Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Sarah Jarosz - Build Me Up From Bones

Styles: Folk
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:12
Size: 101,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Over The Edge
(3:32)  2. Fuel The Fire
(3:49)  3. Mile On The Moon
(3:36)  4. Build Me Up From Bones
(3:31)  5. Dark Road
(4:53)  6. Simple Twist Of Fate
(3:27)  7. 1,000 Things
(3:34)  8. Gone Too Soon
(4:56)  9. Anything Else
(5:36) 10. The Book Of Right-On
(3:52) 11. Rearrange The Art

The third full-length by 22-year-old Sarah Jarosz reflects not only her growth as a songwriter but her willingness to push the boundaries of country, folk, and Americana to discover connections not necessarily considered before. Build Me Up from Bones reflects years of study in contemporary voice improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music. She wrote nine of the 11 songs here, and chose two covers: Bob Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" and Joanna Newsom's "The Book of Right-On." Her various backing musicians include Viktor Krauss, Chris Thile, Darrell Scott, and Aiofe O'Donovan, to name a few. Jarosz plays guitar, banjo, and mandolins. "Over the Edge," fueled by Dan Dugmore's lap steel, Jedd Hughes' acoustic guitar, and her own octave mandolin, walks a roots rock line, while the title track is a slipstream modern folk number that finds her voice accompanied by mandolin, two string players, and O'Donovan's harmony vocal. "Dark Road" drifts between electric Americana, newgrass, and contemporary folk, kissed by Jerry Douglas' dobro and Scott's electric guitar. 

What all of these songs have in common is a new openness in Jarosz's singing. She takes chances with her phrasing, allowing one line to bleed just enough to inform the next; she moves her smoky alto around its range, holding dynamics in check in favor of subtle tension. Her songs are looser, more expressionistic lyrically and instrumentally; sound and texture are more important than genre. Her reading of Dylan's tune is understated, yet reveals empathy for its narrative in its marrow; her vocal is accompanied only by Nathaniel Smith's plucked cello, revealing the intimate connection. The haunted love song "Gone Too Soon" is one of the most bracing tracks here; Jarosz's banjo is complemented by a full band that features Douglas' and Scott complementing her on Weissenborn and acoustic guitars, respectively, with Kate Rusby's chilling harmony vocal offering support. The slippery, jazz-like take on Newsom's song finds Jarosz employing a breezy blues delivery in the lyric, while her syncopated mandolin playing engages in rhythmic interplay with cello and violin. O'Donovan rejoins her on closer "Re-Arrange the Art," an expansive yet impressionistic song about lost love that walks the line between emotional stress, loneliness, and open acceptance. 

Jarosz's banjo is the only clearly discernible instrument as pedal steel, strings, and a Wurlizter swirl around the singers. Build Me Up from Bones separates itself from its promising predecessors because it is a songwriter's record. Jarosz lets her considerable instrumental prowess submit itself to serving the needs of her songs instead of merely adorning them with a precocious imagination. She can do this because she possesses not only self confidence in her material, but in her discernment, which is rare for a musician so young. ~Thom Jurek   
http://www.allmusic.com/album/build-me-up-from-bones-mw0002570516             

Leonie Smith - Sweet Jazz

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 101,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Angel Eyes
(4:30)  2. Nature Boy
(3:04)  3. Dream a Little Dream of Me
(3:30)  4. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(3:20)  5. Blue Moon
(3:04)  6. Autumn Leaves
(3:11)  7. Our Love Is Here to Stay
(4:33)  8. Easy Living
(3:37)  9. Ain't Misbehavin'/You Took Advantage of Me
(2:31) 10. Love Me or Leave Me
(2:31) 11. I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key
(5:12) 12. Since I Fell for You

Inspired by the world of Jazz, Leonie performs with an elegance and style reminiscent of the old-style torch singers.
Leonie sets a sultry mood. Sometimes soulful and emotive, sometimes light and humorous. Always a magnetic presence.

Her versatility allows for changes in ambience and tempo from swinging dance music, to quieter music for cocktails or dinner. Her songs encompass the longing ballads of Billie Holiday, popular songs of Cole Porter and George Gershwin, and the Jazz standards of Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Rogers and Hart, and many other great Jazz composers.

Leonie Smith is an Australian jazz Vocalist, with a smooth sophisticated style, who has been working as a singer for over 10 years in Jazz Clubs, Restaurants, Function Centers and for Corporate Events.
Leonie's early experience was gained through live performances at Kate Dunbar's open mike sessions and with the Freddy Willson Jazz workshops and it was not long before she was singing regularly at the Rocks Markets on Sydney Harbour, with her band The Cats Whiskers, and at other venues around town. These gigs developed into nights at premier jazz venues The Basement and Soup Plus in Sydney, as well as five star hotels and resorts. With the support of some of the venues, which gave her residencies (permanent bookings), she was able to perform with some of the finest musicians this country has to offer, including Bobby Gebbert, Peter Zog, John Morrison, Matt Baker, Michael Bartolomi.

For a change of pace, In 1994 Leonie joined the very popular Andrew Sisters Sisters - a tribute group to the famous wartime entertainers. The group won a Mo award in her first year with them and were nominated again in the second year. Leonie performed the role of Patty: "She was the blonde, cheeky one who got to flirt with the audience, usually perched on some man's lap. I had a ball! The wigs and the costumes meant we could get away with things we would never normally attempt and no one recognised us afterwards. I loved it.''

