What Are You Listening To?
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Dennie
Well-Known Member
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.... 
bscene-drinkingcheers:
Blue Skies -- CD
Floyd Cramer
1997 Ranwood Records
Track Listing
1. Let It Be Me
2. Put a Little Love in Your Heart
3. Love Me Tender
4. Last Farewell, The
5. (Where Do I Begin) Love Story
6. Bridge over Troubled Water
7. Green, Green Grass of Home
8. I Love You Because
9. Always on My Mind
10. It Makes No Difference Now
11. It Was Almost Like a Song
12. Blue Skies
bscene-drinkingcheers:
Blue Skies -- CD
Floyd Cramer
1997 Ranwood Records
Track Listing
1. Let It Be Me
2. Put a Little Love in Your Heart
3. Love Me Tender
4. Last Farewell, The
5. (Where Do I Begin) Love Story
6. Bridge over Troubled Water
7. Green, Green Grass of Home
8. I Love You Because
9. Always on My Mind
10. It Makes No Difference Now
11. It Was Almost Like a Song
12. Blue Skies
Dennie
Well-Known Member
This one seems fitting for today....
Search For The New Land -- Remastered CD
Lee Morgan - Wayne Shorter - Grant Green - Herbie Hancock - Reggie Workman - Billy Higgins
1964/2003 Blue Note Records
The "Search" for What Could Have Been September 14, 2003
By Michael B. Richman HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Lee Morgan's "Search for the New Land" is the trumpeter's most searching and enjoyable Blue Note album in my opinion. This session was recorded on February 15, 1964, nearly two months after the date that yielded "The Sidewinder." In many ways, "Search" is a departure from the funky, tight grooves of its predecessor. Sure tracks like "Morgan the Pirate" and "The Joker" are a continuation of the up-tempo feel of "The Sidewinder" and easily blend with that album's style. But the other tracks -- "Mr. Kenyatta," "Melancholee" and of course the title track -- are as progressive and exploratory as any jazz that was made in the watershed year of 1964. Across the board at Blue Note, artists were challenging each other to make more innovative jazz and many of the performers began expanding their bands to accommodate this broadening of the music. On "Search" Lee returns to a sextet line-up for the first time since the late 1950s, but with the addition of Grant Green on guitar, there's no mistaking it for those 50s hard bop sessions. In addition to Green, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins all make invaluable contributions, but the guitarist adds an other-worldly spatial quality to the music, particularly on the title track. Of course, in a few months "The Sidewinder" would be released and its title track would become an international hit. Beginning with "The Rumproller" (see my review), every Lee Morgan album would have the seemingly obligatory funky, boogaloo-style lead-off track in the hopes of a follow-up hit. And while those discs are all very enjoyable, Lee would never again "search" quite like he did on "Search for the New Land."
All songs composed by Lee Morgan.
"Search for the New Land" – 15:45
"The Joker" – 5:04
"Mr. Kenyatta" – 8:43
"Melancholee" – 6:14
"Morgan the Pirate" – 6:30
Search For The New Land -- Remastered CD
Lee Morgan - Wayne Shorter - Grant Green - Herbie Hancock - Reggie Workman - Billy Higgins
1964/2003 Blue Note Records
The "Search" for What Could Have Been September 14, 2003
By Michael B. Richman HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Lee Morgan's "Search for the New Land" is the trumpeter's most searching and enjoyable Blue Note album in my opinion. This session was recorded on February 15, 1964, nearly two months after the date that yielded "The Sidewinder." In many ways, "Search" is a departure from the funky, tight grooves of its predecessor. Sure tracks like "Morgan the Pirate" and "The Joker" are a continuation of the up-tempo feel of "The Sidewinder" and easily blend with that album's style. But the other tracks -- "Mr. Kenyatta," "Melancholee" and of course the title track -- are as progressive and exploratory as any jazz that was made in the watershed year of 1964. Across the board at Blue Note, artists were challenging each other to make more innovative jazz and many of the performers began expanding their bands to accommodate this broadening of the music. On "Search" Lee returns to a sextet line-up for the first time since the late 1950s, but with the addition of Grant Green on guitar, there's no mistaking it for those 50s hard bop sessions. In addition to Green, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins all make invaluable contributions, but the guitarist adds an other-worldly spatial quality to the music, particularly on the title track. Of course, in a few months "The Sidewinder" would be released and its title track would become an international hit. Beginning with "The Rumproller" (see my review), every Lee Morgan album would have the seemingly obligatory funky, boogaloo-style lead-off track in the hopes of a follow-up hit. And while those discs are all very enjoyable, Lee would never again "search" quite like he did on "Search for the New Land."
