What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Intersection -- CD

Earl Thomas

2005 Memphis Records

Great Album!, August 15, 2006
By T. Steckling (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Intersection (Audio CD)

After seeing Earl Thomas live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2006, It was a must to go and buy his CD's.

Earl Thomas - Intersection, is a great album, with a lot well-known covers, excellent mix of blues, soul, jazz, and gospel! Earl Thomas' voice is amazing - never seen something like this before. His live shows are extraordinary and remarkable.

A must for all modern soul lovers!

1. Workin’ Together
2. The Higher Ground (Everything Is Alright)
3. The Bright Side Of You (Let Me See)
4. Bang A Gong
5. Sweet Like Sugar
6. The Lucky One
7. Life OF My Broken Heart
8. No Two Wrongs
9. Your Daddy’s E
10. Brown Sugar

 

[Dennie]

Greatest Love Songs -- CD

Will Downing

2002 Hip-O/Island Records

The best male R&B vocalist of our time., April 22, 2005
By Justo Roteta (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Greatest Love Songs (Audio CD)

Will Downing is quite simply the best male R&B vocalist of our time and his voice is simply phenomenal. He is truly an heir to the great R&B and Jazz crooners of yesteryear who keeps their vocal magic and musical legacies through his music. If you like the music of such legends as Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman and Marvin Gaye you'll love Will Downing. This CD contains most of his biggest hits from 1988-2000 with liner notes and comments on each song written by Will himself.

Track Listing
1. Free
2. Where Is the Love?
3. Closer to You
4. Wishing on a Star - (radio edit)
5. I'll Wait
6. Giving My All to You
7. I Try
8. I Go Crazy
9. Lover's Paradise
10. Sorry, I
11. Don't Wait for Love
12. All About You
13. Eternal Love
14. If She Knew
15. When You Need Me
16. Only a Moment Away

 

[Dennie]

Satch Plays Fats - A Tribute to the Imortal Fats Waller -- Remastered CD

Louis Armstrong and his All Stars

1955/2008 Columbia Legacy

Amazon.com

Thomas "Fats" Waller was a brilliant stride pianist and singer, and certainly the only jazz musician who could rival Louis Armstrong as an entertainer, communicating some of the larger-than-life vitality and humor that Armstrong possessed. Waller was also one of the first great songwriters of jazz, his phrasing perfectly mated to the music's rhythmic nuances. This Centennial edition of Satch Plays Fats begins with the nine tracks of Armstrong's 1955 LP devoted to some of Waller's best-known songs, from the drive of "I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby" and the smooth bounce of "Ain't Misbehavin'" to the moving pathos of "Black and Blue." It was one of the highlights of Armstrong's later career, directly comparable to another magnificent session devoted to a single songwriter, Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy. Armstrong is joined by his regular All-Stars, the well-traveled group that matched his clarion trumpet with the vocal smears of trombonist Trummy Young and the woody, liquid clarinet of fellow New Orleans master Barney Bigard, all superbly supported by pianist Billy Kyle, bassist Arvell Shaw, and drummer Barrett Deems. The CD also includes four alternate takes from the 1955 session, and adds another seven tracks of Armstrong's early recordings of Waller tunes. There are versions of "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Black and Blue," recorded in 1929 when Armstrong was featured in the Connie's Hot Chocolates show, and a stunning trumpet solo on "Blue Turning Grey over You." The result is a valuable composite portrait of Armstrong's enduring relationship with Waller's songs. --Stuart Broomer

1. Honeysuckle Rose
2. Blue Turning Grey over You
3. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me)
4. Squeeze Me
5. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now
6. All That Meat and No Potatoes
7. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling
8. (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue
9. Ain't Misbehavin'
10. (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue [Edited Alternate Version]
11. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me) [Edited Alternate Version]
12. Blue Turning Grey over You [Edited Alternate Version]
13. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling [Edited Alternate Version]
14. Squeeze Me
15. (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue
16. Ain't Misbehavin'
17. Blue Turning Grey over You
18. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now
19. Sweet Savannah Sue
20. That Rhythm Man

 

[Dennie]

A Very She & Him Christmas -- CD

She & Him (Zoe Deschanel & M. Ward)

2011 Merge Records

2011 holiday release. A Very She & Him Christmas is a wonderful collection of holiday tunes from two of music's most impressive artists Zooey Deschanel (She) & M. Ward (Him). Inspired by seminal holiday albums by the likes of The Carpenters, Vince Guaraldi, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley and more, She & Him have set out to create an intimate holiday recording of Christmas classics that helps bring new emotions out of old songs.

