Randy Newman - The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2

Size: 90,9 MB
Time: 38:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Contemporary Pop/Rock
Art: Front

01. Dixie Flyer (3:19)
02. Yellow Man (2:02)
03. Suzanne (2:45)
04. The Girls In My Life (Part 1) (1:46)
05. Kingfish (2:11)
06. Losing You (2:43)
07. Sandman's Coming (2:16)
08. My Life Is Good (3:24)
09. Birmingham (2:20)
10. Last Night I Had A Dream (1:54)
11. Same Girl (2:45)
12. Baltimore (3:02)
13. Laugh And Be Happy (2:19)
14. Lucinda (1:34)
15. Dayton, Ohio 1903 (1:51)
16. Cowboy (2:20)

Nearly eight years after releasing The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1, in which one of America's finest and most distinctive songwriters revisited a handful of songs from his back catalog in elegant, austere new recordings, Newman has delivered the implied follow up, in which he revisits sixteen more tunes with just his own piano work accompanying his vocals. Unlike many veteran artists past official retirement age, Newman's skills as a performer haven't suffered a bit with the passage of time, and these new recordings sound fresh and immediate; while Newman has never had a traditionally "good" voice, his instrument sounds as strong as ever and he's even better at assuming his cast of often questionable characters than he was on his early LPs, while his piano playing, a remarkable fusion of traditional pop and New Orleans groove, is emotionally and technically dazzling and gives these songs all the form and color they need. As good as it is, The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 2 feels a bit like the second Greatest Hits album drawn from a career artist's catalog; so many great songs were pulled for Vol. 1 that the sophomore effort seems slightly weak in comparison, and though Newman certainly has enough great songs to come up with another Songbook installment as strong as the first, there are a few numbers here that aren't A-list, particularly "Sandman's Coming" from his fascinating but flawed musical Faust and "My Life Is Good," one of the rare examples of his venom not finding its target (it's also one of the only songs here that doesn't seem suited to this minimal arrangement). And while "Laugh And Be Happy" fares well, it also appeared on Newman's last pop effort, 2008's excellent Harps and Angels, and there are plenty of songs that better deserve a second look. The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 2 seems flawed compared to its sibling, but that's more a matter of the choice of material than any faults in Newman's performance or interpretation; he's the rare performer and songwriter who could undertake this sort of project and not only keep it from seeming redundant but make it revelatory and consistently pleasurable. Longtime fans will be pleased, and folks who only know Newman from his film scores will be startled at the depth of the man's body of work, even on a collection with a couple of (relative) ringers. ~Review by Mark Deming

The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2

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Pat LaBarbera - Deep In A Dream

Size: 164,1 MB
Time: 70:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1999
Styles: Jazz: Straight-Ahead/Mainstream
Art: Front

01. Deep In A Dream (6:33)
02. Something To Live For (3:52)
03. There's A Lull In My Life (6:49)
04. It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream (5:38)
05. Maybe You'll Be There (4:54)
06. Here's To My Lady (4:12)
07. Moon And Sand (9:11)
08. What Good Would The Moon Be (5:57)
09. Why Try To Change Me Now (5:36)
10. Some Other Spring (5:38)
11. I Heard You Cried Last Night (7:19)
12. As Long As I Am Dreaming (5:01)

Last September tenor/soprano saxophonist Pat LaBarbera appeared at the Forest City Jazz Festival with the same rhythm section featured on this CD. At the time, he alluded to the fact that he had always wanted to record an all-ballads album. Thanks to Bill King and Greg Sutherland of RadioLand Jazz, Pat's dream has become a reality. Deep In A Dream is a 12-track collection of lovely, slow burners that is perfect for late-night listening. While some of the tunes are well-known standards (Something To Live For and There's A Lull In My Life), a number of Pat's hand-picked favourites are more obscure. Indeed, Pat states in the liner notes that master balladeer Frank Sinatra's early recordings, Maybe You'll Be There, Why Try To Change Me Now and Deep In A Dream, were the source for these song choices. Although Pat has always been known for his up-tempo, Coltrane-influenced screamers, Deep In A Dream shows that Stan Getz and Lester Young have also inspired him. Brother Joe LaBarbera's brush work is light and feathery, Neil Swainson pulls deep, rich tones from his bass and pianist Don Thompson's occasional solo spots are suitably restrained. Break out the candles and wine and enjoy! *** ~By John Sharpe

