What Are You Listening To?
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Dennie
Well-Known Member
Take It From The Top -- CD
Bob James Trio - James Genus - Billy Kilson
2004 Tappan Zee/Koch Records
Amazon.com
Pianist/composer Bob James made his fame as top-selling smooth jazz pioneer and his theme song to the TV show Taxi is one of the most familiar melodies in syndication. But his roots are in straight-ahead jazz. On this CD with bassist James Genus and drummer Billy Kilson, James pays tribute to his piano heroes and drops some surprises into the mix. His treatment of Nat "King" Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right," is driven by hip-hop rimshots, and Mal Waldron's classic ballad "Soul Eyes" is syncopated with a Latin lilt. James's most impressive act of syncopated subversion is his take on the Petula Clark hit "Downtown." Somehow Bob James manages to keep it smooth and jazzy. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
Track listing
1. Billy Boy
2. Straighten Up and Fly Right
3. Downtown
4. Tenderly
5. Nardis
6. Poinciana
7. Caravan
8. Soul Eyes
9. Django
Babs
Queen "B"
Dennie said:Babs said:
I have listened to a little of Sam. Zing picked this for me. I get a Ray Charles feel from him.
Enjoying it! :handgestures-thumbup:
Nice, Sam is a blues man fer sure. I can see/hear the resemblance to Brother Ray.
Good call! :handgestures-thumbup: Dennie
Well thank you! I will put that up there with my Bettye LeVette barefoot comment that you agreed with. So sorry it was erased with the update to the annex. It's all good!
bscene-drinkingcheers:
Dennie
Well-Known Member
From Sunday....
In Person! -- 24K Gold SBM CD
Tony Bennett - Count Basie and his Orchestra
1994 Columbia Legacy
In Person!, part of a series of 1958 collaborations between Tony Bennett and Count Basie, has an unusually convoluted history. Bennett and Basie appeared together at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia in late November of 1958 in a performance that was recorded for commercial release -- but when that tape proved unusable for technical reasons, producer Mitch Miller decided to bring the singer and the band back together in the studio in a pair of sessions a month later to re-create the concert program. For the original LP release, the producers also dubbed on applause, seeking to fake the ambience of an actual live performance, hence the title of the album. But the fake was obvious to all concerned, and when the album was re-released in 1994 as part of Sony Music's Mastersound series of audiophile CDs, the makers went back to the original session tapes and left off the applause. The result is a state-of-the-art reissue of what was also, as near as one can tell, the first of Bennett's albums to get a stereo release. As this was also the first reissue the album had apparently ever received, the tapes were in impeccable condition -- the result is an extraordinary listening experience, even 40-plus years later. The original album, even with the tampering at the time, had a healthy swing to it, courtesy of the Basie band, and with the richness of tone and the close sound available to the makers of the CD, the album works even better. Bennett's sensitively nuanced intonation in the opening of "Pennies from Heaven" is now up close and personal, while the band's beat in the second half of the song is now crisper and more solid than ever. Ralph Sharon, Bennett's usual accompanist, is handling the piano chores (while Basie himself is credited as leader), and his finely articulated playing is also brought out crisply on "Lost in the Stars" and other tracks. It's all worth hearing, and more often than just once -- it was records like this, as reconstituted properly for CD, that constituted the absolute golden end of the pop legacy of the late '50s. Review by Bruce Eder
Track Listing
1. Just in Time
2. When I Fall in Love
3. Taking a Chance on Love
4. Without a Song
5. Fascinatin' Rhythm
6. Solitude
7. Pennies From Heaven
8. Lost in the Stars
9. Firefly
10. There Will Never Be Another You
11. Lullaby of Broadway
12. Ol' Man River
Count Basie & His Orchestra.Personnel: Tony Bennett (vocals); Count Basie (conductor); Frank Wess (flute, saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes, Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell, Marshall Royal (saxophone); Wendell Culley, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Snooky Young (trumpet); Al Grey, Henry Coker, Benny Powell (trombone); Ralph Sharon (piano); Fred Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums); Candido Camero (bongos).Recorded at CBS 30th Street Studios, New York, New York on December 22 & 30, 1958. Originally released on CBS (8104). Includes liner notes by Didier C. Deutsch.
