What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Happy Moods - Remastered CD

Ahmad Jamal

1960/2012 101 DISTRIBUTION

A Splendid Reissue August 17, 2009
By over and under
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a great time it is to be a fan of Jazz. Even though the 50's and 60's are long gone, we're still treated to a steady trickle of reissues of our favorite artists, sometimes even getting recordings that have lain on the shelves for decades and only now are seeing the light of day.

Simply put, this is a great reissue, with Ahmad Jamal working intelligently and creatively through a number of standards and new compositions. Those who say Jamal is only effective in a live setting are closing their ears to some of the finest studio jazz around. There is real energy in this release and it's well worth your time.

Does the music bear out the title? Yes, it is a happy record, but no more joyous than any other recording Jamal has commited himself to. Truth be told, the real joy was finding this cd by accident after having not listened to Jamal for several years. Happy Moods, indeed.

1. Little Old Lady
2. For All We Know
3. Pavanne
4. Excerpt From The Blues
5. Youd Be So Easy To Love
6. Time On My Hands
7. Raincheck
8. Ill Never Stop Loving You
9. Speak Low
10. Rhumba No. 2

 

[Dennie]

Getz Meets Mulligan In HI-Fi -- Remastered CD

Stan Getz - Gerry Mulligan

1957/1991 Verve Records

Our Delight July 31, 2006
By Jazzcat
Format:Audio CD
Jazz is our delight brother cats. Life is so boring sometimes that you and I, my jazz friends, deserve to take a pause and enjoy the marvel of music to lift us up. You can't find a more delightful listening experience than this encounter between Getz and Jeru. It is fantastic believe me. This record is something that when I turn back to it, it makes me discover again why I love jazz. It has been one of the first jazz albums I did buy, something like 15 years ago ... it's still refreshing after all these years. It is light, funny, swinging, splendid ... it is simply one of the best examples of Jazz you can find out there. Jazz the fifties way of course, not that thing that today some people call jazz that is unbelievably boring. This is Jazz. And you can't stop to stomp your feet. You have a fantastic rhythmn section, Stan Levey and Ray Brown, MEN, so the swing is garanteed =)))))). Lou Levey played the piano (one of the best in the west coast movement). Than you have a couple of the best soloists that EVER graced the history of Jazz music, Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan (THE man who plays the bari, nothing more to add here). The program begins with the splendid "Let's fall in love" and it's all there. They're all swingers except for the wonderful tune "A ballad" which is, of course, a ballad. You evena have a Charlie Parker number, Scrapple. The joy of swing, a music that these guys plays perfectly, light as butterflies, deep as oceans. THEY'RE TRUE MASTER!!! Every tune is a master interpretations. Than Stan and Jeru change horns and demonstrate to us (if necessary) how good thay could play with another type of instrument. It is simply a perfect album, jazzcats, if you don't own it... YOU SHOULD. YOU SHOULD.

Track Listing
1. Let's Fall in Love
2. Anything Goes
3. Too Close for Comfort
4. That Old Feeling
5. This Can't Be Love
6. A Ballad
7. Scrapple from the Apple - (bonus track)
8. I Didn't Know What Time It Was - (bonus track)

Personnel: Gerry Mulligan (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Stan Getz (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Lou Levy (piano); Stan Levey (drums).Audio Remasterer: Andrew Nicholas.Liner Note Authors: Norman Granz; Bob Blumenthal.Recording information: 10/10/1957/10/12/1957.Editor: Andrew Nicholas.

 

[Dennie]

Master Takes/Savoy Recordings -- CD

Lester Young

1980 Savoy Jazz

Lester Young recorded for Savoy three separate times in four different settings. On Apr. 18, 1944 he performed as part of the Count Basie Orchestra (although Basie himself was absent) for three numbers and then cut four more songs with a septet that included trumpeter Billy Butterfield and pianist Johnny Guarnieri. A few weeks later he was featured on four selections in front of the Count Basie rhythm section. Prez made his final Savoy appearance in 1949, fronting a young sextet that also included pianist Junior Mance and drummer Roy Haynes. All of those performances are included on this CD minus the many alternate takes which can be heard (along with this entire program) on The Complete Savoy Recordings. by Scott Yanow

