What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Fly With The Wind -- CD

McCoy Tyner

1976/1991 Milestone/OJC Records

5.0 out of 5 stars Mahavishnu meets McCoy, October 14, 2004
By drumsprogjazz - See all my reviews
This review is from: Fly With the Wind (Audio CD)

This is a great album for any jazz-rock fan who is transitioning from Billy's Mahavishnu albums to his solo work. It has a more traditional jazz flavor with elements of jazz fusion. McCoy Tyner's piano work is outstanding and the additions of Laws and Carter make this album a classic. Cobham's drum work is absolutely incredible. This is a nice way to get some of the jazz fusion people into listening to some more traditional fare. The combination of the two styles of jazz really does mesh well. The listener will not be sorry for this purchase!!!!

"Fly with the Wind" - 8:30
"Salvadore de Samba" - 12:13
"Beyond the Sun" - 5:33
"You Stepped out of a Dream" (Brown, Kahn) - 6:55
"Rolem" - 5:43

All compositions by McCoy Tyner except as indicated

Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, January 19, 20 & 21, 1976

 

[Dennie]

McCoy Tyner and The Latin All-Stars -- DSD CD

1999 Telarc Records

Amazon.com

Fresh from a world tour, McCoy Tyner's Latin All Stars headed straight to the studio to preserve the memory. The nine-member powerhouse includes Steve Turre on trombone and shells, Gary Bartz on alto and soprano, Avery Sharpe on bass, Ignacio Berroa on drums, Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion, Johnny Alemendra on timbales, Claudio Rodito on trumpet and flügelhorn, Dave Valentin on flute, and the maestro on piano. The opener, "Festival in Bahia," is a great showcase, complete with a vamp tailor-made for solo stretches of improvisatory machismo. Tyner's rendition of "Poinciana" (a tune so immortalized by Ahmad Jamal that almost no one else courts it) is done sans horns and sounds fresh. Unfortunately, the direct-to-two-track mode of recording does not do justice to such a capacious ensemble: the percussion loses much of its depth, the trombone sounds by turns strident and muddy, the clarity of the sax is inconsistent, and the shells fare even worse. Even this lamentable circumstance does not rob the album of its momentum: Kenny Dorham's classic "Blue Bossa" is taken at a tempo that would burn a dancer to dust, and Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue" is mined for all it's worth. The pianist is, of course, the crowning glory: singularly thrilling in approach and execution, he remains inimitable. --Karen Bennett

"Festival in Bahia" - 10:58
"Poinciana" (Bernier, Simon) - 6:55
"Afro Blue" (Santamaría) - 12:19
"A Song for Love" - 10:30
"La Habana Sol" - 8:33
"We Are Our Fathers' Sons" (Sharpe) - 5:21
"Blue Bossa" (Dorham) - 6:51

All compositions by McCoy Tyner except as indicated

Recorded at Avatar Studios, Studio A, New York City, July 29 & 30, 1998

 

[Dennie]

Shotgun -- CD

Jr. Walker & The All Stars

1965 Motown Records

A Jazzy, Soulful Classic!!, July 3, 2001
By Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shotgun (Audio CD)

First of all, Jr. Walker simply did NOT make bad records! He made that sax SING as well as talk. Sadly, he's grossly underrepresented on CD, so if you see any originals like this back in print, then SNAP IT UP! Now on to this CD:SIMPLY GREAT FUNKY STUFF! We all know about the title track. But "Do The Boomerang," "Tune Up," "Shoot Your Shot" will take your mind to a good ghetto juke joint or house party back in the mid 60s. "Tally Ho" is pretty creative (Check out the fox chase in the beginning and Jr.'s faux-Brit accent at the end). "Ain't That The Truth" has some good funny verbal play between Walker and the All Stars. The Lovely "Hot Cha" is the kind of sweet tune that you wanna hear on a nice drive as the sun goes down on a pretty day (in fact, many a DJ used this tune as their sign-off theme also in the late 60s). Oh yeah, check out Vic Thomas' searing organ on that one. In short, this CD is good for what EVER ails you.