Deep In A Dream

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Mary Panacci - Her Perfume

Size: 107,0 MB
Time: 46:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. A Beautiful Friendship (3:20)
02. How About You (Feat. John Alcorn) (4:07)
03. Love Is Stronger Far Than We/Al Cuore Non Comandi Mai (5:11)
04. Double Rainbow (Chovendo Na Rosiera) (4:30)
05. Love Dance (6:02)
06. Tangerine (2:42)
07. I Wish You Love (Feat. Luis Mario Ochoa) (4:30)
08. Her Perfume (3:40)
09. A Child Is Born (4:12)
10. Some Other Time (3:27)
11. Almost Like Being In Love (Bonus Track) (Feat. Natalie Panacci) (4:19)

Long before Anthony Panacci sent me a copy of this record featuring his vocalist wife, Mary, he told me about the upcoming album he was producing for her. It was going to feature a lot of this country's top jazz players. In the end, that's precisely what happened. He didn't add that the record would be a gem. He didn't have to. Family, friends and colleagues each added their fingerprint. You can hear it. In fact, listening to this album, you can sense it and feel it.

Back then, I hadn't yet heard a note. Yet it sounded exciting. Anthony told me about the tunes, the players, the songs and the ups and downs of getting a record made. Over the years I have been privileged to know musicians, some have told me about the complexities of making records. They often describe the process as a labour of love. That is a bit of an understatement. It takes singers, arrangers, instrumentalists, engineers, artists, printers, manufacturers, time and money. Then add more time and more money. It takes patience, organization, perhaps a bit of plain old stubbornness.

I get excited when someone decides that something important has to get done and that they're the guys to get it done, and get it done well. But when it's all done satisfactorily, you and I get to hear their music and live in its acoustic cocoon. Mary, Anthony, their daughter Natalie, and everyone else whose work appears on this collection surely poured all their love into it. And to them I say, "Take a bow!" ~Terry McElligott

Her Perfume

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Frank Muschalle Trio - Sleigh Ride (Feat. Stephan Holstein & Travis Haddix)

Size: 135,6 MB
Time: 57:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Blues Jazz, Boogie Woogie
Art: Front

01. Straight Forward (2:36)
02. Sleigh Ride (2:51)
03. Two Funky People (2:46)
04. Red Light (2:24)
05. Chocolate Drop (2:55)
06. Glenn's Glide (2:53)
07. Key Shifter (2:18)
08. I'll Remember You/If You'll Remember Me (4:05)
09. You're A Fool (2:46)
10. Lady Be Good (4:12)
11. Nod To Wilson (3:55)
12. Clang Clang Clang (2:21)
13. Splashing Around With The Kids (2:43)
14. Pastry (3:52)
15. It's You I'm Thinking Of (2:11)
16. Sheik Of Araby (3:35)
17. Spooky And Blue (2:48)
18. Jungle Town Jubilee (2:54)
19. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (2:54)

Frank Muschalle - piano, Dani Gugolz - string bass/voc, Peter Müller - drums, Stephan Holstein - clarinet/alto sax/tenor sax, except 1,13,18, Travis Haddix - voc on track 9.

