Denise Perrier - East Meets West

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:18
Size: 122,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. Fool On The Hill
(6:11)  2. Don't Explain
(4:18)  3. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
(5:26)  4. Day Dream
(7:07)  5. What A Difference A Day Made
(5:23)  6. Drinking Again
(5:34)  7. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewilder
(6:42)  8. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
(6:22)  9. Besame Mucho

Denise Perrier has spent most of her thirty-year career performing in the San Francisco Bay  Area and touring    Europe,  Latin America and Asia. With her latest CD, "Denise Perrier and the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra," she has moved to  a higher level of artistry and popularity.  Harkening back to the time when a singer told the story and left the rest to the instrumentalists, Denise has a very  welcoming straight-ahead style, concentrating on the standards and adding blues and Latin for variety. Her  musical configuration, Denise connects with audiences that’s her forte.

She is known as  “the voice with a  heart.” Blessed with a rich contralto voice and the ability to sing ballads and blues with equal artistry, Denise has performed in the theatrical revue "In the House of the Blues,"  portraying Bessie Smith; and the vaudeville “One Mo’  Time.”  She was featured in the Grammy-nominated CD, "Color Me Blue," with Brother Jack McDuff and, in addition to the latest one,  has produced four CDs: "The Second Time Around" (2008),  "I Wanna Be Loved" (1997), also with Houston Person, and  "East Meets  West" (2001) which includes sides performed in Russia.  In 2004, she came out with "Live at Yoshi's; Blue Monday Party," which received much critical acclaim and reached high on the jazz charts.   Denise was born in Louisiana but moved to the East Bay Area with her family at the age of five.  Denise didn't sing extensively in church, but her family had a jukebox, and she heard records by Billie Holiday and the other great early jazz singers.  Denise started singing in public when she was in a Haitian and Afro-Cuban dance group, obtaining her first professional engagement with a vocal ensemble called the Intervals.  Louis Armstrong saw the group and put them in his entourage for a performance in Las Vegas.  Shortly afterwards, Denise was recruited for a three-month gig in Australia, which turned into an extended stay in the Far East.

She performed in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan,    Formosa, Japan, Guam, and other Asian cities, staying for    almost five years with Hong Kong as her home base. She also spent a year and a half in Vietnam during the war touring military bases. Denise returned to the United States, lived in New York for five years, and then settled in San Francisco, where she became one of its most popular performers. She performs extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area's most prestigious venues as well as touring Latin America and Europe. ~ Bio  http://www.deniseperrier.com/BIO.htm

Personnel: Denise Perrier (vocals); Tammy Hall, Andrei Kondakov (piano); Jimmy Robinson (drums); Raul Ramirez (percussion)

East Meets West

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Claude Tissendier Quartet - The Liquorice Stick

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:27
Size: 129,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. The Liquorice Stick
(5:00)  2. Begin The Beguine
(4:49)  3. Stompin' At The Savoy
(3:56)  4. Rue des Lavandières
(5:07)  5. Frenesi
(4:55)  6. It Had To Be You
(5:08)  7. Runnin' Wild
(4:00)  8. Memories Of You
(5:30)  9. Carioca
(4:19) 10. Broadway Song
(5:11) 11. Midnight At The Bayou
(4:22) 12. Sing, Sing, Sing

Born France. While studying classical clarinet and alto saxophone at Toulouse Conservatory, Tissendier began playing jazz. His interests followed a chronological path, starting with New Orleans music, passing through the mainstream into bop. In 1977 he joined the big band led by Claude Bolling and also worked with Gerard Badini and others. In the early 80s he taught at the Paris School of Jazz and in 1983 formed a sextet especially to recreate the music of John Kirby. In demand for club and festival dates, the band won many awards for both live performances and records. In 1987 Tissendier formed Saxomania, a seven-piece band featuring two alto saxophones, two tenors and three rhythm. Once again he won honours and gained invaluable experience and exposure accompanying visiting American jazzmen including Benny Carter, Buddy Tate, Jimmy Witherspoon and Spike Robinson, with some of whom he also recorded. Tissendier’s alto playing is striking for its intensity and driving swing and the high musical standards displayed by the Saxomania band ably demonstrate that his is a major talent. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/claude-tissendier-quintet-mn0000391438/biography

Personnel: Claude Tissendier (clarinet); Bernard Rabaud (vibes); Jacques Schneck (piano); Sylvain Clevarec (drums)

The Liquorice Stick

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Georgie Fame & Madeline Bell - Singer

Size: 124,6 MB
Time: 53:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Blues Vocals
Art: Front & Back

01. Prelude (The Game Of Life) (Orchestra) (3:01)
02. Small Town (Sung By Georgie Fame) (3:35)
03. My Second Home (Sung By Madeline Bell) (5:25)
04. Singer (Sung By Georgie Fame) (3:39)
05. Learning (Sung By Madeline Bell) (5:57)
06. Big Town (Sung By Georgie Fame) (4:46)
07. That's How Hit Records Are Made (The Crap Song) (Sung By Madeline Bell) (3:56)
08. The Blues And Me (Sung By Madeline Bell) (4:32)
09. Where Do You Go From Here (Sung By Georgie Fame) (3:46)
10. Isn't It Strange (Sung By Georgie Fame & Madeline Bell) (3:52)
11. Be True To Yourself (Sung By Georgie Fame & Madeline Bell) (4:24)
12. From Now On (Sung By Georgie Fame & Madeline Bell) (3:35)
13. Epilogue (The Game Of Life) (Sung By Georgie Fame) (3:10)