Track Listing
1. Cleo's Mood
2. Do the Boomerang
3. Shotgun
4. (I'm A) Road Runner
5. Shake and Fingerpop
6. Shoot Your Shot
7. Tune-Up
8. Hot Cha
9. Monkey Jump
10. Tally Ho
11. Cleo's Back
12. Ain't That the Truth

 

[Dennie]

The Best of The Mama's and The Papa's - The Millennium Collection -- CD

The Mama's and The Papa's

1999 MCA Records

Amazon.com

The Mamas and the Papas blazed across the '60s folk-rock scene, scoring nine Top 40 hits in less than two years. So bright was their brief run that it earned them a berth in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This set shows at least some of the reason why--there's the era-defining hit "California Dreamin'," plus other triumphs such as "Monday, Monday," "Words of Love," "Dedicated to the One I Love," and the autobiographical "Creeque Alley." Perplexingly, the 20th Century Masters set substitutes "Dancing Bear" for "Glad to Be Unhappy," which was a bigger hit. Then too, the set is skimpy compared to their previously released Greatest Hits, but it does win points for including two Cass Elliot solo hits, "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me." --Daniel Durchholz

Track Listing
1. California Dreamin'
2. Monday Monday
3. Creeque Alley
4. Dedicated to the One I Love
5. Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)
6. Words of Love
7. Look Through My Window
8. I Saw Her Again Last Night
9. Dancing Bear
10. Make Your Own Kind of Music
11. Dream a Little Dream of Me

 

[Dennie]

Flight of The Cosmic Hippo -- CD

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

1991 Warner Bros. Records

A Flight of Fleck Finery and a Flecktone Favorite, January 1, 2003
By "prewbee" - See all my reviews
This review is from: Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (Audio CD)

How can I describe this genre bending CD. Five stars isn't enough, I can tell you that. Not a bad track on here at all.
Is this 'Funk-grass' or 'Jazz-grass' or 'New-Grass'????? Defies definition and therefore satisifies the longing for superb music.
Buy it you won't be disappointed. Wonderful rendition of the Beatles 'Michelle'... excellent re-tooling of our National Anthem ... super version of Star of the County Down...marvelous original compositions as well.
Why haven't you heard more of Fleck?
American Radio only seems to cater to the mediocre ... Fleck is not.

"Blu-Bop" (Béla Fleck, Howard Levy, Victor Wooten, Roy Wooten) – 4:22
"Flying Saucer Dudes" (Fleck) – 4:51
"Turtle Rock" (Fleck) – 4:12
"Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" (Fleck) – 4:29
"The Star Spangled Banner" (Francis Scott Key, arr. Fleck, R. Wooten, Levy, V. Wooten) – 2:35
"Star of the County Down" (P.D., arr. Fleck, R. Wooten, Levy, V. Wooten) – 4:21
"Jekyll and Hyde (and Ted and Alice)" (Fleck) – 7:04
"Michelle" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 5:10
"Hole in the Wall" (Fleck) – 4:40
"Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (Reprise)" (Fleck) – 2:14

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening......

