Sammy Davis Jr. - As Long As She Needs Me

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:40
Size: 77.1 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 1963/2005
Art: Front

[3:03] 1. As Long As She Needs Me
[3:19] 2. Climb Every Mountain
[2:33] 3. (Love Is) The Tender Trap
[3:17] 4. We Kiss In A Shadow
[2:35] 5. There Is Nothin' Like A Dame
[2:55] 6. A Second Chance [from Two For The Seesaw]
[3:14] 7. Out Of This World
[2:45] 8. Back In Your Own Back Yard
[2:46] 9. Bye Bye Blackbird
[2:24] 10. Falling In Love With Love
[2:26] 11. Step Out Of That Dream
[2:15] 12. There Was A Tavern In The Town

As Long As She Needs Me (1963) is a fruitful union between Sammy Davis, Jr. and arrangers Marty Paich and Morty Stevens. With the singer's inimitable sense of style and flair, Davis unleashes another dozen classic reworkings of pop standards and melodies from Broadway and the silver screen. Paich's scores incorporate two distinct backing ensembles, his own ten-piece Dek-tette of heavyweight studio musicians, as well as a larger orchestral aggregate. The title composition, taken from Lionel Bart's Oliver! (1962), is enhanced by a lush accompaniment, showcasing the strength and conviction of Davis' dramatic and emotive interpretation. The same holds for "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" which is lifted by a refined chorus (likewise heard on the revisitation of another Rodgers & Hammerstein tune, "We Kiss in a Shadow" from 1956's The King and I). Conversely, "There Is Nothing Like a Dame," "Falling in Love With Love," and "The Tender Trap" are given hard-hitting and thoroughly pulse-quickening readings, allowing the vocalist to let loose with his trademark passion and high energy. Interestingly, the swinging Stevens collaborations "The Tender Trap," "Back in Your Own Back Yard," and "Out of This World" are from Davis' incipient Reprise sessions some two years earlier. "Bye Bye Blackbird" would become one of Davis' most revered catalog entries thanks to this ultra-hip and finger-snappin' overhaul. He similarly breathes new life into the jazzy and upscale redux of "Song from Two for the Seesaw (A Second Chance)," crooning above Paich's scintillating backdrop. The platter concludes with the tale of Honey Brown on the grooving and rhythmically propulsive "There Was a Tavern in the Town." Although the song commences in a low-key and unassuming manner, it isn't long before Davis pounces, turning it into a suitably show-stopping affair. In 2004 Collectors' Choice Music issued As Long As She Needs Me on CD for the first time as part of their reassessment of Sammy Davis, Jr.'s work on Reprise Records. ~Lindsay Planer

As Long As She Needs Me

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Pete Smyser - The Jerome Kern Concert Live

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:41
Size: 129.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. Look For The Silver Lining
[6:50] 2. Bill
[5:09] 3. Dearly Beloved
[5:53] 4. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
[4:02] 5. Can't Help Singing
[4:36] 6. Make Believe
[3:25] 7. Remind Me
[4:16] 8. Pick Yourself Up
[7:27] 9. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
[5:02] 10. A Fine Romance
[4:51] 11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

So, here you have it! !a live concert recording, !a one shot deal with no second takes, ! and with only a single rehearsal.

As this concert approached, I felt fairly confident with my choices ! Kern's timeless songs, an amazing lineup of musicians who care so much and collaborate so well, an outstanding recording engineer in Jim McGee. Add to the recipe a receptive and enthusiastic audience and all the ingredients were in place for a wonderful concert experience. I hope that you enjoy listening to the music as much as we enjoyed performing it. ~ Pete Smyser

For generations, jazz musicians have turned to American Songbook Standards as a source of inspiration. During the early part of the 20th century, the musical compositions of Jerome Kern were crucial in pioneering this uniquely American style of songwriting for stage and screen. Kern (1885-1945) had a special talent for creating beautifully satisfying melodies and his innovative writing style had a profound influence upon other prominent American songwriters of the era.

Recording information: Foy Hall, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA (01/30/2011).

Pete Smyser (7-string guitar); Tom Lawton (piano); Madison Rast (upright bass); Dan Monaghan (drums).

