What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

American Landscape -- CD

David Benoit

1997 GRP Records

From his poignant liner notes, David Benoit would have us believe that the wide range of styles he delves into on the majestic American Landscape will take us on an adventure completely new in the pianist's catalog, but it simply expands upon the unique themes he introduced on 1994's Shaken Not Stirred, one of his best ever. These include his expansion into orchestral music, which grew out of his budding film score career: the dusty Western flavors of the title track "American Landscape," for example, actually evolved from of an unused demo for a Kevin Costner movie. The song includes the brilliant touches of Tommy Morgan's harmonica and the swelling London Symphony Orchestra, which dances here not with wolves, but in and around Eric Marienthal's funky sax. The melancholy orchestral intro to "A Personal Story" sounds like it should accompany scenes of heartbreak, but then Benoit throws a curve, easing into a lively trio date. That sort of cheerfulness reaches a fever pitch on the full-blown venture into salsa, "Mr. Rodriguez's Opus," highlighted by the dual energy of Benoit's Latin piano excitement and Jerry Hey's trumpet. The energetic closer "Speed Racer" builds from a soft orchestral intro into a full-on Western horse race between Benoit and banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, then combines a jazz trio with a dramatic orchestral underscore. Benoit's career has always been about those stylistic and thematic surprises popping up as a balance to his sense of jazz-pop fun. American Landscape stands as his most dramatic adventure yet. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track Listing

1. American Landscape
2. Max's Boogie
3. Lost in Tokyo
4. If I Can Believe
5. Personal Story, A
6. Rue de la Soleil
7. Saying Goodbye
8. Mr. Rodriguez's Opus
9. Speed Racer

 

[Dennie]

Okay, I'm headed into the kitchen to do some cooking and figured a little "Pretzel Logic" might help....

Pretzel Logic -- Remastered CD

Steely Dan

1974/1999 ABC/MCA Records

Fantabulous...Absolutely Fantabulous!, November 28, 2001
By David Hugaert (Honolulu, HI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Pretzel Logic (Audio CD)

"Pretzel Logic", Steely Dan's third album, contains yet more well-styled musical variances, most of which are neatly homogenized in a nice package. These unique stylings are well represented in the opening piano/bass scat-like riff of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", the folky "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", including the country atmosphere of the breezy "With A Gun", among others. The cool, mellow voice-box guitar effect present in the co-Duke Ellington penned instrumental "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" is sure to please even the most savvy Steely Dan fan, while "Parker's Band" is rather quick and catchy, so don't blink, or you'll miss it! The bluesy selections are worth a few listens as well, such as the title track, with its double-repetetive jazz-influenced verses. If there is a such thing as a "consolation" (mediocre) track on "Pretzel Logic", that honor would most likely go to the flighty "Night By Night", but it qualifies as an erstwhile composition, nonetheless. Since many of the compositions featured on "Pretzel Logic" are somewhat short time-wise, this is one CD where Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and crew really go out of their way to create a really one-of-a-kind scenic musical and lyrical landscape, which is simply nothing short of fantabulous, as well as in the area of musical talent, of which "The Dan" are well adept at! Add "Pretzel Logic" to your must-have Steely Dan collection today, or you'll be left "twisted"!

Side 1

"Rikki Don't Lose That Number" – 4:30
"Night by Night" – 3:36
"Any Major Dude Will Tell You" – 3:05
"Barrytown" – 3:17
"East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" (Duke Ellington, Bubber Miley) – 2:45

Side 2

"Parker's Band" – 2:36
"Through with Buzz" – 1:30
"Pretzel Logic" – 4:28
"With a Gun" – 2:15
"Charlie Freak" – 2:41
"Monkey in Your Soul" – 2:31

 

[Dennie]

The Very Best of -- CD

Supertramp

1990 A&M Records

Loved it, July 13, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Very Best Of Supertramp (Audio CD)

This album is near perfect. It's loaded with hits and is very fun to just sit back and listen to. I bought it for some key songs, such as "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song" which gets lots of radio play. Ever since I got it I can't stop listening to it, its just an all around great CD. Supertramp's music is both unique in the melody and vocals alike, and none of their songs are annoying and tiresome like many other artist out there. But one thing you have to take into consideration with a greatest hits album is how the tracks are put together. That is why I gave this a 4 out of 5. I would have mixed the tracks differently, I thought "Goodbye Stranger" should have been closer to the end and maybe "Breakfast in America" should have been one of the fronts. But that stuff isn't that important, and it doesn't really take away from the CD at all. In closing, this compliation was very pleasing and a delight to listen to.