1. Circus in Rhythm
2. Poor Little Plaything
3. Tush
4. These Foolish Things
5. Exercise in Swing
6. Salute to Fats
7. Basie English
8. Blue Lester
9. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
10. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
11. Jump Lester Jump
12. Crazy Over J-Z
13. Ding Dong
14. Blues 'N' Bells
15. June Bug

 

[Dennie]

Plays The Benny Carter Songbook -- CD

Marian McPartland

1990 Concord Records

Two aspects uplift this Marian McPartland CD above most songbooks. Benny Carter is much better-known as an altoist and an arranger than as a composer, so his compositions tend to be quite fresh since they have been underplayed through the years. Also, the fact that Carter himself performs on the majority of these selections (which also include bassist John Clayton and drummer Harold Jones) makes the set something special. Highlights include "When Lights Are Low," "I'm in the Mood for Swing," "Key Largo," "Doozy," "Lonely Woman" and "Only Trust Your Heart," but all 11 songs are enjoyable and swinging. ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing
1. When Lights Are Low
2. I'm in the Mood For Swing
3. A Kiss From You
4. Key Largo
5. Another Place Another Time
6. Summer Serenade
7. Doozy
8. Lonely Woman
9. Only Trust Your Heart
10. Evening Star
11. Easy Money

Personnel: Marian McPartland (piano), Benny Carter (alto saxophone), John Clayton (bass), Harold Jones (drums).Tributee: Benny Carter

 

[Dennie]

Hot & Cool -- CD

Tony Bennett sings Ellington

1999 RPM/Columbia Records

Despite his well-publicized and well-deserved comeback, Tony Bennett's late-'90s releases didn't quite lived up to the buildup. This masterful tribute to Duke Ellington effectively righted the balance. With the excellent Ralph Sharon arranging for big band as well as providing his usual stellar piano accompaniment, Bennett turns in an all-around vocal performance that, for the (slight) vocal deterioration to be expected from a singer in his 70s, can be only be called magnificent. Duke's generous musicality, which shines in every note he ever wrote, is perfectly matched here by Bennett's equally generous yet always sophisticated song sense.Though Sharon leads the big band, the Italian arranger Jorge Calandrelli provided the straight orchestral arrangements. Except for Johnny Mandel, no one today can coax such delicate beauty from woodwinds and strings. There is probably no more emotionally expansive version of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" anywhere. And that's just the first track. For contrast, Bennett interprets the lovely "Azure" and "Sophisticated Lady" in a near whisper. Probably no one has made this musically exciting an album this late in his career except, of course, Duke Ellington himself.

Track Listing
1. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
2. Mood Indigo
3. She's Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
4. Caravan
5. Chelsea Bridge
6. Azure
7. I'm Just a Lucky So and So
8. In a Sentimental Mood
9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
10. Sophisticated Lady
11. In a Mellow Tone
12. Day Dream
13. Prelude to a Kiss
14. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Personnel includes: Tony Bennett (vocals); Jorge Calandreli, Ralph Burns (conductor); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet); Al Grey (trombone); Joel Smirnoff (violin).The Ralph Sharon Quartet: Ralph Sharon (piano); Gray Sargent (guitar); Paul Langosch (bass); Clayton Cameron (drums).Recorded at the Hit Factory, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff.BENNETT SINGS ELLINGTON HOT & COOL won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Tradtional Pop Vocal Performance. "Chelsea Bridge" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement. "Day Dream" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).Tributee: Duke Ellington.

 

[Dennie]

Cheek To Cheek -- Deluxe Edition CD

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

2014 Columbia/Streamline Records

Just so very special!
By Richard B. Green VINE VOICE on September 23, 2014
Format: MP3 Music
A couple of years ago when, at Thanksgiving, Lady Gaga appeared in a holiday special with guest performer Tony Bennett, I said, "They should do an album together." And now we have it. Tony is a miracle...I mean, come on, eighty-eight years of age and he sounds absolutely fabulous! And now with his sixty-year-younger partner, Tony just proves (as if he has to) that he holds such a very special place in the world of music. Both Tony and the Lady introduce each other to their respective audiences, winning for each even more fans of just really good music. What I like about this pairing is what I don't care for on the new Barbra Streisand album...Tony has found someone with whom he pairs so well; Barbra tends to just show up the minimal talents, for the most part, of those she chooses to sing with...except for Michael Buble. An album of duets with just him would have been perfection! Tony instead finds a vocalist whose style meshes so well with his; he did the same in the work he did with k.d. lang. They worked so well together. The same happens here with Lady Gaga. If you've seen them interviewed together or if you look back to Tony's last duet album and the music he made with her, you can tell they get such a kick out of making music together. Those of us who enjoy the standards are very happy indeed, the lucky recipients of this treasure they've created.

