What Are You Listening To?

[Botch]

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

Passion Flower - Zoot Sims Plays Duke Ellington -- Remastered CD

Zoot Sims

1997 Pablo/OJC Records

Benny Carter provided the arrangements for the 16-piece band that accompanies the great tenor Zoot Sims on this set of Duke Ellington songs. The album is highlighted by "In a Mellow Tone," "I Got It Bad," "Passion Flower" and "Bojangles," but all nine selections are enjoyable and Sims is in top form. In fact it can easily be argued that Zoot Sims never made an indifferent or unswinging album, so it is not much of a surprise that this date is quite successful and should greatly appeal to straightahead jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing
1. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
2. In a Mellow Tone
3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
4. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
5. Black Butterfly
6. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
7. Your Love Has Faded
8. Bojangles
9. Passion Flower

 

[Dennie]

12 Songs of Christmas -- CD

Etta James

1998 Private Music

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

It's a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion.

Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea.

Each song on the album doesn't sound like a traditional carol, even if they're very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, they'll be quite pleased indeed.

* 1.Winter Wonderland
* 2.Jingle Bells
* 3.This Time Of Year
* 4.Merry Christmas Baby
* 5.Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
* 6.Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
* 7.White Christmas
* 8.The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
* 9.The Little Drummer Boy (Carol Of The Drum)
* 10.Silent Night
* 11.Joy To The World
* 12.O Holy Night

 

[Dennie]

Tower of Power -- CD

Tower of Power

1973/1990(?) Warner Bros. Records

TOWER OF POWER COOKS BEST ON THIS ONE April 1, 2000
By don page
Format:Audio CD

If you don't own anything by T.O.P., this is one to start with. I own everything they have recorded and this is my favorite. I listened to this last night and decided it is time to buy it on C.D. I only have it on vinyl. It is one of those recordings. It stands the test of time. Any young Jazz musician coming up would say, WOW!


All songs written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka except when noted.

"What Is Hip?" (Castillo, Kupka, Garibaldi) - 5:08
"Clever Girl" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 2:56
"This Time It's Real" (Castillo, Kupka, Bartlett) - 2:54
"Will I Ever Find a Love?" – 3:51
"Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" (Fulton) - 4:52
"So Very Hard to Go" – 3:41
"Soul Vaccination" – 5:13
"Both Sorry Over Nothin" (Castillo, Kupka, Williams) - 3:25
"Clean Slate" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 3:22
"Just Another Day" (Conte) - 4:34

 

[No-L]

12 Songs of Christmas -- CD

Etta James

1998 Private Music

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

It's a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion.

Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea.

Each song on the album doesn't sound like a traditional carol, even if they're very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, they'll be quite pleased indeed.

* 1.Winter Wonderland
* 2.Jingle Bells
* 3.This Time Of Year
* 4.Merry Christmas Baby
* 5.Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
* 6.Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
* 7.White Christmas
* 8.The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
* 9.The Little Drummer Boy (Carol Of The Drum)
* 10.Silent Night
* 11.Joy To The World
* 12.O Holy Night

How do you like this one, Dennie?

 

[Xgm3]

 

[Srvy]

Playing some Alabama this morning.

As far as pop/country goes, I like this 1980s stuff far more than the pop/country of of the 2000/10s.

Man oh man ain't that the truth I hardly recognize whats going for country now days.

Ain't nothing wrong with a lil Alabama.

 

[Dennie]

Playing some Alabama this morning.

As far as pop/country goes, I like this 1980s stuff far more than the pop/country of of the 2000/10s.

Man oh man ain't that the truth I hardly recognize whats going for country now days.

Ain't nothing wrong with a lil Alabama.

Or in this case, a LOT of Alabama!!!! ...... :laughing-rolling:

I have that set and enjoy it very much.



Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Dennie]

12 Songs of Christmas -- CD

Etta James

1998 Private Music

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

It's a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion.

Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea.

Each song on the album doesn't sound like a traditional carol, even if they're very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, they'll be quite pleased indeed.

* 1.Winter Wonderland
* 2.Jingle Bells
* 3.This Time Of Year
* 4.Merry Christmas Baby
* 5.Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
* 6.Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
* 7.White Christmas
* 8.The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
* 9.The Little Drummer Boy (Carol Of The Drum)
* 10.Silent Night
* 11.Joy To The World
* 12.O Holy Night

How do you like this one, Dennie?

Hi No-L, I like it very much, but keep in mind, I like just about anything Etta has done!

She puts her own twist on the songs, as only Etta can do. Silent Night is fantastic!