All songs written by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies except where noted.

School - 5:35
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson & Rick Davies. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Goodbye Stranger - 5:48
Lead vocals: Rick Davies & Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp & Peter Henderson
The Logical Song - 4:09
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp & Peter Henderson
Bloody Well Right - 4:32
Lead vocals: Rick Davies. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Breakfast in America - 2:40
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp & Peter Henderson
Rudy - 7:18
Lead vocals: Rick Davies & Roger Hodgson. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Take the Long Way Home - 5:08
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp & Peter Henderson
Crime of the Century - 5:31
Lead vocals: Rick Davies. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Dreamer - 3:31
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson & Rick Davies. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Ain't Nobody but Me - 5:07
Lead vocals: Rick Davies. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
Hide in Your Shell - 6:48
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Ken Scott & Supertramp
From Now On - 6:08
Lead vocals: Rick Davies. Producer: Supertramp
Give A Little Bit - 4:08
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp
It's Raining Again - 4:22
Lead vocals: Roger Hodgson. Producer: Supertramp & Peter Henderson
Cannonball - 7:37 (Rick Davies)
Lead vocals: Rick Davies. Producer: David Kershenbaum & Supertramp

 

[Dennie]

Everything I Love -- CD

Eliane Elias

2000 Blue Note Records

Pianist Eliane Elias makes a strong effort with the very traditional EVERYTHING I LOVE, which apparently means she has a healthy penchant for straight-ahead swinging. She does so expertly on several tracks, displaying a relaxed, supple feel for several standards and a few craftily penned originals of her own. She is joined by two different trios made up of either Christian McBride and Carl Allen or Marc Johnson and Jack DeJohnette in alternating roles. As a bonus, Elias once again treats us to a sampling of her fine vocals, caressing the melodies of gems like "I Fall in Love too Easily" and "They Say It's Wonderful" with her dusky, Brazilian-tinged lilt. In particular, her playful articulation on the Johnny Burke sizzler, which also features a guest spot by guitarist Rodney Jones, makes for a rousing disc highlight. Other golden cuts include a dancing samba take on Cole Porter's "I Love You" and a very moving rendition of the classic "Autumn Leaves."

Track listing

1. Bowing to Bud
2. Nostalgia in Times Square
3. Beat of My Heart, The
4. I Fall in Love Too Easily
5. Everything I Love
6. Introduction #1 / If I Should Lose You
7. They Say It's Wonderful
8. I Love You
9. That's All It Was
10. Introduction #2 / Alone Together
11. Woody N' You
12. Blah Blah Blah
13. Introduction #3 / Autumn Leaves

 

[lovemytoys]

Dennie you have some collection there how long did it take?

 

[Dennie]

Dennie you have some collection there how long did it take?

Thanks Lovemytoys! I've only been collecting music for about 7 - 10 years, but I've been fortunate to have picked up some pretty big collections on vinyl, which I haven't been playing much lately. For CeeDee's, I've been collecting for a little less time, maybe 5+ years. But I have a secret! :shhh: I have a "used music dealer" that lives in my neighborhood, about 4 blocks away. He is much more educated (in music) than me and often recommends music he thinks I would like and I usually do.

I would have to guess, but I think I have over 3000 albums on vinyl and I am getting very close to that number with CD's. :doh:

Even know I buy mostly used, I still spend a couple grand a year on music. When you cut the "Cable/Satalite", it leaves a lot of money for music! :handgestures-thumbup:


Dennie

 

[Rope]

Buying used is key!

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Buying used is key!

Rope

.... :bow-blue: :text-+1:



Dennie

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

Hymns of the 49th parallel -- CD

k.d. lang

2002 Nonesuch Records

Amazon.com

Was it homesickness that compelled longtime Los Angeles resident k.d. lang to fashion her one-woman campaign for north-of-the-border nationalism, or just plain good sense? All Canadian content has long been a mainstay of the Canadian Broadcasting System, but few have selected their material with such a fine hand and a high aesthetic. The expatriate singer has taken great pains to create a sophisticated homage to her Canadian roots, elegantly reinterpreting 11 songs penned by some of her more illustrious countrymen (and women) such as Jane Siberry, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. The idiosyncratic chanteuse turns Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" into an aching monochromatic lament, exploring new tributaries of pain that didn't exist in the original, while recasting Neil Young's "Helpless" into a haunting anthem of memory and comfort, all the while sounding anything but helpless. A gorgeous love letter to her brethren, complete with an intelligent and understated orchestration. --Jaan Uhelszki