In Person! -- 24K Gold SBM CD
Tony Bennett - Count Basie and his Orchestra
1994 Columbia Legacy
In Person!, part of a series of 1958 collaborations between Tony Bennett and Count Basie, has an unusually convoluted history. Bennett and Basie appeared together at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia in late November of 1958 in a performance that was recorded for commercial release -- but when that tape proved unusable for technical reasons, producer Mitch Miller decided to bring the singer and the band back together in the studio in a pair of sessions a month later to re-create the concert program. For the original LP release, the producers also dubbed on applause, seeking to fake the ambience of an actual live performance, hence the title of the album. But the fake was obvious to all concerned, and when the album was re-released in 1994 as part of Sony Music's Mastersound series of audiophile CDs, the makers went back to the original session tapes and left off the applause. The result is a state-of-the-art reissue of what was also, as near as one can tell, the first of Bennett's albums to get a stereo release. As this was also the first reissue the album had apparently ever received, the tapes were in impeccable condition -- the result is an extraordinary listening experience, even 40-plus years later. The original album, even with the tampering at the time, had a healthy swing to it, courtesy of the Basie band, and with the richness of tone and the close sound available to the makers of the CD, the album works even better. Bennett's sensitively nuanced intonation in the opening of "Pennies from Heaven" is now up close and personal, while the band's beat in the second half of the song is now crisper and more solid than ever. Ralph Sharon, Bennett's usual accompanist, is handling the piano chores (while Basie himself is credited as leader), and his finely articulated playing is also brought out crisply on "Lost in the Stars" and other tracks. It's all worth hearing, and more often than just once -- it was records like this, as reconstituted properly for CD, that constituted the absolute golden end of the pop legacy of the late '50s. Review by Bruce Eder
Track Listing
1. Just in Time
2. When I Fall in Love
3. Taking a Chance on Love
4. Without a Song
5. Fascinatin' Rhythm
6. Solitude
7. Pennies From Heaven
8. Lost in the Stars
9. Firefly
10. There Will Never Be Another You
11. Lullaby of Broadway
12. Ol' Man River
Count Basie & His Orchestra.Personnel: Tony Bennett (vocals); Count Basie (conductor); Frank Wess (flute, saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes, Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell, Marshall Royal (saxophone); Wendell Culley, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Snooky Young (trumpet); Al Grey, Henry Coker, Benny Powell (trombone); Ralph Sharon (piano); Fred Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums); Candido Camero (bongos).Recorded at CBS 30th Street Studios, New York, New York on December 22 & 30, 1958. Originally released on CBS (8104). Includes liner notes by Didier C. Deutsch.
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Today's work truck music...
Now and Zen -- CD
Robert Plant
1988 Atlantic Records
Something alittle different, February 24, 2009
By Mike T (United States)
Everyone knows Robert Plant from the classic rock group Led Zepplin, but if you want to hear something alittle different listen to Now and Zen.
I originally owned this CD when it was first released and then someone took it from me using a five finger discount so now years later I picked it up on Amazon. Some of the songs seem dated with the 1980's electric keyboard sound but there are two songs that make it all worth it: "Heaven Knows" and "Ship of Fools" possibly some of Robert Plants best solo work.
"Heaven Knows" (Barratt, Johnstone) – 4:06
"Dance on My Own" (Crash, Johnstone, Plant) – 4:30
"Tall Cool One" (Johnstone, Plant) – 4:40
"The Way I Feel" (Boyle, Johnstone, Plant) – 5:40
"Helen of Troy" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:06
"Billy's Revenge" (Johnstone, Plant) – 3:34
"Ship of Fools" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:01
"Why" (Crash, Plant) – 4:14
"White, Clean and Neat" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:28
"Walking Towards Paradise" (Williams) – 4:40
Now and Zen -- CD
Robert Plant
1988 Atlantic Records
Something alittle different, February 24, 2009
By Mike T (United States)
Everyone knows Robert Plant from the classic rock group Led Zepplin, but if you want to hear something alittle different listen to Now and Zen.
I originally owned this CD when it was first released and then someone took it from me using a five finger discount so now years later I picked it up on Amazon. Some of the songs seem dated with the 1980's electric keyboard sound but there are two songs that make it all worth it: "Heaven Knows" and "Ship of Fools" possibly some of Robert Plants best solo work.