McGriff Avenue -- RVG Edition 24-Bit CD

Jimmy McGriff

2002 Milestone Records

Still relaxed and wailing on his modified Hammond XB-3 organ, Jimmy McGriff continued to manufacture solid soul-jazz tracks in the 21st century -- although these sessions caused him a bit more trouble than most due to circumstances beyond his control. Originally booked for noon on September 11, 2001, the sessions for this album obviously had to be rescheduled for the following month -- and as a result, the two dates have somewhat different personnel. The main difference between the two lies in the drumming; the work of Don Williams on three tracks is not as firmly anchored in the McGriff soul-jazz groove as those powered by the inevitable Bernard Purdie (who had to catch a plane to Spain after the first session). In any case, "McGriff Avenue" cruises easily through mostly blues country, highlighted by a few inspired remakes of early McGriff hits like the classic 1963 shuffle, "All About My Girl," and the fatback funk of 1968's "The Worm." Even the predictably gospel-drenched 6/8-meter treatment of "America, the Beautiful" -- though a conspicuous nod to the patriotic mood of the time -- was something that McGriff had recorded before. The ten-and-three-quarter-minute workout on Jimmy Forrest's "Soul Street" is pure shuffling blues, nothing fancy, with everyone getting plenty of solo time -- and the title track harks back to the percolating funk grooves of James Brown's JB's circa 1969 ("Give It Up or Turn It Loose" comes to mind). Ronnie Cuber bumps around agreeably on baritone sax, the tenor sax spots are shared by Bill Easley and Gordon Beadle, Melvin "Sparks" Hassan and Rodney Jones alternate on guitar, and Wilbur Bascomb is the funky electric bass player throughout. Though this CD doesn't have the ecstatic super-grooves of some of McGriff's earlier milestones, it still keeps the customers satisfied. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Track Listing
1. All About My Girl
2. McGriff Avenue
3. Soul Street
4. Answer Is in the Blues, The
5. Great Unknown, The
6. Dissertation on the Blues
7. Worm, The
8. America the Beautiful

 

[Dennie]

Fuzzy Logic -- CD

David Benoit

2002 GRP records

Another giant step forward for Benoit, March 1, 2002
By Dr.D.Treharne (Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Fuzzy Logic (Audio CD)

Picking up the thread he left with "Professional Dreamer", David Benoit pushes the mixture of music further forward, without losing the impact of his individual keyboard sound. On 3 of the tracks he has once again turned to the production work of Rick Braun, and each of the tracks adds a new element to the CD. Favourite of the Braun produced tracks is "You read my mind" where Braun offers the programming.Another element in the mix is that 2 of the tracks are produced by Stuart Wade of Down to the Bone.Both these tracks "Coming up for air" and "Tango in Barbados" are refreshingly different, the latter being a really jaunty workout, an interesting contrast with Benoit's work in the 80's and 90's.Of the self produced tracks, the title track is a good tune, with Benoit adding touches on Hammond B3.My two other favourites are John Barry's "Then the morning comes" with a touch of vibraphone from Larry Bunker, and "Reflections" on which there is an imaginative use of several instruments including a French Horn. All in all this is excellent,and has a depth that allows something new to emerge with every listening. If you haven't heard the "new" David Benoit this is a great place to start!

Track Listing
1. Snap!
2. Fuzzy Logic
3. Someday Soon
4. Then the Morning Comes
5. Reflections
6. Coming Up for Air
7. You Read My Mind
8. War of the S.U.V.'s
9. Tango in Barbados
10. One Dream at a Time (June's Song)

 

[Dennie]

This has one of my favorite tracks, "Sunday Morning" and it is fantastic, along with "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Cold Duck Time" and "Cantaloupe Island" and "Serengeti Walk" and .....Alright, I like the whole album..... :handgestures-thumbup:

Downright Upright -- CD

Brian Bromberg

2007 Artistry Records

Product Description
On Downright Upright, acclaimed bassist BRIAN BROMBERG leads an all-star line-up to create a musical tour de force!

Playing both acoustic and piccolo bass, Downright Upright is a complete turnaround from 2006's Wood II. Instead of a traditional trio, this release shines with many new collaborative touches, including those from pianists GEORGE DUKE and JEFF LORBER, saxophonists GARY MEEK, BONEY JAMES, and KIRK WHALUM, drummer VINNIE COLAIUTA, trumpeter RICK BRAUN, and guitarists GANNIN ARNOLD and LEE RITENOUR.

Track listing

1. Cantaloupe Island
2. Mercy Mercy Mercy
3. Cold Duck Time
4. Sunday Mornin'
5. Hacha Cha Cha, The
6. Chameleon
7. Serengeti Walk
8. Leisure Suit
9. Slow Burn
10. Shag Carpet

 

[Dennie]

Going from "Sunday Morning" to "Sunday Night" with R N R! :music-rockout:

R n R -- CD

Rick Braun & Richard Elliot

2007 ARTizen Music Group

Editorial Reviews

When Rick Braun and Richard Elliot decided to start ARTizen Music Group it was a pretty fair bet collaboration would be on the boards. After all, Rick's best-selling release to date is his collaboration with Boney James (Shake It Up). Richard had toured with Rick numerous times yet hadn't a real studio long-player to share credits with. Nonetheless, for these two stars it had to be perfect. Almost three years later and over half a dozen releases on their label that time had come. The planets aligned and they began writing and recording their own record together. There is an implicit pun evoked in naming this release. The consistent stumbling block to recording together was variously their own records, a tour, someone else's record - never mind having a life. So when they found some time for R(est) n R(elaxtion) - what do they do? They make a record. True to it's namesake, R n R is all about fun.