Performing with the tribute group meant that Leonie also had to master very tight harmonies and dance choreography and the Andrew Sisters Sisters shows appeared at clubs, function centres for corporate events, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, and many other venues. "It was great to be able to really ham it up and it was wonderful to work with some other women for a change''. In 2003 Leonie recorded her Debut Album entitled "Sweet Jazz" with John Morrison and Kerrie Biddel co-producing. Musicians on the Album include George Golla Guitar, Matt Baker Piano, Stan Valacos Bass, Julian Gough on Sax and John Morrison on Drums. In 2005 Leonie Joined Sydney Jazz Station FM 99.3 Northside Rythm and Jazz in Chatswood as co-presenter of Jazz at 5 on Fri Afternoons.

As a Jazz vocalist, Leonie Smith either performs as part of a duo, with a Pianist or a Guitarist, or with a band of up to 5 musicians, including Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Bass, and Drums. She can provide any combination, in accord with your venue or events requirements. The musicians Leonie employs play regularly with her, and are highly regarded professionals within the Sydney Jazz scene. http://www.jazz.org.au/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=207&Itemid=84

Rebecca Kilgore & Harry Allen - Live at Feinstein's At Loews Regency

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:43
Size: 169,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:45)  1. Your Mother's Son-In-Law
(1:47)  2. Kilgore Introduction
(5:18)  3. You Can't Lose a Broken Heart
(6:13)  4. Them There Eyes
(6:06)  5. That Ole Devil Called Love
(6:10)  6. Foolin' Myself
(0:31)  7. Introducing Harry Allen Quartet
(7:38)  8. Tickle Toe
(0:26)  9. Harry Allen Introducing "I Want to Be Happy"
(7:43) 10. I Want to Be Happy
(5:42) 11. Getting Some Fun Out of Life
(5:44) 12. The Blues Are Brewin'
(4:35) 13. You're a Lucky Guy
(4:52) 14. I Wished on the Moon
(0:22) 15. Thank You
(5:43) 16. I'm Checking Out, Go-om Bye

Rebecca Kilgore's career has steadily climbed since she gained national exposure from her mid-'90s Arbors CD I Saw Stars, becoming a favorite of jazz parties and clubs around the U.S. For this engagement she joined forces with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen's quartet for a salute to Billie Holiday and Lester Young, recorded during two nights of their booking at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency in August 2010, with pianist Rosanno Sportiello, bassist Joel Forbes (who is a member of her regular quartet), and drummer Chuck Riggs. Fortunately, this is not the kind of tribute where the artists are interested in merely duplicating the recordings of jazz greats that they are honoring; instead, they put their own stamp on the songs that Lady Day and Prez recorded, while keeping their swinging, intimate feeling. 

After a quick run through "Your Mother's Son-in-Law" (an unremarkable piece that launched young Billie Holiday's career as she debuted on disc with Benny Goodman), she gets into the meat of the singer's discography with an effervescent setting of "Them There Eyes" and a lightly swinging "Foolin' Myself," in which Kilgore scats in unison with Allen's robust tenor. There are two instrumental features for Allen, a hard-blowing "Tickle Toe" and a gritty, brisk interpretation of "I Want to Be Happy." The Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn vehicle "I'm Checkin' Out Go-om Bye" has nothing to do with Holiday or Young, but proves to be a potent closing number, with a strong chorus by Allen and two choruses of masterful stride piano by Sportiello. Too few of Rebecca Kilgore's live performances have appeared on CD, and this rewarding disc will give jazz fans a better idea of her strengths in a club setting. ~ Ken Dryden  
http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-feinsteins-at-loews-regency-mw0002112861            

Personnel: Harry Allen (tenor saxophone); Rebecca Kilgore (vocals); Rossano Sportiello (piano); Chuck Riggs (drums).

Live at Feinstein's At Loews Regency

Ron Carter - Jazz & Bossa

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:19
Size: 106,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(8:48)  1. Salt Song (Cançao Do Sal)
(5:58)  2. Whisper Not
(5:51)  3. Por-De-Sol
(6:23)  4. De Samba
(3:58)  5. No More Blues (Chega de Saudade)
(3:19)  6. Obrigado
(4:04)  7. Ah, Rio
(5:44)  8. Wave
(2:10)  9. Saudade

Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific, and  influential bassists in jazz. With more than 2,000 albums to his credit, he has recorded with many of music's greats: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, and Bobby Timmons. In the early 1960s he performed throughout the United States in concert halls and nightclubs with Jaki Byard and Eric Dolphy. He later toured Europe with Cannonball Adderley. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the classic and acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. He was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and Most Valuable Player by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

In 1993 Ron Carter earned a Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Group, the Miles Davis Tribute Band and another Grammy in 1998 for Call 'Sheet Blues', an instrumental composition from the film 'Round Midnight. In addition to scoring and arranging music for many films, including some projects for Public Broadcasting System, Carter has composed music for A Gathering of Old Men, starring Lou Gosset Jr., The Passion of Beatrice directed by Bertrand Tavernier, and Blind Faith starring Courtney B. Vance. Carter shares his expertise in the series of books he authored, among which are Building Jazz Bass Lines and The Music of Ron Carter; the latter contains 130 of his published and recorded compositions.

Carter earned a bachelor of music degree from the Eastman School in Rochester and a master's degree in double bass from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He has also received two honorary doctorates, from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and was the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Hutchinson Award from the Eastman School at the University of Rochester. Most recently he was honored by the French Minister of Culture with France's premier cultural award--the medallion and title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, given to those who have distinguished themselves in the domain of artistic or literary creation and for their contribution to the spread of arts and letters in France and the world.

