Diana Panton - Christmas Kiss

Styles: Vocal, Christmas
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:57
Size: 143,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:32)  1. Kissing By the Mistletoe
(4:44)  2. Baby It's Cold Outside
(4:00)  3. Christmas Kiss
(2:51)  4. Winter Weather
(3:27)  5. C'est Noel Cheri (M'ami)
(3:55)  6. Winter Wonderland
(5:18)  7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
(5:22)  8. December
(3:32)  9. Snowbound
(4:47) 10. Winter Warm
(3:52) 11. The Christmas Waltz
(4:34) 12. Christmas Time Is Here
(3:22) 13. Let It Snow! / C'est L'hiver
(4:43) 14. Images of Christmas
(2:50) 15. Douce Nuit / Silent Night

With a purr as smooth as whipped egg nog, Panton makes Christmas Kiss a sprig of audio mistletoe, backed by the light touch of jazz trio trumpeter Guido Basso, guitarist Reg Schwager and Don Thompson on bass, piano and vibraphone. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kiss-Diana-Panton/dp/B009E313Y6

Christmas Kiss

---

Diana Panton - Blue

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:50
Size: 149,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:13) 1. Where Do You Start?/once Upon A Time
(4:01) 2. Yesterday
(3:42) 3. Without Your Love
(4:16) 4. Losing My Mind
(3:08) 5. This Will Make You Laugh
(4:33) 6. The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye
(3:47) 7. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
(3:54) 8. To Say Goodbye
(5:22) 9. Meaning Of The Blues
(2:14) 10. I'll Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him
(5:52) 11. It's Always 4 Am
(5:08) 12. Just Sometimes
(2:17) 13. How Did He Look?
(3:27) 14. Nobody's Heart
(4:12) 15. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
(2:36) 16. You Are There

Two-time JUNO Award winner Diana Panton has established herself as one of the brightest lights on the international jazz scene, a songbird praised by listeners, musicians, and critics alike for her thoughtful song selection and emotional intensity. Diana is pleased to announce the October 28 release of her tenth album, blue.

Blue represents the culminating gesture in a musical narrative of romance that began with pink (2009 JUNO nominee in Canada and Silver Disc Award winner in Japan), followed by RED (2015 JUNO winner). With release dates spanning more than a decade, this trilogy charts the emotional arc of an ill-fated romantic relationship. The eponymous colours symbolically suggest content: pink is the infatuation of first-time love, RED, the passion of true love, and blue, the heartbreak and mystery of love lost.

"The release dates were deliberately spread over a decade from the first to the final album in the trilogy in order for the music to better reflect different stages in a relationship," says Diana Panton. "I knew that my voice and perspective would be more mature if I waited to record the blue album a little later in my life."

blue showcases Diana Panton, exuding confidence and completely in command of her interpretive powers. Her lustrous, evocative vocals are backed by the artistry of four longtime musical colleagues who made significant contributions to the beauty and passion of the RED album of 2015. The four include three Order of Canada honourees: tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer C.M., guitarist Reg Schwager C.M., and pianist/arranger Don Thompson O.C., plus first-call bassist Jim Vivian. The sonic landscape of blue also features the extraordinary talents of the Penderecki String Quartet, who acquired their name in 1986 upon the invitation of the great Polish composer himself.

Diana Panton's tenth release is not a casual listen, but a penetrating delve into feelings that accompany the fragments of a broken relationship. "Where Do You Start?" shows that Panton knows precisely where to start, and that is by delivering the pure, unaccompanied poetry of her beautiful, clear voice with its bold superiority of interpretation and intonation. Pianist Don Thompson provides his own musical commentary to the quixotically titled "Where Do You Start?" and the pair segues into the haunting strains of the popular song from the '60s, "Once Upon a Time."

Highlighting his interpretative gifts as a composer/arranger and pianist, talents required to create the unfiltered emotive content permeating blue, is Don Thompson's work on "The Trouble with Hello is Goodbye." This song from the '70s showcases the Penderecki String Quartet's artistry, features a supremely emotive sax improv by Phil Dwyer, and underpins Diana Panton's uncomplicated, honest way with a musical phrase.

In "To Say Goodbye," Panton dips into the rich lower register of her vocal range to capture the profound sadness of the song's lyrics, an expression so true that the listener instinctively feels she is living every word. Also noteworthy is Diana Panton's interpretation of Norma Winstone's poignant lyrics for "Just Sometimes," inspiring another flawless solo from tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer.

In command of a keen aesthetic sense, Diana Panton has attracted the attention of some of the jazz world's most respected masters. When legendary multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson first heard the nineteen-year-old Diana sing, with unabashed enthusiasm he urged her to audition for the renowned Banff Centre for the Arts Jazz Workshop. It was there that she studied under Norma Winstone, and, in subsequent visits, with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton.