"After the Gold Rush" (Neil Young) – 4:00
"Simple" (Lang, David Piltch) – 3:02
"Helpless" (Neil Young) – 4:15
"A Case of You" (Joni Mitchell) – 5:12
"The Valley" (Jane Siberry) – 5:31
"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) – 5:01
"One Day I Walk" (Bruce Cockburn) – 3:24
"Fallen" (Ron Sexsmith) – 2:56
"Jericho" (Mitchell) – 3:45
"Bird on the Wire" (Leonard Cohen) – 4:28
"Love is Everything" (Jane Siberry) – 5:43

 

[Dennie]

One more....

The Magic Continues -- CD

Arthur Lipner

1994 Palmetto Records

Percussion in modern music, November 30, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Magic Continues (Audio CD)

With a heavy jazz and afro-cuban influence, this album sets a new standard for the relationship of percussion in the medium of modern music. The excellent musicality without the tedious and monotonous style of many "new age" performer's makes this album unique. Lipner's music speaks for itself...

Track Listing
1. Lime Juice
2. Space Dancer
3. Hymn for G.P.
4. Mango Man
5. Kaleidoscope
6. 24 Jam
7. Snakey
8. Cabana en el Sol
9. Mango Man (Reprise)

 

[Dennie]

Shaken Not Stirred -- CD

David Benoit

1994 GRP Records

Unlike most genre superstars, David Benoit never seems content to stick strictly with any pop formula for very long. While his hummable ivory spirit always shines through, his many attempts to shake and stir the typical expectations make him perhaps the most artistic pop jazz artist around. Shaken Not Stirred is thus an appropriate moniker for this wildly eclectic collection, which makes overwhelmingly effective use of orchestral grandeur (the enrapturing "Carmel"), and comes across more as a smashing musician's playground than a lightweight, radio friendly stab. he treads just enough familiar territory to keep old fans pleased but enjoys experimenting with percussive explosions, wild jamming, and traditional smoky club blues. The genuine simple warmth of the acoustic tribute "Jacqueline" (Jackie Kennedy Onassis died the year this was released) reminds us, however, that behind the crazy, genre-busting navigations is a gentle man full of grace. Hopefully the mixed bag of vocals -- a solid effort by David Pack undercut by a meandering schmaltzer by Kenny Rankin -- won't detract from the wide-ranging and powerful instrumental tracks. The only voice Benoit needs is in his fingers. ~ Jonathan Widran

1. Wailea
2. I Went to Bat for You
3. Any Other Time
4. Carmel
5. Sparks Flew
6. Shaken, Not Stirred
7. Chi Chi's Eyes
8. Days of Old
9. Jacqueline
10. Sarah's Theme - (from "Sirens")

 

[topper]

my 'Monday morning blues' music . . . .

 

[Dennie]

This Girls Got To Play -- CD

Joyce Cooling

2004 Narada Records

A great CD for "chillin' out" to, May 6, 2004
By Azmat Bhatty "ozbot87" (Los Alamos, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: This Girl's Got to Play (Audio CD)

"This Girl's Got to Play" is one of those CDs I have been looking for to put in my collection. It's not the greatest CD I have ever heard, nor does it do anything groundbreaking in terms of smooth jazz, but it does an excellent job of making me want to listen to the CD over and over again. Songs such as "Expression", "Camelback", "Green Impala", and "Toast and Jam" is the typical Cooling guitar flair, which is a good thing. Cooling's vocal tracks ("No More Blues", "This Girls Got to Play", and "Talk") do not provide the dynamic effect on the smooth jazz genre as say, Anita Baker, Diana Krall, or Sade, but she does manage to keep the tunes going and make it a pleasant listening experience.

Give this CD a try, chances are there is something you'll like on this CD.

Track Listing

1. Expression
2. Take Me There
3. Camelback
4. No More Blues
5. Green Impala
6. This Girl's Got to Play
7. Toast & Jam
8. Natural Fact
9. Wizard, The
10. Talk

 

[Dennie]

Touchdown CD

Bob James

1978/1995 Tappen Zee/Warner Bros.