Frank was born in 1969. After 11 years studying classical piano he discovered the joys of boogie woogie at the age of 19. Since then he has devoted himself entirely to this music. The boogie woogie trio Ammons, Johnson and Lewis as well as pianists like Axel Zwingenberger, Little Brother Montgomery or Cow Cow Davenport have deeply influenced his development. Within a short period of time Frank has acquired a fine reputation not only among insiders. Appearances on TV and radio have contributed to Frank´s remarkable success. As early as October 1995 his debut-CD,"Great Boogie Woogie News", was published by the Vienna label Document Records. Afterwards Frank gave performances in jazz clubs and festivals, on a tour of Austria with the Mojo Bluesband and Red Holloway, at concerts in the Jazzland and the Starclub (Vienna), and at concerts with Axel Zwingenberger, Vince Weber and Martin Pyrker. Quite soon Frank Muschalle outgrew his role as a local talent; invitations to concerts such as the "Stars of Boogie Woogie" - Festival in the Vienna Concert Hall speak for themselves. In March 1997 the second CD, "Battin´ The Boogie", came out, also published by Document Records. The production caused a sensation among international experts. In September 1998 Frank was invited on a two - week tour of South Carolina (USA) with the Mojo Bluesband. In the course of this tour, recordings with Jimmy McCracklin and Nappy Brown were made for Ripete Records (USA). In 2002 the "40 - Years American - Folk - Blues - Festival Jubilee" took place in Germany and Frank played on this Tour with Blues-Stars Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Bob Stroger and Lousiana Red. Two Month later, Frank was invited to the "Jumpin´at the Flagships" - Tour through all parts of Switzerland. He played there with Red Holloway, Jimmy Coe, Carrie Smith and Rusty Zinn. The Swiss TV recorded a one hour TV - Show of this performance. At this point of time, Frank has recorded 7 different cds and his musical style is well-known for its superb technical fireworks and subtle nuances. Time and again he creates an expectant atmosphere in his audience which is constantly heightened by the skilful changes of musical mood. For all that, Frank Muschalle´s convincing and unaffected performances make dramatic stage effects superfluous - the music speaks for itself.

Sleigh Ride

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Marlene VerPlanck - I Give Up, I'm In Love

Size: 100,0 MB
Time: 41:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Give Up, I'm In Love (Feat. Warren Vache & Glen Francke's Big Band) (3:21)
02. Good Thing Going (3:12)
03. How Little We Know (Feat. Harry Allen) (2:36)
04. The Way You Look Tonight (Feat. Warren Vache & Glen Francke's Big Band) (3:46)
05. I Love The Way You Dance (4:40)
06. So Long My Love (Feat. Harry Allen) (3:08)
07. Sleigh Ride In July (2:26)
08. My Little Brown Book (Feat. Harry Allen) (3:00)
09. Where Can I Go Without You (Feat. Warren Vache) (5:24)
10. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (Feat. Glen Francke's Big Band) (3:04)
11. You're Really Someone To Write Home About (Feat. Harry Allen) (2:27)
12. So Many People (Feat. Warren Vache) (3:57)

Marlene VerPlanck is the type of vocal artists others can only aspire to become.

Aside from the somewhat old school looking cover art, there are a great many positives with I Give Up, I'm In Love. VerPlanck works more as a story teller than a true vocalist, combine this natural gift with a plethora of ensemble settings and an eclectic if not deep catalog few might be familiar with and you have a vocal jazz release with some muscle.

Guests such as tenor great Harry Allen drop by and Glenn Franke's Big Band provides the perfect background for an artist that has been working her vocal side of the jazz street about as long as I have been on the planet. Big band and trios are the wheelhouse for I Give Up, I'm In Love with each showcasing the various sides of the chameleon like ability that VerPlanck has to move effortlessly through a wide variety of lyrical ensembles while never missing a beat.

Those familiar with my work know I am at times brutal on female vocalists. Marlene VerPlanck is the embodiment of what a true vocal artist should embrace. Know the tunes, don't sing the words but instead make the music. 4 Stars. ~Brent Black

I Give Up, I'm In Love

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Oliver Nelson - More Blues And The Abstract Truth

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:08
Size: 107.9 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1964/1997
Art: Front

[5:11] 1. Blues And The Abstract Truth
[6:44] 2. Blues O'mighty
[5:42] 3. Theme From Mr. Broadway
[4:03] 4. Midnight Blue
[6:03] 5. One For Bob
[8:09] 6. Blues For Mr. Broadway
[4:33] 7. Goin' To Chicago Blues
[3:54] 8. One For Phil
[2:46] 9. Night Lights

Unlike the original classic Blues and the Abstract Truth set from three years earlier, Oliver Nelson does not play on this album. He did contribute three of the eight originals and all of the arrangements but his decision not to play is disappointing. However there are some strong moments from such all-stars as trumpeter Thad Jones, altoist Phil Woods, baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Roger Kellaway and guest tenor Ben Webster (who is on two songs). The emphasis is on blues-based pieces and there are some strong moments even if the date falls short of its predecessor. ~Scott Yanow