Carter has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics and master classes, instructing jazz ensembles and teaching the business of music at numerous universities. He was Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Studies while it was located in Boston and, after 18 years on the faculty of the Music Department of The City College of New York, he is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus although, as a performer, he remains as active as ever.
“Jazz and Bossa” album by the jazz bass legend Ron Carter, released in 2008 on the Blue Note label, is a musical exploration of the wonderful sounds of Jazz and Bossa Nova. Nine tracks including 'Saudade', 'Salt Song (Cancao Do Sal)' and 'Whisper Not'. 

Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY.

Personnel: Javon Jackson (tenor saxophone); Stephen Scott (piano); Portinho (drums); Roland Morales Matos (percussion).

Monday, October 28, 2013

The Blue Vipers Of Brooklyn - Permanent Magic

Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 43:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Ragtime, Retro Jazz, Retro Swing
Label: Gimme-A-Buck Productions
Art: Front

01. Blue Drag (3:39)
02. Nadine (2:36)
03. Stay A Little Longer (2:29)
04. Georgia (4:11)
05. Some Of These Days (3:16)
06. Don't Pretend (3:22)
07. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (2:40)
08. You Can Depend On Me (4:25)
09. Viperation (3:33)
10. Permanent Magic (2:18)
11. Hey Good Lookin (3:10)
12. Nightlife (4:15)
13. All Night Long (2:46)
14. Happy Trails (1:11)

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are an early jazz, swing, and blues band, composed of acoustic guitar/vocals, upright bass, homemade washboard percussion, trumpet and saxophone. Their repertoire of witty songs from 1920's and 30's is augmented by original tunes with moving yet often bawdy lyrics and catchy 4 part vocal harmony.
“I Love them. They set a great tone for any event.” Bette Midler 5/2010
“The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn provided fantastic entertainment.”
Willie Nelson 6/2007
Awards
Featured in New York Magazine Weddings “The Ultimate New York
Wedding Planer” “The Best Bands” Winter 2010
2007- “Subway Idol” contest winners. A month long live performance feature on FOX’s nationally syndicated “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.” Voted the top spot by the studio audience and viewers at home.
Notable Performances
2010 - Target Free Thursdays David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project 15th Birthday ‘Hulaween’ Party at The Waldorf Astoria featuring Paul Simon, Bette Midler’s NYRP Picnic hosted by Nathan Lane. The Vipers’ performance was personally requested by Bette Midler; appeared performing in a May episode of MTV’s “The City”; American Roots Music Symposiums, Gruyeres Switzerland
2009 - Frankie Manning’s 95th Birthday Festival, Manhattan Center Studios; Hogg’s Breath, Green Parrot, Blue Heaven, Key West FL; Target First Saturday Festival, The Brooklyn Museum; Wedding reception for Lisa Loeb, New York City
2008 - The Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester, NY; Tropical Heatwave Festival, Tampa, Florida; Long Beach Jazz Festival, Long Beach NY; Bayshore Harbor Festival, Bayshore NY; Brooklyn Public Library Concert Series; Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition Art show; Pierson Park Jazz Concerts, Tarrytown NY; Fort Green Market Concerts, Brooklyn NY; Garrison Art Center Fair, Garrison NY; Ukiah Sundays in the Park Festival, Ukiah CA; Summer Nights! Live Concert Series, Windsor CA; Roots Americana Festival, San Jose CA; Babylon Village Arts Festival, Babylon NY; Summer Hummer Concert Series, Wynnewood PA; featured on WAMC Northeast Public Radio show "Performance Place"
Tropical Heatwave Festival, Tampa, Florida
2007 - “Soundcheck” with John Schaefer on WNYC radio; “Hey Mr. Jesse” featured on Yehoodi.com radio; September Concert” commemorating 911; “Keep America Growing” sponsored by Farm Aid, NYC. The Vipers played for Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Farm Aid board of directors; the 2nd and 3rd annual “People Building Peace Concert” sponsored by Peace Boat at the United Nations in NYC
2006- “Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Roots of American Music Festival,” Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC

Permanent Magic

Gregory Agid Quartet - Mystery Blues

Size: 122,1 MB
Time: 53:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Mainstream Jazz
Art: Front

01. Mystery Blues (5:53)
02. Rose Room (6:01)
03. Chelsea Bridge (6:59)
04. Spy Boy (5:12)
05. Summers' Song, Pt. 1 (2:19)
06. Summers' Song, Pt. 2 (5:19)
07. Swag (6:34)
08. Lost Love (5:33)
09. Two Hours (4:21)
10. Bumps (4:53)

Thank you very much for supporting the Mystery Blues. This recording is dedicated to the musical masters that inspire us to contribute to this great musical tradition. The history, his story, has brought us the mystery of the present, my story. The Mystery Blues is the tale of our musical journey and serves as launching point to the mystery of the experiences that lie ahead. Thank you for sharing in our journey.

Gregory Agid- Clarinet
Joshua Starkman- Guitar
Max Moran- Bass
Darrian Douglas- Drums
Alexi Marti- Percussion (Track 10)

Mystery Blues

Bill O'Connell - Triple Play Plus Three

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:50
Size: 137.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[6:44] 1. Sweet Sophie Rose
[6:41] 2. Bill's Blues
[4:39] 3. Crazy Samba
[5:47] 4. 'Round Midnight
[6:09] 5. Non-Sense
[5:48] 6. Lake Road
[5:47] 7. Cobblestones
[5:47] 8. Speak Low
[5:26] 9. Mr. Ep
[6:59] 10. La Playa

Pianist Bill O'Connell's Triple Play (Savant, 2008) turned traditional notions of piano trio instrumentation on their head, and this album is a logical outgrowth and expansion of that particular project. While that outing had a consistent three man line-up that married O'Connell's piano with conga drummer/percussionist Richie Flores' engaging rhythm work and the fine flute playing of Dave Valentin, Triple Play Plus Three uses Valentin's spot as a revolving hot seat. The flautist returns for three numbers, including a mellow alto flute feature ("Lake Road") and an energetic romp dedicated to the great Eddie Palmieri ("Mr. E.P."), but elsewhere, his position is assumed by two equally elite Latin jazz musicians.