"Touchdown"!,
June 4, 2000
By Jeffrey Harris
This review is from: Touchdown (Audio CD)

First of all I have to strongly disagree with the other reviews written on this album, by reviewers who seem to know Bob James only from the songs that have been sampled by rappers. The five cuts on this album define "smooth jazz" before it became bland and uninteresting. I feel he hit a creative peak with this album that he only reached again with his duet album "One On One" with Earl Klugh. "Touchdown" features excellent supporting players like Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, Idris Muhammad, and David Sanborn, there's definitely nothing formulaic about the performances here. This album was James' first to crossover and hit the top forty on the pop chart thanks to hit theme from "Taxi", "Angela", and his first gold album. "Sun Runner" received heavy airplay from contemporary jazz stations when this album was released back in 1978. This is one of the best smooth jazz records of this or any era.

All songs written by Bob James

"Angela" (Theme from Taxi) 5:48
"Touchdown" 5:44
"I Want to Thank You (Very Much)" 7:07
"Sun Runner" 6:17
"Caribbean Nights" 8:46

 

[Dennie]

The Journey -- CD

Earl Klugh

1997 Reprise Records

A Guitar Jazz Recommendation, July 13, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Journey (Audio CD)

Any body who like guitar jazz should listen to Earl Klugh's "The Journey." Like something slow and mello, listen to the title track; like something smooth but not fast or slow, play "Last Song"; or like something sweet and fast, listen to "Fingerdance." This is my recommendation that I don't want anybody to miss out on.

"All Through the Night" - 5:13
"Last Song" - 4:28
"4 Minute Samba" - 3:58
"Sneakin' Out of Here" - 5:05
"The Journey" - 6:10
"Good as It Gets" - 4:18
"Fingerdance" - 5:53
"Evil Eye" - 6:19
"Walk in the Sun" - 3:58
"Autumn Song" - 6:07

 

[heeman]

This Girls Got To Play -- CD

Joyce Cooling

2004 Narada Records

A great CD for "chillin' out" to, May 6, 2004
By Azmat Bhatty "ozbot87" (Los Alamos, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: This Girl's Got to Play (Audio CD)

"This Girl's Got to Play" is one of those CDs I have been looking for to put in my collection. It's not the greatest CD I have ever heard, nor does it do anything groundbreaking in terms of smooth jazz, but it does an excellent job of making me want to listen to the CD over and over again. Songs such as "Expression", "Camelback", "Green Impala", and "Toast and Jam" is the typical Cooling guitar flair, which is a good thing. Cooling's vocal tracks ("No More Blues", "This Girls Got to Play", and "Talk") do not provide the dynamic effect on the smooth jazz genre as say, Anita Baker, Diana Krall, or Sade, but she does manage to keep the tunes going and make it a pleasant listening experience.

Give this CD a try, chances are there is something you'll like on this CD.

Track Listing

1. Expression
2. Take Me There
3. Camelback
4. No More Blues
5. Green Impala
6. This Girl's Got to Play
7. Toast & Jam
8. Natural Fact
9. Wizard, The
10. Talk

Dennie, is this as good as the review says?

 

[Dennie]

The City -- CD

Paul Brown

2005 GRP Records

The City opens up in with the funky and sensuous "Cosmic Monkey" featuring Jeffrey Osbourne's slinky overdubbed harmonies. "Hello Again" is Wes Montgomery-breezy soul samba. Next up is "Side Steppin'"s high-spirited blast of '80s-era disco jazz. "The City"'s dreamy blend of Boney James' soulful tenor saxophone, shivery keyboards, boogaloo congas, bluesy guitar and cognac-smooth jazz vocal follows.

"Las Vegas" is an exuberant congress of dancing guitar licks, Michael Paulo's throaty sax and a bouncing hip-hop swing beat. "Old Friends" is a quiet fire ballad caressed by Brown and James' tender interplay. "Winelight"'s blend of Brown's Grover Washington, Jr.-channeling solos and tasty club beats is complemented by the silky-smooth party starter "Jumpin' Uptown." "Food For the Moon"'s cool 'n funky hip-hop jazz groove flows into a faithful/playful voice box-juiced version of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Reel Mutha For Ya." Fittingly, the album closes with the sublime Brown/James chillout duet "The City (Instrumental)."

The City proves beyond a doubt that Paul Brown is one of the most exciting and important guitarists in contemporary jazz.

