Plays Ballads

1. Everything Happens to Me

2. I'm Through With Love

3. Stairway to the Stars

4. Portrait of Jenny

5. Night Mist

6. Spring Is Here

7. Soul Eyes

8. Don't Ask Why

9. I Thought About You

10. To Randy

11. Alone Together

Plays Ballads,Giovanni Mazzarino,Philology,Bop

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Oldies but goodies

Bill Evans Plays for Lovers Bill Evans Manufacturer: Fantasy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Chet Baker Plays for Lovers Stan Getz Plays for Lovers Dave Brubeck Plays for Lovers Miles Davis Plays for Lovers John Coltrane Plays for Lovers ASIN: B000C8STIK Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

1. When I Fall In Love
2. Haunted Heart
3. Spring Is Here
4. Blue In Green
5. Easy Living
6. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
7. Easy To Love
8. I Wish I Knew
9. Young And Foolish
10. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)
11. My Foolish Heart

Customer Reviews:

Oldies but goodies.......2007-01-04

I am a fan of old standards,(30s,40s,50s)done in a manner that allows me to relax and reflect. Evans does a great job in providing the musical surroundings that fit me to a tee. A man who plays in a style where you can almost feel his pain,as he laments his predicament of life feeling helpless to do anything but give into the drugs that affected his life as a musician. "Spring is Here", is an example of of this lament. Opening with a command of the simple yet clear deminished chords of lamenting opening to restrained the brighter chords that say to me that he understands the newness that Spring promises, to others but not to him. If you are one who looks for a recording to cogitate with but not be overwhelmed in the process this is a great album for you.

Ernie Dossin

Average customer rating: classic cd A beautiful friendship... An album for the ages. A true classic-sublime and perfectly remastered From the Oyster comes the Pearl, or, in this case, Pearls

Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays Nat King Cole & George Shearing Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: After Midnight: The Complete Session The Best of George Shearing (1955-1960) Shearing Piano The Billy May Sessions Beauty and the Beat! ASIN: B00004U9MQ Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

1. September Song
2. Pick Yourself Up
3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
4. Let There Be Love
5. Azure-Te
6. Lost April
7. A Beautiful Friendship
8. Fly Me To The Moon
9. Serenata
10. I'm Lost
11. There's A Lull In My Life
12. Don't Go
13. Everything Happens To Me
14. The Game Of Love
15. Guess I'll Go Back Home (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

It would be difficult to think of a more perfectly matched pair than this. Shearing and Cole had so much in common--both were brilliant pianists, both had combined good jazz with popular success. They were even born in the same year. Nat Cole's velvet voice sounds even better with the rhythmic spice of Shearing's quintet, plus strings and percussion. The numbers on this 1961 album are all superb examples of classic American song, by such composers as Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, and Matt Dennis. Each one is given a fresh and original treatment by arranger Ralph Carmichael. One of the tracks, "Let There Be Love," went on to become a hit single. The overall impression is of emotional warmth beneath a cool, elegant surface. Not surprisingly, Shearing still cherishes this album as one of his favorites in a long career. All that plus three bonus tracks. Unmissable. --Dave Gelly

Customer Reviews:

classic cd.......2006-07-23

excellent remaster of two of the best artists who ever performed. I wish they would reissue more of these oldies.

A beautiful friendship..........2005-11-09

To me the birth of the super group didn't start with Crosby, Stills and Nash, it happened a few years earlier when the combined talents of Nat Cole and George Shearing recorded this album for Capitol Records. Shearing's playing is impeccable and Cole is in great voice. Both artists had perfected a very distinctive sound and the blending of their sounds is a feat of musical alchemy unrivaled. "Fly Me To The Moon", a song that landed on every album recorded in the early sixties is done superbly. "Azure-Te", is one of my all time favorite recordings. I can't help feeling sad everytime I listen to "Guess I'll Go Back Home", it makes me miss Cole's simple expression of sentiment. We should be greatful that recordings such as these keep his legacy alive.

An album for the ages........2005-08-30

Though Cole and Shearing came from totally different backgrounds, their approach to music was similar, and in this remastered CD of the original 1961 album, the two find the perfect blend of sound and mood, allowing each to be himself while complementing the other. Cole is a crooner here, singing mellow, usually romantic ballads, and often sliding down the scale to his lower notes. Shearing plays quiet, inventive, and "tinkly" accompaniments in the background, without ever stepping on Cole's notes. Both are gentlemen of the old school who maintain a professionalism and formality which shows clear respect for the audience and for each other, while at the same time conveying a sense of controlled passion and warmth for the music.

