Jazz Me Blues [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
A Tasteful Collection of Jazz and Blues from the Cult Singer Dakota Staton. Recorded in the 90s These Recordings Capture the Definitive Jazz-blues Style of the 50s. Initial Quantities Feature a Limited Edition Slip Case.

Tracks:

Don't Know Why
Seven Years
Cold Cold Heart
Feelin' The Same Way
Come Away With Me
Shoot The Moon
Turn Me On
Lonestar
I've Got To See You Again
Painter Song
One Flight Down
Nightingale
The Long Day Is Over
The Nearness Of You

Amazon.com

It is not just the timbre of Norah Jones's voice that is mature beyond her 22 years. Her assured phrasing and precise time are more often found in older singers as well. She is instantly recognizable, blending shades of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone without sounding like anyone but herself. Any way you slice it, she is a singer to be reckoned with. Her readings of the Hank Williams classic "Cold Cold Heart" and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" alone are worth the price of the CD. Jones's own material, while not bad, pales a bit next to such masterpieces. They might have fared better had she and producer Arif Mardin opted for some livelier arrangements, taking better advantage of brilliant sidemen such as Bill Frisell, Kevin Breit, and Brian Blade; or if the tunes had simply been given less laconic performances. Jones has all the tools; what will come with experience and some careful listening to artists like J.J. Cale and Shirley Horn is the knack of remaining low-key without sounding sleepy--sometimes less is not, in fact, more. --Michael Ross

Amazon.com

Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

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Customer Reviews:

Simply addictive!.......2007-07-12

This is her best album!
Her voice is unbelievable, the delivery is amazing and the lyrics are stunning!

Haunting sounds.......2007-07-06

For 3 months, my Norah Jones CDs have taken over my car stereo. This woman is very talented!

The phenom Ms Jones.......2007-06-27

This is such an outstanding production, so much better than the later(I think) CD. Miss Jones should be careful which guitar players back her up. She should stick to Bill Frizell or maybe she should try Mark Knoffler, if she can get him away from Emmy Lou.

Glad i bought it ( Part II )...!.......2007-06-20

I knew that Nora Jones was good music but i had no idea just how good...My sister-in-law bought me this CD for Father's Day...i have listened to it 3 times today. The way i would describe her lyrics and delivery is equal to "Musical Rose Petals". So smooth and so inviting is her voice. I really love the Piano work also. Her birth name being "Geethali",Nora Jones along with the likes of Michael Buble have added a nice,new,fresh selection of music to today's currently enemic sound. This album made her only the second artist ever to sweep the "Big Four" being Album,Song,Record,& Artist of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2003. Standouts for me include: "Come Away With Me","Don't Know Why", and i really like her rendition of Hank Williams SR.'s "Cold,Cold Heart". With her throw back to Billie Holiday/Roberta Flack days voice coupled with a very welcomed piano based style, Nora Jones can take me away anytime! If you've waited to give her a listen ,as did I, do yourself a favor and don't wait any longer.

I'd Love To...........2007-06-05

Okay, she's not quite a standards specialist, but a lot of people think Norah Jones is well on her way to setting some new standards of her own.

The daughter of famed Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar, Jones grew up in Dallas with her mother, and her work is firmly rooted in the dry Texas soil. The youngest in this survey (she was born in 1979), Jones burst on the scene in 2002 with this debut album of nine original songs plus a handful of country and pop standards. Renowned for her sweet and soulful set of pipes, Jones has often been compared to Billie Holiday. There's also a touch of Roberta Flack and Emmylou Harris in there.

Come Away with Me is an honest-to-goodness country-blues recording that you can sit back with on the front porch rocker on a brisk autumn afternoon. Sort of like an early James Taylor, Jones mixes a little bit of country, folk, and soul into a collection that's the perfect antidote to today's insincere fare. The public must have sensed the same thing, because it bought this CD in boxcar loads, and in 2003 Jones walked away with eight Grammies, including album of the year and best new artist.

The title track, written by Jones, is the first new song I've heard in a long time that's utterly believable. "Come away with me and I'll never stop loving you," she begs, and it's as though she's singing it to you, personally. To Hank Williams's "Cold Cold Heart" she brings an R & B feel, petitioning in anguish to her lover man to come back, body and soul. "I've Got to See You Again" is an exquisite modern torch song in the same vein, while "One Flight Down" is an upbeat tune with chord progressions right out of Paul McCartney's Wings songs, like "Carry That Load." She ends with Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You." Close your eyes, let Jones's words envelope you with their soulful caress, and you'll sense that she's a lot nearer than your living room speakers.