In the autumn of 1984 composer and arranger Steve Gray and myself were involved in a concert for Dutch radio, with the renowned Metropole Orchestra with whom we had both worked individually in the past. Another member of that production was the well known Dutch entertainer Edwin Rutten. The three of us went to supper after the concert and Edwin suggested that Steve and I might compose an original work which could be performed with the Metropole Orchestra. We were flattered and a little excited by the prospect but nothing further was discussed. In January 1985 I was on one of my regular tours of Australia when Steve called me in Sydney to say that he'd heard from Holland and the project was on!. Furthermore the proposed recording dates were March 3rd/4th and 5th. I wasn't due back in England until mid-February but Steve said he would make a start with some ideas until I returned. We lived not that far from each other and I went over to his place as soon as I got back from Australia. Steve had prepared a handful of melodies and it was decided that the work should be about a female singer's life story-in a nut shell. We had agreed that the subject of the story should be played/sung by one of our great friends and favourite artist's Madeline Bell. I was to be the narrator and we had barely three weeks to complete the project. Steve had the added responsibly of scoring the ten or so songs for a big band and orchestra of over 60 pieces plus a 30 piece choir and we met constantly. I personally made many trips from the bedroom to the music room in the middle of the night pursuing ideas and lyrics. I had never been put under such pressure to meet a deadline but I am eternally grateful to Steve Gray for dragging me out the lyricist's closet. I had also never been involved in an artistic work of such magnitude. Things progressed well and we all met up in Hilversum with the orchestra which was conducted by our good friend the late, great Rogier Van Otterloo. I was still writing some lyrics during the actual recordings and Madeline herself helped out with one line of the song 'My Second Home'. Drama ensued on the last day when I developed 'mental block' in completing the lyric's for the final song 'The Game of Life' which I was also meant to sing but thanks to the patience and understanding of all concerned, I was given a little 'extra time'. I emerged after about 20 minutes in 'solitary confinement' and sang the final piece to everyone's relief (and satisfaction). We were all immensely pound to have pulled it off and the orchestra invited us back 20 years later for a repeat performance. Better since, in 2004 we were given the opportunity to present the work in a matinee concert at Tilburg, Holland where Steve Gray was present in the audience. Thanks to the Dutch Radio Authorities we are proud to be able to make the 'live concert' version available to the general public on CD. The whole story is told through music and song and there is not one spoken word. We sincerely hope that you enjoy sharing the emotions and experience that come with this work which we dedicate to the memory of Steve Gray.

Singer

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Pete Levin - Iridium Live 008 4-18-2012

Size: 134,3 MB
Time: 58:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Might Have Been ( 4:53)
02. Shades Beyond ( 8:31)
03. Little Sunflower ( 9:36)
04. Back In The Schoolyard (12:41)
05. Little Wing ( 8:47)
06. Old Wine, New Bottles (13:42)

Organist Pete Levin, a former member of the Gil Evans Orchestra, reunites in a live setting with fellow ex-bandmates at the Iridium in 2012. The set list includes modern big-band arrangements from the Gil Evans songbook, two of Levin’s compositions, and cover versions of Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower,” the Lenny White penned “Old Wine, New Bottles” and the Jimi Hendrix classic “Little Wing.”

Bio:
Pete Levin (born December 20, 1942) is an American jazz keyboardist, composer and horn player.

Levin grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. His first instrument as a teenager was the French horn. He studied at Boston University and received a master's degree from Juilliard School of music in New York City. In the early 1970s he joined the Gil Evans Orchestra as a French horn player. At the time, Levin was experimenting with synthesizers. Over time Gil Evans incorporated Levin's synthesizer sound into the compositions and Levin's role changed to a full-time keyboardist. His fifteen-year association with the Gil Evans Orchestra was followed by an eight-year association with Jimmy Giuffre.

Levin plays the hammond organ, clavinet and moog synthesizer. He has produced several albums as a band leader including the 2007 Deacon Blues. In 2014 he released a collaborative album with his brother, bassist Tony Levin, titled Levin Brothers. The album is a tribute to and styled after the works of Oscar Pettiford and Julius Watkins. Levin has performed for film and television scores including Missing in Action, Lean on Me, Silver Bullet, Red Scorpion, The Color of Money, Maniac, Spin City, America's Most Wanted and Star Trek. He has written scores of his own for Zelimo and The Dybbuk. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for writing the official military band arrangement of the U.S. Infantry song.

He has worked with a wide range of artists including Carla Bley, Brubeck Brothers, Hiram Bullock, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Cobham, Willie Colón, Miles Davis, Rachelle Farrell, Bryan Ferry, Gregory Hines, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band, Annie Lennox, Chuck Mangione, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Jaco Pastorius, Robbie Robertson, Salt-n-Pepa, David Sanborn, John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, Paul Simon, Lew Soloff, Vanessa Williams, and Lenny White.

Regarding his creative work, Levin stated that "All my arranging and orchestrating work is grounded in what I experience in live performance (...) My best and most creative ideas come from playing live."

Iridium Live 008 4-18-2012

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Stephanie Porter - Radio Theatre

Size: 105,7 MB
Time: 45:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. He Thinks That I'm Wonderful (4:29)
02. Into November (4:43)
03. Around The World (3:43)
04. Come Back To Me (2:59)
05. Poor Little Child (5:07)
06. No More Blues (4:13)
07. Gone (6:51)
08. Right On Time (4:20)
09. Day Dreams (3:50)
10. I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over (4:56)

Stephanie Porter - Vocalist (1-10)
Marius Nordal - Piano /arranger (1-2-5-6-7)
Bill Anschell - Piano /arranger (4-9-10)
Craig Hoyer - Piano/ Electric /arranger (3 & 8)
Dan O'Brien - Bass (1-10)
Steve Yusen - Drums (1-10)
Dan Adams - Percussion (3 & 6)
Mike West - Saxophone / flute (3-6-7-8)
Steve Madaio - Trumpet (1 & 5)

Stephanie Porter is a premier jazz vocalist who has truly made her mark on the Northwest scene. Musically inspired at an early age. Stephanie found herself mesmerized by music and the many layers of interpretations of songs by both instrumentalists as-well-as vocalists. Moved particularly by jazz and it's progression of energy combined with cool. A stylist that has been influenced by music ...music and its many styles.