Dennie :banana-dance:

 

[Dennie]

The Best of Bill Evans - The Riverside Years -- Remastered CD

Bill Evans

2004 Riverside Records

There is something about Bill Evans that sets him apart from his peers. Perhaps it's his compositional grace, or maybe his gentle touch. Either way, since his death in 1980, his musical legacy has done nothing but grow. This compilation documents the pianist's Riverside years, which began in 1956 and ended in 1963. Compiled by producer Orrin Keepnews, this CD begins with selections from the pianist's first album NEW JAZZ CONCEPTIONS and continues through to BILL EVANS TRIO AT SHELLY'S MANNE-HOLE. "Our Delight" from NEW JAZZ CONCEPTIONS shows the early be-bop brilliance of Evans. At the time, he was still under the spell of Bud Powell. However, "Waltz for Debby," which premiered on the same album, hints at the impressionistic leanings Evans possessed even at such a young age. Later tracks such as "Everything Happens to Me" spotlight Evans's greatest strength: his ballad playing. His solo rendition of this jazz standard is not only harmonically rich, and contrapuntally logical, it is filled with tremendous warmth and raw emotion. Few musicians have the ability to bring out such tenderness on a piano. Indeed, this was Evans's unique gift.

Track Listing
1. Waltz For Debby - (solo)
2. Waltz For Debby - (quartet)
3. Our Delight
4. Night and Day
5. Peace Piece
6. Woody 'N You - (take 2)
7. Blue in Green
8. Nardis
9. My Romance
10. If You Could See Me Now
11. You and the Night and the Music
12. Time Remembered
13. Everything Happens to Me
14. Swedish Pastry

Personnel: Bill Evans (piano); Jim Hall (guitar); Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Paul Chambers, Percy Heath, Ron Carter , Sam Jones, Scott LaFaro, Teddy Kotick, Chuck Israels (double bass); Connie Kay, Larry Bunker, Paul Motian, Philly Joe Jones (drums).Liner Note Author: Orrin Keepnews.

 

[Dennie]

Downright Upright -- CD

Brian Bromberg

2007 Artistry Records

Amazon.com

Long before the coining of "smooth jazz," catchy numbers like Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island," Joe Zawinul's "Mercy Mercy Mercy," and the Les McCann-Eddie Harris tune "Cold Duck Soup" enticed pop fans to cross over, however casually or tentatively, into jazz. Now, on veteran bassist Brian Bromberg's Downright Upright, those three songs are vehicles for name-brand smooth jazz players including saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Boney James and Gary Meek, keyboardists George Duke and Jeff Lorber, guitarist Lee Ritenour and trumpeter Rick Braun to do a little crossing back of sorts to show off their mainstream chops. Nobody will confuse the facility of their straightahead solos with real depth, however much emotion they pour into them. But it's an agreeable excursion for all concerned, with Bromberg making the most of his opportunities to lay down melodic lines. Even after the cover versions give way to originals in the same vein, the music stays lively. --Lloyd Sachs

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]

White Christmas -- CD

Al Green

1983 Hi Records

Amazon.com

Pure, loving, and honest. Those words describe the spirit of this holiday--and the voice of this soul music giant. Al Green, who became an ordained minister many years ago, could be expected to put his all into songs of praise such as "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night." On this collection, however, he gives equal time to more modern holiday favorites, lingering languidly over the melodies of numbers such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." The sounds are sweeter than the candy canes. --David Sprague

1. White Christmas
2. The Christmas Song
3. Winter Wonderland
4. I'll Be Home For Christmas
5. Jingle Bells
6. What Christmas Means To Me
7. Oh Holy Night
8. Silent Night
9. It Feels Like Christmas

 

[Dennie]

An Old Time Christmas -- CD

Randy Travis

1989 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

Randy Travis's throaty baritone glows like the embers of a Yule log all year long, so this selection of old and new Christmas favorites is every bit as cozy as a rug and a hot toddy by the fire. The Nashville all-stars backing him on this 1989 release make the classics (including Willie Nelson's oft-covered "Pretty Paper") sound sweet, but the real treats here are Travis's own "How Do I Wrap My Heart for Christmas" (co-written with hitmaker Paul Overstreet) and a pair of tunes that put an ironic twist on familiar titles, "Oh, What a Silent Night" and the wonderful "White Christmas Makes Me Blue." --Michael Ruby

1. "Old Time Christmas" (Stewart Harris) - 3:13
2. "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Dick Smith) - 2:22
3. "Meet Me Under The Mistletoe" (Joe Collins, Mark Irwin, Betsy Jackson) - 2:43
4. "White Christmas Makes Me Blue" (Rich Grissom, Neil Patton Rogers) - 3:25
5. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) - 2:05
6. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (Traditional) - 2:45
7. "Pretty Paper" (Willie Nelson) - 2:38
8. "Oh, What A Silent Night" (Mark Collie, Kathy Louvin) - 2:32
9. "How Do I Wrap My Heart Up For Christmas" (Paul Overstreet, Randy Travis) - 2:47
10. "The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) - 3:16