All songs composed by Lee Morgan.
"Search for the New Land" – 15:45
"The Joker" – 5:04
"Mr. Kenyatta" – 8:43
"Melancholee" – 6:14
"Morgan the Pirate" – 6:30
Dennie
Well-Known Member
My Song -- CD
Joe Pass
1993 Telarc Jazz
"My Song" is Joe Pass at his Finest, May 10, 2000
By "takfam" - See all my reviews
This review is from: My Song (Audio CD)
I had this CD for several years and never listened to it-- guess I wasn't tuned in yet. Now, however, I play it often, and I'm struck by how brilliant Joe Pass was. I'm sure this was one of his last recordings. Now I understand what Carlos Santana meant when he said that Joe Pass' subtle, delicate jazz-playing is every bit as imaginative and powerful as Van Halen's ear-splitting pyrotechnics. Pass' playing on this CD is colorful, delicate, punchy, melodic, spontaneous. I love the way he selects excellent tunes as the basis for improvisation (rarely a bad idea!). He has the unique gift of being able to seemingly doodle for hours (but of course, "doodling" it ain't!), and captivate your ear all the while. Let's face it: Joe Pass plays the way every guitarist WISHES he/she could play! And you'll dig the liner notes, where Pass claims that he was never driven by music and never practices: "it's a gift from God." Well, get this CD. You'll enjoy the wonderful virtuosity and spirit with which he shares his gift to the world.
"Rockin' in Rhythm" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Harry Carney) – 6:00
"Azure" (Ellington, Mills) – 7:17
"Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" (Fats Waller, Andy Razaf) – 7:39
"Ah Moore" (Al Cohn) – 4:08
"I Can't Kick" (Tom Ranier) – 6:11
"Rockin' Chair" (Hoagy Carmichael) – 3:52
"Song for Ellen" (Joe Pass) – 3:23
"Jitterbug Waltz" (Waller, Richard Maltby, Jr.) – 8:06
"The Duke" (Dave Brubeck) – 5:42
"Jo-Wes" (John Pisano) – 3:25
"Ain't Misbehavin''" (Harry Brooks, Razaf, Waller) – 6:12
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Alice's Restaurant
Arlo Guthrie
1967 Reprise Records
Family Tradition, November 19, 2004
By Lisa M. Piquette "eosaurora" (Centereach, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Alice's Restaurant (Audio CD)
Since I was born, every Thanksgiving at noon a local radio station has played Alice's Restaurant. I think this is the most solid tradition in my family. The song is hysterical. My mom has always loved it and whenever I tell people in my generation, like my fiance, that they must listen to it, they look at me like I am insane. But it is a classic song that has enhanced my life. When I went to buy the song for my mom I found this CD, which also had the Motorcycle Song, that my mom used to sing when I was really little and I had never heard the actual thing. So if your kids have never heard this, tell them it is great and make them listen to it, they will at least laugh. And in a time when the draft may come back, they may need to hear his brief experience in a funny way...
All tracks composed by Arlo Guthrie.
"Alice's Restaurant Massacree" – 18:20
"Chilling of the Evening" – 3:01
"Ring-Around-a-Rosy Rag" – 2:10
"Now and Then" – 2:15
"I'm Going Home" – 3:12
"The Motorcycle Song" – 2:58
"Highway in the Wind" – 2:40
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Another fitting title for this Thanksgiving Day.... :handgestures-thumbup:
Home Cookin' -- Remastered CD
Jimmy Smith
1960/2004 Blue Note Records
Soul Food, Chicken Grease, and Hammond B-3 soul, April 20, 2000
By Sean K Hur (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Home Cookin (Audio CD)
Wow, now here's a good work for you hammond b-3 fans. The small 3 personal group that basically epitomizes the Jimmy Smith sound in his blue-note years are here. With the added tenor saxophone work of Percy France, you got a great combination of soul food for you ears! Like the title of the album, there is a great deal of blues entwined inside every track. Highlights on the album were immediately the really driving "I Got a Woman," a great Ray Charles standard that Kenny Burrell, another fine jazz guitarist really shines. There are points when it seems that this is more a blues-jazz group, there isn't much in terms of be-bop flashiness, which may turn off some arrogant jazz types. It seems that Jimmy Smith's greatest work isn't in the spitty organ leads he pumps, its the subtle organ bass lines that sound incredible. THERE IS NO BASS PLAYER IN HIS GROUP! Every track reveals a good blues sensibility that the hammond b-3 organ seems to lend itself too. Jimmy Smith's album here helps to bridge a great gap between the intellectual and heady jazz of the era with the low-down chicken house organ sounds... Incredible, and this album is one of his best!
