people will compare artists to her, instead of visa versa which is a view shared by many writers like Dar Williams, "Don't let anybody tell you that Erin McKeown is the 'next' anyone. She's the very first Erin McKeown, and she's great."

Another extraordinary thing is the production, or lack of it. All of this record is self financed and instead of confining her sound to a soulless generic recording studio Erin and producer David Chalfant relocated to a farmhouse out in Massachusetts. All of the tracks were recorded here and very few have any processed electronic tinkering on them .The songs are refreshingly real sounding and gritty without the usual re-mastering that occurs. What you get is what happened and this, for use of a better word makes it sound real and fresh. The whole thing from the recording to promotion (self promoted from word of mouth and her website) is all very down to earth and grassroots.

Plucky guitar opener "Queen of Quiet" the shortest of the songs offered here, introduces unusual and enchanting vocal stylings not to dissimilar to US singers Kd Lang, but more energetic and uplifting. It also showcases her brilliant song writing with lyrics confessing her to be "The kind of lover that won't run for cover, what kind of lover am I?". Then "Blackbirds", a jazzy, blues style number is so catchy and infectious with it's danceable blues guitar sounds and lovable lyrics harking back in many ways to the children's rhyme with the birds of the same name. If you don't get the urge to dance to this, then check for a pulse. All the songs have smart lyrics from an artist who is offering us everything she is and while some of the best are partly collages of other influences as used on "Blackbirds" she really comes into herself with the more coherent songs like "The Little Cowboy" with the haunting images of roses and cocaine. While we've had ladies giving us distinct and original vocals before, Alanis Morrisette or Ani Difranco for instance, it's the combination her of striking singing and skilful playing of whatever instrument she picks up be it a banjo or a guitar. Smart and very cool.

To the slow emotional "How to open my heart in 4 easy steps". Erin flexing her songwritting muscles again and asking kindly to "Untie these strings, from around my heart" and sadly confessing herself as "undone". That description is appropriate for this and many songs that are so open and overflowing with ideas and emotion. The perfect almost-a-love songs to complete the amazingly eclectic collection of songs.

So cheerful and instantly likable, so diverse that everyone will find something here to there taste. Fans of eclectic musicians like Badly Drawn Boy and the increasingly famous Polyphonic Spree will embrace this album openly. Buy this and then buy her previous albums on re-release soon.

What more can you say?.......2002-04-30

For those of you who feel you've out grown Ani Difranco because you don't like the way she's heading, give this lil gal a try. It's not all political riot grrl angst here. This 5 foot spit fire delivers prose like a emerson on benzedrine. Her Alternate tunings on her guitar change from song to song and give each one a distinctive feel that connects with each word that pours from her mouth. Her Songs move from theme to theme and genre to genre, never lulling in expectation. "Queen of Quiet" breaks it down in an almost contradictory spoken word speech. I've never heard a hop-along country song like "little cowboy" mosey along as if Roy Rogers and Jack kerouac collaborated On The "dusty" Road. Watch this one. She's gonna have more tricks up her sleeve.

Average customer rating:

When Ella and Nelson take it sweet and slow, a ballad couldn't ask for a more loving touch
Ella Swings Gently with Nelson
ONE OF HER TWO BEST ALBUMS
Ella Rocks!
A beautiful voice