Average customer rating:

Vintage Norman
More Cool Licks
Rivals his best work
Missed opportunity
sounds like RAP

Stay with Me
Norman Brown
Manufacturer: Peak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Grand Central

ASIN: B000NJL4WG
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

Let's Take A RideYou
You Keep Lifting Me Higher
Pop's Cool Groove
It ain't Over BWB
So In Love
Stay With Me
Soul Dance
Every Little Thing
A Quiet Place
I Need You

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Norman.......2007-07-08

This is Norman Brown in all phases. I have to admit the songs are original. However, I thought that his previous album,"West Coast Cooling" was one of his better album's. It had an upper-tempo, and a relaxing laid-back feeling of smooth jazz. Some cuts on this album has a little bit of Wes Montgomery and Lee Ritenour. I can say this because, I have all of Norman Brown's CD's.

More Cool Licks .......2007-06-27

and catchy musical phrases. I continue to love his guitarwork, if your a Norman Brown fan you'll like this CD. The only caveat is I'm not a big fan of the singing (2 or 3 songs). It's not bad, just not what I buy a Norman Brown CD for...

Rivals his best work.......2007-06-16

I guess it all depends on how you measure an album. Here's I how see this effort:

2 Lame Tracks (6,10)- kind of lame, the vocals ruined any chance of these being good songs.

4 Good Tracks (4,5,7,8) - the kind that fill out a really good smooth jazz outing

3 Excellent Track (2,3,9) - tracks you'll love to hear for the next month and will have trouble choosing whether or not to include on your own "Best of Norman Brown" mix CD.

1 Best NB Track Ever (1) - "Let's Take a Ride" is my favorite NB track ever, at least for now. It has that feel-good groove and great melodic guitar strokes. You know you shouldn't, but there is a lot of tempatation to listen to it over and over.

While this has more "lame" tracks than "After the Storm" or "Celebration" (my two fave NB discs) its "best 4" are all as good as any tracks on those discs, so I give this one 5 stars!

Missed opportunity.......2007-06-11

I've been reading all these comments and it's hard to believe that so many people (Including a smooth jazz webradio owner) praise this new Norman Brown's album like his best album to date. Arguably Norman Brown is one of the most gifted smooth jazz artist you can find. His MoJazz recordings will remain for many years to come as an absolute reference point for the genre. Said that and after carefully listened "Stay with me" quite a few times I can't find a genuine explanation why so many people agree on this new album as his best work. Surrounded by an amazing crew (including his partners with B.W.B., trumpeter Rick Braun and saxman Kirk Whalum)Norman Brown is unable to ignite the fire that I personally expect from a musician of his caliber. Bland vocals (Norman definetely should stick to his guitar and ocassional scats) mixed with a set of instrumentals that won't surpass anything Norman Brown has done to the present. "Soul Dance" and "Pop's Cool Groove" (you can tell Paul Brown is behind this composition) are the only songs that vaguely reminded me "After the Storm", til this day in my humble opinion the best Norman Brown's album and without any stellar names in the personnel. I feel a great opportunity has been missed this time around considering the outstanding group of musicians available for this work. (Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Paul Brown, Sam Riney, Brian McKnight, Paulinho Da Costa and the list goes on). Even so,I still remain loyal to Norman Brown as one of my favorite smooth jazz artist and given time, he once again will amaze me with his unique talent and versatility.

sounds like RAP.......2007-06-02

I really like Norman Brown. He reminds me of the late great Wes Montgomery, and Mr Brown was inspired by his music. However, this CD has only one good cut, mixed with what sounds like Rap music. I think his title begs the question, "Stay with Me". I don't think so, smooth jazz, please on your next CD.

Average customer rating:

Gladys What Happened?
Thank you Gladys!!!
KNIGHT SHINES
Gladys Takes On THE STANDARDS
Buy this!

