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Dennie
Well-Known Member
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
Well-Known Member
Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas -- CD
Mary Chapin Carpenter
2008 Zoe Records
This is a Christmas album worth listening to all year long. When Mary Chapin Carpenter set out to create Come Darkness, Come Light, she took a far different approach to recording a holiday album than most artists do. Rather than simply lending her voice to time-worn Christmas standards, Mary Chapin wrote her own set of heartfelt songs which explore the many meanings and emotions that Christmas evokes in each of us. These songs, mixed with a few hand-picked gems from other writers and rarely heard traditional tunes, will speak directly to the hearts of all Mary Chapin Carpenter fans. These are not merely holiday songs, they are simply great Mary Chapin Carpenter songs, both warm and intimate.
1. "Once in Royal David's City" Cecil Frances Alexander, Henry John Gauntlett 3:24
2. "Hot Buttered Rum" Tommy Thompson 3:29
3. "Still, Still, Still" Traditional 3:28
4. "On a Quiet Christmas Morn" Robin and Linda Williams 3:52
5. "Come Darkness, Come Light" Mary Chapin Carpenter 4:01
6. "Christmas Time in the City" Carpenter, John Jennings 3:23
7. "Candlelight Carol" John Rutter 4:00
8. "The Longest Night of the Year" Carpenter 3:34
9. "Thanksgiving Song" Carpenter 2:52
10. "Bells Are Ringing" Carpenter, Jennings 3:34
11. "Christmas Carol" Carpenter 5:11
12. "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" Traditional 8:07
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Stolen Moments -- CD
Lee Ritenour
1990 GRP Records
Flawless renditions of timeless tunes, April 28, 2000
By learjeff "learjeff" (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Stolen Moments (Audio CD)
Not a fan of Rittenour's fusion music, I was astounded to hear his rendition of Stolen Moments on the radio. This tune, and the rest of the album, is a great example of the finest of today's instrumental perfectionists, playing some great tunes of the heyday of jazz, with production values pleasing to both jazz aesthetes and casual listeners.
The tunes are recorded straight and clean without overdubbing. Unlike many direct-to-disc recordings, the playing is unrestrained, yet it achieves the perfection one expects from overdubbed construction. Best of all, these guys really groove together.
A nice range of styles and tempos, from the sultry Blue In Green and reflective Haunted Heart, to the lively Uptown and the strident St. Barts. Certainly not "ear candy", but still very pleasing, and therefore an excellent album to help guide one into the deeper waters of jazz. And the rendition of Stolen Moments is a must-listen to any serious jazz afficionado.
Track listing
1. Uptown
2. Stolen Moments
3. 24th Street Blues
4. Haunted Heart
5. Waltz for Carmen
6. St. Bart's
7. Blue in Green
8. Sometime Ago
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Flowers and Stones -- CD
Peter Paul and Mary
1990 Gold Castle Records
Proud... poignant and fun!, October 24, 2002
By Michael Meredith (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Flowers & Stones (Audio CD)
I'd be tempted to recommend this for no other reason than the performances of "It Ain't Me Babe" and "I Shall Be Released" but there is much, much more. Peter, Paul and Mary's voices blend in ways that perfectly underscore the term "synergy." They remain true to their folk roots with lesser-known pieces like "Golden Vanity" and "Listen Mr. Bilbo", never disguising their passion for a better world.
As in their live concerts, this also provides each performer an opportunity to shine in a solo effort that's particularly reflective of their individual personalities. The passion and poignancy of Mary Traver's voice has never been better than in her rendering of "No Man's Land". Noel Paul Stookey makes us laugh with "Yuppies in the Sky" and beam with "Danny's Downs". Okay, maybe Peter Yarrow gets just a little too preachy on "With Your Face to the Wind" but his "Fair Ireland" should be required listening for anyone who has wondered about "the troubles" in that wonderful land.
I wore out my audio cassette of this album, and jumped at the opportunity to own it on CD. Don't miss out.