All compositions by Jimmy Smith except as indicated
"See See Rider" (Ma Rainey) - 6:35
"Sugar Hill" (Kenny Burrell) - 5:19
"I Got a Woman" (Ray Charles, Renald Richard) - 3:55
"Messin' Around" - 5:55
"Gracie" - 5:54
"Come on Baby" (Burrell) - 6:50
"Motorin' Along" (Jimmy McGriff) - 5:09
Bonus tracks on CD reissue:
"Since I Fell for You" (Buddy Johnson) - 4:19
"Apostrophe" (Percy France) - 6:35
"Groanin'" (Jack McDuff) - 8:10
"Motorin' Along" [alternate take] (McGriff) - 5:02
"Since I Fell for You" [alternate take] (Johnson) - 6:27
Recorded on July 15, 1958 (tracks 7, 8, 11, 12), May 24, 1959 (tracks 3, 10) and June 16, 1959 (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 9).
Jimmy Smith – organ
Percy France - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 4-6 & 9)
Kenny Burrell – guitar
Donald Bailey – drums
Home Cookin' -- Remastered CD
Jimmy Smith
1960/2004 Blue Note Records
Soul Food, Chicken Grease, and Hammond B-3 soul, April 20, 2000
By Sean K Hur (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Home Cookin (Audio CD)
Wow, now here's a good work for you hammond b-3 fans. The small 3 personal group that basically epitomizes the Jimmy Smith sound in his blue-note years are here. With the added tenor saxophone work of Percy France, you got a great combination of soul food for you ears! Like the title of the album, there is a great deal of blues entwined inside every track. Highlights on the album were immediately the really driving "I Got a Woman," a great Ray Charles standard that Kenny Burrell, another fine jazz guitarist really shines. There are points when it seems that this is more a blues-jazz group, there isn't much in terms of be-bop flashiness, which may turn off some arrogant jazz types. It seems that Jimmy Smith's greatest work isn't in the spitty organ leads he pumps, its the subtle organ bass lines that sound incredible. THERE IS NO BASS PLAYER IN HIS GROUP! Every track reveals a good blues sensibility that the hammond b-3 organ seems to lend itself too. Jimmy Smith's album here helps to bridge a great gap between the intellectual and heady jazz of the era with the low-down chicken house organ sounds... Incredible, and this album is one of his best!
All compositions by Jimmy Smith except as indicated
"See See Rider" (Ma Rainey) - 6:35
"Sugar Hill" (Kenny Burrell) - 5:19
"I Got a Woman" (Ray Charles, Renald Richard) - 3:55
"Messin' Around" - 5:55
"Gracie" - 5:54
"Come on Baby" (Burrell) - 6:50
"Motorin' Along" (Jimmy McGriff) - 5:09
Bonus tracks on CD reissue:
"Since I Fell for You" (Buddy Johnson) - 4:19
"Apostrophe" (Percy France) - 6:35
"Groanin'" (Jack McDuff) - 8:10
"Motorin' Along" [alternate take] (McGriff) - 5:02
"Since I Fell for You" [alternate take] (Johnson) - 6:27
Recorded on July 15, 1958 (tracks 7, 8, 11, 12), May 24, 1959 (tracks 3, 10) and June 16, 1959 (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 9).
Jimmy Smith – organ
Percy France - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 4-6 & 9)
Kenny Burrell – guitar
Donald Bailey – drums
Dennie
Well-Known Member
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
Well-Known Member
I know, I know. It's a little early, but I've been wanting to hear this one, so in it goes.... :handgestures-thumbup:
Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas -- Remastered 96/24 Bit CD
Kenny Burrell
1966/2003 Cadet/Verve Records
Kenny Burrell: Soulful Little Christmas, December 12, 2011
By
D.R.L. (Austin, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas (Audio CD)
~ I have a lot of Kenny Burrell CDs in my collection. I have a fair number of Christmas CDs in my collection. Having this CD that combines the two is wonderful. I had the original 1966 LP version and wore it out by playing it so many times every Christmas season. Having it on CD allows me to play and re-play it and enjoy it even more than I did in the past.