Before Me
Gladys Knight
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Duets: An American Classic
Leavin'
From This Moment On
Bring It on Home... The Soul Classics
Timeless Love

ASIN: B000F0UZTQ
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
The Man I Love
Good Morning Heartache
Since I Fell For You
God Bless The Child
This Bitter Earth
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Someone To Watch Over Me
But Not For Me
I'll Be Seeing You
Stormy Weather
Come Sunday

Amazon.com

By now, the list of late-career standards-coverers stretches a mile long--in addition to Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Smokey Robinson, and a host of less-successful others, add Gladys Knight to the tally. Don't just lump her in, though, because Before Me differs from its forebears in ways that won't let you forget it. Here is a flawlessly selected and executed exercise in nostalgia for all the right reasons: Knight, in a voice entirely undiminished, extracts the elegance from each of these legendary numbers and smears it all over the surface, something most listeners would expect only from a master stylist on the order of Tony Bennett. Yet the former Pip leader presides with a light touch. Replacing the powerful pop-soul that launched her legend with the swankiest, most black-tie jazz imaginable, she whispers her way through George and Ira Gershwin's "The Man I Love" and the candy-sweet lament "I'll Be Seeing You." Elsewhere, she smokes up the Lady Day classics "Good Morning Heartache," "The Man I Love," and "God Bless the Child," unintentionally turning the latter into a master course of vocal restraint. If "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" is the disc's wild card--Knight plays it light--the Duke Ellington stunner "Come Sunday," made popular by gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, is its five-star clincher: Knight punches her way through tirelessly, with a true believer's fervor. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Gladys What Happened?.......2007-05-17

What a snoozer! So much could have been done on this CD to refresh these standards AND display miss Knight's capabilities, so disappointing. Don't get me wrong, Before Me isn't bad, so much as "been done before". I adore miss Knight's past work, but perhaps her voice is not up to it now. This is definitely for her fans, so I'll just hang on to "memories".

Thank you Gladys!!!.......2007-05-16

Thank you Gladys, for doing justice to the great singers who came before you on this magnificent CD - a job well done!!

It took a very long time for this gifted artist (who has always been one of my favorites from the Motown era and beyond) to record these great songs from the likes of Ella, Dinah, Billie, Lena, and so on. The title "Before Me" is a very fitting one indeed, and the music is simply magnificent!

KNIGHT SHINES.......2007-05-09

A very good cd by one of the vocal divas in the industry.Gladys will be compared to the original renditions but she shines through this fine effort.

Gladys Takes On THE STANDARDS.......2007-04-28

First of all, let me admonish those who too quickly dismiss either the singer or the producers on this recording. You must give props to some of the greatest music industry talents of our time here: Gladys Knight, Tommy Lipuma, and Phil Ramone. For no other reason, if you are a fan of any or all of these artists, this CD belongs in your collection (of course, this assumes you have some respect and understanding of "The Standards", the orchestral arrangements they require, and the singer's BOLDFACED willingness to take on the songs).

Having said this, I must admit this CD takes a few listens to warm up to. Like all STANDARDS recordings by CONTEMPORARY artists (whether Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, George Michael, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, Shirley Horn, Diana Ross, Herb Alpert or....WHOMEVER), the listener is required to LET GO of previous audio experiences with the singer at hand; YOU must surrender! These recordings don't often, or readily, "fit" with our sensibilities and expectations of the singer...

After one spin of this CD I too was ready to stop listening and sell it back on Amazon (along with the 100's of others who are doing so, starting at $3.99 !?*&$%). However, after a couple more spins I'm ready to embrace this recording for what it is...to LET IT SELL ME.

Simply put, Gladys is just too great a diva, and Tommy and Phil are just too good at producing. This is a very high quality recording, whether you're ready for it or not. Thank you VERVE!!!

Summary: I eagerly excuse Gladys for maybe confusing SOUL music for STANDARDS at certain points; I excuse her for OVER SINGING and UNDER SINGING in spots throughout; I excuse the singer and the producers for meshing Big Band with Jazz with Blues with Symphony Orchestra with Soul when you're not really ready for it at times. But, in the end, I'm just VERY ready to accept this CD for WHAT IT IS!

Buy this!.......2007-03-04

Gladys, thank you for making this album! I love re-inventions of standards and my goodness, how Gladys has brought these songs back to life. So mellow, so controlled yet also sounding carefree - this is a wonderful CD and I sincerely hope we'll see "Before Me, Vol. 2" one day!

