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Dennie
Well-Known Member
Bolero -- CD
Stanley Jordan
1994 Arista Records
Bolero November 7, 2003
By Russell Diederich VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
The master of the touch-tap technique does it again with this 1994 release. His playing is unbelievable as he combines both the melodies and rhythms at the same time, sometimes playing as many as three guitars. His music is smooth and soulful, and astounding to listen to. His phrasing is varied and energetic as he mixes up his rhythms, a true musician.
The majority of this album focuses on the title track, a cover of Maurice Ravel's orchestral piece. A great tune to begin with, Jordan modernizes it with his style, making it more of funky. The composition is good, and does credit to Ravel. Although it is a great song, it does clock in at over twenty minutes making for a long listen. It leaves the rest of the album short, but what is left is still very good as well. "Chameleon" is another good track that makes for a good follow up to "Bolero". It has a good beat and some exceptional guitar work on it. About halfway through the song, Jordan takes a nice clean solo, and then jumps on the distortion pedal giving it a bit of extra punch. The song is extra funky for a smooth jazz sound and has a good theme he keeps returning to. The cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Drifting" is pretty cool as well. Much more mellow than the original, and smooth-ified. His outro solo is fairly raw, bringing into play a bit of the Jimi sound to end. "Plato's Blues" is purely Jordan jamming on his own. He starts of soft and slow before kicking it up several notches, blowing us away with a wall of sound, fast fingers and raw power. He ends the album with the sweet solo of "Always and Forever", which is basically the same as the second song without the singing. Another fine cut with only Jordan playing.
This is an impressive album from Jordan. Most of the songs here are very good, but the singing on a couple of songs makes it too much of smooth jazz. He is incredibly talented as can be heard from his solo work, but he also does well composing wrapping in a dozen instruments and effects to make a song. If you're a Jordan fan, this is pretty good stuff here. My favorite is still his live performance on "Stolen Moments".
Track Listing
1. Bolero
2. Always and Forever
3. Chameleon
4. Betcha by Golly, Wow
5. Drifting
6. Plato's Blues
7. Always and Forever (Solo Reprise)
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Today's work truck music....
The Big Easy - Soundtrack - CD
Various Artists
1987 Antilles Records
A lay person's "professional" review: July 26, 2003
By R. Epstein
Format:Audio CD
The purpose of any review is to say why a CD/movie/book is good or bad, not saying something like "don't waste your time" because "I, a person with 'credentials' says so" (oh, the arrogance of some folks!). As a person without "credentials" but with great taste in music and common sense regarding the rules of professional criticism, I would like to state why I happen to think this CD is good.
A) Because it covers a euphonious, rhythmical landscape filled with a wide range of music (and eras), including R&B, Cajun, Zydeco and Gospel. That makes it interesting and flavorful, as well as good listening for those who are fans of those musical genres. B) The music was picked by the filmmaker to create certain moods for certain scenes. So while some of the songs aren't necessarily the best overall representations for those kinds of music, they do have a strong impact of their own for anyone who has seen the film. It goes without saying, if you liked the film, you'll love the music because now you'll be able to get up and dance (well, I originally saw this in a cinema, so I had to contain myself at the time!). C) There are some GREAT songs here, especially the ones by The Swann Silvertones, Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco and yes, Aaron Neville, whose interpretation of "Tell It Like It Is" is among the most beautiful soul ballads ever recorded. It makes my heart quiver! What more can I say?
It is a shame that St. Augustine's Marching Hundred didn't make the album, nor did the king of zydeco, Clifton Chernier, but this CD still offers one a great blend of staying-up-late music; either for partying, or for musing over the blues.
1. Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups
2. Tipitina - Professor Longhair
3. Ma 'Tit Fille - Buckwheat Zydeco
4. Colinda - Zachary Richard
5. Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville & The Neville Brothers
6. Zydeco Gris Gris - Beausoleil
7. Oh Yeh Yai - Terrance Simien & The Mallet Playboys
8. Hey Hey (Indians Comin') - The Wild Tchoupitoulas
9. Closer To You - Dennis Quaid
10. Saviour, Pass Me Not - The Swan Silvertones
11. Buck's Nouvelle Jole Blon - Buckwheat Zydeco & Ils Sont Partis Band
12. Pine Grove Blues - Dewey Balfa
The Big Easy - Soundtrack - CD
Various Artists
1987 Antilles Records
A lay person's "professional" review: July 26, 2003
By R. Epstein
Format:Audio CD
The purpose of any review is to say why a CD/movie/book is good or bad, not saying something like "don't waste your time" because "I, a person with 'credentials' says so" (oh, the arrogance of some folks!). As a person without "credentials" but with great taste in music and common sense regarding the rules of professional criticism, I would like to state why I happen to think this CD is good.
A) Because it covers a euphonious, rhythmical landscape filled with a wide range of music (and eras), including R&B, Cajun, Zydeco and Gospel. That makes it interesting and flavorful, as well as good listening for those who are fans of those musical genres. B) The music was picked by the filmmaker to create certain moods for certain scenes. So while some of the songs aren't necessarily the best overall representations for those kinds of music, they do have a strong impact of their own for anyone who has seen the film. It goes without saying, if you liked the film, you'll love the music because now you'll be able to get up and dance (well, I originally saw this in a cinema, so I had to contain myself at the time!). C) There are some GREAT songs here, especially the ones by The Swann Silvertones, Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco and yes, Aaron Neville, whose interpretation of "Tell It Like It Is" is among the most beautiful soul ballads ever recorded. It makes my heart quiver! What more can I say?
It is a shame that St. Augustine's Marching Hundred didn't make the album, nor did the king of zydeco, Clifton Chernier, but this CD still offers one a great blend of staying-up-late music; either for partying, or for musing over the blues.
1. Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups
2. Tipitina - Professor Longhair
3. Ma 'Tit Fille - Buckwheat Zydeco
4. Colinda - Zachary Richard
5. Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville & The Neville Brothers
6. Zydeco Gris Gris - Beausoleil
7. Oh Yeh Yai - Terrance Simien & The Mallet Playboys
8. Hey Hey (Indians Comin') - The Wild Tchoupitoulas
9. Closer To You - Dennis Quaid
10. Saviour, Pass Me Not - The Swan Silvertones
11. Buck's Nouvelle Jole Blon - Buckwheat Zydeco & Ils Sont Partis Band
12. Pine Grove Blues - Dewey Balfa
1. "Yours Is No Disgrace" (Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Tony Kaye, Bill Bruford) 9:41
2. "Clap" (Howe; recorded live at The Lyceum Theatre, London, 17 July 1970) 3:17
3. "Starship Trooper" (Anderson, Howe, Squire 9:25
A. Life Seeker
B. Disillusion
C. Würm)
4. "I've Seen All Good People" (Anderson, Squire 6:56
A. Your Move
B. All Good People)
5. "A Venture" (Anderson) 3:18
6. "Perpetual Change" (Anderson, Squire) 8:54
I think that it has been years since I have listened to this one........ :bow-blue: :bow-blue: :bow-blue:
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Music To Watch Girls By -- CD
Al (He's the King) Hirt
1967/2000 RCA Victor
Essential Al Hirt for Latin Music Lovers April 14, 2010
By Craig S. Cherry
Format:Audio CD
I too take issue with the reviewer who gave this CD 2 stars. I can understand where many people wouldn't particularly like this style of music; they may listen to it and find it little more than vintage easy-listening music best suited to a patio party in the 1960's. For those folks, this will probably sound generally cheesy and downright lame at times. But anyone who buys an Al Hirt record probably knows what this music is about and will appreciate it for what it is. Al was amazing - always tasteful and tuneful; never a bum note. He managed to take what could have been pretty forgettable recordings and elevate them to real artistry.