The Jerome Kern Concert Live

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Joanie Pallatto - It's Not Easy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:06
Size: 123.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[6:24] 1. Violets Are Blue
[5:31] 2. Until I Touch The Ground
[4:00] 3. It's Not Easy
[3:27] 4. Get To Heaven
[6:17] 5. 24 Years Today
[4:26] 6. Lonely Train
[5:17] 7. Happy Life
[9:42] 8. Tickle, Tickle
[5:05] 9. A Love That Never Dies
[3:53] 10. Remember Me

It's Not Easy is a very different Joanie Pallatto recording. Co-owner along with pianist Bradley Parker-Sparrow of the jazz-oriented Southport label, Pallatto has always had an open-eared approach to music. Her voice is warm, flexible, and inviting whether expressing joy or melancholy moods. On It's Not Easy, the music ranges from atmospheric pieces to intimate duets, from folkish music and the feel of reggae to adventurous jazz. All ten of the selections are originals by the singer and she is in the spotlight nearly all of the time. If you listen closely, her lyrics (unfortunately the words are not reproduced in the liner notes) display insight, some wit, and a quirky way at looking at contemporary life, with "It's Not Easy" talking about the difficulties of writing a sad song when one is happy. However, the melodies are much less interesting, often using repetitive structures and not always serving the lyrics that well. Joanie Pallatto cuts loose in a few spots and is always fun to hear (though the group improvisation on "Tickle, Tickle," at over nine and a half minutes, is five minutes too long), but her CD is a mixed success. Her words deserve better themes. ~ Scott Yanow

Recording information: Sparrow Sound Design Recording Studio, Chicago, IL (01/13/2004-??/??/2007).

Joanie Pallatto (vocals, violin, ocarina, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Johnny Devlin (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, accordion, background vocals); Alejo Poveda (vocals, congas, bongos, timbales, percussion); Fareed Haque (guitar, acoustic guitar); Howard Levy (harmonica, piano); Bradley Parker-Sparrow (piano, programming); Eldee Young (acoustic bass); Eric Hochberg, John E. Magnan (electric bass); Michael Raynor (drums).

It's Not Easy

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Dion - Bronx Blues: The Columbia Recordings (1962-1965)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:34
Size: 124.9 MB
Styles: Rock
Year: 1991
Art: Front

[2:22] 1. Can't We Be Sweethearts
[2:48] 2. Little Girl Of Mine
[2:29] 3. Oh Happy Day
[2:46] 4. A Sunday Kind Of Love
[2:27] 5. Will Love Ever Come My Way
[2:31] 6. Gonna Make It Alone
[2:35] 7. Ruby Baby
[2:35] 8. This Little Girl
[2:57] 9. Film Flam
[2:53] 10. Donna The Prima Donna
[2:35] 11. Drip Drop
[2:45] 12. Troubled Mind
[2:22] 13. Sweet, Sweet Baby
[2:51] 14. Sweet Papa Di
[2:40] 15. Don't Start Me Talkin'
[2:29] 16. Spoonful
[3:32] 17. The Seventh Son
[3:16] 18. Kickin' Child
[2:54] 19. Two Ton Feather
[2:37] 20. Baby, I'm In The Mood For You

After many hit singles with the Belmonts, Dion went solo and became one of the first rock & roll stars signed to the Columbia label. Although he was only with the label for four years, Dion recorded some of his most adventurous music during this period. Bronx Blues: The Columbia Recordings chronicles this phase in his career, and is the best single-disc compilation of his mid-'60s work. The first singles released were similar in style to the Belmont's recordings ("Donna the Prima Donna") and demonstrated his continued love for doo wop as he covers older songs such as the Drifters' "Ruby Baby," which peaked at number two. While the first half of this album is strong, the second half is truly revelatory; it shows Dion, who had just been exposed to the music of Robert Johnson, infusing the bravado of his streetwise persona into the blues. The results don't always work (he doesn't have the deep, powerful voice required to sing Willie Dixon's "Spoonful"), but the results are magic when he hits the mark. The best example is his own "Two Ton Feather," a song that's not pure blues, but blues interpreted by a newly converted fan of the genre. In that respect, it's not surprising that his style is similar to Bob Dylan's. In fact, the highlight of the album, and perhaps Dion's best recording ever, is his previously unreleased version of Dylan's "Baby, I'm in the Mood for You" in which he brings out all the snarl and attitude of the tune. While these years are often considered a transition period for Dion, this compilation is essential in showcasing his songwriting talents and restless spirit. ~Vic Iyengar

Bronx Blues: The Columbia Recordings (1962-1965)

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Diana Drew - Diana Who?

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:02
Size: 121,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:36)  1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(4:13)  2. Cheek To Cheek
(2:57)  3. What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?
(2:55)  4. Lady Is A Tramp
(3:40)  5. Can't Help Loving That Man Of Mine
(2:57)  6. The Wave
(3:39)  7. My Foolish Heart
(2:35)  8. Something Stupid
(3:48)  9. Chocolate Kiss
(2:59) 10. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
(3:47) 11. Got A Date With Love
(4:00) 12. The Shadow Of Your Smile
(3:55) 13. Just The Way You Look Tonight
(3:03) 14. Don't Get Around Much Any More
(3:51) 15. At Last

Diana Drew first stepped out on stage singing and playing the guitar at age seven. She was trained vocally by her father, a professional opera singer with the New York City Centre Opera Co, gold medalist at Julliard School of Music and was on Broadway. At eleven years of age, three record companies were knocking on her door, but were declined in favour of a ‘normal’ childhood.

