Lisa Loeb - No Fairy Tale

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:31
Size: 104,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:42)  1. No Fairy Tale
(2:58)  2. The '90s
(3:26)  3. Weak Day
(3:26)  4. Walls
(2:44)  5. A Hot Minute
(3:30)  6. Sick, Sick, Sick
(3:39)  7. Matches
(3:06)  8. Married
(2:52)  9. Swept Away
(4:34) 10. He Loved You So Much
(3:08) 11. Ami, I'm Sorry
(2:12) 12. The Worst
(3:31) 13. A Holiday Song
(3:37) 14. Fall Back Guy

Lisa Loeb's recording career has frequently found her caught in a tug of war between the quiet, introspective side of her musical personality, typified by her first and biggest hit, "Stay (I Missed You)," and her fondness for writing big, bright pop hooks ("I Do" from Firecracker was such a seemingly perfect single it made most of the album that followed sound dreary). Eighteen years after "Stay," No Fairy Tale finds Loeb throwing caution to the wind and letting her pop instincts hold sway for almost an entire album; Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory co-produced the sessions with Loeb and plays lead guitar on most tracks, and if his standard-issue SoCal electric guitar crunch doesn't sound all that special within the context of his own band, here it gives Loeb's melodies a sharp kick in the butt, and Loeb seems to be having a grand time throwing her music into third gear. Loeb's lyrics on No Fairy Tale are informed by the ennui and relationship troubles that have long dominated her songwriting, but the tone overall is sharper and more playful, and "Married," "Matches," and the title tune find her giving her themes just a bit of a twist, much like her music, and she sounds fully engaged with the material, letting the melodies and her voice roll out with the chug of the guitars. Loeb even has a bit of fun with her own reputation on "The '90s" (though she was a different type of MTV babe than the character in the song), and her collaborations with a handful of outside writers (including Maia Sharp, Morgan Taylor, Marvin Etzioni, and producer Gilbert) similarly seem to push her out of her usual comfort zone, with impressive result. (Loeb also covers two numbers by Tegan and Sara, which fit the set nicely.) And if you miss the old Lisa, the pensive "Ami, I'm Sorry" confirms she hasn't gone away. No Fairy Tale may not be the best or most personal album of Lisa Loeb's career, but it's hands down the most fun, and it's hard to imagine even the most subdued of her fans begrudging her for enjoying herself as much as she does on these 12 songs. ~ Mark Deming https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-fairy-tale-mw0002448165

Personnel:  Vocals – Lisa Loeb;  Guitar – Chad Gilbert

No Fairy Tale

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Lee Morgan - The Procrastinator

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:29
Size: 93,5 MB
Art: Front

(8:06)  1. The Procrastinator
(6:02)  2. Party Time
(6:55)  3. Dear Sir
(6:12)  4. Stopstart
(6:11)  5. Rio
(7:02)  6. Soft Touch

It is surprising that Lee Morgan's The Procrastinator was not released when it was recorded in 1967 for the sextet (which includes Wayne Shorter, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins) lives up to their potential on a well-rounded set of originals by Morgan and Shorter. The music ranges from the funky "Party Time" (which sounds like it could have been written by Horace Silver) to more explorative pieces. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-procrastinator-mw0000177020

Personnel: Lee Morgan (trumpet); Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Herbie Hancock (piano); Ron Carter (bass); Billy Higgins (drums).

The Procrastinator

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Ray Gelato - Hey There

Styles: Vocal, Swing
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:09
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:34)  1. That's Amore
(3:14)  2. You're Nobady Till Somebody Loves You
(3:19)  3. When You're Smiling
(2:32)  4. Hey There
(3:14)  5. Mambo Italiano
(2:58)  6. Just One Of Those Things
(3:04)  7. My Last Meatball
(5:37)  8. Angel Eyes
(2:45)  9. Birth Of The Blues
(4:38) 10. Topsy
(3:44) 11. Three Handed Woman
(5:18) 12. Them There Eyes , I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me
(2:05) 13. Ban It Stop It
(3:47) 14. Mutton Leg
(2:13) 15. New York New York

Ray Gelato is credited for helping kick off the Swing revival in the early '80s. This interest in vintage Swing/Jazz and R&B went massive in the '90s, spreading all over the US, and spawning bands like The Brian Setzer Big Band and The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies to name but a few. Ray started playing the tenor sax in 1979 and learned initially by playing along to his Dad’s old Rock'n'Roll records. He diligently learned the solos of such greats as Bill Haley’s sax player Rudy Pompilli, and Little Richard's sax man Lee Allen and was gigging within six months of owning a tenor sax! Playing the Rock'n'Roll and Blues circuits, he credits this training ground for him developing a huge sound on the tenor and realizing that your tone is your trademark. During this time, Ray also started studying music formally at the City Lit College in London and took private lessons from UK sax great, the late Pat Crumly. His interest in music soon developed beyond R&B and Rock'n'Roll into really studying the jazz greats such as Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and many more. He numbers amongst his strongest influences, Illinois Jacquet, Gene Ammons and Coleman Hawkins. However, Ray still recognizes the importance of those early Rock'n'Roll / R&B sax greats, and always keeps a part of them in his playing, up to this day.