~ The arrangements by Richard Evans, Kenny, and Esmond Edwards on various tunes are outstanding - orchestra conducted by Richard Evans.
Kenny's solos are as usual tasteful, artistic, and swinging.
~ All tracks are excellent, but "Little Drummer Boy" and "My Favorite Things" are elevated to the level of being great by the arrangements and solos.
~ If you play this CD along with Jimmy Smith's Christmas Cookin' CD you will have yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas.
Track Listing
1. Little Drummer Boy, The
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
3. My Favorite Things
4. Away in a Manger
5. Mary's Little Boy Chile
6. White Christmas
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. Christmas Song, The
9. Go Where I Send Thee
10. Silent Night
11. Twelve Days of Christmas
12. Merry Christmas Baby
Personnel includes: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Evans (arranger, conductor); Esmond Edwards (arranger), others unknown. Recorded at Ter-Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois in October 1966. Originally released on Cadet (779). Includes liner notes by Barbara J. Gardner
Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas -- Remastered 96/24 Bit CD
Kenny Burrell
1966/2003 Cadet/Verve Records
Kenny Burrell: Soulful Little Christmas, December 12, 2011
By
D.R.L. (Austin, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas (Audio CD)
~ I have a lot of Kenny Burrell CDs in my collection. I have a fair number of Christmas CDs in my collection. Having this CD that combines the two is wonderful. I had the original 1966 LP version and wore it out by playing it so many times every Christmas season. Having it on CD allows me to play and re-play it and enjoy it even more than I did in the past.
~ The arrangements by Richard Evans, Kenny, and Esmond Edwards on various tunes are outstanding - orchestra conducted by Richard Evans.
Kenny's solos are as usual tasteful, artistic, and swinging.
~ All tracks are excellent, but "Little Drummer Boy" and "My Favorite Things" are elevated to the level of being great by the arrangements and solos.
~ If you play this CD along with Jimmy Smith's Christmas Cookin' CD you will have yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas.
Track Listing
1. Little Drummer Boy, The
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
3. My Favorite Things
4. Away in a Manger
5. Mary's Little Boy Chile
6. White Christmas
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. Christmas Song, The
9. Go Where I Send Thee
10. Silent Night
11. Twelve Days of Christmas
12. Merry Christmas Baby
Personnel includes: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Evans (arranger, conductor); Esmond Edwards (arranger), others unknown. Recorded at Ter-Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois in October 1966. Originally released on Cadet (779). Includes liner notes by Barbara J. Gardner
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Soulful Christmas -- CD
Aaron Neville
1993 A&M Records
Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas is at once familiar yet progressive, traditional, prayerful, heartfelt, fun, and sexy. Neville lends his angelic voice to timeless holiday standards, resulting in one of the more compelling American holiday albums of the 1990s. Neville's treatment of classics such as "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is absolutely stirring, and he infuses these lullabies with so much warmth and sincerity that they can even touch the hardest, most cynical audiences. Neville also covers more contemporary tunes, such as "Please Come Home for Christmas," and augments his warm renditions of "The Christmas Song" and "White Christmas" with classic pop arrangements, filled with lush strings, piano, and even saxophone. The real gems, however, include the irresistibly swingin' "Such a Night," which should become mandatory for any Christmas party, and the equally intoxicating, hand clapping "Louisiana Christmas Day." The album ends on a spiritual tone with the tender "Star Carol" and the moving, organ-accompanied "The Bells of St. Mary's." Neville wholly succeeds in crafting a fun, Cajun-spiced yet traditional Christmas album, which manages to capture all of the joy, passion, spirituality ,and nostalgia which goes along with the holiday season. ~ Jose F. Promis
Track Listing
1. Please Come Home for Christmas
2. O Holy Night
3. Christmas Song, The
4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
5. White Christmas
6. Such a Night
7. O Little Town of Bethlehem
8. Silent Night
9. Louisiana Christmas Day
10. Star Carol, The
11. Bells of St. Mary's, The
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits -- CD
Vince Guaraldi Trio
1998 Fantasy Records
Good Grief!, December 25, 1999
By Mark Savary "moon_city" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits (Audio CD)
For years Charlie Brown was a holiday staple for our family. Between Snoopy soundtracks and Mister Rogers' walking-through-the-neighborhood music, I grew up with a real fondness for jazz.