Vibraphonist Dave Samuels and Paquito D'Rivera, who keeps his saxophone in its case here and sticks to clarinet, take turns filling Valentin's vacated post, and they both bring something fresh and different to this format. Samuels' solos place him front and center in the mix, but his ensemble play is all about blending into the overall musical mesh. Whether coasting through an unhurried, odd-metered blues ("Bill's Blues") or fighting his way through an up-tempo muscle-flexing number ("Non-Sense"), Samuels always knows when to say his piece or simply step back into the shadows.

D'Rivera's two appearances aren't nearly enough, but they paint O'Connell as one who believes in the "always leave them wanting more" mindset. "Sweet Sophie Rose"—named after O'Connell's daughter—is a lively number that manages to showcase all three men as soloists, while also highlighting the strong rapport shared between them as a single unit, and their take on "'Round Midnight" rivals the best of them.

While the A-list artists that occupy the rotating spot may help to bring attention to this album, the connection between O'Connell and Flores is really at the heart of this project. Both men view rhythm as a language unto itself, rather than a subtext for presenting melody, and they don't need a third person to help them prove it. O'Connell and Flores go at it mano a mano on what may be the most rhythmically potent "Speak Low" that has ever been recorded, and it proves to be one of the standout tracks on the album.

Bill O'Connell: piano; Richie Flores: congas; Paquito D' Rivera: clarinet (1, 4); Dave Samuels: vibraphone (2, 5, 7, 10); Dave Valentin: flute (3, 9), alto flute (6).

Triple Play Plus Three

Norma Valles - Every Time We Say Goodbye

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:48
Size: 104.9 MB
Styles: Easy listening
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:17] 1. Everytime We Say Goodbye
[4:37] 2. The Nearness Of You
[3:26] 3. As Time Goes By
[4:19] 4. My Funny Valentine
[2:02] 5. Anything Goes
[3:23] 6. Stormy Weather
[3:19] 7. Summertime
[3:00] 8. It Had To Be You
[4:13] 9. Sabor A Mi
[3:23] 10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[1:38] 11. It's De-Lovely
[3:09] 12. When I Fall In Love
[2:55] 13. Misty
[3:00] 14. I'm Always True To You (In My Fashion)

Norma's career began in 1998 as a soloist. She was invited numerous times to perform the National Anthem at major sporting events, during the playoffs, locally, nationally and internationally. She was also invited to sing the Mexican National Anthem when international teams visited the U.S.. She later joined a local Dallas group "Grupo Cariño" singing Norteño Music. In May 2002, as a soloist once again, she recorded her first CD "Ahi Te Va" (Here It Goes) featuring a mix of mariachi music and spanish love ballads that captured the attention of a devoted fan base. Her first English language recording effort was in 2004 "Reflections of Romance" and in January 2005 released her 2nd English language CD, "Every Time We Say Goodbye". In 2006 she released Noel (Christmas music in English) and Campanas De Belen (Christmas music in Spanish). She also cut a cd titled Living Like A Mustang with country favorites (some originals) for Fan Appreciation day at Lone Star Park (Horse Racing Track in Grand Prairie TX.

Every Time We Say Goodbye

Patrick Prouty - Rustbelt

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:32
Size: 129.4 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. Morganic
[5:05] 2. Rustbelt
[9:06] 3. L' Etranger De Poulet
[6:51] 4. Music Menu Minorism
[5:09] 5. Forty-Four
[5:45] 6. Michigan Central Station
[6:04] 7. Detroitational
[5:29] 8. You & I And The Autumn
[7:59] 9. For Tomorrow

Rustbelt is the sophomore effort from Detroit based composer/bassist Patrick Prouty. It showcases eight original Prouty compositions through the lens of his hometown, Detroit. He brought together his regular drummer, Bill Higgins along with legendary organist/pianist Bill Heid and recent double lung transplant recipient saxophonist Scott Petersen for this session. The music is hard swinging, sometimes brooding, yet very friendly much like the city that inspired it.

Rustbelt

Laura Crema - Almost Blue

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:48
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:46)  1. Almost Blue
(2:47)  2. I Remember You
(5:41)  3. Young And Foolish
(4:17)  4. Like Someone In Love
(4:28)  5. Stormy Weather
(4:21)  6. All Of You
(4:38)  7. Comes Love
(3:04)  8. From This Moment On
(4:52)  9. In Love In Vain
(5:51) 10. The Meaning Of The Blues

A native of Vancouver, vocalist Laura Crema possesses a lush, unique instrument with great depth and resonance, her influences are broad and diverse as she blends jazz with popular music and improvisation. Laura Crema graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Fine and Performing Arts, and Economics. She has studied at the Banff Centre for the Arts with legendary jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton and in Washington State with Nancy King and Kurt Elling. She has trained in extended voice with master teacher Richard Armstrong and studied music at Vancouver Community College. Laura is an accomplished dancer, choreographer and interdisciplinary performer. She has received numerous awards and grants including an "Emergence" Canada Council Grant for her work in the interdisciplinary arts. 