 

[Dennie]

Love's Been Rough On Me -- CD

Etta James

1997 Private Music, A unit of The Windham Hill Group

5.0 out of 5 stars Another side of Etta, December 18, 1998
By A Customer

This is a TREASURE that might be missed by solid R&B fans or staunch Country audiences - called Ms James' "Country Album", it's truly hard to classify. Etta is beautifully laid back on the selections, not resorting to vocal pyrotechnics but rather lets the simple truth of her voice tell the tale. Brilliant. The cuts are top notch, the production is perfect, and the musicians are wonderfully matched, with inspired guitar work and a seamless horn section. Who would have ever thought Etta James would line up with Windham Hill?! It's that kind of CD. Like the Fleetwood Mac song said, "... If I could sing like Etta James, I'd never change, I'd never change..."

1. The Rock
2. Cry Like a Rainy Day
3. Love's Been Rough on Me
4. Love It or Leave It Alone
5. Don't Touch Me
6. Hold Me (Just a Little Longer Tonight)
7. If I Had Any Pride Left at All
8. I Can Give You Everything
9. I've Been Loving You Too Long
10. Done in the Dark

 

[Dennie]

The Most Relaxing Jazz Guitar Music In The Universe -- 2 CD Set

Various Great Artists

2005 Denon Records

great sampler, November 10, 2011
By Steven H. Dymond "sdymondpc" (Englewood, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Most Relaxing Jazz Guitar Music in Universe (Audio CD)

I bought this after seeing WHOS playing on the list of selections.

Its a very impressive array of greats, mundel lowe, grant green, kenny burrel, and more.

This arent go to sleep type' of selection, as the title might indicate.

Regardless, this is a very good sampler of some great songs by great player, and the sound quality is quite decent. I think this is a superb value and a great opportunity to hear a wide vairety of jazz guitarist styles. It is a sort of introduction to jazz guitar, but it is still very enjoyable for those of us that have a large collection of jazz guitar music already.

Disc: 1
1. Listen to the Dawn -- Kenny Burrell
2. Samba de Orpheus -- Grant Green
3. Last Night When We Were Young -- Sal Salvador & Mundell Lowe
4. Over the Rainbow -- Kenny Burrell
5. All Blues -- Jimmy Ponder
6. In the Meantime -- Kenny Barron featuring Ted Dunbar
7. Road Song -- Pat Martino
8. Homage to Charlie Christian -- Charlie Byrd
9. I Can't Get Started -- Jack McDuff featuring John Hart
10. Sophisticated Lady -- Larry Coryell
11. Dreamsville -- Pat Martino
12. 'Round Midnight -- Larry Coryell
13. You Don't Know What Love Is -- Pat Martino
14. Tenderly -- Kenny Burrell
15. 'Deed I Do -- Red Norvo featuring Tal Farlow
16. One for Tubby -- Herbie Mann featuring Joe Puma
17. You Are Too Beautiful -- Jimmy Ponder
18. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square -- Sal Salvador & Mundell Lowe
19. Keepin' The Faith -- Steve Laury
20. Visit -- Pat Martino
21. Motherless Child -- Grant Green
22. Angel Eyes -- Andy Bey featuring Paul Meyers