Track Listing
1. All Mixed Up
2. It Ain't Me Babe
3. Golden Vanity
4. Listen, Mr. Bilbo (Mr. Bigot)
5. No Man's Land
6. Danny's Downs
7. With Your Face to the Wind (Harriet's Song)
8. Yuppies in the Sky
9. Coming of the Roads
10. Dodi Li
11. Love in You, The
12. Fair Ireland
13. Last Thing on My Mind, The
14. I Shall Be Released
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Blue Rose -- Remastered CD
Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
1956/1999 Columbia Legacy
Amazon.com
While the names Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington appear on the cover, the person most responsible for these unusual 1956 recordings was Ellington's regular collaborator, arranger Billy Strayhorn. When the project developed, Clooney was in the midst of a difficult pregnancy and unable to leave Los Angeles. Strayhorn visited her to work on the arrangements, eventually moving in and becoming nurse as well as orchestrator, picking the material with Clooney and arranging familiar Ellington classics and some of his own songs, like "I'm Checking Out (Goombye)," to suit her voice. The situation eventually required that the band and vocal tracks be recorded separately, the first time the technique had been attempted by major artists, and it's remarkable testimony to Strayhorn's writing and supervision that the natural-sounding results were achieved. Clooney's rich timbre, clear diction, and fine rhythmic sense are well suited to the material, and the Ellington band, as always, was both a fine orchestral instrument and a collection of great soloists. There's also an evocatively exotic instrumental performance of Strayhorn's signature "Passion Flower," with Johnny Hodges's trademark alto saxophone standing out. The recording is an unusual chapter in the Ellington band's history, a showcase for Strayhorn's arrangements and an early chance for Clooney to demonstrate just how good a jazz singer lurked behind her lightweight hits of the day. --Stuart Broomer
1. Hey Baby
2. Sophisticated Lady
3. Me and You
4. Passion Flower
5. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
6. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
7. Grievin'
8. Blue Rose
9. I'm Checkin' Out -- Go'om Bye
10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
11. Mood Indigo
12. If You Were in My Place (What Would You Do?)
13. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'
Dennie
Well-Known Member
These Are Soulful Days -- CD
Benny Green - Russell Malone - Christian McBride
1999 Blue Note Records
Amazon.com
Always an effusive pianist with a relentlessly melodic approach, Benny Green celebrates Blue Note's 60th Anniversary by culling eight tunes from the label's back catalog and cutting loose with a drummerless trio that includes former cohorts Russell Malone on guitar and bassist Christian McBride. The harmonic rapport of Green and Malone is immediately apparent in their exacting unison lines to open Horace Silver's "Virgo," which also features McBride's resonant bow work. No longer a wunderkind, the 36-year-old Green solos with youthful intensity (check the dynamic force of "Bellarosa") but also showcases his ensemble maturity by shouldering some of the rhythmic duty and giving Malone ample space to explore a more kinetic side of his muse. Malone's chords, Green's left hand, and McBride's yeoman time-keeping provide plenty of percussive context. Saving the best for last, the trio returns to Silver for a bluesy "Come On Home" that inspires Malone into perhaps the most commanding uptempo passages of his career thus far. --Britt Robson
Track listing:
1. Virgo 4:19
2. Bellarosa 5:41
3. Summer Nights 5:00
4. Punjab 5:40
5. These Are Soulful Days 6:48
6. Ernie's Tune 3:03
7. Hocus-Pocus 6:06
8. Come on Home 8:07
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Spirit of the Moment -- CD
Michel Camilo
2007 Telarc Jazz
The Spirit Within, June 26, 2007
By Tracey Campbell (Blue Mountains Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Spirit of the Moment (Audio CD)
What can I say.....another superb album from Michel Camilo. The group is tight and the arrangements are meticulous, from track 1 you are taken on a journey that twists and turns from the classic fun of a light blues/jazz into the deepest blue channels of the soul and back again to the present moment filled with light. Michel, you are a master of your craft and a guide for the listener whose ears lucky enough to discover you.