More Blues And The Abstract Truth 

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Champian Fulton - Change Partners: Live At The Yardbird Suite

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 82:26
Size: 188.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[6:42] 1. You Made A Good Move
[6:55] 2. Change Partners
[5:43] 3. Lover, Come Back To Me
[5:03] 4. The Boy Next Door
[6:13] 5. Bring Enough Clothes
[9:20] 6. After You've Gone
[8:00] 7. Sin To Tell A Lie
[6:26] 8. Social Call
[7:52] 9. Get Out Of Town
[5:41] 10. Hallucinations
[6:09] 11. My Ideal
[8:16] 12. East Of The Sun

Champian Fulton (piano/voice), Cory Weeds (tenor sax), Julian MacDonough (drums), and Jodi Proznik (bass).

Born in Oklahoma, Champian Fulton has become a world class Jazz pianist and vocalist with international acclaim. She grew up with music in the home; her mother and father (Jazz trumpeter and educator Stephen Fulton) recognized her fascination with music at an early age. The presence of her father’s musician friends, including Clark Terry and Major Holley, inspired her focus on Jazz. Her first paid musical engagement was with her own band at Clark Terry’s 75th Birthday Party; she was 10 years old. Since then, her piano and voice skills have been recognized by peers and critics as distinctive and sophisticated. This young woman from Oklahoma captivates audiences in New York’s finest Jazz rooms and in concert halls around the world.

A mainstay on the vibrant New York Jazz scene, she has performed with musical royalty such as Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Eric Alexander, Buster Williams, and Louis Hayes. From New York to Barcelona, Champian’s swinging style and charismatic performances have made her a guardian of the legacy of Jazz. Champian’s heroes include Bud Powell, Red Garland, Erroll Garner, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington.

Champian’s fifth recording, Change Partners: Live at the Yardbird Suite (2014 Cellar Live), was recorded in front of a live audience while on tour in Canada.

Change Partners: Live At The Yardbird Suite  

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Havana Swing - Aqui Esta La Rumba

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 52:57
Size: 121.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. Soy Guajiro
[4:03] 2. Termometro De Amor
[4:11] 3. El Breve Espacio
[4:22] 4. Si Yo Pudiera
[6:13] 5. Oigo Tu Voz
[6:05] 6. Baby I Love Your Way
[4:29] 7. Que Manera De Quererte
[4:00] 8. Se Fue
[4:51] 9. Pena
[5:26] 10. Una Cancion
[4:27] 11. Aqui Esta La Rumba

Aqui Esta La Rumba

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Kate Hammett-Vaughan - How My Heart Sings

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:36
Size: 148,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:37)  1. The Meaning Of The Blues
(7:01)  2. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
(6:08)  3. Everything I Love
(6:35)  4. How My Heart Sings
(7:22)  5. Alone Together
(6:35)  6. Something To Live For
(7:46)  7. I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
(4:31)  8. Monk's Dream
(4:18)  9. On The Street Where You Live
(6:39) 10. You've Changed

This album earned Kate Hammett-Vaughan a nomination for the Juno Award as Canada's best vocal jazz singer of the year. It is well-deserved recognition not only for the exciting vocal presentations, but also for the instrumentalists on the session. They work hand in glove with Hammett-Vaughan for almost an hour of artistic playing. Don't let the play list fool you. This is not another one of those albums routinely offering classic standards. Nothing is routine with this album. "Alone Together" opens with an off center Hammett-Vaughan chorus, then the musicians take over for a boppish excursion. Jim Pinchin on sax and Chris Gestrin on piano approach the bop small groups of the 1960's. The singer returns taking pleasant liberties with the melody line. 

Hammett-Vaughan's view of Monk's "Monk's Dream" recalls Jon Hendricks' Vocalese treatment of this classic. But not everything is grounded in the Bop mode. Forget about other renditions of Bobby Troup's "The Meaning of the Blues". Hammett-Vaughan's soulful interpretation is dirge like and a Pinchin soulful sax supports her position. But it's the modern, closing in on avant-garde, that prevails. The Duke Ellington/Peggy Lee standby, "I'm Gonna Go Fishin'". is treated like it was a modern classical composition by John Cage or Arnold Schoenberg. The way Hammett-Vaughan presents the lyrics recalls those poetry with jazz sessions of the Alan Ginsberg days. This fishing trip is not a pleasant, relaxed summer outing, but an adventure akin to climbing Mount Everest. 