"Heaven Knows" (Barratt, Johnstone) – 4:06
"Dance on My Own" (Crash, Johnstone, Plant) – 4:30
"Tall Cool One" (Johnstone, Plant) – 4:40
"The Way I Feel" (Boyle, Johnstone, Plant) – 5:40
"Helen of Troy" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:06
"Billy's Revenge" (Johnstone, Plant) – 3:34
"Ship of Fools" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:01
"Why" (Crash, Plant) – 4:14
"White, Clean and Neat" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:28
"Walking Towards Paradise" (Williams) – 4:40
Dennie
Well-Known Member
We'll Never Turn Back -- CD
Mavis Staples
2007 Anti Records
Mavis Staple's 2007 album, WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK is a stunning achievement from one of soul and gospel's most revered singers. Produced by Ry Cooder, the album is built around freedom songs of the civil rights movement--some are traditional ("Eyes on the Prize"), some are appropriated for the theme ("99 and 1/2"), while others are originals ("I'll Be Rested"). As much a celebration of hard-won freedom as a reminder of past and current injustices, the album features stirring gospel choir vocals from both Ladysmith Black Mombazo and original members of the SNCC Freedom Singers.Yet the album is first and foremost a platform for Mavis Staples's stirring voice, one that is as much a liberating force as any protest. Cooder, to his credit, keeps things appropriately raw and immediate, and the band always positions Staples at the front of the line. As deeply moving as any album made in 2007, WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK is at once a call to arms, a new cadence for a new march, and the celebratory soundtrack for the jubilee on the other side of the mountain.
Track Listing
1. Down in Mississippi
2. Eyes on the Prize
3. We Shall Not Be Moved
4. In the Mississippi River
5. On My Way
6. This Little Light of Mine
7. 99 and 1/2
8. My Own Eyes
9. Turn Me Around
10. We'll Never Turn Back
11. I'll Be Rested
12. Jesus Is on the Main Line
Personnel: Mavis Staples (vocals); Ry Cooder (guitar, mandolin); Mike Elizondo (piano); Jim Keltner (drums); Joachim Cooder (percussion); Betty Fikes, Charles Neblett, Rutha Harris (background vocals).Audio Mixer: Martin Pradler.Liner Note Author: Rep. John Lewis.Recording information: Sound City Studio, Van Nuys, CA.Author: Mavis Staples.Photographer: David Bartlett.Arrangers: Ry Cooder; Joachim Cooder; Mavis Staples.
Dennie
Well-Known Member
The Journey -- CD
Earl Klugh
1997 Warner Bros. Records
Seven-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Award winner Earl Klugh presents a collection of finely-crafted, highly listenable compositions on THE JOURNEY. With his characteristic warm, nylon-string sound, Klugh improvises fluently throughout this recording. He lays down subtly phrased, highly melodic solos over a variety of smooth grooves which range in flavor from easy, open sambas to relaxed, R&B-tinged ballads. Klugh's brilliant musicality shines through from the beginning of THE JOURNEY to the end.
Track Listing:
All Through the Night
Last Song
4 Minute Samba
Sneakin' Out of Here
Journey
Good as It Gets
Fingerdance
Evil Eye
Walk in the Sun
Autumn Song
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Root Down -- Remastered CD
Jimmy Smith Live!
1972/2000 Verve By Request
Toward the end of his stint with Blue Note, Jimmy Smith's albums became predictable. Moving to Verve in the mid-'60s helped matters considerably, since he started playing with new musicians (most notably nice duets with Wes Montgomery) and new settings, but he never really got loose, as he did on select early Blue Note sessions. Part of the problem was that Smith's soul-jazz was organic and laid-back, relaxed and funky instead of down and dirty. For latter-day listeners, aware of his reputation as the godfather of modern soul-jazz organ (and certainly aware of the Beastie Boys' name drop), that may mean that Smith's actual albums all seem a bit tame and restrained, classy, not funky. That's true of the bulk of Smith's catalog, with the notable exception of Root Down. Not coincidentally, the title track is the song the Beasties sampled on their 1994 song of the same name, since this is one of the only sessions that Smith cut where his playing his raw, vital, and earthy. Recorded live in Los Angeles in February 1972, the album captures a performance Smith gave with a relatively young supporting band who were clearly influenced by modern funk and rock. They push Smith to playing low-down grooves that truly cook: "Sagg Shootin' His Arrow" and "Root Down (And Get It)" are among the hottest tracks he ever cut, especially in the restored full-length versions showcased on the 2000 Verve By Request reissue. There are times where the pace slows, but the tension never sags, and the result is one of the finest, most exciting records in Smith's catalog. If you think you know everything about Jimmy Smith, this is the album for you. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Track Listing
1. Sagg Shootin' His Arrow [Unedited Performance]
2. For Everyone Under the Sun
3. After Hours
4. Root Down (And Get It) [Unedited Performance]
5. Let's Stay Together
6. Slow Down [Unedited Performance]
7. alternate take) Root Down (And Get It) [Alternative Version] - (previously unreleased
Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Steve Williams (harmonica); Arthur Adams (guitar); Wilton Felder (bass); Paul Humphrey (drums); Buck Clarke (congas, percussion).Recorded at The Bombay Bicycle Club, Los Angeles, California on February 9, 1972.All tracks have been digitally remastered.This is part of Verve's By Request series.