As one of the other reviewer mentioned, this album contains some real gems that didn't appear on his other albums, like the lovely "Nature Boy." "Music to Watch Girls By" is an instant radio classic, and his solo on "I Love Paris" is exceptional too; a bit more gritty and adventurous than his more typically lyrical playing. And most of these tunes are bossa/latin pieces, which I particularly like.
So for any Al Hirt fans out there, this is a must-have CD! It appears to already be out of print, so grab it if you see it for a decent price.
Track Listing
1. Music to Watch Girls By
2. Mas que Nada
3. Wilkommen :: Welcome
4. Nature Boy
5. Theme From the Sand Pebbles
6. Blow Your Own Horn
7. Yo-Yo (Puppet Song)
8. Six Long Days :: Sechs Tage Lang
9. His Girl
10. Elmer's Tune
11. If You Go Away :: Ne Me Quitte Pas
12. Girl From Ipanema, The
13. Sugar Lips
14. I Love Paris
15. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)
16. Cotton Candy
17. Three Little Words
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Pick Yourself Up With Anita O'Day -- CD
Anita O'Day
1956/1992 Verve Records
Fellas she can't get...Are fella's she ain't met...., June 8, 2000
By "iheartcrass" - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pick Yourself Up (Audio CD)
This is my all time favorite Anita O'day Album. Anita O'day is five steps beyond amazing. Her vocal style can't be beat. Every song she sings gets the special O'day treatment and is forever more her own. The track listing of this album is just chocked full of winners! My favorite is Anita's rendition of 'Stars Fell On Alabama'. Its beautiful and moving. You can just feel the magic of the moment she is describing. Other super hits include the slinky 'Sweet Georgia Brown', the peppy 'Pick Yourself Up' and the bittersweet 'There's A Lull In My Life'. Also, this Cd gives you alternative takes on songs and the rockin bonus tracks 'Getaway and The Chase' and the classic 'Rock and Roll Waltz'. This is one of the records I play when I want to get into a good mood. It always makes me smile. Bottom line, Its a FANTASTIC album at a SUPER price. Don't miss it!
1. "Don't Be That Way" Benny Goodman, Mitchell Parish, Edgar Sampson 2:32
2. "Let's Face the Music and Dance" Irving Berlin 3:16
3. "I Never Had a Chance" Berlin 4:22
4. "Stompin' at the Savoy" Goodman, Andy Razaf, Sampson, Chick Webb 3:18
5. "Pick Yourself Up" Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern 3:05
6. "Stars Fell on Alabama" Parish, Frank Perkins 2:51
7. "Sweet Georgia Brown" Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey, Maceo Pinkard 4:13
8. "I Won't Dance" Fields, Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach, Kern, Jimmy McHugh 3:25
9. "Man with a Horn" Eddie DeLange, Jack Jenney, Bonnie Lake 3:55
10. "I Used to Be Color Blind" Berlin 3:09
11. "There's a Lull in My Life" Mack Gordon, Harry Revel 3:18
12. "Let's Begin" Harbach, Kern 2:21
CD Reissue Bonus Tracks
No. Title Writer(s) Length
13. "I'm with You" Johnny Mercer, Bobby Troup 2:04
14. "The Rock & Roll Waltz" Shorty Allen, Roy Alfred 2:44
15. "The Getaway and the Chase" Biff Jones, Charles Meyer 2:25
16. "Your Picture's Hanging Crooked on the Wall" George R. Brown, William Lava 2:29
17. "We Laughed at Love" Bourne, Gus Kahn, Messenheimer 3:09
18. "I'm Not Lonely" Keith, Spence 3:03
19. "Let's Face the Music and Dance" Berlin 3:17
20. "Ivy" Hoagy Carmichael 2:45
21. "Stars Fell on Alabama" Parish, Perkins 2:48