When the time arrived for her to go into the recording studio, award-winning guitarist Reg Schwager was invited to join Don Thompson in laying down a collaborative sound that has proved to be, on all of her albums, the perfect setting for the delicate nuance of Diana's pure vocals. The late, great jazz critic Len Dobin called the product of that first session, ...yesterday perhaps, one of the finest debut albums he had heard in years.

Since the release of that first album in 2005, Diana Panton's career has gathered astounding momentum, drawing international acclaim for her nine albums and the impressive variety and quality of her catalogue of songs. The numerous honours garnered include JUNO Awards for RED in 2015 and I Believe in Little Things in 2017, two Silver Disc Awards in Japan, seven JUNO nominations, nine Hamilton Music Awards, and a host of National Jazz Award nominations and Canadian and American independent music award nominations.

I Believe in Little Things charted simultaneously on Billboard's Jazz and Children's Music charts and went to #1 on Amazon's "Movers and Shakers" chart, following an interview on NPR. The album received a four-star review in DownBeat magazine and was one of their Best Albums of 2016. Panton's albums have made the year-end lists of ICI Musique, NOW Magazine, Jazz Critique Magazine, the Montreal Mirror, and DownBeat, among others, and, in addition to reaching #1 on Amazon and iTunes in Canada and the US, have made bestseller lists in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
By Michael Major https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Diana-Panton-Announces-New-Album-blue-20220912

Personnel: Diana Panton – Vocals, Producer; Phil Dwyer – Saxophone; Reg Schwager – Guitar; Don Thompson – Piano, Arranger; Jim Vivian – Bass; Penderecki String Quartet:; Jerzy Kaplanek – Violin; Jeremy Bell – Violin; Christine Vlajk – Viola; Katie Schlaikjer – Cello

Blue

---

Diana Panton - Pink

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:55
Size: 143,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:52)  1. Wouldn't It Be Loverly
(3:57)  2. My Ideal
(4:05)  3. I Walk A Little Faster
(4:21)  4. My Future Just Passed
(2:44)  5. Wonder Why
(2:34)  6. Me Myself And I
(4:03)  7. What Is There To Say?
(4:23)  8. Tea For Two
(3:46)  9. Please Be Kind
(6:02) 10. Fly By Night
(4:50) 11. I Wish I Knew
(3:36) 12. They Didn't Believe Me
(4:36) 13. Love-wise
(3:24) 14. Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me
(3:43) 15. Five Minutes More
(1:51) 16. Wait Till You See Him

Diana Panton's 3rd release 'Pink' stays the course she plotted with her first two well-received albums. She's working once again with a small group, although when one of the band members is genius multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson you get a lot of bang for your musician buck. Reg Schwager is also back, accompanying with his customary artful and sensitive playing. A new addition, and a completely fitting one given Panton's languid style, is trumpet and flugelhorn player, Guido Basso. His fills and solos add rich warmth to the mix, like honey drizzled over an English muffin, filling in all the nooks and crannies. For this new album Diana has carefully chosen a collection of well-crafted songs that she can mine for lyrical gold. She is foremost a story teller - not a flashy or emotionally overwrought singer - Diana simply and deftly presents the songs so the listener can take them in without being distracted by vocal pyrotechnics. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Diana-Panton-Trio-1/dp/B002UMF1FU

Personnel: Vocals – Diana Panton; Bass, Piano, Vibraphone – Don Thompson ; Cornet, Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Guido Basso; Guitar – Reg Schwager

Pink

---

Paul Desmond, Ed Bickert, Don Thompson, Jerry Fuller - Live At Bourbon Street

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
Time: 79:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 181,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:18) 1. Wendy
(11:23) 2. Wave
( 8:59) 3. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
( 9:40) 4. Nancy
( 9:28) 5. Manha de Carnaval
( 7:18) 6. Here's That Rainy Day
(10:35) 7. My Funny Valentine
( 7:09) 8. Take Five
( 7:32) 9. Line for Lyons

When the Dave Brubeck Quartet broke up in 1967, Paul Desmond worked sporadically playing live dates, probably in part due to his substantial royalty income from his hit composition "Take Five." When Jim Hall was unavailable to play with Desmond in Canada, he recommended guitarist Ed Bickert who, like Hall, is a brilliant accompanist with the kind of musical E.S.P. that Desmond had with Brubeck.

Bassist Don Thompson (who is also a fine pianist and vibraphonist) and drummer Jerry Fuller round out this solid quartet, which worked off and with Desmond when he played in Canada during the remainder of his life. These sessions, drawn from several nights at Bourbon Street in Toronto during the fall of 1975, are intimate performances enjoyed by attentive audiences. The selections include songs that Desmond had recorded with Brubeck or Gerry Mulligan, along with tunes he had played on his own records.