With each purchase, a portion of proceeds from this album will be donated to 826National.

1. "The Christmas Waltz" Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne 2:37
2. "Christmas Day" Brian Wilson 3:24
3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin 3:42
4. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram 2:26
5. "Christmas Wish" Joey Spampinato 2:58
6. "Sleigh Ride" Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish 2:44
7. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Johnny Marks 2:00
8. "Silver Bells" Jay Livingston, Ray Evans 1:57
9. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Frank Loesser 2:17
10. "Blue Christmas" Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson 3:24
11. "Little Saint Nick" Wilson, Mike Love 2:10
12. "The Christmas Song" Bob Wells, Mel Tormé 2:26

 

[Dennie]

From East Memphis To Kingston - Soul Revisited... -- CD

Various Artists

1999 Ugly Man International (Promo Use Only Stamp on Cover)

Fresh take on Memphis sound, June 17, 2000
By Tim Alderton (Red Lake, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: From East Memphis to Kingston (Audio CD)

With the Memphis sound entering its fifth decade, this cover by various reggae artists brings freshness and verve to a genre that refuses to fade. Jack Radics/Red Dragon version of Soul Man rekindles the energy of Sam and Dave's original and Third World's cover of Respect demands just that. Perfect choice to accompany a summer barbeque - pass the hot sauce.

1. Knock On Wood - Spanner Banner & Scotty
2. Respect Yourself - Third World
3. I Don't Want To Be With Nobody But You - Ericia Newell
4. Tired Of Being Alone - Toots & The Maytals
5. Soul Man - Jack Radics & Red Dragon
6. I Betcha Didn't Know That - Chaka Demus & Pliers
7. I've Been Lonely For So Long - Stingers
8. I Can't Stand The Rain - Brian & Tony Gold
9. Shelter In Time Of Storm - Richie Stephens
10. Take Me To The River - Tyrone Taylor
11. Hold On I'm Coming - Chalice
12. You Got Me Hummin' - Freddy McGregor
13. Let's Stay Together - Junior Tucker
14. Dock Of The Bay (Instrumental) - Bobby Keys

 

[Dennie]

Just Tell Me That You Want Me - A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac -- CD

Various Artists

2012 Hear Music

Fleetwood Mac was the subject of an all-star tribute back in 1998, when Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours appeared. That full-length album tribute celebrated the Mac's biggest hit in a big way, concentrating entirely on major-label acts like Elton John and Matchbox 20, but 2012's Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac is decidedly more eccentric, as its title -- a line borrowed from "Tusk" -- no doubt suggests. Apart from Marianne Faithfull and Billy Gibbons, along with Americana singer Trixie Whitley, every band here exists solely within the realm of indie rock and, collectively, there's been a decision to stray from the confines of the standards of the Buckingham/Nicks songbook, with Bob Welch and Peter Green eras almost as well-represented as oddities from Lindsey Buckingham's album tracks. Certainly, the major hits come from Nicks: Antony essays an appropriately florid version of "Landslide," Karen Elson brings a bit of spooky blues to the witchy "Gold Dust Woman" -- a reinvention surpassed by Best Coast's sprightly, insistent "Rhiannon," and the Kills turning "Dreams" into something resembling nightmares. Hooks take a backseat -- only the New Pornographers' "Think About Me" really pushes the power pop angle -- to eerie, dreamy textures, with the Lee Ranaldo Band and J Mascis setting a pitch-perfect keynote with "Albatross," even though it's hardly just guitars here. Tame Impala push "That's All for Everyone" onto waves of analog synths, MGMT give "Future Games" a considerable reworking, Gardens & Villa turn "Gypsy" into electro-pop, and Crystal Ark perform a similar trick with "Tusk," signaling the kind of imagination and depth that make Just Tell Me That You Want Me an unusually satisfying tribute album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. Albatross [Lee Ranaldo Band featuring J Mascis]
2. Landslide [Antony]
3. Before The Beginning [Trixie Whitley]
4. Oh Well [Billy Gibbons & Co.]
5. Rhiannon [Best Coast]
6. Think About Me [The New Pornographers]
7. Angel [Marianne Faithfull]
8. Silver Springs [Lykke Li]
9. Gold Dust Woman [Karen Elson]
10. Storms [Matt Sweeney and Bonnie Prince Billy]
11. Straight Back [Washed Out]
12. Thats All For Everyone [Tame Impala]
13. Sisters Of The Moon [Craig Wedren with St. Vincent]
14. Dreams [The Kills]
15. Gypsy [Gardens & Villa]
16. Tusk [The Crystal Ark]
17. Future Games [MGMT]