She has performed and worked with RADIX Theatre, the Karen Jamieson Dance Company, Touchstone Theatre, Olivia Thorvaldson, Grant Strate, Deborah Dunn, Catherine Lee,... composers she has worked with include, Jeff Corness, Peter Hannan, Ron Samworth, Cam Wilson and George McFetridge. She has presented her own Choreography at "Dancing on the Edge", "Women in View" and the "Single Solos Dance" Festivals. She was featured, along side five of Canada's finest jazz vocalists, at the 2001 DIVAS FOR LIFE concert benefit at the Vogue Theatre. Laura Crema was featured in CBC Radio's Studio One Jazz Series during the Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2002 and 2004 and she has also been showcased on CBC's "Hotair", "After Hours", "Coastal Grooves", "Richardson's Roundup", "North by Northwest" and Alberta's CKUA. Laura's CD "Almost Blue" was released under the Maximum Jazz record label/Universal Canada and has received excellent reviews and radio airplay in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. "Almost Blue" has been featured in Air Canada's Enroute magazine.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lauracrema

Almost Blue

Willie Nelson - To All The Girls...

Styles: Country
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:21
Size: 151,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:02)  1. Willie Nelson Feat. Dolly Parton - From Here to the Moon and Back
(3:47)  2. Willie Nelson Feat. Miranda Lambert - She Was No Good for Me
(2:38)  3. Willie Nelson Feat. The Secret Sisters - It Won't Be Very Long
(4:19)  4. Willie Nelson Feat. Rosanne Cash - Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends
(4:57)  5. Willie Nelson Feat. Sheryl Crow - Far Away Places
(3:07)  6. Willie Nelson Feat. Wynonna Judd - Bloody Mary Morning
(3:56)  7. Willie Nelson Feat. Carrie Underwood - Always on My Mind
(3:13)  8. Willie Nelson Feat. Loretta Lynn - Somewhere Between
(4:13)  9. Willie Nelson Feat. Alison Krauss - No Mas Amor
(3:31) 10. Willie Nelson Feat. Melonie Cannon - Back to Earth
(3:11) 11. Willie Nelson Feat. Mavis Staples - Grandma's Hands
(3:40) 12. Willie Nelson Feat. Norah Jones - Walkin'
(2:01) 13. Willie Nelson feat. Shelby Lynne - Till the End of the World
(4:36) 14. Willie Nelson Feat. Lily Meola - Will You Remember Mine
(4:22) 15. Willie Nelson Feat. Emmylou Harris - Dry Lightning
(3:17) 16. Willie Nelson Feat. Brandi Carlile - Making Believe
(4:39) 17. Willie Nelson Feat. Paula Nelson - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
(2:43) 18. Willie Nelson Feat. Tina Rose - After the Fire Is Gone

To All The Girls... finds Willie reunited with his two greatest loves: beautiful music and talented women.
Decades of heartfelt performances and compositions in popular music have long solidified Willie's reputation as one of country s greatest romantics. To All The Girls...continues Nelson's musical relationships with some of the most talented women in country, pop and soul.

Among the centerpieces of To All The Girls... is the emotional duet with Dolly Parton, "From Here To The Moon and Back," a song Parton wrote for the 2012 motion picture Joyful Noise. Willie also tackles the Bill Withers' classic "Grandma's Hands" with Mavis Staples, duets with Sheryl Crow on the Great American Songbook selection "Far Away Places," and brings a new shade to his self penned classic "Always on My Mind" with Carrie Underwood.

Willie is also joined by familiar contemporaries including Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Norah Jones, Loretta Lynn and Roseanne Cash. To All The Girls... reunites Willie with producer Buddy Cannon, who worked with Willie on his most recent successful releases, Heroes and Let's Face The Music and Dance. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/All-The-Girls-Willie-Nelson/dp/B00E9JLQB0

Sue Bell - Only Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:04
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:37)  1. Let There Be Love
(4:55)  2. Too Late Now
(2:19)  3. Exactly Like You
(4:25)  4. With Every Breath I Take
(4:43)  5. May I Come In
(2:32)  6. Let's Get Away From It All
(5:34)  7. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:22)  8. If I Had You
(4:52)  9. Small Day Tomorrow
(4:28) 10. If It Wasn't For Your Love
(2:29) 11. You Can't Lose A Broken Heart
(3:31) 12. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
(5:05) 13. You Taught My Heart To Sing
(4:05) 14. The Summer Knows/Summertime

Sue Bell is a jazz vocalist from Seattle, Washington. She is proof that the area produces some of the best musicians in the industry. Her release, Only Love, is an exercise in smooth vocals, with a sound that is not equaled by many female vocalists of the last decade. Her soft, soothing voice comes across like an instrument, quiet tones, yet strong presence. The integrity of her talented vocals is sure, and the selections are flawlessly executed; from soft, flowing , emotion triggering songs to quick- pulsed, swinging tunes that make your feet move almost involuntarily. The musicians accompanying her on this project fit in such a way that it seems they are connected at the soul.