Stephanie said “It’s difficult to define a specific artist as a major influence... Music is like a painting of a vast garden. I am inspired by each organic note and phrase. I am always searching for more and more colors to add. I strive to be true to the songs I sing, honest with the audiences listening and enveloped in creativity with my band."

Nick Morrison, of KPLU describes her as “a favorite not only among Jazz listeners, but among Jazz artists as well”.

Her voice has taken her to France, England, Canada, and other parts of the world. Locally, she has entertained audiences at the Triple Door, The Pampas Room, Tula’s Jazz Club as well as Benaroya Hall and Jazz Alley. Whether singing with a symphony or in a duo she pours her heart and soul in to the music. Her recordings have received air play both nationally and internationally. Editor’s Picks CDBaby stated "I am in total awe with this woman’s voice."

Her latest album, Radio Theatre, is a brilliant showcase of her amazing talent as a vocalist, Porter delivers each note with purpose and honesty.

Radio Theatre

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The Everly Brothers - The Everly Brothers Show

Size: 116,5 MB
Time: 49:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1970/2005
Styles: Pop Rock
Art: Front

01. Introduction (1:31)
02. Mama Tried (2:03)
03. Kentucky (2:43)
04. Bowling Green (2:34)
05. ('Til) I Kissed You (1:57)
06. Wake Up Little Susie (1:43)
07. Cathy's Clown (1:23)
08. Bird Dog (1:57)
09. Maybellene (2:16)
10. Baby What You Want Me To Do (4:52)
11. All I Have To Do Is Dream (3:11)
12. Walk Right Back (2:09)
13. Medley Susie Q - Hey Jude (5:24)
14. Lord Of The Manor (4:12)
15. I Wonder If I Care As Much (3:11)
16. Love Is Strange (3:59)
17. Medley Let It Be Me - Give Peace A Chance (4:09)

On Wednesday, July 8, 1970, at 9 p.m. EDT, the ABC television network broadcast the first of 11 weekly episodes of The Everly Brothers Show, a one-hour musical variety program that was the summer replacement for The Johnny Cash Show. The same month, Warner Bros. Records released a double LP (later reissued as a single CD) also called The Everly Brothers Show. But the album was not a soundtrack to the TV series; it was a live recording that had been made five months earlier at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim, CA, at which the duo of Don and Phil Everly, backed by an electric guitar/bass/drums trio, played a mixture of their old hits, some newer songs, and various cover material. There was a sort of autobiographical structure to the show, at least at first, as Don Everly began with a spoken introduction that harked back to the brothers' youth, leading into a series of songs loosely related to that youth -- "Mama Tried," "Kentucky," and "Bowling Green" -- followed by a batch of their hits. After a cover of Chuck Berry's "Maybellene," there was a lengthy medley of rock & roll songs, then a string of ballads. But, as Don Everly's sardonic remarks suggested, it was all taken in a simultaneously off-hand and dismissive manner. The brothers' fast numbers "('Til) I Kissed You," "Wake Up Little Susie," "Cathy's Clown," and "Bird Dog," were taken at breakneck tempos, as if to get them out of the way, while the ballads that came toward the end, "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Walk Right Back," "I Wonder If I Care as Much," and "Let It Be Me," were slowed down. The strangest section was the rock & roll medley, eighteen-and-a-half minutes of seemingly random snatches of songs including Berry's "Rock and Roll Music," the Beatles' "The End," "Aquarius" from Hair, "If I Were a Carpenter," the Everlys' own "The Price of Love," "The Thrill Is Gone," and "The Games People Play," with riffs from other songs thrown in, and including drum and bass solos (a standard indulgence of the time, admittedly). The duo displayed a bizarre Beatles obsession that included appending the coda from "Hey Jude" to "Susie Q" and even turning "Let It Be Me" into "Give Peace a Chance" at the end. Their harmonies were as attractive as ever, but this was not a live album that showed off their stage talents to advantage. ~by William Ruhlmann

The Everly Brothers Show

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Johannes Faber Quartet - I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues

Size: 154,6 MB
Time: 67:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010/2015
Styles: Jazz Blues, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Westend Blues (5:25)
02. Istanblues (4:33)
03. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (5:58)
04. Venerdis Blues (3:18)
05. Die Biberratte (6:32)
06. Heart Of Stone Blues (4:26)
07. Tuesday Bluesday (8:53)
08. Bangalore (5:07)
09. Drum Line (7:42)
10. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (8:57)
11. Two Blues Or Not Two Blues (6:09)

Johannes Faber was born in Munich in 1952 and studied trumpet and composititon in Munich, Graz and Boston.
He worked with the Radio Big Band Stuttgart (1980-90) and the Radio Big Band Hamburg (1990-96) as a trumpet soloist, composer and arranger.
Faber composed the soundtrack for the movie "Rally Paris-Dakar“ and founded the jazzrock-band CONSORTIUM with Billy Cobham dr, Christof Lauer sax, Joerg Reiter p, Dave King e-b.
He had a professorship at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Hamburg. The trumpeter played - amongst many others - with Chaka Khan, Anthony Jackson, George Adams, Charlie Mariano Dado Moroni, Konstantin Wecker, dem UNITED JAZZ & ROCK ENSEMBLE und Peter Herbolzheimer’s RHYTHM COMBINATION AND BRASS, composed for Michael Ende (author of the NEVERENDING STORY) and was given the Jazz Award Baden-Württemberg (1985) .
He played on several jazz festivals as in Montreux, at the Jazzfest Berlin, the Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt and so forth.