Hammett-Vaughan's way with "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" would be downright incestuous if "Daddy" in the song was her biological father.For those who are looking for truly different and legitimately innovative expositions of familiar music, this album is for you. It's also for those whose musical ears are in need of significant cleaning. Recommended. Visit Kate at her Internet home, http:// vancouverjazz. com/kate/index.shtml. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/how-my-heart-sings-kate-hammett-vaughan-review-by-dave-nathan.php#.VGtBQ8mHmtg
 

Personnel: Kate Hammett-Vaughan - Vocals; Chris Gestrin - Piano; Jim Pinchin - Saxes; 

How My Heart Sings

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Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet - Half-Past Swing

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Vocal Harmonies
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:27
Size: 84,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:52)  1. Bouncin' With Bud
(2:24)  2. It's Sand, Man
(5:44)  3. Close Your Eyes
(5:37)  4. Jouet
(4:39)  5. Jeannine
(4:41)  6. Lil' Darlin
(4:28)  7. What If I Told You?
(4:58)  8. Moten Swing

Oh! Hold on to those dancin' feet! From Merifield, Virginia comes the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet accompanied by a great big band. The quartet is composed of Ginny Carr, Robert McBride, Lisanne Lyons and Roger Reynolds. These folks swing wildly on Bud Powell's "Bouncin' With Bud", Benny Moten's "Moten Swing" and Ed Lewis' "It's Sand Man". Ginny Carr composed a few for this session in the form of "Jouet", "Close Your Eyes" and "What If I Told You". "Jouet" is sung partially in French and I found it particularly enjoyable. Also included is Neal Hefti's "L'il Darlin" and Duke Pearson's swinging "Jeannine". As good as this vocal quartet is, one cannot avoid being impressed by the band, especially Joe Jackson's trombone on "Bouncin' With Bud" and the vibraphone of Chuck Redd on "Jouet". I guess all vocal jazz quartets have recorded "L'il Darlin" but none have done it quite like this. All said, this is very nice stuff! 

~ Richard Bourcier  http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/jazz-vocals-cd-reviews/half-past-swing-by-uptown-vocal-jazz-quartet.html

Personnel:  Ginny Carr, Roger Reynolds , Robert McBride, Lisanne Lyons (vocals); Paul Wingo, Sean Purcell, Ramon Gonzalez (guitar); Chris Vadala (flute, alto saxophone); Don New (alto saxophone); Chip McNeill (tenor saxophone); Tim Leahey (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jack Wengrosky (trumpet); Joe Jackson (trombone); Dan Reynolds, Wade Beach, Dan La Maestra (piano); Chuck Redd (vibraphone); C.E. Askew, Alejandro Lucini (drums); Pat Shrieves (percussion).

Half-Past Swing

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Various Artists - Blue & Sentimental

Styles: Jazz, Swing, Big Band
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:21
Size: 169,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. Count Basie - Blue & Sentimental
(3:20)  2. The Metronome All Star Band - Blue Lou
(3:08)  3. Benny Goodman - I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
(2:50)  4. Benny Goodman's Boys - Blue (And Broken Hearted)
(3:00)  5. Maxine Sullivan And Her Orchestra - Blue Skies
(4:06)  6. Edmond Hall Celeste Quartet - Profoundly Blue
(2:55)  7. Billie Holiday - Under A Blue Jungle Moon
(3:19)  8. Bennie Moten And His Kansas City Orchestra - The Blue Room
(2:33)  9. Ziggy Elman and His Orchestra - Am I Blue?
(2:40) 10. Fats Waller & His Rhythm - Blues Eyes
(2:48) 11. Chick Webb & His Orchestra - Blue Minor
(3:12) 12. Bing Crosby - Blue Prelude
(3:13) 13. Duke Ellington - Blue Again
(2:53) 14. Al Bowlly - Blue Hawaii
(3:27) 15. Glenn Miller & His Orchestra - Serenade In Blue
(3:14) 16. Earl Hines And His Orchestra - Blue Because Of You
(2:40) 17. Teddy Hill and His Orchestra - Blue Rhythm Fantasy
(2:10) 18. Teddy Wilson - My Blue Heaven
(3:07) 19. Chick Webb & His Orchestra - Blue In My Heart
(2:34) 20. Various Artists - Nothing Blue But The Sky
(3:15) 21. Greta Keller - Blue Moon
(3:08) 22. Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo
(3:07) 23. Dinah Shore - Blues In The Night
(3:22) 24. The Chocolate Dandies Carter - Blue Interlude