None are overpowering, and they provide the perfect environment for her comforting, soulful voice to thrive. Subtle piano and sax, guitar that flows with a natural feel, bass that is unassuming yet strong, trumpet that complements Sue's vocal "instrument". Getting down to it, Sue Bell is fresh and at the same time, familiar. Her versatility is apparent, and she has shown that in the different selections on the cd. A lovely collection of music by a lovely and talented vocalist this project gives the listener a reason to keep listening. http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7748284&style=music&fulldesc=T

Only Love

Tony DeSare - PiANO

Styles: Vocal, Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:47
Size: 95,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. A Lot to Say
(3:16)  2. Just One of Those Things
(3:09)  3. New Orleans Tango
(4:00)  4. Faithfully
(4:03)  5. You Give Love a Bad Name
(3:39)  6. Chemistry
(5:33)  7. Where Love Lives
(4:40)  8. Autumn Leaves
(4:33)  9. Christmas for You and Me
(2:07) 10. Nothing Left to Say
(3:55) 11. I Love a Piano

Triple threat composer, vocalist, pianist musician Tony DeSare’s latest album, PiANO, adds a fourth threat, sonic experimentalist. As he explains on the album’s back cover, “PiANO is the result of over two years of experimentation and recording” on his Yamaha acoustic. “Every sound you hear on this album (other than my own voice) originated from somewhere in, on, or under the piano.” So for example, the kettle drum sound on one track was produced by setting one mic on the soundboard and a second under the keyset. DeSare then used a closed fist to strike under the keyset while holding down the sustain pedal. He describes how he got guitar and bass sounds as well. Complicated? I’ll say.
Worth the effort? Well, it does give the artist complete control over process, and at the very least that assures that the end product realizes his vision. On the other hand, there is a price in the loss of spontaneity that puts too much emphasis on a kind of technical perfection. Dwelling too much on the mechanics may drain the emotion from the music.

More often than not, DeSare avoids falling into this trap. His vocals combine some of the best elements of pop, jazz, and cabaret. His piano work is dynamic. His original tunes are witty and charmingly melodic. His covers, both of classics and contemporary pieces, put his own spin on them while managing to keep to their original spirit.

Of the album’s 11 songs, five are covers and six are originals. Contemporary tunes include what he calls his attempt to “capture the intimacy” of Journey’s “Faithfully,” and a rhythmically inventive reading of “You Give Love a Bad Name.”

From the Great American Songbook, he does an instrumental version of the hoary “Autumn Leaves” that may make some of us forget the Roger Williams pop hit with it back in 1955. It is a jazzy version that develops the song without any of the pomposity of the Williams version. He adds a bonus medley of Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” with a little of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

His swinging nod to Cole Porter’s “Just One of those Things” makes a nice comment on his own salute to the lyricist, implicit in “Chemistry.” As you listen, you can’t help but hear the patented Porter wit in your imagination. DeSare’s “New Orleans Tango” combines the tango rhythms with a bit of blues. “A Lot to Say,” which opens the album, is a rocker and “Nothing Left to Say,” which would cleverly bookend the album were it not for the bonus track, is a catchy, syncopated toe-tapper. Worth the effort? If you can come up with an album like PiANO, you bet your life it is. ~ Jack Goodstein   http://blogcritics.org/music-review-tony-desare-piano/

PiANO

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Tiny Bradshaw - Breakin' Up The House

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:18
Size: 96.9 MB
Styles: R&B, Jump blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:37] 1. Breaking Up The House
[2:38] 2. Walk That Mess
[2:40] 3. The Train Kept A-Rollin'
[2:54] 4. T-99
[2:24] 5. Bradshaw Boogie
[2:36] 6. Walkin' The Chalk Line
[2:11] 7. Mailman's Sack
[2:58] 8. Snaggle Tooth Ruth
[2:36] 9. Rippin' And Runnin'
[2:31] 10. The Blues Came Pouring Down
[2:33] 11. Two Dry Bones On The Pantry Shelf
[2:53] 12. Brad's Blues
[2:37] 13. Boodie Green
[2:37] 14. Well Oh Well
[2:41] 15. Newspaper Boy Blues
[2:45] 16. One, Two, Three, Kick Blues

Sixteen of Tiny Bradshaw's biggest and hardest-swinging King label waxings from 1950-1952, notably "The Train Kept a-Rollin'," "Well, Oh Well," "Two Dry Bones on the Pantry Shelf," "Walkin' the Chalk Line," and the jiving title item. Unfortunately, the torrid big band-styled instrumental arrangements that also defined Bradshaw's output are nowhere to be found on this collection. ~Bill Dahl

Tiny Bradshaw, bandleader, vocalist, arranger, and producer of many talented R & B musicians was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1905. Deciding to make music as his life's profession he organized his first small band in Ohio in 1933. Along the way his band has been the incubator for such accomplished sax men in the jazz and R & B field as Sonny Stitt, Red Prysock, and Sil Austin. Vocalists along the way for Bradshaw have included Arthur Prysock, Tiny Kennedy, Lonnie Johnson, and Roy Brown. By the late 1940s Bradshaw shifted his musical direction away from jazz tinged tunes to the more rhythmic sound of Rhythm & Blues. By late 1949 he was attracting attention to the music of his small group and they were signed to the well known R & B independent label King Records of Cincinnati.

Tiny Bradshaw was an original performer during the great days of Rhythm & Blues. He will always be remembered for the monster hits "Well Oh Well" and "Soft" as well as the wealth of talent that was a part of his small band for so many years. Seek out his recordings saved for posterity and you will hear the origins of rock 'n roll.