Diana Drew earned an honours degree (B.F.A.) in music at York University. She has sung professionally for many years at many venues including the Skydome, Maple Leaf Gardens, BMO Stadium, CNE, hotels, with special performances with the York Symphony Orchestra, for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Blue Jays to name a few.
She has worked professionally on television, radio, video, film and musical theatre. Diana has formal training in voice, acting and five instruments. She has had the great privilege to sing for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Anne Murray, Russell Malone, Lorne Lofsky, Norman Amadio, Eric Traugott, and Eric Schultz to name a few jazz greats in the music industry.

One special thing that makes Diana unique is her story regarding her survival of two cancers, one of which was in her throat. Her doctor had told her in 2000 that she may never be able to sing again. With perseverance and patience, she miraculously relearned how to sing around her scars from the surgeries.Her voice is a testimony to determination, willpower and strength of spirit. Her vocals have been described as rich, smoky and full-bodied to intimate, sparkling and genuine. http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/DianaDrew 

Diana Who?

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Michelle Nicolle Quartet - Mancini

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:24
Size: 102,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Moon River
(4:30)  2. Charade
(3:23)  3. It Had Better Be Tonight
(5:06)  4. I Love You (And Don't Forget It)
(4:19)  5. Dreamsville
(3:17)  6. Mr. Lucky
(4:46)  7. Peter Gunn
(4:35)  8. Whistling Away the Dark
(5:06)  9. The Days of Wine and Roses
(5:57) 10. Two For the Road

Newmarket Music is pleased to announce the release of Mancini, the eight offering from respected Australian jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle. A wonderfully executed collection of songs in homage of one of the world’s most iconic composers, Henry Mancini, best remembered for his film and television scores.

This collection of songs came about because of an engagement the Michelle Nicolle Quartet had at the Melbourne Recital Centre in July 2012 as part of The American Songbook Series. "I chose to focus on Mancini - reworking some arrangements we've recorded on previous CD's and arranging a few more. The most unlikely song of the two concert nights was Peter Gunn. Nearly everyone I met after the show wanted a CD with that song on it and, of course, Moon River...so here it is, a studio version of the concert!"

"Even an obviously-sincere ‘tribute’ album often proves dull, redundant - a pale shadow of its dedicatee or a strained, even gimmicky attempt to escape that shadow. Michelle Nicolle’s Mancini is a sparkling exception - hugely playful, vibrant, inventive, interactive, intimate, shlock-free, but warm hearted. Nicely audacious, full of wit, sometimes very tender, singer Michelle, guitarist Geoff Hughes, double bassist Tom Hughes and drummer Ronny Ferella are also deeply respectful: sometimes a song has a very surprising ‘ride’, but never at the cost of the song itself." ~ Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National.

Mancini travels from two of the most well known pieces in history, Moon River and Peter Gunn theme, to lesser known treasures like the beautifully crafted Dreamsville. Widely regarded as the finest jazz singer in the country Michelle Nicolle continues to impress, with 2012 performances including Asia Pacific Festival (Siberia), The Schlot (Berlin) Wangarratta Jazz festival and a national tour with her quartet.“Nicolle has killer qualities as a vocalist….a mix of uncanny precision in timing and phrasing, stretching and compressing words and notes to perfection, and an inventiveness that doesn’t let up.” ~ John McBeath, The Age.

In addition to releasing eight albums, the Michelle Nicolle Quartet has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, with performances including Jakjazz (Indonesia) 2008, Turkey, Estonia, Finland in 2007 and, North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland (2005). Michelle was the 2001, 2003 and 2004 Mo Award winner, 1998 National Jazz Award winner and, 2001 and 2004 ARIA finalist.

Mancini is also available to purchase at JB Hi-Fi stores across Australia and all good independent retailers. 

http://newmarketmusic.com/album/Michelle-Nicolle-%252d-Mancini.html

Mancini

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Pasadena Roof Orchestra - Roots Of Swing

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:09
Size: 154,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Change Partners
(2:45)  2. Nobody's Sweetheart
(3:31)  3. Time On My Hands
(2:59)  4. Casa Loma Stomp
(2:55)  5. 'S Wonderful
(3:25)  6. She's A Latin From Manhattan
(3:56)  7. Isn't This A Lovely Day
(2:58)  8. Golden Wedding
(2:46)  9. Got A Date With An Angel
(2:51) 10. Side By Side
(4:19) 11. Panama Rag
(3:25) 12. If I Had A Talking Picture Of You
(4:17) 13. Tiger Rag
(3:23) 14. You Are My Lucky Star
(3:15) 15. Limehouse Blues
(3:14) 16. We're In The Money (The Gold Diggers Song)
(2:58) 17. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
(4:12) 18. Just A Gigolo

For over thirty years the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, based in the UK, has delighted audiences all over the world with its mix of swing and hot dance music. When it comes to authentic swing music the orchestra has no equal. The orchestra performs all year-round with a line up of eleven excellent jazz musicians who have perfected their craft and who studied jazz at the top conservatories. Many years of working together with top class arrangements has resulted in the ensemble sound for which the orchestra is renowned.