 

[Botch]

5.1 SACD... :music-listening:

 

[Botch]

Ah.

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

Healing The Wounds -- CD

The Crusaders

1997 GRP Records

The Crusaders as they should be!, October 10, 2000
By Allen Davis (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Healing the Wounds (Audio CD)

This cd is music by The Crusaders as it should be. As a long time Joe Sample and Crusaders fans, it was good for me to enjoy what I would consider to be "vintage" Crusader stuff. It also did me a lot of good for me to hear my favorite bassist, Marcus Miller, added to the mix. He adds that touch of funk that only he can do. With Marcus thumpin' the bass, Joe tickling the ivory, and the rest of the guys doing their things, you can't help but love this piece. "Healing the Wounds" is probably the best Crusader cd to date. If you like the old Crusader stuff, you'll love this! It's great music from cover to cover.

Track listing

1. Pessimisticism
2. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
3. Little Things Mean a Lot
4. Cause We've Ended as Lovers
5. Shake Dance
6. Maputo
7. Healing the Wounds
8. Running Man

 

[Botch]

Healing The Wounds -- CD

The Crusaders

Dennie, is the trombone player back with them on this disk? They were never "The Crusaders", to my ears, after he left.

 

[Dennie]

Healing The Wounds -- CD

The Crusaders

Dennie, is the trombone player back with them on this disk? They were never "The Crusaders", to my ears, after he left.

No, sadly Wayne Henderson is not on this disc. But, that being what it is, this was truly an enjoyable disc, IMHO! :eusa-clap:



Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas -- Remastered 96/24 Bit CD :text-bravo:

Kenny Burrell

1966/2003 Cadet/Verve Records

Kenny Burrell: Soulful Little Christmas, December 12, 2011
ByD.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]

The Best of Phoebe Snow -- CD

Phoebe Snow

1990 Columbia Records

Words can't describe..., May 25, 1999
By Kevin L. Humphreys (Madison, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Best of Phoebe Snow (Audio CD)

If you know nothing about Phoebe's work (that would be a shame, by the way), then you should get this album. Every song is fine, and they show off all of her many musical gifts, ranging from the tender ("Two-Fisted Love", "All Over") to the barnburners ("Shaky Ground"), to ones that start off sweet and build to an incredible level of intensity ("Teach Me Tonight").

Phoebe also gave the single greatest live performance I've ever seen on the Letterman show. Some years ago (I can't remember how many) she blew the doors off everything with an awesome rendition of "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie-Woogie Flu" (regrettably not included here, although she later rerecorded it for the album "I Can't Complain.") This woman has pipes to die for and a range you just can't believe.

So what am I saying? BUY THIS ALBUM!!