Breakin' Up The House

Roberta Donnay - Soul Reverse

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:10
Size: 101.1 MB
Styles: Jazz/Blues/Alt-pop vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:58] 1. Walkin' The Line
[4:01] 2. Keywest Boogie
[3:13] 3. Where Did The World Go
[3:50] 4. Chinese Samba
[3:14] 5. Catch A Falling Angel
[3:50] 6. Love Is Knockin'
[3:54] 7. Night Flight
[4:53] 8. Wishing On The Moon
[4:22] 9. Desperate Soul
[4:32] 10. Trees
[4:18] 11. 3,000 Choices

Fun, gutsy, original, and a powerful performer, Roberta Donnay is an award winning songwriter and vocalist. Her new release, "soul reverse" features bluesy, alternative pop songs. Heartfelt lyrics make songs such as "Walkin' the Line" and "Catch a Falling Angel" come alive while her passion for the environment resonates in "Trees". New songs "Jody", "This Train", and "I Will Not Be Blind" exemplify this artist's statements on social injustice and relationships, inspiring listeners to shatter illusions about the world we live in with a very 90's edge.

Donnay was born in Washington D.C. and knew from the start what she wanted to do with her life. "I knew I was a singer when I was five," she said. "I must have done it in a past life, 'cause I knew how to do it when I was born." She would seek out music at every opportunity and taught herself to sing by singing along with the radio. "I thought musicians were gods," she said.

"Whatever you visualize in your life ... it can happen," said Donnay. Her positive attitude and unpretentious demeanor are immediately obvious when speaking with her. This electric redhead gives her all at a performance and, amidst the catchy rhythms and bluesy riffs, tries to send a message as weIl.

Donnay uses her platform as a performer to promote world peace, preservation of the environment and the fair treatment of indigenous people. She said we should "honor the people who were originally here," and calls for "respect for all human beings. It's a real waste to get attention for your art and do nothing with it. People need to have a voice. All people need that. I'm fortunate 'cause I have a singing voice."

Soul Reverse

Paul Meyers & Santi Debriano - Spirit & Samba

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:48
Size: 130.0 MB
Styles: Samba, Swing, Guitar jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. Amazing Grace
[4:02] 2. Woody 'n' You
[9:23] 3. Lament
[7:11] 4. Circle Chant
[4:42] 5. For Heaven's Sake
[5:46] 6. Lazy Afternoon
[5:21] 7. Blues For Mel
[7:06] 8. Some Other Spring
[5:23] 9. Passarim
[3:33] 10. My Lord, What A Morning

Playing the New York jazz scene together for over a decade, Paul and Santi have grown into one of jazz’s great duos. Paul’s flawlessly warm guitar sound blends Wes Montgomery’s bluesy soulfulness with Jobim’s Brazilian sensuality. That quiet excitement is doubled by Santi’s big, rich-sounding bass. Bowed or plucked, Santi adds subtly swinging groove. Striking, melodic arrangements ranging from centuries-old spirituals to modern sambas and classic jazz ballads.

Paul Meyers (guitar); Paul Meyers (acoustic guitar); Santi Debriano (double bass). Recording information: Mapleshade studio (04/02/2002/04/03/2002).

Spirit & Samba

Dee Daniels - Feels So Good

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:45
Size: 117,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:58)  1. Honeysuckle Rose
(5:50)  2. Song For My Father
(5:29)  3. April In Paris
(5:04)  4. Midlife Crisis
(5:17)  5. Who Can I Turn To
(4:53)  6. Love Is Here
(6:44)  7. The Look Of Love
(7:05)  8. Love Ain't Love Without You
(3:21)  9. That's All

The story goes that Dee Daniels sang her first church solo at age 9, honed her style in the era of R&B and then came to fruition during a five-year stay in Europe.  This might explain her new CD. There’s a little something for everyone."Feels so Good!" offers a satisfying blend of jazz, blues and soul. Daniels wraps her hearty voice around familiar songs written by Fats Waller, Horace Silver, Anthony Newley and Burt Bacharach. She even throws a couple of original tunes into the mix. Her "Midlife Crisis" is a real hoot. "Midlife crisis/One of life’s little vices/ Midlife crisis/I never thought it would happen to me." Recorded in a six-hour session, "Feels so Good!" has a bit of a live-performance energy and spontaneity. At the end of "Midlife Crisis," Daniels playfully sneaks in the names of her musicians. She should. The band, led by pianist Norman Simmons, injects tasteful solos throughout the album. The recording, however, is Daniels’ show. A real journeywoman, she can take charge of a song whether it’s the bluesy "Honeysuckle Rose" or the grandiose "Who Can I Turn To." Daniels combines a bold R&B voice with a jazz singer’s sensibilities. Check out her work on Silver’s "Song For My Father." Daniels handles each number with confidence and skill. ~ Donna Kimura   
http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/jazz-vocals-cd-reviews/feel-so-good-by-dee-daniels.html

Dianne Reeves - Beautiful Life

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:48
Size: 157,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:57)  1. I Want You
(4:25)  2. Feels So Good (Lifted)
(5:18)  3. Dreams
(5:38)  4. Satiated (Been Waiting)
(6:34)  5. Waiting In Vain
(5:26)  6. 32 Flavors
(6:14)  7. Cold
(5:50)  8. Wild Rose
(8:02)  9. Stormy Weather
(6:36) 10. Tango
(5:43) 11. Unconditional Love (For You)
(3:59) 12. Long Road Ahead

There should be no overlooking Beautiful Life, a journey of 12 songs which includes singularly memorable covers of Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain," Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" and Ani DiFranco's self-empowering "32 Flavors." Included in the rest of the tracks, which cover the spectrum from jazz to soul, are two new songs "Cold" and "Satiated" which are emotionally volcanic. Produced by Terri Lyne Carrington, Beautiful Life features an all-star cast that includes bassists Esperanza Spalding and Richard Bona, vocalists Gregory Porter and Lalah Hathaway, pianists Robert Glasper and Gerald Clayton and Reeves cousin and frequent longtime collaborator George Duke. ~ Editorial Reviews  
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Life-Diane-Reeves/dp/B00EP2NYZ2/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1