Track Listing

1. Cosmic Monkey
2. Hello Again
3. Side Steppin'
4. City, The
5. Vegas, Las
6. Old Friends
7. Winelight
8. Jumpin' Uptown
9. Food for the Moon
10. Real Mutha for Ya
11. City, The - (instrumental)

 

[Dennie]

This Girls Got To Play -- CD

Joyce Cooling

2004 Narada Records

A great CD for "chillin' out" to, May 6, 2004
By Azmat Bhatty "ozbot87" (Los Alamos, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: This Girl's Got to Play (Audio CD)

"This Girl's Got to Play" is one of those CDs I have been looking for to put in my collection. It's not the greatest CD I have ever heard, nor does it do anything groundbreaking in terms of smooth jazz, but it does an excellent job of making me want to listen to the CD over and over again. Songs such as "Expression", "Camelback", "Green Impala", and "Toast and Jam" is the typical Cooling guitar flair, which is a good thing. Cooling's vocal tracks ("No More Blues", "This Girls Got to Play", and "Talk") do not provide the dynamic effect on the smooth jazz genre as say, Anita Baker, Diana Krall, or Sade, but she does manage to keep the tunes going and make it a pleasant listening experience.

Give this CD a try, chances are there is something you'll like on this CD.

Track Listing

1. Expression
2. Take Me There
3. Camelback
4. No More Blues
5. Green Impala
6. This Girl's Got to Play
7. Toast & Jam
8. Natural Fact
9. Wizard, The
10. Talk

Dennie, is this as good as the review says?

Yes Sir, it is every bit as good as the review says. If you like "Smooth Jazz Guitar" music, you'll most likely enjoy this one.

Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Urban Gypsy -- CD

Marc Antoine

1998 GRP Records

Rarely has an album title so perfectly encapsulated the essence of a hybrid project as Marc Antoine's smartly realized Urban Gypsy. Usually in rhythm and jazz, soul-based loop electronics back up horns like trumpet or sax, and flamenco guitar strains are left to those who can provide more Latin-styled backbeats. But Antoine creates hypnotic soundscapes both by machine, doing all the programming himself, and organically, with the help of Steve Reid and Luis Conte. On up-tempo swings, he gets the hip-hop grooving before texturing his bold acoustic precision. And his ballads allow for some clever improvisation between streams of cool strumming. A flair for Brazilian zing explodes on an all-too-short interlude before Antoine returns to his homeland for a street carnival shuffle appropriately titled "Paris Jam." All-star assistance is provided by Rachel Z (a bluesy Fender Rhodes jaunt) and Jimmy Haslip. This spectacular fusion of styles and melodic flair can take its rightful place at the top of either genre it touches upon. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track listing

1. Latin Quarter
2. Quand Le Jazz Hip-Hop
3. Sand Castle
4. Steppin'
5. Matador, El
6. First Rain
7. Urban Gypsy
8. Forget-Me-Not
9. Brazil '96
10. Paris Jam
11. Hollywood Viscount
12. Storytime

 

[Dennie]

Dancing On The Water CD

Bob James

2000 Warner Bros. Records

Need a vacation from smooth jazz? Try DANCING ON THE WATER!, October 12, 2002
By James R. Prater (Cleveland Tn.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dancing on the Water (Audio CD)

Bob James takes us on an unexpected musical journey with this CD. He displays his acoustic side masterfully. "Alone Together" finds him teamed with the great Joe Sample. On "The Green Hour", Bob reminisces about his early days playing in nightclubs. "Bogie's Boogie" is a jumpy little number written for the James' family cat. "Altair And Vega" is Bob and Keiko Matsui's musical telling of a Japanese myth. "Hum Drum" is anything BUT that. The right hand provides the melody (hum), while the left provides the rhythm (drum). Bassist Dave Holland is featured on their version of "Last Night When We Were Young", which has some beautiful lyrics. The title song, one of Bob's best, is a duet with Chuck Loeb. "Modesty" is Bob's musical wording of the modicum "less is more". Sample appears again on "Tapawingo", named after an outdoor restaraunt where Bob held his first art exhibition. "Autumn Noctourne" is a beautiful duet between Bob and Holland. "Duo Oto Subito" (which translates as 'two play right away') is a melodramatic duet between Bob and Matsui. I must counter some of the comments made in other reviews. This CD is for the die-hard Bob James fan like myself, who realizes that there is more to Bob James than "smooth jazz".

Track listing

1. Alone Together - (with Joe Sample)
2. Green Hour, The
3. Bogie's Boogie
4. Altair & Vega - (with Keiko Matsui)
5. Hum Drum
6. Last Night When We Were Young - (with Dave Holland)
7. Dancing on the Water - (with Chuck Loeb)
8. Modesty
9. Tapawingo - (with Joe Sample)
10. Autumn Nocturne - (with Dave Holland)
11. Duo Oto Subito - (with Keiko Matsui)