In 1998 he composed the music for the theatreplay HIAS in which he also played the main role in a production of the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz(Munich). Since the year 2000 he organizes the jazzprogram "Jazz im Gärtnerplatz“ for the same theatre and sings and acts the Orator (Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz) and Sarastro (Operafestival Gut Immling) in THE MAGIC FLUTE by Mozart. 2003 he composes the piece "4“ for the BALLETTTHEATER MÜNCHEN under the direction of Philip Taylor also for the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz. 2006 he teaches jazz history at the Conservatorio Nicolo Paganini in Genova(Italy).
2012 Professorship at the "Conservatorio Nicolò Paganini"

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues

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Lee Morgan - Standards

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:57
Size: 96.1 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. This Is The Life
[7:17] 2. God Bless The Child
[5:49] 3. Blue Gardenia
[6:00] 4. Lot Of Livin' To Do
[5:48] 5. Somewhere
[6:06] 6. If I Were A Carpenter
[5:53] 7. Blue Gardenia

This session headed by trumpeter Lee Morgan was not initially released until this 1998 CD. Morgan is joined by an all-star cast of James Spaulding on flute and alto, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Mickey Roker, but the music overall is not all that memorable. Most of the selections, although allegedly "standards," were of more recent vintage (like "A Lot of Livin' to Do" and "If I Were a Carpenter"), and even if Morgan and the other musicians play well, nothing too exciting occurs. Although not a dud, it was not a major loss that this recording stayed in the vaults. ~Scott Yanow

Standards

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Randy Weston - Portraits Of Duke Ellington

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:17
Size: 122.0 MB
Styles: Post bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1990/2006
Art: Front

[12:03] 1. Caravan
[ 5:30] 2. Heaven
[11:31] 3. Sepia Panorama
[ 8:58] 4. Limbo Jazz
[ 7:24] 5. C Jam Blues
[ 7:48] 6. A Chromatic Love Affair

On the second of three quartet recordings (with bassist Jamil Nasser, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Eric Asante) recorded on three consecutive days, pianist Randy Weston plays six Duke Ellington compositions. Other than "Caravan" and "C Jam Blues," the tunes are rarely performed ("Limbo Jazz" and "Chromatic Love Affair" are far from standards), allowing Weston to construct inventive improvisations that do not borrow from the original recordings; even "Caravan" sounds fresh. All three of these releases (the others are a set of originals and a program of Thelonious Monk tunes) are easily recommended to Randy Weston's fans. ~Scott Yanow

Portraits Of Duke Ellington

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Raphaële Atlan - Inner Stories

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:28
Size: 111.0 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. Dienda
[4:54] 2. So Much Better
[7:24] 3. Sinking
[4:33] 4. When You Dream
[3:49] 5. Deep Blue Song
[2:12] 6. Chega De Saudade
[1:28] 7. Father And Son
[6:00] 8. Again
[5:13] 9. Funny Voices
[3:23] 10. Vanished And Gone
[4:15] 11. Take My Time

Raphaële Atlan: vocals, piano; Romain Pilon: guitar; Nicolas Charlier: drums; Zacharie Abraham: double bass.

The qualities of pianist and composer Raphaële Atlan have been noticed as soon as her first album, “Inner Stories”, was published in 2011. It offers a variety of warmer colors and more aerial tonalities, in a blend of jazz, pop, folk, and Brazilian musics. Her compositions and texts evoke a luminous universe, into which enthusiasm and melancholy pierce by turns. The sensibility of the voice, the delicacy of the piano and the softness of the guitar intermingle and improvisation arises freely!

Inner Stories

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Clairdee - Music Moves

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:22
Size: 125,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:13)  1. Yes Sir, That's My Baby
(4:42)  2. Cheek to Cheek
(5:54)  3. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)
(8:04)  4. Summertime
(4:38)  5. Do Something
(4:21)  6. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight
(4:50)  7. Sunny
(4:41)  8. Someone Else Is Steppin In
(4:42)  9. All The Way
(6:15) 10. Alright, Okay, You Win

Music in motion. That's what Clairdee's performances are. Recorded live at Yoshi's in Oakland, California, Music Moves reveals a singer who communicates with her audience on all levels. It's easy to love her music and the way she delivers it. In her comments on this album, Clairdee mentions her deep respect for singers of jazz and blues, such as Ruth Brown, Al Green, Donny Hathaway, and Frank Sinatra. The album's final track is a salute to Eddie Harris, Les McCann, Joe Williams, and Count Basie. She sure can pick 'em. "Summertime" can be positioned to represent the ultimate test of a singer. It's that kind of a classic jazz piece. You may ask yourself, does the song's heartfelt spirit come through? Are emotions raised? Does the singer convince? Is the treatment of this classic song handled with care while providing a unique character? The answers this time out are yes, yes, yes, and yes. Clairdee gets capable support on Music Moves from pianist Ken French and saxophonist Charles McNeal. They're on fire. 

The live setting undoubtedly pumped a lot of energy into this performance. It sure does have a powerful effect. "Alright, Okay, You Win" begins with a funky version of "Cold Duck Time" and transitions seamlessly into the familiar theme that Joe Williams brought us time and again. The band puts goosebumps on your arms. The audience must have been up and dancing between the tables. "Sunny" saunters happily with a swingin' attitude and a funky spirit as Clairdee and her band interpret this classic pop tune convincingly. Elsewhere, the singer combines ballads and blues for a recommended performance. In person, or the next best thing to being there, Clairdee's performance is a don't miss opportunity. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/music-moves-clairdee-declare-music-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Clairdee: vocals; Ken French: piano, keyboard; Ron Belcher: bass; Deszon X. Claiborne: drums; Charles McNeal: soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones.