Desmond's cool tone and witty quotes are a treat throughout the album. The toe-tapping blues "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" showcases Bickert's lyrical playing, along the subtly swinging work of Thompson. Desmond playful interpretation of "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" is typical of his recorded work. The most surprising track is the unusual setting of "Take Five," which takes an exotic route near the beginning of the leader's solo, with a droning vamp underneath him.

First released as a two-LP set by Horizon/A&M in 1976, the album wasn't in print long due to the demise of Horizon, though frustrated collectors welcomed the 2000 Verve CD edition, which not only fit all of the music onto a single disc, but added a previously unissued take of Gerry Mulligan's "Line for Lyons" along with the original liner notes by Desmond and his good friend, journalist Doug Ramsey, plus extensive updated notes by Carl Woideck.

This is easily the cream of the crop of Paul Desmond's post-Brubeck recordings as a leader and rivals the studio albums he recorded with Jim Hall; it is unfortunate that Desmond was diagnosed with lung cancer around the time this recording was first issued in 1976, which cut short a brilliant career far too soon. By Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-paul-desmond-quartet-live-mw0000061025#review

Personnel: Paul Desmond, alto sax; Ed Bickert, guitar; Don Thompson, bass; Jerry Fuller, drums.

Live At Bourbon Street

---

Sonny Greenwich - Sun Song (The Music of Sonny Greenwich)

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1975
Time: 40:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:15) 1. Lily (Lotus)
(12:08) 2. Peace Chant
(20:43) 3. Starlight/Parting

A gem of a record from the great Sonny Greenwich an open-toned guitarist with a style that's unlike anyone else we can think of a Canadian player who never got much exposure down here in the US, but who really stands apart from most of the jazz guitarists of his generation! There's this unusual sense of color and phrasing that really makes Sonny stand out chords that almost feel as if they're broken open and exposed from a Wes Montgomery sort of tightness able to move with a sense of fluidity, but a unique sense of rhythm that's definitely Greenwich's own.

The rest of the group here really match the spirit of his music maybe more so than on any other record of his as a leader a great lineup that includes Don Thompson on electric and acoustic piano, Rick Homme on bass, Terry Clarke on drums, and Clayton Johnson on percussion. All tracks are nice and long and titles include "Peace Chant", "Lilly Lotus", "Parting", and "Starlight". © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.https://www.dustygroove.com/item/994223/Sonny-Greenwich:Sun-Song

Personnel: Guitar – Sonny Greenwich; Bass – Rick Homme; Drums – Terry Clarke; Percussion – Clayton Johnson; Piano – Don Thompson

Sun Song (The Music of Sonny Greenwich)

---

George Shearing, Barry Tuckwell - Play The Music Of Cole Porter

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:36
Size: 100,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:58) 1. I Concentrate On You
(2:54) 2. Everything I Love
(4:43) 3. I've Got You Under My Skin (Album Version)
(2:19) 4. Easy To Love
(2:45) 5. In The Still Of The Night
(4:00) 6. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(2:41) 7. But In The Morning, No
(5:32) 8. So In Love
(4:27) 9. After You
(3:55) 10. All Through The Night
(5:16) 11. Do I Love You?

Released as part of Concord's Concerto subsidiary, this unusual release matches together pianist George Shearing with the classical French horn player Barry Tuckwell for a set of 11 Cole Porter songs. Five selections use a full string section, two are performed with a quartet, and four others are duets by Shearing and Tuckwell. In general, Tuckwell does not improvise, but Shearing's arrangements give a jazz feel to all of the performances and make the music accessible (if not really essential) to both classical and jazz listeners.~Scott Yanowhttps://www.allmusic.com/album/play-the-music-of-cole-porter-mw0000188648

Personnel: George Shearing – piano, liner notes, arranger; Barry Tuckwell – french horn, liner notes; Guildhall String Ensemble; Harry Lookofsky, Frederick Buldrini, Lewis Eley, Maura Giannini, Carmel Malin, Joseph Malin, Louann Montesi – violin; Seymour Barab, Avron Coleman, Frederick Zlotkin – cello; John Clayton, Don Thompson – double bass; Grady Tate – drums, percussion

Play The Music Of Cole Porter

---

Jim Hall - Jazz Impressions of Japan

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:43
Size: 120,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:56) 1. Light
(6:20) 2. Careful
(8:36) 3. Kyoto Bells
(2:29) 4. Without Words
(6:44) 5. Echo
(5:59) 6. Young One, For Debra
(3:02) 7. Two Special People
(2:34) 8. Something for Now