Blue is the theme on this swing-era mix: not the color itself, mind you, but its namesake's many maudlin and low-down connotations. Beyond this bit of programmatic fun, the music provides a fine survey of '30s sides, albeit often on the more obscure side of things. Bookended by Basie's classic "Blue & Sentimental" and Teddy Hill's tasty "Blue Rhythm Fantasy," the mix takes in quality material from Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, the Chocolate Dandies, Benny Moten, and Chick Webb. Henry Allen, Maxine Sullivan, Fats Waller, and even Dinah Shore chime in with their own wistful confessions as well. A unique and very enjoyable collection. ~ Stephen Cook  http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-sentimental-mw0000232566

Blue & Sentimental

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Willie Nelson - Spirit

Styles: Country
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:18
Size: 92,8 MB
Art: Front

(1:44)  1. Matador
(2:56)  2. She Is Gone
(3:29)  3. Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave
(3:53)  4. I'm Not Trying To Forget You Anymore
(2:40)  5. Too Sick To Pray
(2:08)  6. Mariachi
(3:10)  7. I'm Waiting Forever
(3:03)  8. We Don't Run
(3:37)  9. I Guess I've Come To Live Here In Your Eyes
(4:01) 10. It's A Dream Come True
(4:14) 11. I Thouht About You, Lord
(4:59) 12. Spirit Of E9
(0:18) 13. Matador

Of all the records Willie Nelson made in the 1990s and since that time, none is more misunderstood or ignored than Spirit. Coming as it did so quietly and unobtrusively in 1996, a year and a half before the celebrated Teatro, Spirit is Willie's most focused album of that decade. Self-produced and featuring the sparest of instrumental settings Willie and Jody Payne play guitars, Bobbie Nelson plays piano, and Johnny Gimble plays fiddle on certain tracks Nelson weaves a tapestry, a song cycle about brokenness, loneliness, heartbreak, spiritual destitution, and emerging on the other side. The set begins with the instrumental "Matador," which seems to usher in the atmospheric texture for this album. "She's Gone" tells its heartbreak story with as much lilt and pastoral grace as is possible without being sentimental. Willie's guitar soloing is gorgeous; he's deep in the groove of the washes of Bobbie's chords. Hearing a steel-string guitar play rhythm and a nylon-string guitar play lead is an interesting twist as well. 

But Nelson digs the notion of "She's Gone" deeper into the listener's consciousness with "Your Memory Won't Die in My Grave": "Been feelin' kinda free/But I'd rather feel your arms around me/Because you're takin' away/Everything I ever wanted..../It's a memory today, it'll be a memory tomorrow/I hope you're happy someday/"Your memory won't die in my grave...." And when Nelson moves to the full acceptance issue as he does on "I'm Not Trying to Forget You," the music is slightly off-kilter in the intro, as if the singer cannot come to grips with the song. Payne plays just behind Willie, stretching time, making it slip and shimmer all the way into "Too Sick to Pray," the most devastating country waltz to be recorded since Johnny Paycheck's Little Darlin' albums. 

On "I'm Waiting Forever" and "We Don't Run," the sun begins to rise out of the heart's bleak night and comes to the dawn of a new day in the life of love and spiritual connection. This is Nelson writing conceptually as he did early on with Phases and Stages and Red Headed Stranger, but he is at his understated best here, moving deeply into the skeleton of the song itself and what it chooses to reveal through the singer. And while Spirit is quiet, it's a tough, big record that makes you confront the roar of silence in your own heart. ~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/spirit-mw0000186424

Personnel: Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar); Jody Payne (guitar, background vocals); Johnny Gimble (fiddle); Bobbie Nelson (piano).

Spirit

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