 

[Dennie]

B.G. in Hi-Fi -- Remastered CD

Benny Goodman

1954/1989 Capitol Jazz

Recorded on November 8, 9, 16 & 17, 1954. Includes liner notes by Dan Morgenstern.On this all-around excellent CD, Benny Goodman performs a dozen selections (mostly Fletcher Henderson arrangements) with a big band filled with sympathetic players in 1954 and eight other numbers with a pair of smaller units that also feature pianist Mel Powell and either Charlie Shavers or Ruby Braff on trumpets. Although the big-band era had been gone for almost a decade, Benny Goodman (then 46) plays these swing classics with enthusiasm and creativity and shows that there was never any reason for anyone to write him off as "behind the times." ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing
1. Let's Dance
2. Airmail Special
3. Ain't Misbehavin' - (previously unreleased, CD only)
4. Get Happy
5. Slipped Disc - (previously unreleased, CD only)
6. Jersey Bounce
7. When I Grow Too Old to Dream
8. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
9. Blue Lou
10. Jumpin' at the Woodside
11. Stompin' at the Savoy
12. Sent For You Yesterday and Here You Come Today
13. Rose Room - (previously unreleased, CD only)
14. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
15. Rock Rimmon
16. You're a Sweetheart
17. Somebody Stole My Gal
18. Anything For You, (I Would Do) - (previously unreleased, CD only)
19. Big John's Special
20. Let's Dance

Personnel: Benny Goodman (clarinet); Hyme Schertzer, Paul Ricci (alto saxophone); Boomie Richman, Al Klink (tenor saxophone); Sol Schlinger (baritone saxophone); Charlie Shavers, Chris Griffin, Ruby Braff, Bernie Privin, Carl Poole (trumpet); Will Bradley, Cutty Cutshall, Vernon Brown (trombone); Mel Powell (piano); Steve Jordan (guitar); George Duvivier (bass); Bobby Donaldson, Jo Jones (drums).

 

[Dennie]

The Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings -- Remastered CD

The Best of Louis Armstrong

2002 Columbia Legacy

Editorial Reviews
5 stars out of 5 - ...Some of the greatest jazz records ever made...
Uncut (20021101)

Track Listing
1. Heebie Jeebies
2. Muskrat Ramble
3. King of the Zulus
4. Jazz Lips
5. Willie the Weeper
6. Wild Man Blues
7. Alligator Crawl
8. Potato Head Blues
9. Weary Blues
10. Ory's Creole Trombone
11. Struttin' With Some Barbecue
12. West End Blues
13. Squeeze Me
14. Basin Street Blues
15. Beau Koo Jack
16. Muggles
17. St. James Infirmary
18. Tight Like This

Recorded between 1926 & 1928. Originally released on Okeh Records. Includes liner notes by Michael Brooks.All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet, cornet); Lil Armstrong (vocals, piano); Clarence Babcock (vocals); Kid Ory, John Thomas, Fred Robinson (trombone); Pete Briggs (tuba); Johnny Dodds, Jimmy Strong (clarinet);Mancy Cara, Johnny St. Cyr (banjo); Earl Hines (piano); Zutty Singleton,Baby Dodds (drums).Producers include: Richard M. Jones, Tommy Rockwell.Compilation producer: Michael Brooks.

 

[Dennie]

Melancholy Baby -- CD

Jaimee Paul

2011 Green Hill Records

Amazon.com

Jazz vocal maven, Jaimee Paul, lends her sultry, bluesy pipes to an eclectic collection of jazz, blues and pop standards. While delivering impressive tributes to the likes of Billie Holiday ("Don't Explain", "You've Changed"), Etta James ("Don't Cry Baby", "A Sunday Kind of Love"), Nina Simone ("I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl"), Paul also puts her unique spin on such contemporary classics as U2's, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", Curtis Mayfield's, "People Get Ready", and Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine."

Don't Cry Baby
Ain't No Sunshine
Come Rain Or Come Shine
I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
You've Changed
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
A Sunday Kind Of Love
Big Spender
Don't Explain
What'll I Do
People Get Ready
Smile
My Melancholy Baby (feat. Beegie Adair)

 

[Dennie]

Mostly Blues -- CD

Lionel Hampton

1999 Jazz Heritage

Lionel and Bobby Define "Deep Groove", December 18, 2005
By Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States)
(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)


No doubt this unnoticed, out-of-print session is languishing in scattered CD cut-out bins. But if you find a copy, grab it up--in fact, better make it several. Along with Hamp's fabled "Stardust" Concert (1947) this late Hampton entry deserves a place in anybody's record collection. "Mostly Blues" is a moody, mesmerizing session that hits an uncharacteristic groove for Lionel--more modern than swing era, more simmering than sizzling, more seductive than showy. Hampton goes for a Milt Jackson slow-vibrato sound and lets up on the technique and showmanship. Deserving an equal amount of credit is pianist Bobby Scott, heard here for one of the last times before cancer led to his premature death. He's an exceptional, hard-swinging, "blowing" piano player, and he makes the most of each of his turns, contributing solos that are gritty, incisive, always high-spirited--a perfect complement to the more deliberate and delayed attack of the vibes. And as for his comping, the man's a veritable funk machine, a combination of Horace Silver's chord voicings and Bernard Purdie's infectious beat.