A harmonically advanced cool-toned and subtle guitarist, Jim Hall was an inspiration to many guitarists, including some (such as Bill Frisell) who sound nothing like him. Hall attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and studied classical guitar in Los Angeles with Vicente Gómez. He was an original member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet (1955-1956), and during 1956-1959 was with the Jimmy Giuffre Three. After touring with Ella Fitzgerald (1960-1961) and sometimes forming duos with Lee Konitz, Hall was with Sonny Rollins' dynamic quartet in 1961-1962, recording The Bridge. He co-led a quartet with Art Farmer (1962-1964), recorded on an occasional basis with Paul Desmond during 1959-1965 (all of their quartet performances are collected on a Mosaic box set), and then became a New York studio musician. He was mostly a leader during the following years and, in addition to his own projects for World Pacific/Pacific Jazz, MPS, Milestone, CTI, Horizon, Artist House, Concord, MusicMasters, and Telarc, Jim Hall recorded two classic duet albums with Bill Evans. A self-titled collaboration with Pat Metheny followed in 1999. A flurry of studio albums, reissues, and compilations followed throughout the next few years, with the exceptional Jim Hall & Basses standing out for its bass/guitar duet format. Jim Hall died at his apartment in Manhattan on December 10, 2013; he was 83 years old.~Scott Yanowhttps://www.allmusic.com/artist/jim-hall-mn0000286483/biography

Personnel: Guitar – Jim Hall; Bass, Piano – Don Thompson ; Drums – Terry Clarke

Jazz Impressions of Japan

---

Jim Hall - Live in Tokyo

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:25
Size: 120,3 MB
Art: Front

( 9:08)  1. Billie's Bounce
( 4:55)  2. Twister
( 8:01)  3. Secret Love
( 8:45)  4. Concierto de Aranjuez
(10:57)  5. Chelsea Bridge
(10:37)  6. St. Thomas

One of a pair of recordings made during a tour of Japan for Paddlewheel (a subsidiary of King), the Jim Hall Trio, with bassist Don Thompson and drummer Terry Clarke, is in top form during this 1976 concert. The opener, Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce," is an introspective interpretation, though played with plenty of fire, while "Twister," a duo performance credited to both Hall and Clarke, may very well be an improvisation. 

A quiet piece like the excerpt from Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjeuz" is tailor-made for Hall's often subtle, rather understated approach to his instrument. First-rate versions of "Chelsea Bridge" and "St. Thomas" round out this highly recommended live set, which has never been issued outside of Japan nor made available on CD.~Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-tokyo-mw0001245277

Personnel:  Guitar – Jim Hall;  Bass – Don Thompson;  Drums – Terry Clarke

Live in Tokyo

---

Diana Panton - Yesterday Perhaps

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2007

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 58:17

Size: 134,0 MB

Art: Front

(4:42)  1. That Old Feeling

(5:05)  2. Dindi

(3:21)  3. Plus Je T'embrasse

(5:23)  4. I'm A Fool To Want You

(4:37)  5. Isn't This A Lovely Day?

(4:04)  6. Summer Me, Winter Me

(4:18)  7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

(2:48)  8. Les Feuilles Mortes

(4:11)  9. This Is Always

(3:37) 10. You Hit The Spot

(3:42) 11. I Get Along Without You

(4:52) 12. For All We Know

(3:08) 13. Stars Fell On Alabama

(2:27) 14. You'd Better Go Now

(3:21) 15. In The Wee Small Hours

2005 was a great year for “…yesterday perhaps”! The album was named one of the TOP 10 releases of the year by Len Dobbin (Montreal Mirror), Tim Perlich (Toronto’s NOW Magazine) and Dan Sich (!earshot). It was a highlight in year-end reviews by Ric Taylor (VIEW Magazine) and Leonard Turnevicius (Hamilton Spectator). Diana was nominated for four Hamilton Music Scene Awards and won for “Best Jazz Recording” and the People’s Choice Award for “Best Live Performance” (thanks to all who voted). In 2011, ...yesterday perhaps was awarded a Silver Disc Award by Jazz Critique Magazine upon its release in Japan.