Disc: 2
1. 'Round Midnight -- Larry Coryell
2. You Don't Know What Love Is -- Pat Martino
3. Tenderly -- Kenny Burrell
4. 'Deed I Do -- Red Norvo featuring Tal Farlow
5. One for Tubby -- Herbie Mann featuring Joe Puma
6. You Are Too Beautiful -- Jimmy Ponder
7. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square -- Sal Salvador & Mundell Lowe
8. Keepin' The Faith -- Steve Laury
9. Visit -- Pat Martino
10. Motherless Child -- Grant Green
11. Angel Eyes -- Andy Bey featuring Paul Meyers

 

[Dennie]

Kickin' it up a notch........ :music-rockout:

Greatest Hits -- CD

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

1993 MCA Records

Amazon.com
He's sold millions of albums, filled arenas, and hobnobbed with George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison, but Tom Petty's driving heartland rock has often been taken for granted by the same critics who hail John Mellencamp as a genius. Greatest Hits is an airtight argument for Petty's own greatness. Starting with "American Girl," the rollicking, Byrds-inspired single from Petty's first album in 1976, this compilation presents a chronological overview of the guitarist-vocalist's career with and without the Heartbreakers, also chronically underrated as one of today's best bands. Every one of the 16 older tracks is a well-crafted gem, full of solid guitar hooks ("Here Comes My Girl"), arresting images ("Don't Come Around Here No More") and simple but poetic lyrics ("The Waiting").

Petty isn't an innovator; he's a talented craftsman with impeccable taste and a strong sense of rock history, internalizing influences ranging from the Beatles' psychedelic masterpiece, Revolver, to the best of '70s punk. (It's interesting to remember that early efforts such as "Refugee" and "Don't Do Me Like That" first won Petty attention as a New Wave artist). With his Dylanesque vocals and chiming 12-string guitars, Petty is more often linked these days with the sounds of the '60s. But recent tunes such as "Learning to Fly" and "Into the Great Wide Open" are as smart, relevant and (dare I say) alternative as anything in MTV's Buzz Bin. --Jim DeRogatis

"American Girl" (Tom Petty) – 3:35
(Originally released on the album Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.)
"Breakdown" (Petty) – 2:44
(Originally released on the album Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.)
"Listen to Her Heart" (Petty) – 3:05
(Originally released on the album You're Gonna Get It!.)
"I Need to Know" (Petty) – 2:26
(Originally released on the album You're Gonna Get It!.)
"Refugee" (Petty, Mike Campbell) – 3:25
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Don't Do Me Like That" (Petty) – 2:44
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Even the Losers" (Petty) – 4:01
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Here Comes My Girl" (Petty, Campbell) – 4:27
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"The Waiting" (Petty) – 4:01
(Originally released on the album Hard Promises.)
"You Got Lucky" (Petty, Campbell) – 3:38
(Originally released on the album Long After Dark.)
"Don't Come Around Here No More" (Petty, David A. Stewart) – 5:07
(Originally released on the album Southern Accents.)
"I Won't Back Down" (Petty, Jeff Lynne) – 2:59
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Runnin' Down a Dream" (Petty, Lynne, Campbell) – 4:25
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Free Fallin'" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:18
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Learning to Fly" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:05
(Originally released on the album Into the Great Wide Open.)
"Into the Great Wide Open" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:45
(Originally released on the album Into the Great Wide Open.)
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Petty) – 4:35
(First release.)
"Something in the Air" (John Keen) – 3:17
(Thunderclap Newman cover.)
(Originally released on the album Hollywood Dream.)

 

[Dennie]

Ten Summoner's Tales -- CD

Sting

1993 A&M Records

A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF GREAT MUSIC, October 12, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Ten Summoner's Tales (Jewel Box) (Audio CD)

The first time I heard a song by Sting was at the end of "The Professional" (Leon in France). When I heard the song, "Shape of My Heart" I knew I had to get the album. Once I popped the CD in my player I was completely overtaken by Sting's musical style. He has a real knack for making clever and innovative music that sets him apart from anyone else. Sting has a strong passion for the music he makes and it shows throughout this album. My favorite tracks are "Shape of My Heart" (of course), "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You", "Fields of Gold", "Heavy Cloud No Rain", "It's Probably Me", and "Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)". After listening to 'TEN SUMMONER'S TALES', I can truly see why it was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards.