Music Moves

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Walt Weiskopf - Siren

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:03
Size: 117,2 MB
Art: Front

(1:56)  1. Galss Eye
(8:36)  2. Siren
(8:00)  3. In A Daze
(5:13)  4. Close Your Eyes
(6:37)  5. Victory March
(6:20)  6. Night in Ferrara
(6:17)  7. Zone
(2:20)  8. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(5:41)  9. Separation

It’s very fitting that in the liner notes to saxophonist and composer Walt Weiskopf’s sixth set as a leader for Criss Cross, writer Bill Milkowski comments on the lack of information or publicity available to the general jazz public on the intrinsic worth of Weiskopf. Whole heartedly concurring, this reviewer has felt that the world has been too long asleep on Weiskopf’s efforts to expand the jazz tradition in a way that maintains conventions but also allows for individual expression to reign supreme. And maybe it’s because Weiskopf’s art is not flashy in the radical sense (you won’t find electronics, hip hop scratchers, or rappers here) that he continues to remain just a bit out of the range of everyday radar. As a significant follow-up to his previous nonet recording, the sublime and wonderful Song For My Mother, the recently issued Siren is every bit as powerful. In fact, aside from the substitution of bassist Doug Weiss for Peter Washington, the same cast of characters is again assembled, with Conrad Herwig, Jim Snidero, and brother Joel Weiskopf proving to be dependable soloists throughout. It should also be said that one couldn’t envision such a record without the talents of drummer Billy Drummond. His capacity to spur on each soloist and to add color to the ensemble is without equal.

Weiskopf’s writing remains one of his biggest assets, although this time around we also get two standards thrown into the mix, along with an original apiece from Snidero and brother Joel. The opening and brief “Glass Eye” makes the most of some angular counterpoint before the loping title track sets the stage. The sunny ensemble sports a muted Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and Anders Bostrom on flute, the latter contributing a breathy solo of his own later on in the track. “In a Daze” is a Snidero line in waltz tempo and Weiskopf’s Coltrane-inspired bursts of energy are purely delightful. Then the tenor man gets romantic with “Close Your Eyes,” a lush arrangement including Bostrom’s lovely flute once again. Further highlights include another ¾ line, “Waltz in Ferrara” and “Zone,” a brisk track that finds the horns shouting from the git-go and Scott Robinson’s gutsy baritone sax taking a bow (long live the Pepper Adams legacy!). Whether or not this record will bring Weiskopf some additional fans is hard to say. Certainly the sense of artistic veracity and sheer joie de vivre presented here is beyond reproach and only the most foolish would selectively choose to ignore its implications. ~ C.Andrew Hovan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/siren-walt-weiskopf-criss-cross-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php

Personnel: Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax), Anders Bostrom (flute & alto flute), Jim Snidero (alto sax & flute), Scott Robinson (baritone sax & bass clarinet), Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Conrad Herwig (trombone), Joel Weiskopf (piano), Doug Weiss (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)

Siren

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Vic Juris - Walking On Water

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:54
Size: 144,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:58)  1. Mama Luke
(6:34)  2. Law Years
(7:52)  3. Walking On Water
(6:15)  4. Have I Told You Lately
(6:59)  5. Newtown
(6:48)  6. Funny Bone
(5:22)  7. Nostalgia
(7:58)  8. After the Storm
(4:53)  9. Cyclic Episode
(4:11) 10. All the Things You Are

One has come to expect Steeplechase releases to be of such a uniformly and consistent high quality that it is easy to damn them with faint praise, as the saying goes.  It seems as though the label has become a safe haven for worthy, journeyman talent rather than a place where cutting edge development   thrives. If like me you have formed this impression, I have to say we are probably selling the label short and need to re-evaluate its contribution to the furtherance of the music. Vic Juris is without doubt a time served practitioner, a safe pair of hands, yet one who can adapt his considerable technique to serve diverse stylistic influences and this is amply demonstrated in the choice of pieces that make up this surprisingly varied recital of contemporary jazz.

The tunes range from funky blues, via reflective pastoral landscapes, through the uncomfortable topography of Ornette Coleman’s inspired primitivism to the more relaxed tempos of straight ahead bop and mainstream modernity, finishing off with a spirited version of a well known songbook standard..  In his playing, Juris invokes the entire modern jazz guitar tradition which he fleshes out with soft focus harmonics and left field frissons to produce an up to date summary of where we are in the latest stylistic terms.  In this endeavour he is aided by a top drawer bass and drums duo plus the incisive voice of Tim Haggans on trumpet who is at turns dramatic and intimate as the mood dictates. All the solo extemporisations are highly articulate and free of clichéd licks making for a thoroughly satisfying listening experience which, though it is unlikely to change the course of jazz will nevertheless  be held in high esteem by those who care about its fundamental verities. ~ Euan Dixon  http://www.jazzviews.net/vic-juris-ndash-walking-on-water.html

Personnel:  Vic Juris (guitar) Tim Hagans (trumpet) Jay Anderson (bass) Anthony Pinciotti (drums)

Walking On Water

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Elisa Rodrigues - Heart Mouth Dialogues

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:31
Size: 114,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:22)  1. Ain't No Sunshine
(4:55)  2. You Don't Know What Love Is
(3:55)  3. By Your Side
(4:41)  4. Dumb
(7:21)  5. Blame It On My Youth
(3:40)  6. Sonhos
(3:59)  7. God Only Knows
(5:08)  8. Cry Me A River
(3:16)  9. Run
(6:10) 10. Roxane

Jazz has a new voice. If it is true that Elisa Rodrigues has dazzled on stage for some time, the release of their first CD, Heart Mouth Dialogues with the support of Antena 2 and Smooth Jazz FM, is confirmation that jazz has a new voice Portugal. Elisa is able to become classics in their songs and reinvent music with an impressive versatility. A disc that changes a more classic jazz record on issues such as Cry me a river or You do not know, to more modern times like Dumb or Roxane and even records that promise to amaze. Just listen dreams and experience the full extent, emotion and strength of voice of Elisa Rodrigues. This is a disc with a jazz flavor although with a longer range. Topics such as Is not no sunshine will have a more jazz flavor, merge with themes as the original Elisa, Run more painted blues. It is an album to listen carefully and to taste carefully. Translate by google  https://jaccrecords.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/elisa-rodrigues-heart-mouth-dialogues/

Personnel:  Elisa Rodrigues voice; Júlio Resende piano; Cicero Lee down; Joel Silva battery

Heart Mouth Dialogues

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Thilo Wolf & Guests - The Best Of Thilo Wolf