Canadian jazz vocalist Diana Panton has already released three albums in Japan. She is not an overdramatic singer. The charm of her singing style can be found in its unique soft expressiveness. Her music can soothe you even when listening in a casual way. This comforting quality found in her singing is one of the causes of her popularity. I'm happy that her previously unavailable debut album has finally been released in Japan, and above all, I am very satisfied with the quality of the album. Reg Schwager's guitar is very beautiful and Diana has a great chemistry with Don Thompson's piano too. The album gives warmth to a cold winter's night. ~ Hijiri Kanno, Jazz Life  http://www.dianapanton.com/releases-yesterday.html

Personnel:  Diana Panton - vocal;  Reg Schwager - guitar;  Don Thompson - bass, piano, vibes

Yesterday Perhaps

---

John Abercrombie & Don Thompson - Witchcraft

Styles: Guitar, Post Bop
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:04
Size: 138,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:59) 1. Everything I Love
(5:33) 2. Sometime Ago
(6:04) 3. Witchcraft
(8:50) 4. My Foolish Heart
(6:12) 5. Fall Colours
(5:56) 6. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(5:41) 7. Peace
(7:01) 8. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(8:43) 9. You Don't Know What Love Is

For followers who bemoan guitarist John Abercrombie's tendency to record rather adventurous albums with an often electronically treated tone, Witchcraft will be a delight. On this duo recording with bassist Don Thompson (who also plays piano on three tracks), the guitarists' sound is untreated, and the repertoire is standards. The two play well together, and there are some lovely moments on the record. The title track finds Abercrombie using the differing tonal qualities of his guitar's open strings to give the melody a unique interpretation. The sole original on the record, "Fall Colours" (credited to both writers, although the Canadian spelling may reveal the true author), is based on the standard "Autumn Leaves." Abercrombie sounds fine here, if at times pretty rather than substantial. He prefers to play in long single-note lines, rather than taking the more chordal approach many guitarists attempt in such a stripped-down setting. Thompson is a highly interactive bass player with enviable technique, allowing him to play melodic, fluid solos throughout. There seem to be several sound problems on Witchcraft; the recording level is very low, and a rattling sound often accompanies the musicians' louder notes, which grows to be quite distracting on repeated listenings.~ Dan Cross https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/witchcraft-mr0000352205

Personnel: John Abercrombie - guitar; Don Thompson; double bass, piano

Witchcraft

---

Diana Panton - A Cheerful Little Earful

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:29
Size: 123,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Happy Talk
(3:11)  2. It's A Most Unusual Day
(2:32)  3. A You're Adorable
(3:52)  4. Red Red Robin
(2:55)  5. I Don't Want to Live On the Moon
(3:28)  6. Cheerful Little Earful
(3:16)  7. If You Feel Like Singing Sing
(3:15)  8. Music and Me
(3:46)  9. Pocketful of Miracles
(5:28) 10. Look to the Rainbow
(3:43) 11. All In the Golden Afternoon
(2:43) 12. Experiment
(3:55) 13. Aren't You Glad You're You
(3:11) 14. Sing A Rainbow
(4:10) 15. Hush-A-Bye Island

The graphics on A Cheerful Little Earful by Diana Panton and, to a certain extent, this title as well may cue a “children’s record”, but make no mistake Miss Panton’s gorgeous winter 2019 release will have a much broader appeal. The “cheerful little earful” evokes the joy of music really. It also brings together repertoire that celebrates the creativity of timeless song from an era that is all but lost to us in an age when every recording musician seems compelled to pen his or her own songs. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, there is nothing like the eternal magic of song that lives and breathes and is aglow in the Great American Songbook; songs from timeless films and Broadway hits written by masters such as Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Heusen, “Yip” Harburg and Burton Lane, and Cole Porter among others. More to the point, there’s nothing like the eternal magic of this repertoire sung by Diana Panton, with the great musicianship of Don Thompson and Reg Schwager accompanying her along the way. As ever on A Cheerful Little Earful Miss Panton is on top of her game. She gives notice throughout that she is an artist of the first order.

Her instrument is gorgeous; lustrous, precise and feather-light. Her musicianship is also fierce as she digs into the meaning of each word, brings ceaseless variety to soft dynamics and gives every phase grace. As ever, in everything she sings on yet another magnificent disc, Miss Panton brings narratives vividly to life and creates rhapsodic atmosphere. Songs such as “Pocketful of Miracles” and “Look To The Rainbow” are exquisite examples of everything that is timeless and great about Miss Panton’s musicianship. Miss Panton has the unique privilege of enjoying the extraordinary musicianship of Don Thompson, the veritable doyen of Canadian music; as well she has been fortunate to have the masterful guitarist Reg Schwager on each of her albums. Mr Thompson – whether as the arranger of note or whether on piano, bass or vibraphone – and Mr Schwager both bring deeply interiorised readings of this music. This complements the vision and artistry of Miss Panton in a matchless way. This music, as with that of her other albums, is light on melancholy, and saturated with the imaginative and luminous colour of joy. These, and other reasons mentioned in the course of this review make A Cheerful Little Earful an irresistible record, one that is likely to also garner many accolades as it gets its rightful due on radio and other media.~ Raul Gama https://torontomusicreport.com/reviews/cd-reviews/diana-panton-a-cheerful-little-earful/