Track listing

1. Two Fisted Love
2. All Over
3. Poetry Man
4. Teach Me Tonight
5. Don't Let Me Down
6. Shakey Ground
7. Love Makes a Woman
8. Never Letting Go
9. Every Night
10. Harpo's Blues

 

[Dennie]

Christmas In Manhattan - Elegant Holiday Instrumentals -- CD

Various Artists

1996 Unison Music

CAN'T DO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. SMOOTH AS EGG NOG. RIVALS THE GRP HOLIDAY STUFF., October 27, 2005
By VINCENT P TARSITANO (PORT ORANGE, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Christmas in Manhattan (Audio CD)

I picked this up a few years ago in a "bargain" bin. Boy, was I rewarded. Knowing what a gem this collection is, I'd gladly pay full price!

CHRISTMAS IN MANHATTAN is just a title here, as this set was recorded in Nashville, by some of that city's finest, under the direction of David Huntsinger. Very tasty versions, featuring saxes, flugelhorn, trumpet, great keyboard/string work, with a lot of originality, but also quite faithful to the composers' intent, I believe.

While listening, however, you could easily imagine that you are in a Manhattan jazz club during the holiday season [how cool would THAT be!].

"I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day," is probably the most dazzling instrumental version I ever heard of that tune, featuring a full, acoustic, orchestral sound, with a great jazzy underscoring vibe. "The Christmas Song [Chestnuts Roasting...]" is very beautifully executed, as well, as is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." This ensemble's version of "Pat-A-Pan" is wonderfully novel and jazzy through-and-through. The medley of "Deck The Halls/O Come All Ye Faithful" is brilliant, as it combines the best new age/jazz/and classical feels.

This collection is clunker-free, and very enjoyable from start to finish.

DON'T PASS UP THIS ONE! [...Even if you have to write to UNISON MUSIC, Nelson Place @ Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214.]

1. Christmas Song
2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
3. Jolly Old St. Nicholas
4. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Deck the Halls (With O Come All Ye Faithful) [Medley]
7. Pat-A-Pan
8. What Child Is This?
9. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (Medley With Angels We Have Heard and Go, Tell it on the Mountain
10. How Far Is It to Bethlehem?

 

[Dennie]

Joy: A Holiday Collection -- CD

Jewel

1999 Atlantic Records

I've heard the voice of an Angel.....and it is Jewel!, November 22, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Joy - A Holiday Collection (Audio CD)

I wasn't overly familiar with Jewel before buying this disc, but picked it up based on reviews here. I own well over 100 Christmas CDs -- so I'm not easy to impress. However, Jewel's voice is a gift, and she uses it extremely well in this bound-to-become-a-classic collection. It's moving, poignant and, most of all, sincere. It's not overly done, so as to let her voice shine through. The arrangements are lovely.

I highly recommend this disc.

"Joy to the World" (Mason, Watts) – 3:05
"O Holy Night" (Adam, Dwight) – 3:44
"Silent Night" (Gruber, Mohr) – 3:07
"Winter Wonderland" (Bernard, Smith) – 3:39
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Brooks, Redner) – 3:11
"Ave Maria" (Bach, Gounod) – 3:44
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Mendelssohn, Wesley) – 3:21
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Marks) – 1:53
"Face of Love" (Kilcher) – 3:27
"Medley: Go Tell It on the Mountain/Life Uncommon/From a Distance" (Gold, Kilcher) – 6:31
"I Wonder as I Wander" (Niles) – 1:58
"Gloria" (Kilcher) – 2:38
"Hands" [Christmas version] (Kilcher, Leonard) – 4:13

 

[Dennie]

This is a fun SACD Sampler. On Track # 3, The Clooney Sister's sing "Straighten Up And Fly Right". It starts out with a original 1945 Mono Audition tape that sounds about as good as AM Radio. But, at about the 54 second mark, the remastered stereo version kicks in and WOW! :eusa-clap: A very nice effect, especially if someone is using this as a Demo or Showoff piece! The whole thing is good. :handgestures-thumbup:

Concord Jazz SACD Sampler -- SACD

Various Artists

2003 Concord Records

Great demo disk, November 24, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Concord Records SACD Sampler 1 (Multichannel Hybrid SACD) (Audio CD)

Fantastic disk with which to demo your SACD audio system. Start with Clooney, which has the original mono sound through the center channel and watch the reactions when it broadens to a modern 5.1 version. Then play 'Watermelon Man'. Jaws will drop.