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:59
Size: 162,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:15)  1. The Flintstones
(3:20)  2. Take The A-Train
(4:39)  3. Swinging Fingers
(2:25)  4. Girl From Ipanema
(2:48)  5. Looking at the World
(4:42)  6. Nice Toys
(2:47)  7. Riffifi
(4:41)  8. Late Summernight
(3:49)  9. It's Alright with me
(2:47) 10. S'Wonderful
(4:17) 11. My One And Only Love
(4:31) 12. Can You Hear These Dirty Horns
(5:25) 13. Mr. Grooverix
(5:40) 14. Come Sunday
(5:09) 15. Amazing Grace
(6:50) 16. Sing Sing Sing
(3:46) 17. In The Wee Small Hours

Thilo Wolf, born in 1967, works as pianist, composer and arranger. He is leader of his own formations, the “Thilo Wolf Big Band”, the “Thilo Wolf Jazz Quartet“ and the "Groove Selection".His first love is pulsating, swinging Jazz but he is also open for crossover projects. He combines classical music and jazz through concerts together with the classical “Berliner Saxophone Ensemble”, the “Windsbacher Knabenchor” (Windsbacher Boys Choir) and his Jazz Quartet and in multiple collaboration with the Nuremberg Symphonic Orchestra. In collaboration with the Skibbe Band or the singer Max Mutzke he unites big band sound with rock, pop and soul music. Thilo Wolf and his formations have been performing concerts throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, China and Great Britain, in concert halls such as the Philharmonic in Munich or Dortmund, as well as at numerous jazz festivals at Burghausen, Oberkochen, Erding and the “Augsburger Jazzsommer“. His crossover projects led to concerts at classical music festivals such as “International Beethoven Festival“ in Bonn, “Gluck Opera Festival“ in Nuremberg or “Kurt Weill Festival“ in Dessau.  Besides the piano Thilo Wolf learned to play double bass and drums. 

In his youth, he received numerous honours, among them the „Förderpreis“ of his home town Fürth (1986), of the Theaterverein Fürth (1982) and the first price at the “Forum of young German composers of orchestral music” (1984). Furthermore, Thilo Wolf was winner (1983) and holder of a scholarship by the regional newspaper Nürnberger Nachrichten. In June 2012, the „Metropolregion Nürnberg“ appointed him artist of the month June. His musical education was exclusively formed by private tutors like Charly Antolini (drums) and “besides” he graduated with honours in Business Administration from the University Erlangen-Nürnberg. Other awards include the “Louis Armstrong Memorial Award“ (2004) as well the “Grosse Kulturpreis“ of his hometown Fürth (2004). The great dream of founding a big band was already clear from an early age. At the age of 16 he wrote his first big band arrangement. In 1992, at age 25, with the help of the Bavarian Television who dedicated him the TV show “SWING IT!” his dream came true.  This show was priced as the “Best Jazz Broadcast of the Year” (2002) by “Swinging Hamburg e.V.”, a society dedicated to preserve and promote Jazz. In 2012, Thilo Wolf, his big band and numerous guests celebrated the 20th Anniversary. The Bavarian Television devoted him a half-hour portrait and broadcasted the recording of the anniversary concert. His newest project ROCK THE BIG BAND had its first appearance at the end of 2013. The release concert of the eponymous album has been broadcasted already several times.Thilo Wolf does not see himself as a jazz purist. 

In addition to his own projects he writes, arranges and produces CD-and music recordings for film, television and radio, for other artists such as Bill Ramsey, Al Martino or Angelika Milster and for orchestras such as the RIAS Big Band, HR Big Band, the New York Strings, the Babelsberger Movie Orchestra or the Munich Radio Orchestra. Since 2007, Thilo Wolf works regularly as musical director for productions of the Fürth Theatre (“Petticoat & Schickedance” and “The Last Five Years”). As composer, he wrote two musicals “Bahn frei” (Fürth Theatre, 2012) and “Tod im Turm” (Lüneburg Theatre, 2012). In early 2015 the Thilo Wolf Big Band together with the Nuremberg Symphonic Orchestra recorded the soundtrack to "La Cage Aux Folles" (Comödie Fürth).CD productions and concerts led to cooperation with Grammy award winners Diane Schuur and the New York Voices as well as with John Pizzarelli, Randy Becker, James Morrison and many others. Thilo Wolf produced and published over 20 CDs in New York, Munich and Berlin with over a quarter million copies sold. Translate by google  http://www.thilo-wolf.de/de/persona/

(Feat. Randy Brecker, Etta Cameron, Joan Faulkner, Allan Harris, Chuck Loeb, New York Strings)

The Best Of Thilo Wolf

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Various Artists - It's De Lovely - The Authentic Cole Porter Collection

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:18
Size: 136,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Cole Porter - Anything Goes
(3:23)  2. Cole Porter - You're the Top
(3:13)  3. Artie Shaw and His Orchestra - Begin the Beguine
(1:55)  4. Lena Horne - From This Moment On
(6:44)  5. Sonny Rollins - You Do Something To Me
(2:27)  6. Shorty Rogers And His Giants - It's Delovely
(3:01)  7. Frank Sinatra - Night And Day
(2:50)  8. Irving Aaronson And His Commanders - Let's Misbehave
(2:44)  9. Roy Rogers - Don't Fence Me In
(2:52) 10. Dinah Shore - You'd Be so Nice to Come Home To
(3:30) 11. Coleman Hawkins - I Love Paris
(3:10) 12. Ray Noble and His Orchestra - Easy to Love
(1:59) 13. Lena Horne - Just One of Those Things
(3:17) 14. Leo Reisman & his Orchestra - What Is This Thing Called Love
(4:29) 15. Paul Desmond - I've Got You Under My Skin
(2:52) 16. Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra - I Get a Kick out of You
(3:25) 17. Leo Reisman And His Orchestra - Night and Day
(1:32) 18. Rosemary Clooney - You Do Something To Me
(2:35) 19. Esquivel and His Orchestra - Night and Day