All songs written by Sting except where noted.

Prologue (If I Ever Lose My Faith in You) – 4:30
Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven) – 5:11
Fields of Gold – 3:42
Heavy Cloud No Rain – 3:39
She's Too Good for Me – 2:30
Seven Days – 4:40
Saint Augustine in Hell – 5:05
It's Probably Me (Sting, Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen) – 4:57
Everybody Laughed But You – 3:53 (Excluded from original Canada/US releases)[1]
Shape of My Heart (Sting, Dominic Miller) – 4:38
Something the Boy Said – 5:13
Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me) – 3:39

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

That is a very cool album cover! :text-bravo:




Dennie :eusa-clap:

 

[Dennie]

The Look Of Love -- CD

Diana Krall

2001 Verve Records

Amazon.com

The Look of Love doesn't tamper with Diana Krall's ongoing success, continuing the emphasis on romantic ballads and embracing them with lush string arrangements. At the core, of course, is Krall's voice. She's developing into one of the great torch singers, with an approach that's both direct and subtly nuanced, true to the song and yet deeply personal. There's a combination of restraint and drama here, as Krall ranges from the confident to the wistful, from loss to playful insinuation, as each song requires. "Cry Me a River" is bittersweet triumph, while "Love Letters" and "Maybe You'll Be There" maintain the most tenuous emotional hold, at once fragile and resilient. "Besame Mucho" and "Dancing in the Dark" are sultry romances wafted on light Latin beats. The songs develop their intimacy in the setting of Krall's quartet, which usually includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Peter Erskine and several fine guitarists, most frequently Russell Malone. They're a superb complement to her voice and piano, and the close communication carries through the depth and sheen added by Claus Ogerman's rich orchestrations. --Stuart Broomer

"'S Wonderful" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 4:29
"Love Letters" (Edward Heyman, Victor Young) – 4:56
"I Remember You" (Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger) – 3:56
"Cry Me a River" (Arthur Hamilton) – 5:03
"Besame Mucho" (Sunny Skylar, Consuelo Velazquez) – 6:40
"The Night We Called It a Day" (Tom Adair, Matt Dennis) – 5:42
"Dancing in the Dark" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) – 5:48
"I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)" (Hoagy Carmichael, Jane Brown Thompson) – 3:44
"The Look of Love" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 4:41
"Maybe You'll Be There" (Rube Bloom, Sammy Gallop) – 5:31


Diana Krall - piano, vocals
Dori Caymmi - guitar
Romero Lubambo
Russell Malone
John Pisano
Luis Conte - percussion
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Peter Erskine - drums
Jeff Hamilton - bass, drums
Christian McBride - double bass
London Symphony Orchestra
Claus Ogerman - conductor, arranger

 

[Dennie]

Hey Jeff!

I don't know if you follow this thread or not. But this is the Bass Player and Drummer from the Chris Botti Live Set with Rene Olstead.

Jame Genus and Billy Kilson and fantastic, along with Bob James. Although I would like to have a set from Billy Childs, also from the "Botti" set, Bob will due!

Take It From The Top -- CD

Bob James Trio

2004 Tappan Zee/Koch Records

Amazon.com

Pianist/composer Bob James made his fame as top-selling smooth jazz pioneer and his theme song to the TV show Taxi is one of the most familiar melodies in syndication. But his roots are in straight-ahead jazz. On this CD with bassist James Genus and drummer Billy Kilson, James pays tribute to his piano heroes and drops some surprises into the mix. His treatment of Nat "King" Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right," is driven by hip-hop rimshots, and Mal Waldron's classic ballad "Soul Eyes" is syncopated with a Latin lilt. James's most impressive act of syncopated subversion is his take on the Petula Clark hit "Downtown." Somehow Bob James manages to keep it smooth and jazzy. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Track listing
1. Billy Boy
2. Straighten Up and Fly Right
3. Downtown
4. Tenderly
5. Nardis
6. Poinciana
7. Caravan
8. Soul Eyes
9. Django

 

[Dennie]

Midnight Sun -- CD

Herb Alpert

1992 A&M Records

"Midnight Sun" . . . I Love This CD!, November 29, 2005
By Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Midnight Sun (Audio CD)

"This album is dedicated to my Forever "Friend" Stan Getz." ~ Herb Alpert ~

In the early seventies, Herb Alpert made his first hit single "This Guy's In Love With You." This is also the very first number one hit song by the talented songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. And yes, this is also one of the songs my high school classmates from an exclusive school for girls and I were crazy about back then.