Average customer rating:

The spark...
Real Music
Pleasantly Surprised
MeShell is the Truth!!!
Plantation Lullabies

Plantation Lullabies
Me'Shell NdegéOcello
Manufacturer: Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002ML4
Release Date: 1993-10-19

Tracks:

Plantation Lullabies
I'm Diggin' You (Like An Old Soul Record)
If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
Shootin' Up and Gett'n High
Dred Loc
Untitled
Step Into The Projects
Soul On Ice
Call Me
Outside Your Door
Picture Show
Sweet Love
Two Lonely Hearts (On The Subway)

Customer Reviews:

The spark..........2007-06-28

of the so-called neo soul movement in the early 90s. This record was a breath of fresh air and was an introduction to one of the few free thinking black artists to emerge with some degree of success post-Prince. Her whole style was new fresh, jazzy and funky; poetic & thought provoking, and she plays a mean bass. But this was only the beginning, Meshell has not waivered in being one of the most progressive soul artists out there; she still is today. Best tracks: "Shooting up & getting high", "Soul on Ice", "Step into the projects" & "Two lonely hearts on the subway".
Maxwell would later mimic her style of opening up the CD/LPs with a short instrumental overture and the unexpected breakdowns in the middle of songs. Highly Recommended~!

Real Music.......2007-05-13

Somehow, somewhere there must have been a bad storm that killed all soul from musicians. But thankfully there was Noah who built an Ark and had Me'Shell Ndegeocello and Neo-Soul on board. That saved soulful people to still in the mist of all this crap music produce and bless us with music straight from the heart. Where ever Me'Shell is, I'll rush over.

Pleasantly Surprised.......2007-05-12

I first heard of Me'Shell NdegeOcello after hearing her vocals and bass on John Mellencamp's rendition of Wild Nights. Over the next few years, I occasionally heard of her stellar reputation as a musician, but I hadn't heard any of her work. I must say I was pleasantly surprised after purchasing Plantation Lullabies. I can't begin to accurately describe her work, but experienced it as a soulful fusion of styles that evoked often overlooked or supressed emotions. While listening, it felt like I was accompanying MeShell on a journey with no particular destination, just roadtripping for it's own sake. Probably not very helpful, but you should get this one anyway.

MeShell is the Truth!!!.......2007-03-08

For all Ndgeocello fans this one is a must have as is all of them. I am ashamed to say how long I had it on cassette before I finally bought it on CD. Her deep soul searching, right at ya style wrapped in jazz and based on the classics.. Enough said!!!

Plantation Lullabies.......2007-02-19

Listening to this album again, I had the same thought that I had in 1993 -Me'Shell was so far ahead of her time that although this debut created a buzz, she did not get the accolades that she so richly deserved at the time. She successfully married hip hop, r&b, jazz & funk and definitely busted open the door for her successor, Lauryn Hill whose MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL followed.

Both artists have beautiful singing voices and above average rap flows and both debut albums touch on their individual personal experiences - while Lauryn's detailed her ill-fated romance on more than a few tracks, Me'Shell's touched on social ills like racism, intra-racial strife & yes, love as well.

Although my favorite Me'Shell album is BITTER, this is a terrific debut that will keep listeners interest from the first to last track - I honestly can't pick one or two favorite tracks because they're all so good.

I hate to compare artists but for those who've never experienced Me'Shell, if you loved Lauryn Hill's debut, you will definitely enjoy PLANTATION LULLABIES.

Average customer rating:

Awesome to hear the old masters almost live.
The Greatest Ragtime of the Century
A great introduction and sampling.

The Greatest Ragtime of the Century

Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

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Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin: Piano Rags
King of the Ragtime Writers
The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Red Hot Ragtime Volume 1

ASIN: B00009PJST
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Shreveport Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton
Sweet Man - Jelly Roll Morton
Tom Cat Blues - Jelly Roll Morton
A New Kind Of Man With A New Kind Of Love For Me - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Nobody But My Baby - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Got To Cool My Doggies Now - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
Weeping Willow Rag - Scott Joplin
Something Doing - Scott Joplin
Steeplechase Rag - James P Johnson
Twilight Rag - James P Johnson
Charleston Rag - Eubie Blake
It's Right Here For You - Eubie Blake
Fare Thee Honey Blues - Eubie Blake
Mr. Freddie Blues - Jimmy Blythe
Regal Stomp - Jimmy Blythe

Customer Reviews:

Awesome to hear the old masters almost live........2007-03-27

It was an awesome experience to hear Ragtime and early blues played by the masters themselves. When you hear the music from their own hands, if not their own pianos, it makes the music immediate, and makes even clearer the stylistic differences of the various American musical pioneers. The sound quality is excellent. I'd strongly recommend this recording to anyone who enjoys early-20th-century jazz.