One of the criticisms of the movie De Lovely was that Cole Porter's music was sung by pop stars who weren't quite up to the task of interpreting his tunes. Bluebird has wisely issued an alternative to the soundtrack with It's De Lovely: The Authentic Cole Porter Collection, a compilation which features renditions of Porter tunes culled form the vast RCA Victor catalog, a lot of them done by people that helped make him famous. There are some true classics here, such as Artie Shaw's Begin the Beguine and Dorsey and Sinatra's Night and Day, where the marriage of a great song and great performance produced true magic. But there are also lesser-known recordings that are a good representation of how these songs sounded when Porter first composed them, such as "Let's Misbehave" by Irving Aaronson and his Commanders, and "Easy to Love" by Ray Noble & His Orchestra (and featuring vocals by the talented but obscure Al Bowlly). The producers really had to blow the dust off of some of these performances, and many of them sound appropriately dated, but more recent tracks from Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, and Rosemary Clooney still sound fresh today.


As an added bonus, there are two tracks featuring Porter singing his own compositions. Originally released as just Porter accompanying himself on piano, Vince Giordano has spiced up the tracks with new orchestration, which is not a bad idea since the composer was neither a great singer nor a great pianist. Thus, these aren't great performances, but still manage to be oddly charming. In addition to the vocal numbers, there are straight-ahead jazz tracks from Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, and Shorty Rogers that show how many artists loved to work through the changes of Porter's songs. However, if there's one weakness in the collection, it's these tracks. While the performances are good, they just don't fit in with the rest of the selections. The pop tunes are much shorter and focus on the genius of Cole Porter's lyric writing and compositional skills, but the jazz tunes tend to focus more on the improvisers and thus dilute the purpose of the project. Still, though, Bluebird has wisely crafted a disc that's a better find than the soundtrack to the movie, filled with great performances of Porter's songs the way he wanted them done. ~ David Rickert  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/its-de-lovely-the-authentic-cole-porter-collection-various-artists-bluebird-review-by-david-rickert.php

Personnel: Cole Porter (vocals); Cole Porter; Frank Sinatra, Lew Conrad, Rosemary Clooney (vocals); Bubber Miley (trumpet); Dinah Shore, Fred Astaire, Al Bowlly, Lena Horne, Phil Saxe (vocals); Jim Hall (guitar); Paul Desmond (alto saxophone).

It's De Lovely - The Authentic Cole Porter Collection

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Claudia Burson - My Foolish Heart

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:04
Size: 116.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:27] 1. Black Narcissus
[7:46] 2. Softly As In The Morning Sunrise
[7:20] 3. Little Sunflower
[9:05] 4. My Foolish Heart
[7:02] 5. East Of The Sun
[4:51] 6. Tres Oquideas
[6:02] 7. Street Of Dreams
[4:27] 8. C-Jam Blues

From the first note on this recording it's apparent that Claudia Burson has heard and absorbed the music of the great jazz piano tradition. Her art, however, lies in the fact that althoughthe tradition permeates her music, (shades of Erroll Garner, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner) Claudia has a unique and instantly recognizable voice. She is a stylist who can breathe new life into a standard, magically infusing her soulfulness and personality into the music.

Claudia's talent was nurtured from her youth. She grew up in Fayetteville, Ark. - the heartland of America - where the corners of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas meet. Her interest in music was sparked early on, and she began playing piano at age eight. Classical lessons followed, along with encouragement from her uncle, Kermit Burson, who was a professional guitarist. Claudia's musical training continued through her school years, and upon entering college she studied classical piano with Beatriz Pilapil at the University of Arkansas. In 1976, Claudia enrolled at Berklee School of Music in Boston, followed by a fruitful period of performance in Houston, Texas, where she met and played with people like Don Wilkerson and Arnett Cobb to name a couple.

Since returning to Fayetteville in 1998, Claudia has gained a regional following through her many performances. This CD marks her long-awaited debut recording as a leader. The recording has the advantage of showcasing Claudia with her working rhythm section, Steve Wilkes on drums and Mike Johnson on bass. The extraordinary empathy among these musicians was earned through a regular Sunday brunch gig at the local bistro, Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant, and through countless club dates, festivals, and a featured performance in the Walton Arts Center's Jazz Series. Add to this mix musical cohort and multi-reed player Larry Cangelosi, and you have the quality ingredients for this project. Enough said. Let your ears do the rest! ~ Robert Ginsburg

My Foolish Heart

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Ivan Lins - Intimate

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:48
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2010/2015
Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Tanto Amor (Feat Till Bronner)
[4:16] 2. Arrependimento (Feat Antonio Serrano)
[3:05] 3. Sou Eu
[4:17] 4. No Tomorrow-Acaso (Feat Trijntje Oosterhuis)
[2:53] 5. Nosso Acalando-That's Love (Feat Take 6)
[3:45] 6. Dandara ( Feat Abaqondisi Brothers)
[4:21] 7. Liegaste (Feat Alejandro Sanz & Leonardo Amuedo)
[3:57] 8. Riosun-E A Gente Assim Tao So (Feat Till Bronner)
[3:40] 9. Diadema (Feat Jorge Drexler & Frits Landesbergen)
[5:33] 10. Le Dernier Mot-Bilhete (Feat Laura Fygi & Antonio Serrano)
[3:47] 11. Tchau, Tristeza
[4:46] 12. Meu Espelho-Crystal Clear (Feat Jane Monheit)
[4:35] 13. A Cor Do Por-Do-Sol
[2:14] 14. Maos De Fada (Para Valeria)

van Lins is complete musician, distinguished for his refined harmonies and great arrangements. As the most recorded Brazilian living artist, the composer began playing piano at age eighteen, very influenced by the music he heard in his childhood in the United States, jazz and bossa nova.