My late father owned a good number of Herb Alpert's LP records from his vast collection, so the trumpet player's music is not new to me when I started my very own collection. A dear friend of mine knowing how much I appreciate exquisite trumpet playing unselfishly gave this delightful CD to me as a just-because-gift and we both loved this collection of beautiful tunes and its arrangements and flawless interpretations. I call it to-die-for music and I can't stop listening to it. It's one of my Desert-Island-CDs. The kind of music you want to hear for all seasons and will never tire listening to it. Many thanks to the very talented Herb Alpert, the brilliant arranger/conductor/pianist Eddie del Barrio, the legendary sax player Stan Getz and the rest of the finest musicians in the jazz scene for making this recording stunningly pleasing to the ears, Monty Budwig (bass), John Pisano, Barry Zweig and Larry Carlton (guitar), Jeff Hamilton and Harvey Mason (drums) and Frank Collett (piano).

This CD, which was released in 1992 opens up with the hauntingly beautiful and my very favorite "Midnight Sun," a tune composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947. One of the greatest and my all-time favorite songwriters who has written lyrics to more than a thousand melodies, Johnny Mercer, penned the wonderful lyrics seven years later in 1954. There's a delightful anecdote behind Mr. Mercer's discovery of this song. He was driving along the coast one night and heard this tune being played on the radio and was enchanted by its charming melody. He then called the radio station and asked the DJ about the artist (Lionel Hampton) and the title of the tune. The rest is history.

Two of my spotlighted tracks showcase not only Mr. Alpert's expertise in trumpet but also his soft and mellow vocals, Gershwins' "Someone To Watch Over Me," and Lerner & Lowe's "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face."

"Friends" featuring his "forever friend" Stan Getz is one of the very highlights and he co-wrote this tune with Eddie del Barrio. The tuneful "In The Wee Small Hours" is poignantly affecting as well as Charles Chaplin/John Terner/Geoffrey Parson's classic "Smile." The beauty of "All The Things You Are," "Mona Lisa," "A Taste Of Honey" and "Silent Tears And Roses" will leave any listener mesmerized.

These are the nice stuff that made this recording a special treat not only to all Herb Alpert fans but also to any music lover who appreciates charming instrumental music.

1. Herb Alpert's exquisitely beautiful trumpet playing.
2. A repertoire of impressive standards penned and composed by the most brilliant songwriters of all-time, Gershwins, Mercer, Hampton & Burke, Hammerstein & Kern, Hilliard & Mann, Lerner & Loewe, Livingston & Evans, Scott & Marlow, Chaplin, Terner & Parson, and Alpert & del Barrio.
3. A bevy of the finest back-up musicians, an outstanding arranger/conductor and a pianist, Eddie del Barrio and not to mention his special guest, Stan Getz.

Who could resist listening to this CD? Get it and enjoy it. This would be a great addition to your collection of the finest music ever recorded. You'll have a lifetime of listening enjoyment. It deserves not five but ten stars.

Very highly recommended!

Midnight Sun (Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke, Johnny Mercer) 6:05
All The Things You Are (Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern) 3:53
Someone To Watch Over Me (George & Ira Gershwin) 5:16
In The Wee Small Hours (Bob Hilliard, David Mann) 5:53
Friends (Eddie Del Barrio, Herb Alpert) 4:21
A Taste Of Honey (Bobby Scott, Rick Marlow) 6:52
Mona Lisa (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) 5:46
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) 5:07
Silent Tears And Roses (Eddie Del Barrio) 3:50
Smile (Charlie Chaplin, John Terner, Geoffrey Parsons) 4:13

 