The Greatest Ragtime of the Century.......2005-10-30

What a terrific CD. What a joy to add to your life. Everyone should begin their day with this Great Ragtime.We would all be much better.

As a former dancer, Flapper, wth the Charleston in my routine, I do appreciate Great Music. I'm not quite as good as I used to be, but neither are you, Gal. Will be 66 next birthday. Still have the rhythm and love life.

Put some spice in your life and don't let this CD get away. Please, just get it today.

A great introduction and sampling........2005-08-23

Prior to this album, the only ragtime I really knew was "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag". I don't know how this album fares for enthusiasts, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It introduced me to several different composers. The way the album is organized by giving you a two or three song block by each composer is good. As you listen to this, you can easily hear the different styles from one composer to another. As for the recording quality, I don't have any complaints whatsoever. Each note is clear without much noticable fuzz or hissing. The versions of Scott Joplin's songs are played a bit brash and speedy when compared to Joshua Rifkin, but I think they sound livlier because of it. Overall a solid release.

Average customer rating:

The multi-channel mix is awful.
Cd Music
This version should be pulled.
Poor Example of SACD
I love this young lady...

Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008WT49
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Don't Know Why
Seven Years
Cold Cold Heart
Feelin' The Same Way
Come Away With Me
Shoot The Moon
Turn Me On
Lonestar
I've Got To See You Again
Painter Song
One Flight Down
Nightingale
The Long Day Is Over
The Nearness Of You

Amazon.com

Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

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Not Too Late
Feels Like Home
The Little Willies

Customer Reviews:

The multi-channel mix is awful........2007-07-12

As noted in another review, the multi-channel is absolutely awful. It's as if the bass is eq'd out of the mix. Honestly, it's completely unlistenable in my opinion. Thankfully the two channel SACD mix is fine. For that reason, I'm still glad that I bought it because I enjoy this album quite a bit.

Cd Music.......2007-04-06

I was really looking forward
to this cd, but unfortunatally
I didnt receive it.

This version should be pulled........2004-12-02

One of the requirements of SACD releases, as set forth by Sony and Phillips, is that there be at least an SACD (DSD) stereo layer. The surround DSD and hybrid Red Book PCM CD compatible layers are optional. As the previous reviewer mentioned, the stereo DSD layer on this release was taken from the Red Book 16/44.1 PCM master used to make the CD layer. So Blue Note skirted a basic requirement of the format they were releasing on by deceptively scamming consumers into thinking they were getting a true SACD. As far as anyone knows, however, the surround SACD layer was taken directly from the 2 inch multitrack and sampled to DSD, then remixed and mastered to the SACD surround layer. I haven't heard anything to the contrary. As it stands right now, I agree with Fremer that Blue Note should simply apologize, pull the current release, rerelease a proper SACD, and give past purchasers a free exchange. I listened to the surround layer at my parents house in Oregon and was pleased at the music and sound quality. I do think it is overall a bit emotionally monotonal and placid though, as the recent SNL (or was it Mad TV) spoof parodied. But I think people who buy it are looking for that. Still enjoyable.

Let me clear up some of the misconceptions floating around:

Keep your universal DVD player set up internally for 5.1 channel with all channels on at fixed volume (usually max output), set to large, and your reciever/preamps on Surround Direct Analog with no digital conversion...then pray that you have a DVD player and reciever that doesn't do anything else funky. All of the older Denon universal units really messed with the sound. If you're still not getting good bass, then you need full range speakers. Never ever have speakers turned off or set to small in your DVD player when listening to SACD's. In fact, you shouldn't even do this with stereo CDs, since you'll mess up the dynamic range that the outputs are working at.

Most universal players use the original Sony DSD chip, which has a little port that connects to the DAC. Contrary to popular belief, SACD is not converted to DVD-Audio (PCM as opposed to the PWM of DSD) when it goes into that little port. That just sends the analog signal to the filter stage to lop off the high frequency noise. The only conversion that will ever occur is if you try and do bass management, which will kick the Sony converter chip into what's called Wide-DSD...a euphamism for a form of very high frequency PCM, also called Narrow PCM. It's still PCM, it's just that Sony doesn't like to call it that. So, keep everything On, Large, and Fixed in the player and Pure Analog Direct after it gets out and you'll probably be fine. Do volume changes in the reciever in the analog domain.