Personnel: Diana Panton: vocals; Reg Schwager: guitar; Don Thompson: bass, piano and vibraphone

A Cheerful Little Earful

---

George Shearing & Don Thompson - George Shearing at Home

Styles: Piano Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:59
Size: 132,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(2:50)  2. A Time for Love
(5:51)  3. Ghoti
(3:01)  4. The Things We Did Last Summer
(4:50)  5. Laura
(4:13)  6. The Skye Boat Song
(5:42)  7. Confirmation
(2:50)  8. The Girl Next Door
(2:24)  9. Can't We Be Friends?
(5:07) 10. I Cover the Waterfront
(3:18) 11. Out of Nowhere
(3:06) 12. That Old Devil Called Love
(5:09) 13. Subconsciouslee
(3:56) 14. Beautiful Love

Pianist Sir George Shearing (1919—2011) was himself an integral part of the be bop jazz movement in the late 1940s. His quintet that featured vibraphone and guitar with the standard piano trio was sonically ground breaking. His precise and measured piano style influenced a generation of pianists and several of his compositions ("Lullaby of Birdland" and "Conception") have become jazz standards. He was not flashy, but a solid, well-considered player whose playing could always be counted on to be elegant and durable. These fourteen tracks were recorded in Shearing's home during a six-week residency at a New York City jazz club in 1983. Bassist Don Thompson, with whom Shearing made these recordings, found them shortly after Shearing's 2011 death at 91. More than aurally acceptable, these recordings reveal a relaxed and swinging Shearing, playing as effortlessly as if it were the easiest thing in the world. Thompson provides expert timekeeping and some piquant soloing of his own on this diverse collection of 20th Century music. David Raksin's "Laura" shimmers while the Styne/Cahn classic "The Things We Did Last Summer" bounces with a restful and quaint stride. The be bop of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" is fresh and the abstract and angular "SubconsciousLee" bares all the edges, sharp and smooth. George Shearing at home is a treat in the same way, (Vladimir) Horowitz at Home (Deutsche Grammophon, 1989) was both men were relaxed and at the top of their game. ~ C.Michael Bailey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/george-shearing-at-home-george-shearing-proper-records-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php

Personnel: George Shearing: piano; Don Thompson: bass.

George Shearing at Home

---

John Handy - Recorded Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:17
Size: 179,3 MB
Art: Front

(27:29)  1. If Only We Knew
(19:34)  2. Spanish Lady
(31:12)  3. Tears of Ole Miss (Anatomy of a Riot)(Bonus Track)

John Handy's performance at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival was a sensation and arguably the high point of his career. The altoist, using a quintet that included violinist Michael White, guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Terry Clarke (all of whom were young unknowns at the time), played two lengthy songs: the 27-minute "If Only We Knew" and "Spanish Lady," which lasts a mere 19 and a half minutes. After a brief theme, "If Only We Knew" mostly features unaccompanied solos. Handy's opening statement immediately quieted the crowd, which was amazed by the altoist's courage and the logic of the advanced yet tonal music. "Spanish Lady" also has a long Handy statement and builds up to a very exciting conclusion. 

Even over three decades later, the music sounds fresh, colorful, and innovative. The original Columbia LP (which has been long out of print) had reversed the order of the songs and even their titles so this Koch CD reissue is very welcome on several levels. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-monterey-jazz-festival-mw0000081959

Personnel:  John Handy – alto saxophone;  Mike White – violin;  Jerry Hahn – guitar;  Don Thompson – bass;  Terry Clarke – drums

On bonus track:   John Handy – alto saxophone;  Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone;  Pat Martino - guitar;  Albert Stinson - bass;  Doug Sides - drums

Recorded Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival

---

Diana Panton - I Believe in Little Things

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:48
Size: 125,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. In a World of My Own
(5:37)  2. Alice in Wonderland
(4:15)  3. Pure Imagination
(3:31)  4. Imagination
(4:42)  5. Sing
(3:19)  6. I’m Going to Go Back There Someday
(3:19)  7. The Rainbow Connection
(2:48)  8. Little Things
(5:48)  9. When You Wish Upon a Star
(2:12) 10. Halfway Down the Stairs
(3:38) 11. Everybody Sleeps
(4:53) 12. Sleep Is a Precious Thing
(4:14) 13. Hushabye Mountain
(2:26) 14. Slumber My Darling

I Believe in Little Things highlights Diana Panton's enchanting vocals on obscure gems and children's classics from Disney, Sesame Street, Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with a unique jazz twist. Don Thompson, Reg Schwager and Coenraad Bloemendal provide delightful accompaniment to Diana's sweet voice. Although destined for children, this album speaks to the child in all of us. There is a carefree aura of freedom and hope in this gentle musical world where dreams can come true. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Little-Things-Diana-Panton/dp/B013RCQROU