Tracks 4 and 5 are pure "riffin' and groovin'" on E-flat blues. No solos to speak of--just Lionel and Bobby dancing around and with each other, steppin', struttin', and gliding on the smooth floor wax laid down by Bob Cranshaw and Grady Tate. As for the "real" tunes--"Someday My Prince Will Come," "A Train," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Bye Bye Blues," "Limehouse Blues" (neither of the latter technically a blues)--these guys are so steeped in the elemental 12-bar form that even the "standards" sound like basic blues.

Finally, reserve some praise for the recording engineer on this date. Maybe I've simply been listening to too many Rudy Van Gelder recordings lately, but "Mostly Blues" strikes me as exemplary for its acoustic depth and spaciousness. You are literally in the same room with the musicians, positioned close to the vibes and conscious of the location of each player. Even the sound of the bass (both acoustic and electric) is balanced and natural.

This may not be the kind of music that immediately arrests your attention (it's likely to get to your feet before your head), but after playing the CD many times, I can testify that it's simply incapable of wearing out its welcome.

Track listing

1. Bye Bye Blues
2. Someday My Prince Will Come
3. Take the 'A' Train
4. Blues for Jazz Beaux
5. Walkin' Uptown
6. Honeysuckle Rose
7. Mostly Blues
8. Limehouse Blues
9. Gone with the Wind

 

[Dennie]

Blues Caravan -- Remastered CD

Buddy Rich and his Sextet

1962/2005 Verve Records

Buddy Rich Drums In A Winner On This Session!, March 18, 2008
By J. Rich - See all my reviews
This review is from: Blues Caravan (Dig) (Audio CD)

"Blues Caravan" recorded in 1961 is, in my opinion, one of Buddy's best records to date. What makes this record so fresh besides the incredible musicians and the compositions is the instrumental line-up, which can only be described as inventive. I don't think Buddy has recorded anything this unique before or since. It's amazing that even though this recording is a sextet, it sounds like an octet!

Most of the compositions are uptempo, but there is a very beautiful rendition of Benny Golson's "I Remember Clifford" that closes the album. As I mentioned before, all the musicians are incredible and they are: Buddy Rich (leader and drums), Sam Most (flute), Rolf Ericson (trumpet), Mike Mainieri (vibes), Wyatt Ruther (bass), and Johnny Morris (piano). You couldn't have asked for a better band than this. What surprises me is this is the only album with this line-up. I wished they made another one!

If you're a Buddy Rich fan or just a fan of good jazz, then I highly recommend this record.

LP side A

"Blowin' the Blues Away" (Horace Silver) – 8:40
"B.R. Blues" (Buddy Rich) – 3:14
"Late Date" (Maynard) – 5:12

LP side B

"Caravan" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol) – 9:44
"Young Blood" (Mike Mainieri) – 5:59
"I Remember Clifford" (Benny Golson) – 3:35

----

Wyatt Ruther - double bass
Buddy Rich - drums
Sam Most - flute
Johnny Morris - piano
Rolf Ericson - trumpet
Mike Mainieri - vibraphone

Production

Creed Taylor - audio production

 

[Dennie]

Christmas Songs -- CD

Diana Krall

2005 Verve Records

Amazon.com

As the song goes, "Merry Christmas" has already "been said many times, many ways." Diana Krall's Christmas Songs is a worthy--though not particularly unique--addition to the holiday catalog. On it, she excels with an approach mastered long ago: elegant delivery that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In "Winter Wonderland" she promises to "frolic and play the Canadian way," which should draw smiles from her native land. (That'll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends "Jingle Bells" with the girlishly giddy statement, "I'm just crazy about horses." Well…can't argue with that. --Leah Weathersby

"Jingle Bells" (James Pierpont) – 3:26
"Let It Snow" (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) – 4:02
"The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 4:24
"Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) – 3:15
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Kim Cannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram) – 3:08
"Christmas Time Is Here" (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson) – 3:35
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 2:54
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) – 4:19
"White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) – 4:32
"What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?" (Frank Loesser) – 4:10
"Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) – 3:26
"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" (Irving Berlin) – 3:41