Almost all of these cuts will be instantly recognizable, and those that aren't right off will eventually come to mind. The music will conjure up fond rememberances of childhood and holidays, which is a powerful combination. And besides, it's just plain fun to listen to.
Besides the classic "Linus & Lucy", the Christmas theme "Christmas Time is Here" followed by it's intrumental counterpart, and the hard to find "Thanksgiving Theme" make this CD a bargain.
For a fan of the Peanuts gang, this CD is anything but wishy-washy.
Track Listing
1. Joe Cool - (previously unreleased)
2. Surfin' Snoopy - (previously unreleased)
3. Heartburn Waltz - (previously unreleased)
4. Track Meet - (previously unreleased)
5. Camptown Races - (previously unreleased)
6. Oh, Good Grief! - (previously unreleased, vocal)
7. Charlie Brown Theme
8. Schroeder
9. Charlie's Blues - (previously unreleased)
10. Great Pumpkin Waltz - (previously unreleased)
11. Thanksgiving Theme - (previously unreleased)
12. Linus and Lucy
13. Christmas Time Is Here - (previously unreleased, vocal)
14. Christmas Time Is Here - (previously unreleased, TRUE instrumental) //g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/dc/3f/483b793509a045096d702110.L.jpg
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Big Bands -- CD
Artie Shaw
1991 Time Life Music
From Arthur Arshawsky To Premier Clarinetist/Big Band Leader September 29, 2007
By AvidOldiesCollector
This is but one volume of the massive Time-Life "mail order only" Big Band series of a couple of decades ago which covered all the early greats, and if you can get your hands on one of these Artie Shaw editions at the price being shown, go for it. Fast while they last.
The sound reproduction is just excellent and in the fold-out insert you get 2 1/2 pages on his career and another 2 1/2 pages providing comments on each of the recordings included by the noted jazz cornetist Richard M. (Dick) Sudhalter. Also, there is a complete discography of the contents, including musicians involved, which range from 1938 to 1941.
As with the Glen Gray entry in the series, the producers of this volume and Encore Artie Shaw chose to include an unusual number of previously-unreleased selections and non-hits. Puzzling considering that Artie had posted54 hits from 1936 to 1952!
Nightmare
Traffic Jam
Moon Glow
Softly As In a Morning Sunrise
Carioca
Begin the Beguine
Back Bay Shuffle
Non-Stop Flight
Any Old Time
Octoroon
Indian Love Call
Zigeuner
At Sundown
Gloomy Sunday
The Man from Mars
Frenesi
Star Dust
Adios Mariquita Linda
Vilia
El Rancho Grande
Yesterdays
Dennie
Well-Known Member
On The Road -- CD
Louis Armstrong
1992 Delta Music
No other musician shaped and defined jazz quite like Louis Armstrong. Contrary to the inscription on Jelly Roll Morton's business cards, if anybody was the father of jazz, Armstrong was. ON THE ROAD is the perfect introduction to this inimitable band leader and trumpet icon. A collection of Pops Armstrong's biggest hits, including "Mack the Knife," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and "C'est Si Bon," among others, this CD gives listeners a chance to hear this jazz legend really roar.Armstrong sings on many of these numbers, and of course plays the trumpet with great verve and precision. ON THE ROAD is a live concert probably recorded sometime in the early '60s--unfortunately, the CD's packaging doesn't indicate exactly when or where. Nonetheless, the stereo fidelity of this recording adds to the music's clarity, making Satchmo and his All Stars really sparkle. An extremely enjoyable, stimulating listen.