I also wouldn't trust the new players that convert everything to SACD internally to do bass management. It's another form of Wide-DSD. Why? Because you can't do computations with a 1-Bit format. You can't mix in SACD or produce in that format until you either convert it to analog or PCM. You can only record/master live to each descrete 1-Bit DSD channel, then you're stuck with it as is. All the SACD recording consoles are actually this psuedo-DVD-Audio format internally, though they likely sound quite good. To get true DSD through and through you either record/produce to analog tape, or you mix live, which is probably why Telarc likes the format so much.

PCM has good points and bad. PWM has good points and bad, too. They're both very low noise, but PCM tends to sound a bit artificial and lacking in that organic body of analog. PWM is hella organic and analog-like (probably due to its psuedo-analog 1-bit nature), but embeds subtle quantization noise within the signal permanently, often leaving it sounding not quite as transparent and Oh-My-God-clear and pristine as DVD-Audio at 192khz. Some engineers claim that the high frequencies are inferior in transient response to even normal Red Book CD, but transients are so difficult to measure, Red Book so rife with other problems, and DSD does so well in all the other departments (including other characteristics of its highs) that I find it to be a non-issue. At least you get SACD on all the channels in 5.1, definitely as good or better than 24/96. The last thing you want is conversion back and forth between the two formats internally; then you get the worst of both worlds. Remember that DSD was invented for archival purposes to permanently store the Columbia Records inventory. The archival format's actually twice the bitrate of consumer SACD, so it likely sounds as lovely as is claimed.

Poor Example of SACD.......2004-11-13

My rating of 2 stars applies to the SACD version of this record and not the CD. I consider the CD to be a 5 star recording. After carefully listening to both the two channel SACD mix and the CD stereo versions I could not discern an audible difference. I enjoyed the 5.1 mix and found the rear surround to be tasteful and subtle, not at all distracting, but, again, no significant improvement in detail except that created by spreading the sound around to five channels. A recent article on the "Stereophile" website suggests that the SACD mix in fact shares the same 16 bit lineage as the CD, which would explain why the two channel mix and the CD mix sound identical. Norah's label has cheated its customers with this one and should go back and do an actual DSD mix and replace these "CDs" for free or give us our money back. There is no reason to purchase this SACD in addition to or in lieu of the CD unless you are interested in listening to a standard resolution 5.1 mix.

I love this young lady..........2004-02-27

I have to agree with the others - the SACD analog mix in 5.1 was a blunder(4 stars). I borrowed this from a friend for a test run. I have the same content on DVD/video - Very nice... - When I choose to listen only - I just turn off the TV and listen to a very good 5.1 DD/EX version. I admit it is not quite the quality of SACD but very good nonetheless. Spyro Gyra has 2 SACD's available and they are the standard for SACD comparison - absolutely flawless... Waiting for 2 of my all-time favorites on SACD - Eat a Peach and Live at the Fillmore from the ABB... SACD is just a small notch above DVD-Audio - although with DVD-Audio you can also listen on most any DVD player that supports DTS, DD-5.1 and DD-Stereo. SACD's are more dicriminating - I bought the Onkyo DVSP-800 specifically because of the SACD and DVD-Audio discrete analog and outstanding DVD-progressive scan video capabilities...

Average customer rating:

Don't Be Fooled by the Reviews :(
Rachelle Ferrell
What a Voice
Music of HER mind...
One word -- Awesome!

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
Rachelle Ferrell
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rachelle Ferrell
First Instrument
Live at Montreux
Greatest Love Songs
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

ASIN: B00004W55E
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Individuality (Can I Be Me?)
Sista
Will You Remember Me?
I Forgive You
I Gotta Go
Why You Wanna Mess It All Up?
Gaia
Run To Me
Reflections Of My Heart
Satisfied
I Can Explain