Kristin Callahan - One Magic Day

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:58
Size: 121,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:59)  1. Fly Me To The Moon
(3:03)  2. Sway
(5:00)  3. My Funny Valentine
(3:50)  4. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:27)  5. That Old Feeling
(3:40)  6. Nature Boy
(3:38)  7. East Of The Sun
(4:09)  8. Quiet Nights
(2:23)  9. Bye Bye Blackbird
(3:57) 10. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
(4:21) 11. All Of Me
(3:33) 12. So Nice
(4:07) 13. The Look Of Love
(1:45) 14. Smile

Anyone who has heard Kristin Callahan sing would agree that her voice is absolutely mesmerizing. Kristin has that rare ability to coax listeners into the anticipation of each note, enticing people into the very soul of the music. Quiet and unassuming, Callahan has a stage presence that is both sweet and sexy, one that catches everyone off guard and then keeps them there until the very last note. From her shy smiles between songs to her flawless execution of some of the most demanding pieces, Kristin exudes the perfect combination of country charm and urbane hipness.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristincallahan3

Tim Weston & Shelby Flint - Providence

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@VBR ~317K/s
Time: 56:15
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Providence
(5:22)  2. Skyline
(6:12)  3. Levitation
(3:56)  4. Love And Consequence
(5:14)  5. This Ancient City
(7:23)  6. Can't Move Me
(4:33)  7. The Hidden Treasure
(6:35)  8. The Lady Weeps
(5:55)  9. Alone Together
(5:30) 10. Single Girl

"Providence teams guitarist Tim Weston and vocalist Shelby Flint for an intimate, emotionally resonant song cycle." ~ Jazz Times.

"I started off copying a girl named Shelby Flint." ~ Joni Mitchell, Mirabella Interview.

Shelby Flint and Tim Weston began writing the songs for "Providence" in January of 1992. By the time Spring rolled around, they had finished the material, fallen in love, and, by means of their previous individual track records, mutual friendships, not to mention a lot of luck; managed to assemble some of the finest musicians involved in contemporary and mainstream jazz (e.g. Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Mitch Forman, John Beasley, Vinnie Colaiuta & others...) to help support them in the recording of their debut album.

There were (intentionally) no rehearsals, just trust in the right combination of creative instinct and musical communication on the part of all who were involved.

The result of all the above-mentioned ingredients is an extremely personal work, blending serious 'songs' with lengthy improvisations, offering the listener an atmospheric excursion through many moods and emotions.

In addition to the eight original compositions, there is a jazz standard ("Alone Together") and a unique rendition of a traditional American folk song ("Single Girl").

Vocalist/Composer Shelby Flint is originally from Arkansas. Renowned jazz critic Leonard Feather described her as "a technically flawless performer, with a pure sound, and wide range." Her earliest recording; "Angel On My Shoulder" found her at the top of the pop charts, as a young girl.

After years of studio work in L.A., recording and touring with her own band through most of the '80's, she most recently has been featured as a guest writer and vocalist on several contemporary jazz recordings, including her well-known song "I Keep It To Myself" as featured on keyboardist Gregg Karukas' "Sound Of Emotion" CD.

Her partner; Producer/Guitarist Tim Weston is a native of Southern California. In addition to his work as a studio musician, he originally came to be known as a member of the Motown house recording group "Dr. Strut", and from 1984 through 1990 led the well-known contemporary jazz group "Wishful Thinking". He is also the creative director of his own West Coast based production company; Soul Coast.

The album begins with the title cut's ethereal introduction. In commenting on the sequence in which the songs unfold, Tim says: "I chose to start the record with "Providence" not because it's the "title" cut, but rather because to my ears, it represents, in and of itself, the total concept for the album, as Shelby and I had imagined it to be. In that first track, the listener will hear the intent of the entire album and hopefully, it will encourage the person to continue listening."

Another significant track for both Tim and Shelby is "The Lady Weeps"; an allegorical tale surrounding the inner pain of a 'woman' who is in fact meant to represent the city of Los Angeles. Although the song was written months in advance of the '92 civil unrest, Shelby still recalls performing the vocal during one of the nights when the city was under curfew and "we weren't even supposed to be at the studio." The musicians responded to Shelby's performance, and helped to capture an extraordinary mood on this recording.

No self-respecting jazz record would be without at least one "standard" from the great American songbook. For Weston/Flint, the challenge was to choose a song that would blend with the originals they had written, and compliment the overall tone of the album. The lyrics of "Alone Together" are very intriguing, and the trio setting (Weston w/ Peter Erskine & John Patitucci) provides a spatial backing for Shelby's sensual interpretation.

"PROVIDENCE" also includes two instrumental tracks; "Levitation and "The Hidden Treasure", both of which allow the players more freedom to improvise and "stretch-out" their solos.

When asked to express their anticipation for the release of "Providence" Weston and Flint comment: "It's our hope that through our words and music, the listener will be drawn towards their own inner thoughts and feelings, and as a result, find themselves emotionally involved with the spirit of our album."   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/westonflint

Personnel: Tim Weston (guitar), Shelby Flint (vocals), Bob Sheppard (soprano & tenor saxophones), Mitch Forman, John Beasley (piano, keyboards), John Patitucci (acoustic bass), Gary Willis (fretless electric bass), Jerry Watts, Jr. (electric bass), Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Erskine (drums), Luis Conte (percussion).