Track Listing
1. Anything Goes
2. Cheek To Cheek
3. Don't Wait Too Long
4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
5. Nature Boy
6. Goody Goody
7. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
8. Firefly
9. I Won't Dance
10. They All Laughed
11. Lush Life
12. Sophisticated Lady
13. Let's Face The Music & Dance
14. But Beautiful
15. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

 

[Dennie]

Happy Monday everyone... :doh:

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys -- CD

Traffic

1971 Island Records

Amazon.com

Despite not even charting in the band's native England, this album became a platinum-selling American hit on the basis of three enduring FM radio staples--the expansive, jazzy impressionism of the near-12 minute title track, and the more straightforward funk of the R&B charmers "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" and "Rock & Roll Stew." Those disparate tracks perfectly underscore Traffic's rich musical appeal and its restless, sometimes problematic creative and interpersonal relationships. With now thrice-departed Dave Mason out of the mix and percussionists Jim Gordon and Reebop Kwaku Baah participating in the studio for the first time, the band's innate musicality truly takes wing. Winwood's familiar vocal phrasings nearly take a backseat to his fluid, dramatic guitar work on "Rock & Roll Stew Roll" and "Many a Mile to Freedom," while the Tull-ish, folk-madrigal sensibilities of "Hidden Treasure" and "Rainmaker" are further punctuated by Chris Wood's deft flute and woodwind flourishes. Compared with the more organic John Barleycorn album, the contrast is all the more remarkable. While many contemporary bands were experimenting with various attempts at fusion, few achieved this collection's rock-jazz-folk-R&B range or level of often subtle sophistication. Digitally remastered, this edition also contains the six-minute-plus U.S. single version of "Rock & Roll Stew, Parts 1 & 2" as a bonus track. --Jerry McCulley

All songs written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi unless otherwise noted.

"Hidden Treasure" – 4:16
"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" – 11:35
"Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Jim Capaldi) – 4:55
"Rock & Roll Stew" (Ric Grech, Jim Gordon) – 4:29
"Many a Mile to Freedom" (Steve Winwood, Anna Capaldi) – 7:26
"Rainmaker" – 7:39

The initial CD release placed Light Up or Leave Me Alone after Many a Mile to Freedom.

 

[Dennie]

Live At The Isle of Wright Festival 1970 -- Remastered SBM 2-CD Set

The Who

1970/1996 Castle/Columbia Legacy

This 2-CD set documents the Who's performance at a music festival that has achieved an almost mythological status over the years. Whether the event deserves its reputation as Woodstock 2 or not, this staggeringly powerful set captures one of the most important rock groups of the '60s and '70s at the height of its powers. A monstrous, roaring, behemoth of a band, the Who wielded electricity like a lumberjack wields an axe, creating a mountain of distorted wailing and thrashing as thrilling as it was overwhelming. One listen to these discs will quickly confirm that Pete Townshend and company were clearly the founding fathers of grunge-rock.Early tunes like "Substitute," "I Can't Explain" and "My Generation" all receive muscular reworkings here. The bulk of the set is taken up by a performance of the rock opera TOMMY, which, in this raw, biting incarnation, stands head and shoulders above the studio version. There are also versions of two songs, "Water" and "Naked Eye," from Townshend's never-finished LIFEHOUSE project.

Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. Heaven and Hell
2. I Can't Explain
3. Young Man Blues
4. I Don't Even Know Myself
5. Water
6. Overture
7. It's a Boy
8. 1921
9. Amazing Journey
10. Sparks
11. Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)
12. Christmas

DISC 2:
1. The Acid Queen
2. Pinball Wizard
3. Do You Think It's Alright?
4. Fiddle About
5. Tommy Can You Hear Me?
6. There's a Doctor
7. Go to the Mirror!
8. Smash the Mirror
9. Miracle Cure
10. I'm Free
11. Tommy's Holiday Camp
12. We're Not Gonna Take It
13. Summertime Blues
14. Shakin' All Over / Spoonful / Twist And Shout
15. Substitute
16. My Generation
17. Naked Eye
18. Magic Bus

The music on LIVE AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 1970 was originally recorded for the soundtrack to a concert film of the same name.The Who: Roger Daltrey (vocals, harmonica); Pete Townshend (guitar, background vocals); John Entwistle (bass, background vocals); Keith Moon (drums, background vocals).Recorded live at The Isle Of Wight Festival, England on August 29, 1970. Includes liner notes by Michael Heatley and Ted Tuksa

 

[Dennie]

Live At The Village Vanguard -- CD

The Bill Charlap Trio

2007 Blue Note Records

Releasing a LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD album might seem like an attempt at 'greatness by association,' a wish to be filed alongside same-titled albums by the likes of John Coltrane and Bill Evans, but the Bill Charlap Trio doesn't need to rely on marketing gimmicks. The music on this release stands on its own; in fact, it even lives up to the legacy associated with the legendary New York club.Flanked by drummer Kenny Washington and bassist Peter Washington, Charlap proves he is one of the most tasteful and accomplished pianist on the contemporary jazz scene. The music rarely ranges left of center-- the sensibility is staunchly traditional, attuned to white-hot post-bop and ballads--but within that framework Charlap and company never miss a step. His dazzling takes on standards like "Autumn in New York" and "The Lady is a Tramp," and lesser known but no less excellent tunes like Gerry Mulligan's "Rocker" are proof positive.

Track Listing
1. Rocker
2. Autumn in New York
3. Godchild
4. Lady Is a Tramp, The
5. It's Only a Paper Moon
6. My Shining Hour
7. All Across the City
8. While We're Young
9. Last Night When We Were Young

Personnel: Bill Charlap (piano); Peter Washington (Bass), Kenny Washington (drums).

 

[v8peters]

Soul in the Night

Sonny Stitt & Bunky Green

1966 Cadet

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music....

Searchin' For A Rainbow -- CD

The Marshall Tucker Band

1975 AJK Music

Old West dreams meet Southern memories in the tracks of Searchin’ for a Rainbow, The Marshall Tucker Band’s fourth album. Released in 1975, this song collection found the group refining its multi-faceted sound into an appealing country-rock essence. Still present were the jazz and blues-based elements that had always made Marshall Tucker a distinctive unit. By dressing up their music in Western garb, the band found a way to reach a huge new audience—all it took was a little "Fire On The Mountain" to light the way. "We’d found a bit more direction on how to design songs for a record," says lead singer Doug Gray. "Our record company Capricorn had always said, ‘Try to give us something that would work on the radio.’ We tried to do that, and at the same time please each other. We were known as a jamming band. This was the first time we really tried to give them Marshall Tucker’s interpretation of what a hit song was." Helping to spur things on was "Fire On The Mountain," the lead track off Searchin’ for a Rainbow. Released as a single in the fall of ’75, the tune reached #38 on the pop charts. A vivid, Old West, lyric-storyline combined with bluegrass-tinged instrumental licks and an ear-grabbing chorus brought Marshall Tucker its first Top 40 hit.

Side One

"Fire on the Mountain" - 3:53 (George McCorkle)
"Searchin' for a Rainbow" - 3:48
"Walkin' and Talkin'" - 2:25
"Virginia" - 4:54

Side Two

"Bob Away My Blues" - 2:42
"Keeps Me from All Wrong" - 4:13
"Bound and Determined" - 4:20
"Can't You See" (Live) - 6:25

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music....

Time Passages -- Remastered CD

Al Stewart

1978/2000 Arista Records

MR. ALAN PARSONS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND TAKE A BOW..., June 7, 2005
By Wayne Racine (Ottawa ON) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Time Passages (Audio CD)

Sigh... if only Al Stewart and Alan Parsons were working together again - they were perfect musical soulmates not unlike Lennon/McCartney. When you get right down to it, Al is really a folkie troubadour; as such, I'm convinced that these tunes wouldn't be anywhere near as fleshed out if it weren't for Alan Parsons' musical guidance and sound expertise - and the end result is a sonic masterpiece. If you were to get only two Al Stewart CDs, it would have to be the ones where AP was working the soundboard - "Year Of The Cat" and this one. Highly recommended.