I listened to that CASSETTE tape over and over and over when I was a teenager...didn't get my first cd turntable (Technics 5 disc :happy-smileygiantred: ) til a year later, seems like eons ago.Dennie said:Today's work truck music...
Now and Zen -- CD
Robert Plant
1988 Atlantic Records
Something alittle different, February 24, 2009
By Mike T (United States)
Everyone knows Robert Plant from the classic rock group Led Zepplin, but if you want to hear something alittle different listen to Now and Zen.
I originally owned this CD when it was first released and then someone took it from me using a five finger discount so now years later I picked it up on Amazon. Some of the songs seem dated with the 1980's electric keyboard sound but there are two songs that make it all worth it: "Heaven Knows" and "Ship of Fools" possibly some of Robert Plants best solo work.
"Heaven Knows" (Barratt, Johnstone) – 4:06
"Dance on My Own" (Crash, Johnstone, Plant) – 4:30
"Tall Cool One" (Johnstone, Plant) – 4:40
"The Way I Feel" (Boyle, Johnstone, Plant) – 5:40
"Helen of Troy" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:06
"Billy's Revenge" (Johnstone, Plant) – 3:34
"Ship of Fools" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:01
"Why" (Crash, Plant) – 4:14
"White, Clean and Neat" (Johnstone, Plant) – 5:28
"Walking Towards Paradise" (Williams) – 4:40
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Today's work truck music....
Live At Carnegie Hall -- CD
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
1997 Epic Records
A Timeless Classic Masterpiece by SRV/Double Trouble & A Host of Allstar Accompaning Musicians!!!!!!!!!!, February 17, 2012
By Gary Covington "Southern Rocker" (Louisiana, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Live at Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)
This is definitely one of the best live albums ever recorded, and a "must have" for any SRV fan. This was recorded on October 4, 1984, before Reese Wymans was added to the band. However, the legendary Dr.John from New Orleans played the keyboards. Plus, the legendary Texas Blues Singer, Angela Strehi (from Austin, TX) sings vocals on the song "C.O.D."
The Line-UP includes:
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar & Vocals
Chris Layton - Drums
Tommy Shannon - Bass
Other Musicians:
Jimmie Vaughan - Guitar
Dr.John - Keyboards
George Rains - Drums
Angela Streli - Vocals on "C.O.D."
The Horn Section:
Bob Enos - Trumpet
Porky Cohen - Trombone
Rich Lataille - Alto Sax
Greg Piccolo - Tenor Sax
Doug James - Baritone Sax
The liner notes provide a photo of all these musicians involved in this "Classic", live performance album, plus a written essay describing the details of this concert. SRV had just turned 30 years old the day before this legendary concert, and in the notes, SRV is quoted as stating that after this concert: It was "My best birthday ever....forever" SRV 10/4/84. I highly recommed this one for any SRV and/or Blues Rock fan. Thanks and I hope this review has been helpful.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Scuttle Buttin'
3. Testify
4. Love Struck Baby
5. Honey Bee
6. Cold Shot
7. Letter to My Girlfriend
8. Dirty Pool
9. Pride and Joy
10. Things That I Used to Do, The
11. C.O.D.
12. Iced Over
13. Lenny
14. Rude Mood
Live At Carnegie Hall -- CD
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
1997 Epic Records
A Timeless Classic Masterpiece by SRV/Double Trouble & A Host of Allstar Accompaning Musicians!!!!!!!!!!, February 17, 2012
By Gary Covington "Southern Rocker" (Louisiana, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Live at Carnegie Hall (Audio CD)
This is definitely one of the best live albums ever recorded, and a "must have" for any SRV fan. This was recorded on October 4, 1984, before Reese Wymans was added to the band. However, the legendary Dr.John from New Orleans played the keyboards. Plus, the legendary Texas Blues Singer, Angela Strehi (from Austin, TX) sings vocals on the song "C.O.D."