Track Listing
1. Just Now
2. My Secret Place
3. Spirit of the Moment
4. Repercussions
5. Nefertiti
6. Nardis
7. Trilogy
8. Giant Steps
9. Place in Time, A
10. Hurry Up and Wait
11. Liquid Crystal
12. Solar (Explorations)
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Moondance -- CD
Hubert Laws
2004 Savoy Jazz
The legendary flutist returns to the contemporary jazz fold in an era when the type of sexy cool soul-jazz he recorded on CTI in the '70s (earning three Grammy nominations in the process) is now considered retro and hip. Even with some incredibly fresh new material, magnificently wistful playing, and his grand legacy in tow, he might have trouble getting the flute onto the smooth jazz format. But his new label gives him a great shot at it, helping him along first on the title cut with Chris Botti's subtle trumpet and Fattburger guitarist Evan Marks' best wah-wah clicks. Even with those luminaries and lush backing vocals, Laws' sultry flute gymnastics stand out. "Bloodshot" sounds like the kind of dreamy funk-jazz he did in the '70s, helped along here by the keyboard punch of Jeff Lorber, who also traverses both eras. And speaking of hip, on "Summer '75" Laws picks up the piccolo for a higher-tone melody over the bouncy moods of smooth jazz star Brian Culbertson's Wurlitzer and Rhodes. Another guest sure to help in the marketing of the legend's new era is Herbie Hancock, an old CTI labelmate who charms on acoustic piano on the midtempo "Nighttime Daydream." Ironically, as strong as those tracks are, Laws does just fine with a core trio of David Budway (piano), John Leftwich (bass), and Ralph Penland (drums) throughout the rest of the disc. "Stinky" is all speedy chops, while "Malibu" offers more of Laws' laid-back side. A marvelous night, indeed. ~ Jonathan Widran
Track Listing
1. Moondance
2. Bloodshot
3. Stay With Me
4. Summer '75
5. Stinky
6. Nighttime Daydream
7. Malibu
8. Love You Tonight
9. Clarita
10. Kiss
------
Hubert Laws (flute, alto flute, keyboards, bass synthesizer); Amber Whitlock (vocals); Evan Marks (guitar, strings, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); David Budway, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber (piano); Brian Culbertson (Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ); Guy Eckstine (Clavinet, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, bass synthesizer, percussion, drum programming); Rob Mullins (keyboards, synthesizer); Ralph Penland, Duncan Moore (drums); Munyungo Jackson (percussion).
Dennie
Well-Known Member
In Modern Times -- SACD
Spyro Gyra
2001 Heads Up Records
Absolutely amazing. Great music, awesome recording, January 25, 2003
By Theodore Hyatt "bronxer" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: In Modern Times (Hybr) (Audio CD)
Absolutely must hear this sacd! I was floored by the clarity, fluidity of sound. I felt like I was almost able to touch it! Especially the fourth song (can't remember the name. I do not own it yet -- buying it online and waiting for delivery, but my friend has it).
I consider this one of the best of anything I ever heard! If it wasn't sacd, it would still be great, but the sound reproduction is flawless, and the harmonics and tonal purity make it a MUST HAVE!!!
By the way, I listened to it on a Yamaha RX V1 with Pioneer Elite DV45A with Polk RT11's.
Buy this sacd and you will NOT be sorry.
"After Hours" (Jay Beckenstein/Chuck Loeb) - 5:08
"Feelin' Fine" (Jay Beckenstein) - 4:23
"Julio's Party" (Julio Fernandez) - 5:08
"The River Between" (Scott Ambush) - 6:45
"Groovin for Grover" (Tom Schuman) - 5:50
"Open Door" (Julio Fernandez) - 4:38
"Florida Straits" (Jay Beckenstein) - 4:18
"Feelin' Fine Pt. 2" (Jay Beckenstein/Chuck Loeb) - 4:04
"East River Blues" (Jay Beckenstein) - 6:14
"Your Touch" (Jay Beckenstein/Tom Schuman) - 5:10
"Lucky Bounce" (Jeremy Wall) - 4:18
"Planet J" (Joel Rosenblatt/Phil Magallanes) - 4:42