Amazon.com

The voice! On Individuality Rachelle Ferrell's astonishing instrument (as it certainly deserves to be called) soars and swoops through a six-octave range, which makes her a rarity in the modern R&B of nubile sopranos. Ferrell is as comfortable delivering a deep, velvety growl as a soprano soar. Her work as a jazz singer-songwriter has clearly sharpened her vocal technique and added a perceptive subtlety to the arrangements that accompany it, which dwell in sweet 'n' lowdown, unplugged bass territory. Individuality is a compact, intensely personal album. It covers topics from sisterhood ("Sista") to jilted love ("I Gotta Go"), all through the eyes of a mature woman. With this album's unslick production and sincerity, Ferrell continues to set herself apart from the pack, expanding the parameters of R&B to accommodate her and her voice, not vice versa. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Customer Reviews:

Don't Be Fooled by the Reviews :(.......2007-02-25

I purchased this album thinking it would be incredible considering the rave reviews. I remember Rachelle's sultry voice from the early 90s and remembered some of her performances and decided to purchase an album. Well to my surprise, this album did not turn out to be what I expected. I truly think this is a very bad, sloppy and boring album. I had purchased this album along with her self-titled album Rachelle Farrell and this have had to been the worst purchases I've ever made on amazon along with Earl Klugh's Naked Guitar. Her albums sound like demos and although Individuality was made 12 years after her self-titled album, the album did not sound any different. There was absolutely no growth despite the reviews claiming to have had a fresh new sound.

Rachelle Ferrell.......2007-02-03

An interesting individual who sets has set her soul to music. Four stars!!

What a Voice.......2006-12-15

This woman has a voice that is indescribable. Vocally, I do not think that anyone can touch her or Teena Marie. Their voices are definitely God given. This CD is excellent and Rachelle is an artist in a rare form.

Music of HER mind..........2005-02-04

I saw Rachelle perform at the Newport jazz festival around 93/94 when she was promoting her first CD. I was impressed with her voice and her singing, but outside of a few forgettable originals she was just rehashing standards I've heard a thousand times before. From that point on I never really thought about buying any of her music...but I respected her as a singer and performer because of her talent.

A couple years ago a friend of mine (who is more into vocalists than I am) recommended this CD to me and I told him my opinion of Rachelle. He then told that "If that's the way you feel then you should DEFINITELY run out and by this CD". He was telling me that this CD was a statement of independence from her previous record contract that was forcing to just use her voice to rehash old standards and go for that gimmicky appeal of her multi-octive range (think Stanley Jordan on guitar). This CD, on the other hand, was all about the music SHE wanted to make...hence the title "Individuality(Can I be me)?"

I decided to give her another shot and boy was I glad I did.
The kind of music she wanted to make is exactly the kind of music I like to listen to! The vocalese, the instrumentation,
the songwriting, and the arrangements are all stellar. Add in the outstanding recording quality and it's also a great CD to test out your audiphile equipment.

Can you Remember and Mess it All up are my personal favs...but there is plenty to love here. Hopefully her future projects will focus on the type of music SHE wants to perform and not have to appease clueless self centered record executives.

Can you imagine how much music we would have been denied if Stevie Wonder hadn't taken the same stand against Motown in the early 70's? Ditto Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, et al.

If you like this type of music I can also recommend Peace Beyond Passion by Me'shell N'deocello. Also an outstanding recording. Her politics may be abrasive to some...but who cares?! It's all about the music! Dionne Farris' solo album
also come to mind.

One word -- Awesome!.......2005-01-07

Rachelle Ferrell continues to mesmorize. Her voice is amazing, her lyrics have depth, and her spirit is boundless. She has truly put out another great album. I have every one, and try my best to see her each time she performs in the Atlanta area! I just wish that the masses would lift her to the level she deserves. My only complaint is that she makes us wait TOO LONG! I can hardly wait for the next project. I expect the best!

Average customer rating:

Great listening music
What An Amazing Talent!
Better Late Than Never......
Beautiful!!!!
What an amazing surprise

Do You Love Me?
Jonathan Butler
Manufacturer: Encoded Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Surrender
Story of Life
The Worship Project
Ultimate Butler
The Source

ASIN: B000001YNV
Release Date: 1997-09-09

Tracks:

Song For Elizabeth
Do You Love Me?
The Other Side Of The World
Life After You
New Life
Dancing On The Shore
You Don't Belong To Me
The Way You Look Tonight
Amen
A Kiss
Lost To Love
My Only Joy

Customer Reviews:

Great listening music.......2005-09-02

Very easy to listen to . Enjoyable and pleasant on the senses.

He has a very sincere voice that carries through his songs.