Ray is proud to have been a part of the vibrant London club scene of the early to mid 1980's. Fronting the highly successful band The Chevalier Brothers gained him great experience working before an audience.  At their peak, The Chevalier Brothers were playing around 200 shows a year ! It was in this band that Ray developed his distinctive, Louis Prima  influenced vocal style that people still love to this day. Respected Jazz critics such as Jack Massarik (Eve Standard), Clive Davis (The Times) and Martin Chilton (Daily Telegraph) have given Ray very high accolades about his ‘Swing based' saxophone playing, giving special note to his sound and phrasing and also to his original, swinging vocal style.  Ray has had a fruitful career and has been fortunate to have worked with many greats in this business including, Sam Butera, Scott Hamilton, Al Grey ( Count Basie), Buddy Tate, Van Morrison, Al Casey (Fats Waller). He has also performed with Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington Orchestra, The Barcelona Big Blues Band, and Philadelphia’s City Rhythm Orchestra. Ray and his acclaimed band The Giants have been a favourite at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, holding down a 14 year residency over the Christmas period. Personal highlights of his career include playing Umbria Jazz in Italy 8 times! The Montreal Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note NY, The Lincoln Center NY and Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding. He has also opened for Robbie Williams at The Royal Albert Hall and performed on two occasions for HM The Queen. Mr. Gelato continues to lead his long running band The Giants and is also touring with the great Claire Martin O.B.E  in a show entitled A Swingin’ Affair. https://www.raygelato.com/home

Hey There

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Sherrie Maricle & Diva - I Believe In You

Styles: Big Band
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:43
Size: 130,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. I Feel Pretty
(3:46)  2. Limehouse Blues
(4:10)  3. Happy Days Are Here Again
(6:38)  4. I Believe In You
(9:36)  5. A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald
(6:09)  6. In A Sentimental Mood
(5:28)  7. The Claw
(6:22)  8. 'Tis Autumn
(7:51)  9. You And The Night And The Music

Diva, according to Webster, is the female derivation of the Latin word divus in English, “divine” which is as accurate a term as any to use when describing drummer Sherrie Maricle’s high powered New York based big band whose third recording, I Believe in You, crackles with the sort of energy and passion inspired by Maricle’s peerless role model, the late Buddy Rich. When I first heard DIVA a number of years ago the band was quite good; today, in spite of the unavoidable changes in personnel, it is even better. Staying together and rehearsing regularly enriches any band, and for that we must thank Maricle, Stanley Kay, Mike Abene, Tommy Newsom and the many others who support DIVA and help keep it going. On the evidence here, there’s not much these women can’t do, and do as well as anyone. Section work is as tight as Camryn Mannheim’s corset, and the band swings without pause at any tempo. As with any topnotch ensemble, everything starts with the lead trumpet, and DIVA has one of the best in Liesl Whitaker (for confirmation, listen to her impressive sky notes on the ballad “In a Sentimental Mood” and her bold command throughout). 

As we mentioned, there are several newcomers on the date, and Maricle puts them right to work. Claire Daly’s successor, baritone saxophonist Lisa Parrott, solos on the breezy opener, “I Feel Pretty,” and is featured on Ellington’s “Sentimental Mood.” Alto saxophonist Karoline Strassmeyer, Laura Dreyer’s talented legatee, is showcased on Scott Whitfield’s volcanic arrangement of “Limehouse Blues” and solos as well on “I Believe in You,” “The Claw” and “You and the Night and the Music” (the last a framework for Maricle’s dazzling drum–kit artistry). Barbara Laronga is featured on Abene’s sultry Streisand like arrangement of “Happy Days Are Here Again” (flugel) and solos on “I Believe in You” (trumpet). DIVA often performs in concert its tribute to Ella Fitzgerald (arranged by Newsom), and here alto Kristy Norter has her turn on “Stompin’ at the Savoy” while pianist Lorraine Desmarais and bassist Debbie Kennedy are heard on “Lady Be Good.” Laronga, Jami Dauber and Lolly Bienenfeld comprise a delightful Andrews sisters–style vocal group on “A Tisket, a Tasket.” Among the holdovers, trombonist Deborah Weisz shines on “’Tis Autumn,” Dauber on “I Feel Pretty” (opening with a quote from “Killer Joe”) and tenor Cynthia Mullis on “The Claw” and “You and the Night and the Music.” The charts, by Newsom, Whitfield, Abene, Ellen Rowe and John McNeil, give the ensemble plenty of nourishing meat to chew on, and they devour each one with unbridled enthusiasm. This is one of the country’s foremost working bands, period. The more you listen, the more you hear. For a truly memorable experience, catch DIVA in person; if you can’t do that, here’s the best alternative. ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/i-believe-in-you-sherrie-maricle-diva-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php 

Personnel:  Sherrie Maricle, leader, drums; Karoline Strassmayer, alto sax, flute; Kristy Norter, alto, soprano sax, clarinet, flute; Cynthia Mullis, Grazia DiGiorgio, tenor sax, clarinet, flute; Lisa Parrott, baritone sax, bass clarinet; Liesl Whitaker, Barbara Laronga, Tanya Darby, Jami Dauber, trumpet, flugelhorn, shaker; Lolly Bienenfeld, Deborah Weisz, trombone; Leslie Havens, bass trombone; Lorraine Desmarais, piano; Debbie Kennedy, bass.

I Believe In You

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