Personnel:  Vocals – Diana Panton;  Bass, Piano, Vibraphone – Don Thompson;  Cello – Coenraad Bloemendal;  Guitar – Reg Schwager

I Believe in Little Things

---

Miranda Sage - Moon Tiger

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:57
Size: 158,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:47)  1. Island Man
(5:19)  2. Close Your Eyes
(3:28)  3. Fly Me to the Moon
(5:18)  4. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing
(4:21)  5. Full Moon
(4:23)  6. Moon Tiger
(5:20)  7. Moon And Sand
(3:19)  8. I Thought About You
(4:43)  9. You And The Night And The Music
(3:59) 10. Orchids In The Moonlight
(4:33) 11. That's Fall
(5:09) 12. Some Other Time
(3:07) 13. Lullaby
(5:01) 14. A Grove Of Trees
(5:02) 15. Slow Hot Wind

From the cool, free floating beauty of Hugh Fraser and Miranda Sage's collaboration "Island Man" through to the torrid passion of Henry Mancini's "Slow Hot Wind", Moon Tiger provides a perfect vehicle for Miranda's expressive three-octave voice to deliver every emotion from yearning to lust, and every quality from sweet high purity to sultry come-hither worldliness. It is a voice made for capturing hearts. Miranda Sage is English by birth, though she has lived most of her adult life in western Canada. A music lover since early childhood, her musical training includes a backgroung in piano, clarinet, saxophone, lute and guitar. Her vocal training was acquired through the University of Victoria, the Victoria Conservatory of muisic, and various jazz workshops in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. On this solid base, Miranda has built her concept of the voice as an instrument. Following several tours in North America and Europe, she released her first CD, "Standards and Originals in a Jazz Key", in 1997, to wide critical acclaim. Miranda sings regularly in Victoria with the eighteen piece Swiftsure Big Band, and well as with small combos. She has also performed with the Hugh Fraser International big band, the Port Townsend Jazz Festival big band and has appeared several times at the Victoria International Jazz festival. She performed in 2002 at the Isle of Wight Jazz Divas festival and in 2004 at the Mid Argyll Annual Gala in Scotland. Moon Tiger, produced by award winning Rick Kilburn, features Hugh Fraser on piano and trombone, Don Thompson on piano and bass, Campbell Ryga on saxophone, Ken Lister on bass, Dave Robbins on drums, and Jack Duncan on percussion. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/mirandasage

Jim Wilke of KPLU's Jazz Northwest chose "Moon Tiger" as his 8th favourite pick from the northwest for 2003.

"A savvy mix of tunes, tempos, and ensembles sung with clear and effortless delivery by Miranda Sage" Neil Ritchie, CBC Radio

"Sage's horn-like phrasing is a delight on upbeat Jobim-penned sambas and her own tricky originals." Joseph Blake, Times Colonist

"Sage unleashed a voice of thrilling flexibilty and range making jazz singing sound like the easiest thing in the world" Drew Snyder, Monday Magazine

Personnel: Miranda Sage (vocals); Campbell Ryga (saxophone); Hugh Fraser (trombone, piano); Don Thompson Quartet (piano); Dave Robbins (drums); Jack Duncan (percussion).

Moon Tiger

---

Laila Biali - From Sea to Sky

Styles: Vocal  And Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:22
Size: 145,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. Ice Cream
(4:49)  2. Secret Heart
(6:45)  3. Tears of Hercules
(5:48)  4. Radiance
(5:54)  5. Calling All Angels
(5:23)  6. Woodstock
(5:48)  7. I'll Never Smile Again
(5:10)  8. Stolen Land
(4:56)  9. Mushaboom
(6:01) 10. Autumn Leaves
(6:56) 11. Anthem

"When an extraordinary talent delivers an exceptional recording, it is time for celebration and recognition. Such is the case with multi-talented Laila Biali - singer, pianist and arranger of a CD that is full of heart and joy." 5 out of 5 stars.~  Montreal Gazette

"This one's a surefire winner from pianist and now pianist-vocalist Biali, one of the very best of Canada's new crop of jazz artists." 4 out of 4 stars. ~ Toronto Star

"Featuring all-Canadian songs, this screams 'Juno.' It even whispers 'Grammy.' Superb." Rating: A ~ Vancouver Province

Personnel:  Laila Biali (vocals, piano, arrangements), George Koller (bass), Larnell Lewis (drums), Rob Piltch (guitar), Don Thompson (vibes, piano on "I'll Never Smile Again"), Guido Basso (flugelhorn, trumpet), Phil Dwyer (saxophones)