On their latest release the Pasadena Roof Orchestra presents the very roots of swing. Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman; all learnt their trade in the twenties and thirties playing tunes similar to the selection on this CD. They include some Gershwin, some Irving Berlin, a ragtime, and also some new transcriptions from Ray Noble and his Orchestra - a broad range of music from this truly unique era. ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roots-Swing-Pasadena-Roof-Orchestra/dp/B0012JVVHO

Personnel: Duncan Galloway - (orchestra leader, vocals), David Ford - (trumpet), Ben Cummings - (trumpet), Stephen Shaw - (trombone), Oliver Wilby - (alto & baritone saxophone, clarinet), Dai Pritchard - (alto saxophone, clarinet), Robert Fowler - (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Simon Townley - (piano, vocal trio), Graham Roberts - (guitar, banjo), David Berry - (double bass, sousaphone), John Watson - (drums)

Guests: Tom Langham - (guitar, banjo), Steve Kaldestad - (solo clarinet on Golden Wedding, vocal trio)

Roots Of Swing

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Walter Bishop Jr. - Speak Low

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:42
Size: 139,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:29)  1. Sometimes I'm Happy
(3:52)  2. Blues In The Closet
(9:24)  3. Green Dolphin Street
(6:33)  4. Alone Together
(4:38)  5. Milestones
(9:05)  6. Speak Low
(6:17)  7. Sometimes I'm Happy
(3:51)  8. Blues In The Closet
(9:29)  9. Speak Low (alt)

The first album as a leader would of course be an occasion of incredible pressure, especially for an artist such as this one. By the time this recording was originally released in 1961, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. had spent so much time in other people's bands that it seemed the sideman stigmata would never heal. And it really never did, since despite more than a dozen efforts as leader between this one and his death in 1998 he never really achieved the acknowledgement as a leader that some of his contemporaries did, even ones who were somewhat lesser players. Of course anyone who peruses commentary on the bebop era that Bishop paid his dues in will come across opinions to the contrary. It is sometimes said that this pianist "lacked chops," hip lingo concerning technique and not meant to suggest he failed to stop off at the butcher on the way home as requested. True, this is not a flashy keyboardist and also one who did not choose his debut as a leader to unveil a stack of up til then hidden original masterpieces of composition. 

He plays standards here, choosing either the long or short form for six different titles, some of them quite familiar. Listeners may be advised that this is a side worth owning simply for the playing of the bassist, Jimmy Garrison, the value of the piano playing put aside temporarily. By the '60s this bassist was mostly associated with John Coltrane, and was a member of what is often considered Trane's classic quartet. While that group was quite adept at playing standards, the type of straight-ahead approach presented in the Bishop trio was more the way Coltrane played before Garrison came into his group. This album is full of this bassist's wonderful touch with mainstream jazz material, including some rumbling arco solos and terrific walking. "Blues in the Closet" holds steady to its quick tempo; after all, Garrison hardly flagged on the long, fast "Chasin' the Trane" that would follow only a few years later.

Interesting drummer Wilbert G.T. Hogan recorded with some other fine pianists besides this one, notably Randy Weston. He also wound up with the Ray Charles band at one point and lays down a somewhat harder beat on sides by tenor saxophonist and Charles alumni Hank Crawford. This is somewhat more information that was given about him on the original album and reissues, the total sum of which was the following: "G.T. Hogan is on drums. Notice his fine brush work. A diminishing art today." The final comment isn't really true if any contemporary percussionists are asked  they would all love to play brushes as well as Hogan and many are trying very hard. Whether the same comment could be made concerning the pianist is hard to say. Many keyboardists have missed out on the influence of pianists such as Bishop, who knows how to state themes simply and eloquently. His use of dissonance in 1961 is subtle, hinting at tritones in "Sometimes I'm Happy" and letting somewhat delirious overtones ring out on the superb performance of "Alone Together." Needless to say, the piano is a bit out of tune here and there, adding to the mystique. Despite that, there is the sense that this album must have been something special for Bishop. His final recordings came out under the title of Speak Low Again several years after his death, kind of like a set of bookends. ~ Eugene Chadbourne  http://www.allmusic.com/album/speak-low-mw0000868617

Speak Low

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