His harmonic construction, quite unusual in Brazilian music, is one of the features that would make Ivan Lins become so respected among musicians around the world. He had many successes as a singer and composer as is the case of "Abre Alas", "Somos todos iguais esta noite”, "Começar de novo" (“The Island”), “Vitoriosa”, many of them created by the artistic duo Ivan Lins and Vitor Martins.

The political atmosphere decisively influenced his career in the 70´s and remains and important issue at his work till now. Ivan Lins has released numerous recordings, all over the Globe. Always reflecting contemporary issues , his work is renewed and always brings new musical values and ideals, without losing his originality. From the second half of the 80´s on, Ivan Lins emphasized his international career, especially in the U.S. where he was recorded by major artists such as Sarah Vaughan, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand and many others. In Brazil, Ivan is constantly recorded by many of the great artists, such as Elis Regina, Simone, Gal Costa, Emilio Santiago, Djavan, Chico Buarque, among many others. In 1991, together with Vitor Martins, Ivan founded the record label Velas , an independent and national record company. His label promoted remarkable releases, revealing great new artists such as Guinga, Chico Cesar, Lenine and establishing names such as Edu Lobo, Fatima Guedes and Zizi Possi, among many others. Eclectic in her musical performance, Lins also composed soundtracks for films, besides several tracks and themes for novels and series.

Intimate

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Emmy Rossum - Sentimental Journey

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:52
Size: 96,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Sentimental Journey
(3:26)  2. The Object of My Affection
(2:19)  3. I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
(4:09)  4. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
(3:24)  5. I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time
(3:13)  6. Summer Wind
(2:16)  7. Many Tears Ago
(3:16)  8. All I Do Is Dream of You
(3:18)  9. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
(4:20) 10. Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)
(3:04) 11. Things
(3:43) 12. Pretty Paper
(1:28) 13. Keep Young and Beautiful [bonus track]

Singer/actress Emmy Rossum is an opera-trained singer best known for her work in the Showtime series Shameless and the 2009 film version of the stage musical Phantom of the Opera. Her 2007 debut album, Inside Out, featured a handful of dreamy, atmospheric original songs that framed her vocals in a kind of glossy mix of adult contemporary and new age pop. The album was an ambitious way to kick off a music career and proved Rossum to be a talented singer with a bent toward left-of-center pop aesthetics. On her 2013 sophomore album, Sentimental Journey, Rossum takes a somewhat more traditional if no less ambitious approach and delivers a series of standards from the '20s through the '60s. Conceptualized around the idea of taking her listeners on a journey through a calendar year, each song was picked to relate the emotions or general feeling about its accorded month. Essentially, Rossum has crafted an old-timey album of American popular song that once again showcases her trained vocal chops and knack for relating a song's emotionally resonant meaning. Included are such songs as "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover," "I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time," "Autumn Leaves," and others.

Though somewhat reverent in tone, Rossum does employ some stellar backing musicians here, including Giulio Carmassi who, aside from adding some roiling piano accompaniment, also plays various horns, vibes, and melodica. The result is that while Rossum's style lands firmly in a cabaret, Broadway mold, the album has a looser, jazzier feel than one might expect from someone raised on opera and musical theater. ~ Matt Collar  http://www.allmusic.com/album/sentimental-journey-mw0002462356

Personnel: Emmy Rossum (vocals, background vocals); Joe Corcoran (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, percussion); Nikki Garcia (violin); Cameron Stone (cello); Giulio Carmassi (melodica, horns, piano, organ, vibraphone); Stuart Brawley (melodica, organ, percussion, bells); Matt Mayhall (drums, percussion).

Sentimental Journey

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Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor - The Colonel & The Governor

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 139,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. I Won't Last A Day Without You
(3:53)  2. Jersey Bounce
(3:25)  3. Bernie's Tune
(5:26)  4. A Smooth One
(4:25)  5. True
(3:27)  6. Heat Wave
(3:53)  7. One Day
(5:02)  8. Lullaby Of Birdland
(5:18)  9. The Nearness Of You
(5:19) 10. Down At Cocomo's
(4:41) 11. The Fair Haired Child
(4:07) 12. Secret Love
(3:24) 13. Wonderful Baby
(3:20) 14. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

There's an implicit sense of mutual admiration behind the titling of this album collaboration between two of the world's gifted and certainly most decorated fingerpicking guitarists. Named in relation to Emmanuel's status as an honorary Kentucky Colonel and Taylor's lettered English roots, The Colonel & The Governor is primarily a collection of the duo's favorite jazz standards and pop classics, delivered in a way that betrays not only their shared virtuosity, but also their sense of playfulness. In the immediate years leading up to this release, while Emmanuel's studio output has been relatively sparse bar the impressive 2010 solo album Little by Little and the 2011 John Fahey nod that was All I Want For Christmas Taylor has been more prolific, collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Frank Vignola and Alan Barnes.

Although Emmanuel and Taylor are both notoriously comfortable in the art of genre-hopping, it's Taylor's gentle Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz heredity that forms the basis of this set. So even though we're occasionally given brief glimpses of Emmanuel's accomplished folk and country leanings mainly through his tasteful rhythm-cum-lead playing it's clear that jazz is the order of the day on this release. When the duo run through "Jersey Bounce" a '40s swing hit for Benny Goodman and the jazz standard "Bernie's Tune," it's equally clear that Emmanuel is more than at home in this territory. Among the pop material on display here is the duo's inventive take on the early '60s Kathy Kirby hit "Secret Love." Built around Emmanuel's singular use of harmonics, it's a clear highlight of the disc. Elsewhere, Taylor contributes two original compositions to the album in the form of the tender ballad "True," and the addictive, Caribbean-influenced "Down at Cocomo's." More than anything it's the duo's sheer enthusiasm for guitar playing that resonates across this release, and although their audible nods of approval to each other's contributions can occasionally be distracting, this is an album that should impress any listener with guitar virtuosity high on their agenda. ~ James Wilkinson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-colonel-the-governor-mw0002491058

The Colonel & The Governor

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