[Dennie]

Second Wind -- CD

Herb Alpert

1996 Almo Records

Welcome Back Herb!, September 30, 1998
By W. J. Bernardi (Austin, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Second Wind (Audio CD)

Herb Alpert's first release in four years - and on his new label - is a joyous one! Teaming up with keyboardist Jeff Lorber, Alpert embarks on a funk-jazz romp that showcases some of his best playing on record. He conjures up images of Miles Davis on many of the songs, yet it isn't a ripoff of Miles at all. Alpert is a smart player. He knows what he can and can't do, and stays within himself. Opening up with the aptly-titled "Second Wind" Herb and Lorber create a great groove which gives Alpert some freedom to roam around on the horn. "Driving Home" is another hot song with Herb playing some really nice jazz on. Lorber does some nice playing on "Sneakin' In" with the Hammond B3 organ, conjuring up images of Jimmy Smith. This is some of Lorber's best playing on record, too. On his own Lorber ends up playing a zillion notes per second, but under Alpert's guidance he plays only when necessary. The two combined to compose most of the songs, including the beautiful "Rendevouz", where Alpert shows his romantic side of playing. And his version of "My Funny Valentine" is also very hip. For those who haven't listened to Herb Alpert in a long time, this is a CD that will impress you.

One other note: The Japanese version of this CD contains a bonus track - a "live" version of "The Lonely Bull", which was Alpert's very first hit with the Tijuana Brass. Very funky, with great solos by Alpert and Lorber!

1 Second Wind
2 Flirtation
3 Wherever You Are
4 Sneakin' In
5 Drivin' Home
6 Can't Stop Thinking About You
7 Flamingo - Herb Albert
8 My Funny Valentine - Herb Albert
9 Side Steppin'
10 Rendezvous
11 Across the Bridge
12 Sugar Cane

 

[Dennie]

Info from Rickie Lee Jones:

"The album's got a kind of old flavor about it. There's no electric music, no keyboard and no drums. A couple of songs have snare and a bongo, but no
drum kit. Real intimate. It's real nice listening. [The album's] just what I wanted to do, what I like to listen to. All standards."

"I can't remember when I decided on just guitar and bass. I was thinking about it for a couple of years, because I had practiced 'Valentine' with a guitar and bass when I lived in France and said 'Oh, that's eally beautiful and different without a keyboard.' I think I got the idea then and it was growing on me. [That sparer sound] is what I grew up with. My uncle and my dad used to play together all the time: they would sing those standards with the guitar so for me it's the most natural sounding."

"It's not jazz in the way that people who like jazz like jazz. It's my own way of looking at it. The album is old, it's very special."

-Rickie Lee Jones

Pop Pop -- CD

Rickie Lee Jones

1991 Geffen Records

Rickie Lee Jones's almost perfect Record, September 18, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Pop Pop (Audio CD)

If I had to choose a favorite Rickie Lee Jones record, it would be a difficult choice but Pop Pop might just be my final decision. From the first chords on an acoustic nylon string guitar on the first track you know you're in for a treat. More than any other of her albums, Pop Pop captures the magic that Rickie Lee Jones delivers on stage if you catch her in a small venue. Jazz legends Charlie Haden on bass, Joe Henderson on Sax and Robben Ford on acoustic guitar offer up jaw dropping performances throughout Pop Pop. When it comes to subtle jazz instrumentation and pitch perfect vocals, it doesn't get much better than this. Add to that, the gorgeous quality of the recording and you have the basic ingredients for a near perfect pop/jazz album that seems to have rarely left my cd player for almost a decade. Stand out tracks include: My One and Only Love, Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most, Jimi Hendrix's Up From The Skies, Second Time Around, and Bye Bye Blackbird.

Track listing

1. My One and Only Love
2. Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
3. Hi-Lili Hi-Lo
4. Up From the Skies
5. Second Time Around
6. Dat Dere
7. I'll Be Seeing You
8. Bye Bye Blackbird
9. Ballad of the Sad Young Men, The
10. I Won't Grow Up
11. Love Junkyard
12. Comin' Back to Me