Track Listing
1. I Love Jazz
2. High Society
3. Ole Miss Blues
4. Blue Moon
5. Sweet Georgia Brown
6. Blues
7. Mack the Knife
8. Tenderly
9. You'll Never Walk Alone
10. Baby, It's Cold Outside
11. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
12. Mahogany Hall Stomp
13. C'Est Si Bon
14. Vie en Rose, La
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! -- CD
David Benoit with Many Special Guests
2000 GRP Records
An album of Peanuts-related music performed by David Benoit is a no-brainer, not only because of the retirement and death of Charles Schultz, who drew the comic strip, but also because Benoit has in recent years taken over writing the music for the ongoing series of shows, which were scored originally by Vince Guaraldi. Benoit emphasizes his predecessor by devoting seven of the album's ten tracks to Guaraldi compositions. Unfortunately, he begins with one of those exercises in necrophilia that is usually the province of the less-talented progeny of great singers, overdubbing a few of his own unnecessary noodlings on the original recording of "Linus and Lucy." Fortunately, things improve after that, as the trio of Benoit, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Peter Erskine is joined by a series of high-profile guest musicians: guitarist Marc Antoine on "Pebble Beach" and "Red Baron"; trumpeter Chris Botti on Benoit's "Linus Tells Charlie"; saxophonist Michael Brecker on "Freda"; and guitarist Russell Malone on "Blue Charlie Brown." Despite the spring release date, the inclusion of the near-standard "Christmas Time Is Here" is inevitable, and here it's sung by Take 6. In an inspired move, the album closes with Al Jarreau's winsome take on "Happiness," a song from the stage musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. All in all, this is a pleasant, if minor, addition to Benoit's catalog. ~ William Ruhlmann
Track listing
1. Linus and Lucy
2. Charlie Brown Theme
3. Pebble Beach
4. Linus Tells Charlie
5. Frieda
6. Christmas Time Is Here
7. Getting Ready
8. Blue Charlie Brown
9. Red Baron
10. Happiness
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Big Notes -- CD
Film & The BB's
1985 Digital Music Products
You can't go wrong with Flim.. June 30, 2000
By Doc Sarvis
Format:Audio CD
Flim and the BBs have always been viewed as "audiophile" recordings, noted more for their dynamic range and digital purity than for musical content. While there is a bit of truth to this (this isn't exactly ground-breaking from a style perspective) I still think it's a bit of a bum rap. Yes, this is high-quality recording, guaranteed to show off the finest stereo system to its fullest...even fifteen years after it was recorded, it's still state-of-the-art.
But that's not all. This is super-enjoyable, if predictable, new-age light jazz. I've always felt that Flim had a certain quality of optimism in its music that makes its appeal universal...there's an exuberance that's hard to pin down, but imediately apparent, that I've seldom heard anywhere else, regardless of the recording technology in use. Listen to it for its own sake!
1. New America
2. Heart Throb
3. At The Hop
4. Funhouse
5. Bergland
6. Street Charmer
7. Boogie Palace
8. Rebecca's Hideaway
9. Invisible Woman
10. Atosha
11. Born To Love You
Dennie
Well-Known Member
L.A.G.Q. -- 24 Bit CD
Los Angles Guitar Quartet
1998 Sony Classical
LAGQ Offers Free World Travel With This Album November 17, 1999
By Adam Shandler (shandler.dhrdc@att.net)
Format:Audio CD
If you're just looking for guitar music; perhaps a performer sitting in a folding chair in a dark theater strumming away, then don't buy this album. But if you're the kind of guitar advocate who wants to finish listening to a CD and say "I'm full," then give your ears (and soul) a treat with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's L.A.G.Q. The album jetsets the listener around the world beginning with two very clever African tunes and then hastens for Japanese, Brazilian, Italian and Eastern European shores. And there are no egos on this album. Each of the group's members rotate in showcasing their adept at the instrument. What makes the album even more enjoyable though, is its open-door policy with guest musicians: virtuosos at their respective crafts. With these guests, LAGQ achieves its goal, painting the musical landscape of each geographic destination.
Album Tracks
1. African Suite: Mbira
2. African Suite: Djembe
3. African Suite: A Furiosa (Maxixe)
4. African Suite: Gongan
5. African Suite: Mysterious Habitats
6. Klezmer Dances: I. Introduction
7. Klezmer Dances: II. Terkish (der yid In yerushalayim)
8. Klezmer Dances: III. Freilachs (Medley)
9. Klezmer Dances: Dredlocked
10. Fiesta: I. La Fiesta de la Tirana
11. Fiesta: II. Tarantella
12. Fiesta: Kojo-no-tsuki
13. Fiesta: Passage
14. Fiesta: Muir Woods
15. Fiesta: Spain
16. Fiesta: Farewell To Stromness