Track Listing

1. Beija-Flor - Jim Hall Quartet
2. Come With Me - Tania Maria
3. Straighten Up and Fly Right - Rosemary Clooney
4. Watermelon Man - Poncho Sanchez, Mongo Santamaría
5. Listen Here - Gene Harris Quartet
6. My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More - Carmen McRae
7. Airegin - Tito Puente
8. Blood Count - Stan Getz
9. Love Walked In - The Boss Brass, Rob McConnell, Mel Tormé
10. Serengeti - Cal Tjader
11. In Walked Bud - Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers
12. O Nosso Amor - Charlie Byrd Trio, Ken Peplowski
13. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year - Michael Feinstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

 

[Dennie]

This Is Christmas -- CD

Luther Vandross

1995 Epic Records

Amazon.com

Rather than a do a rehash of many of the obvious traditional tunes that fill special holiday albums by contemporary performers, maestro Luther Vandross opted for the task of creating no fewer than 7 of the 10 tracks included on his 1995 Christmas release. The result is an album that demonstrates why Vandross is still considered the preeminent black male vocalist of close to two decades: as on typical Vandross recordings, the production is crisp and strong and the vocals are flawless. As usual, he employs the cream of musicians and background vocalists (including the inimitable Cissy Houston and Darlene Love, who is featured on the Motown-like duet "I Listen to the Bells")--the perfect backdrop for Vandross's distinctive sound, exemplified on the standout title track. "The Mistle Toe Jam" has the party-like feel of Vandross sides like "Bad Boy" and the more recent "Nights in Harlem," while "Every Year, Every Christmas" (cowritten with Richard Marx) is a soulful slow jam. A surprising reading of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "My Favorite Things" shows that if Vandross ever chose to, he could easily do a fine album of jazz standards, while "O Come All Ye Faithful" (featuring an all-star choir that includes Valerie Simpson) is given the album's most traditional reading. Standouts include the gorgeous "Please Come Home for Christmas" and the almost funky "A Kiss for Christmas." Easily one of the best Christmas albums around. --David Nathan

1. "With a Christmas Heart" Luther Vandross, Skip Anderson 4:04
2. "This Is Christmas" Vandross, Reed Vertelney 4:45
3. "The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)" Vandross, Ivan Hampden 4:45
4. "Every Year, Every Christmas" Vandross, Richard Marx 5:06
5. "My Favorite Things" Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II 5:58
6. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane 5:05
7. "I Listen to the Bells (with Darlene Love)" Vandross, Fonzi Thornton 6:07
8. "Please Come Home for Christmas" Vandross, Anderson 3:37
9. "A Kiss for Christmas" Vandross, Hampden 4:12
10. "O' Come All Ye Faithful" John Francis Wade, Frederick Oakeley 4:19

 

[No-L]

^^ :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

Shooting Rubber Bands At The Stars -- CD

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

1988 Geffen Records

Still My Favorite Group, November 17, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars (Audio CD)

Just buy this c.d. Until you hear it for yourself, there is nothing more I can say about it that will do justice to the lyrical and musical quality of Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians' songs. If you haven't heard other material by this group, check out "Ghost of a Dog," and (Edie solo) "Picture Perfect Morning." They are equally stellar accomplishments despite the lack of media attention. Go to bodyofwater.com/edie and post messages on the board to let the band know that their fans are still out here!

1. "What I Am" Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow 4:54
2. "Little Miss S." Brickell, Withrow, Brad Houser, Brandon Aly, John Bush 3:37
3. "Air of December" Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush 5:54
4. "The Wheel" Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush 3:53
5. "Love Like We Do" Brickell 3:13
6. "Circle" Brickell, Withrow 3:11
7. "Beat the Time" Brickell, Withrow 2:58
8. "She" Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush 5:06
9. "Nothing" Brickell, Withrow 4:49
10. "Now" Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush 6:00
11. "Keep Coming Back" Brickell 2:42
12. "I Do" (Hidden track) Brickell 2:00