What An Amazing Talent!.......2004-08-08

I recently saw Jonathan Butler in St. Louis performing with Dave Koz, Rick Braun, and Wayman Tisdale. The concert was truly spectacular but when Jonathan Butler came on stage and sang "Do You Love Me" the entire mood was changed. I've seen many, many talented musicians in my lifetime but this had to be the greatest performance I'd ever seen anytime, anywhere. Jonathan Butler is THE total package. His vocals are second to none and his guitar work is fabulous. A must-have CD for your collection! You'll be amazed as I was with his annointed performances!

Better Late Than Never.............2004-05-26

I don't know how I missed this one - I have been a JB fan for years!!! I don't know what it is, but I CANNOT get enough of this CD. Whatever mood this is I'm in, nothin sounds right every day except for this. The lyrics & music are so beautiful, they make my heart ache. Listening to 'you don't belong to me', 'life after you' & 'the way you look tonite' seem to be a daily requirement. And the mastery of the guitar playing is nothing short of awesome. Thanks, Mr. Butler - please keep up the good work! My mood depends on it!

Beautiful!!!!.......2004-03-31

This is a great cd by an incredible artist. This is a very nice cd. This cd has beautiful ballads. It has some nice songs on here done by a great artist. He is wonderful,exceptional, and many other great words that could describe him he is awesome!!!
The songs are beautifully arranged and sung very well. The lyrics are beautifully arranged and sung. I love this cd this is a good cd to listen to with someone that you love!!!! Therefore, if you like Jazz,Johnathan Butler, and nice smooth love music then you will love this cd!!!!

What an amazing surprise.......2001-12-27

I stumbled across this incredible singer after I heard his voice on a song from a Gregg Karakas CD. I had to find out who he was just from that particular song, and I'm sure glad I did! J.B. has an amazing voice, and I'm surprised and delighted to have come across such a talented vocalist. This CD is definitely a keeper!!!

Average customer rating:

A piece of history
A BIG disappointment!

New York New York
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocalists | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

New York Songs
Songs of New York
NYC Subway: Songs from the Underground
The SoundOf New York City
We Love New York

ASIN: B000069HGR
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Customer Reviews:

A piece of history.......2006-06-03

Many of the songs on this recording are not available in sheet music, and although the sound quality isn't "leading edge" it makes me feel as though I am listening to actual performers back in the 30's & 40's, with young and gifted singers like Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, and Mel Torme, as well as others who are nameless or unknown to me on this album, and a delight to listen to. Manhattan Tower is why I bought this CD, and I got so much more from it than I bargained for. The illusion I have when I play it is that I am a young jazz artist in New York, feeling the pulse of the city and filling up with everything about being a part of New York.

A BIG disappointment!.......2004-08-19

I bought this CD for the Slaughter on Tenth Avenue soundtrack ballet by Richard Rodgers and Lennie Hayton. But none of the tracks on this CD can be appreciated. It is a mono recording, and that immediately leaves you with a very incomplete sound. No amount of treble and bass adjustment can eliminate the awful tinny sound throughout the disc.

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
The Warmth of the Sun
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
White Nights

ASIN: B000B8I93Q
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
Summertime
I Could Write a Book
It Never Entered My Mind
I Can Cook Too
Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
If I Loved You
My Heart Belongs to Daddy
Thou Swell
I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
There's No Business Like Show Business
South American Way

Tracks:

Shall We Dance
Ohio
Luck Be a Lady
Mack the Knife
There's a Small Hotel
Once in Love with Amy
Yodel Blues
Lazy Afternoon
There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
You're Just in Love
Now Is the Time

Tracks:

Impossible Dream
Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Try to Remember
Put on a Happy Face
I Say Hello
Happiness
She Loves Me
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Shy
Consider Yourself
Poor Little Person

Tracks:

Magic to Do
They're Playing My Song
I Don't Know How to Love Him
I Won't Send Roses
Good Morning Starshine
Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
Hard Candy Christmas
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Won't You Charleston with Me?
Applause

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera
Memory
On My Own
Muddy Water
How Could I Ever Know
American Dream
I Know Him So Well
Dr. Jazz
Me and My Girl
Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

Mamma Mia!
Popular
Seasons of Love
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
Whatever Lola Wants
Crazy
How Deep Is Your Love
Stars
People Like Us
I Go to Rio

Music:

Music

Music