From Sea to Sky

---

Sonny Greenwich & Ed Bickert - Days Gone By

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:44
Size: 179,3 MB
Art: Front

( 8:26)  1. With a Song in My Heart
( 3:58)  2. I Remember You
( 6:42)  3. Lily
(10:00)  4. Nica's Dream
( 8:57)  5. I'll Take Romance
( 7:46)  6. Oleo
( 8:25)  7. I Know Why
(12:26)  8. Gittar Blues

Canadian guitarist Sonny Greenwich has been on the jazz scene for a long time, but he isn't very well known outside of his native land due to the limited opportunities he's had to record for Americans labels. Bouts of ill health and periodical withdrawals from music have also proven to be a handicap. Greenwich had done quite a bit of recording in Canada prior to this 1979 session, including several albums with Don Thompson, the bassist on this occasion. This informal recording made at Thompson's studio features Greenwich predominately playing lead with seasoned guitarist Ed Bickert playing fills (though he also solos very effectively), as well as drummer Terry Clarke. 

Liner note writer John Norris explains that the occasional distortion comes from the lack of having anyone at the control board, but it isn't a major distraction. All of the music is quite enjoyable even if it wasn't necessarily recorded with the intention of releasing it, as it didn't come out until 2000. The set consists of a heavy dose of standards ("With a Song in My Heart," "I Remember You," and "I'll Take Romance") and classic jazz compositions (Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream" and Sonny Rollins' "Oleo"), all of which are inspired. The lush ballad "I Know Why" (by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon) is a song that ought to be a standard, but has been for the most part overlooked. Greenwich also contributed the lyrical ballad "Lily" and the lengthy finale, "Gittar Blues," was likely created on the spot by the two guitarists. This is one of many fine releases put out by Sackville, a Canadian label well worth exploring as a whole. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/days-gone-by-mw0000100323

Personnel: Sonny Greenwich, Ed Bickert (guitar); Don Thompson (bass); Terry Clarke (drums).

Days Gone By

---

Emily Remler - Take Two

Styles: Guitar Jazz

Year: 1982

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 44:27

Size: 102,1 MB

Art: Front

(4:54)  1. Cannonball

(4:58)  2. In Your Own Sweet Way

(6:48)  3. For Regulars Only

(5:23)  4. Search for Peace

(6:50)  5. Pocket Wes

(6:41)  6. Waltz for My Grandfather

(2:30)  7. Afro Blue

(6:20)  8. Eleuthra

Emily Remler's second recording as a leader finds the 24-year-old guitarist still very much playing in the Wes Montgomery vein, although showing her own musical personality here and there. She is joined by pianist James Williams, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Terry Clarke on a challenging set of material filled with obscurities. Certainly such numbers as Cannonball Adderley's "Cannonball," Dexter Gordon's "For Regulars Only," McCoy Tyner's "Search for Peace," and Monty Alexander's "Eleuthra" are rarely performed. Better known are "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "Afro Blue"; Remler also contributes two originals. Throughout the date the guitarist displays a great deal of potential, much of which would sadly go unrealized due to her early death. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/take-two-mw0000076188

Personnel: Emily Remler (guitar), James Williams (piano), Don Thompson (bass), Terry Clarke (drums).

Take Two

---

Ed Bickert & Don Thompson - At The Garden Party

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:38
Size: 152.5 MB
Styles: Cool jazz, Guitar jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[6:18] 1. Alone Together
[5:33] 2. A Face Like Yours
[6:29] 3. You Are Too Beautiful
[6:28] 4. What Is This Thing Called Love
[7:39] 5. Who Can I Turn To
[3:03] 6. Walkin' My Baby Back Home
[6:16] 7. Please Be Kind
[6:16] 8. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[5:35] 9. One Morning In May
[6:48] 10. Ease It
[6:07] 11. I'll Wait And Pray

Recorded on January 22, 1978 & December 4, 1976.

The first seven selections on this CD reissue a 1978 duet concert featuring the quiet guitarist Ed Bickert and bassist Don Thompson. A little reminiscent of a famous Jim Hall/Ron Carter collaboration, the music alternates introspective ballads with a couple romps, including a brisk "What Is This Thing Called Love." Bickert's playing is both swinging and sophisticated, often utilizing reharmonized chords, while Thompson functions as an equal partner. The final four selections are from a previously unreleased 1976 studio set with drummer Terry Clarke making the group a quintet. For unknown reasons this session was never completed, but the music is on the same high level as the live duet performance. In fact, the subtle drumming makes it easier for the group to swing harder, with Hoagy Carmichael's "One Morning in May" being a highlight. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

At The Garden Party                 

---