The Line-UP includes:
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar & Vocals
Chris Layton - Drums
Tommy Shannon - Bass
Other Musicians:
Jimmie Vaughan - Guitar
Dr.John - Keyboards
George Rains - Drums
Angela Streli - Vocals on "C.O.D."
The Horn Section:
Bob Enos - Trumpet
Porky Cohen - Trombone
Rich Lataille - Alto Sax
Greg Piccolo - Tenor Sax
Doug James - Baritone Sax
The liner notes provide a photo of all these musicians involved in this "Classic", live performance album, plus a written essay describing the details of this concert. SRV had just turned 30 years old the day before this legendary concert, and in the notes, SRV is quoted as stating that after this concert: It was "My best birthday ever....forever" SRV 10/4/84. I highly recommed this one for any SRV and/or Blues Rock fan. Thanks and I hope this review has been helpful.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Scuttle Buttin'
3. Testify
4. Love Struck Baby
5. Honey Bee
6. Cold Shot
7. Letter to My Girlfriend
8. Dirty Pool
9. Pride and Joy
10. Things That I Used to Do, The
11. C.O.D.
12. Iced Over
13. Lenny
14. Rude Mood
Dennie
Well-Known Member
Volume 1 -- CD
The Earl Klugh Trio
1991 Warner Bros. Records
A departure from the type of boring, innocuous elevator Muzak Earl Klugh is best known for, Earl Klugh Trio, Vol. 1 gives listeners a rare chance to hear the guitarist playing straight-ahead jazz. Some bebop musicians contend that playing dull background music year after year means you can kiss your bebop chops goodbye, but there's no evidence of that on this rewarding CD. With Klugh sticking to acoustic guitar and employing Ralph Armstrong on upright bass and Gene Dunlap on drums, someone who is best known for recording schlock offers tasteful and lyrical interpretations of such well known standards as "I'll Remember April," "Night and Day" and "One Note Samba." Klugh also excels on "Lonely Girl" (a beautiful but underexposed Neal Hefti piece) and pleasantly surprises by demonstrating that the theme from the '60s sitcom Bewitched and the Aretha Franklin hit "I Say a Little Prayer" (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) can work in an acoustic bebop setting. Undeniably, this is the best album Klugh ever recorded -- it's too bad it was a departure from his norm instead of a primary direction. ~ Alex Henderson
Track Listing
1. Bewitched
2. Days of Wine and Roses
3. Insensatez (How Insensitive)
4. Love Theme From "Spartacus"
5. I'll Remember April
6. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life
7. I Say a Little Prayer
8. Night and Day
9. Lonely Girl
10. Too Marvelous For Words
11. One Note Samba
Personnel: Earl Klugh (guitar), Ralph Armstrong (acoustic bass) and Gene Dunlap (drums)
Dennie
Well-Known Member
'S Wonderful -- SACD
Bill Charlap Trio
1998/2014 Venus Records (Import Japan)
Breakthrough Album from Jazz Pianist Bill Charlap and His Trio!
Before the talented pianist Bill Charlap went "major" with the Blue Note label, he was discovered by Venus Records and the Japanese audience. This "debut" album of Charlap, released in 1999, was an enormous hit and became an instant classic.
Deeply rooted in the tradition of jazz and with tremendous knowledge and respect for the American songbook, Charlap's piano playing is lyrical, fantastic and powerful. This album may not dazzle you with apparent "newness," but the beauty of melody, sound, and deep swing will move you and make you smile. The great New York rhythm section, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, contributes with great performances as well.
"Best known for his work with Gerry Mulligan and later Phil Woods during the 1990s, pianist Bill Charlap was clearly developing rapidly on his own record dates. Beginning with a crisp rendition of "Time After Time," Charlap, with a formidable rhythm section of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, explores a nice mix of standards and jazz classics...The sound on this studio date is so intimate that it sounds as if the listener is sitting right next to the piano." -Ken Dryden, allmusic.com
Features:
• Single Layer Stereo SACD
Musicians:
Bill Charlap, piano
Peter Washington, bass
Kenny Washington, drums
Selections:
1. Time After Time
2. My Shining Hour
3. The Blue Room
4. Boy, What Love Has Done To Me
5. Isfahan
6. Lover
7. Something To Live For
8. 'S Wonderful
9. Summer Serenade
10. Only The Lonely