1. Time Passages
2. Valentina Way
3. Life in Dark Water
4. Man for All Seasons
5. Almost Lucy
6. Palace of Versailles
7. Timeless Skies
8. Song on the Radio
9. End of the Day

 

[v8peters]

Golden Vibes

Lionel Hampton

1959 Columbia

 

[Zing]

 

[Dennie]

Live From Neon Park -- 2 CD Set

Little Feat

1996 Zoo Records

Phoenix rising from the Ashes, August 19, 2002
By Steven Clem Haley "Steve is in Stillwater" (Stillwater, Oklahoma United States)

This review is from: Live From Neon Park (Audio CD)

Yeah, most of us figured they couldn't top Columbus. Yeah, most of us bailed on Feat after the death of Lowell. Yeah they put out a few directionless albums soon after, but it seemed like the band, as well as the fans were still gasping for air and wondering what was going to happen next. Sadly, most of us fans turned our back on them and they were quickly relegated to the long list of great bands that had passed their prime.

Have you ever leaned into a left hook?

That is exactly what this cd felt like when I heard it the first time. I was walking down the street, popped into my favorite entertainment center where this was featured in a listening station. After hearing Shaun Murphy's version of "Changing Luck" and "You're taking up Another Man's Place", I had to literally go out to the curb, sit down, and catch my breath. The remakes of the older more familiar Feat regulars not only are the expected excellence, they are if anything even more excellent! The addition of Fred Tackett on guitar adds a completely new spark of creativity that doesn't overshadow Barrere, but allows him to play off of someone who is at least as creative as he. Billy Payne has not lost anything. Clayton, Kenny, and Ritchie still make up the heaviest rhthym section ever created.

If you, like me, had given up on the Feat, apologize to the Muses of the Dixie Chicken and pick up where you left off. This one will amaze. IT IS NOT Waiting for Columbus. Nothing ever will be. But neither is Barry Bonds a Hank Aaron.

 

[v8peters]

M.P.G.

Marvin Gaye

1969 Tamla

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music...

Endless Summer -- CD

The Beach Boys

1974/1990 Capitol Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Brian Wilson's brilliance manifested itself in the euphoric, cheerfully square, sun-and-fun stuff heard here early on, before it got darker and more complicated. Endless Summer runs from the beginning of the Boys' pinstriped career to 1965, right before the melancholy of Pet Sounds, but also includes the inescapable "Good Vibrations." You can hear a few hints of adolescent sadness and fear--"Help Me, Rhonda" is essentially a kids' sing-along about a wrenching emotional rebound, and the shadow of death is hiding somewhere in "Don't Worry, Baby"--but Wilson is mostly concerned with the cars, waves, and girls that made up the Boys' public image, and his ingenious arrangements (coupled with the group's inimitable harmonies) make everything go down as smoothly as lemonade. --Douglas Wolk

All songs by Brian Wilson/Mike Love, except where noted.

Side 1

"Surfin' Safari" – 2:05
"Surfer Girl" (Brian Wilson) – 2:26
"Catch a Wave" – 2:07
"The Warmth of the Sun" – 2:51
"Surfin' USA" (Chuck Berry/Brian Wilson) – 2:27

Side 2

"Be True to Your School" (Album Version) – 2:07
"Little Deuce Coupe" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) – 1:38
"In My Room" (Brian Wilson/Gary Usher) – 2:11
"Shut Down" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) – 1:49
"Fun, Fun, Fun" (Album Version) – 2:16

Side 3

"I Get Around" – 2:12
"Girls on the Beach" – 2:24
"Wendy" – 2:16
"Let Him Run Wild" – 2:20
"Don't Worry Baby" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) – 2:47

Side 4

"California Girls" – 2:38
"Girl Don't Tell Me" – 2:19
"Help Me, Rhonda" – 3:08 Today! version originally entitled "Help Me, Ronda," with false endings, retitled as "Help Me, Rhonda"
"You're So Good to Me" – 2:14
"All Summer Long" – 2:06

 

[v8peters]

Steps in Time

King

1984 Epic

 

[v8peters]

Diamond in the Rough

Jessi Colter

1976 Capitol

 

[v8peters]

Jazz Masquerade

The Modern Jazz Stars

1958 Crown/Modern