Varying the sound from the easy swing beat of "Pick Yourself Up," in which Cole offers gentle advice, rather than an assertive recommendation, to the Latin beat of "Serenata" and "The Game of Love," the very slow ballads of "Lost April" and "I Got It Bad," and the less familiar songs of "There's a Lull in My Life" and "Don't Go," Cole uses phrasings which make overly familiar lyrics suddenly come alive. Shearing, keeping his piano accompaniments relatively simple, adds to the moods Cole creates, while Ralph Carmichael, with the String Choir, fills in the arrangements.

Three songs stand out: "Let There Be Love" begins with a bluesy piano intro and light percussion, until Cole and Shearing guide the song into somewhat louder and jazzier realms near the end. "Fly Me to the Moon" is sung much more slowly than usual, sounding more intimate and private as a result, as if Cole is singing directly to the audience in phrasings that sound conversational. "The Game of Love," with its syncopated Latin beat has a great piano solo by Shearing, flute-y piccolo sounds, and a more integrated accompaniment with the strings. Cole's phrasing is reminiscent of Belafonte here.

For listeners more accustomed to the minimalist percussion and piano accompaniments of modern jazz and ballad soloists, the inclusion of the heavy strings of the String Choir may sound a bit dated and a bit intrusive, an overly romantic (Nelson Riddle-like) element commonly included on recordings at that time. Cole and Shearing adapt to the strings beautifully, leaving room for them while keeping their own styles simple. With beautiful songs rendered even more beautiful by the partnership of Cole and Shearing, this is an album for the ages. n Mary Whipple

A true classic-sublime and perfectly remastered.......2005-05-11

This is the epitome of relaxing, subtle jazz. The arrangements define tasteful and Mr. Cole has never sounded better. An absolute must for the jazz fan, and a beautiful contrast to the swinging Billy May Sessions, which I also highly recommend.

From the Oyster comes the Pearl, or, in this case, Pearls.......2004-10-14

A poor soul, stuck in this post-9/11 era of ours,
might be forgiven, after listening to this impossibly
beautiful disc, for thinking of a lost time of breezy, assured prosperity,
new jet travel, Jack & Jackie in the White House, and a feeling of
"We've got all the time in the world
to enjoy these vouschsafed pleasures...Come on in and have at it."

And of course, it wasn't so simple: even in his exclusive Hancock Park home,
Nat & his family had to deal with racism, IRS harrassment and other controversies...
And Geroge Shearing's life, while fulfilling, has hardly been easy, being blind...
Still, from the oyster comes the pearl- in this case, 15 pearls (or tracks).

Often the "Shearing Quintet Sound" gets imitated and sounds, well,
superficial and "cocktail-y." But in the hands of its creator, this style
NEVER sounds like a surface-level bluff; it's beauty, borne of real-life struggle...
And after THAT, one can relax, let it unfold and "pleasure" us with its surprises.
One of those surprises: beholding the seemingly predictable voicings of melodic phrases
that you KNOW are coming;
when your "prediction" is fulfilled, you get not only a "logical satisfaction"
but a surprise "pleasure hit." Case in point: the instrumental bridge to "Azure-Te."
You "know" what's coming,
but the FEELING, regardless of how many times you play this track,
is a fresh surprise. It has to do with style, discipline and empathy- applied to
collective phrasing from one musical "clause" to the next.


And speaking of instrumental bridges, just listen to those in "Pick Yourself Up" (track 2)
and "Serenata" (track 9); kaleidoscopically unexpected harmonic colors in a relaxed groove-
propelled by Shearing
and Shelly Manne's drums.

Not to mention Nat's seemingly loose but potent, jazz-inflected delivery of words
and music ("I Got It Bad," "Azure-Te, "A Beautiful Friendship").

Then, see for yourself if track 8, "Fly Me To The Moon," isn't
the ultimate in sheer, sensual seduction. (Indeed, to get anything
within even hailing distance of this track, we've had to wait- for over 40 years ! -
for Michael Bublee's "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." Use BOTH with caution...)

And for autumnal tang, "September Song," and "Lost April"
with its lament over April's "numbered days"
("...so when they passed/Love couldn't last..."),
are worthy jazz/pop equivalents of the andante in Mozart's 39th Symphony.
Which makes one realize that, although an album like this seems
to flow out of some kind of eternal "spring" from which several MORE could have come...
yet, this musical partnership never happened again. Still, there's so much
variety of mood, texture and tempo, within this one album, that
it nearly "makes a world of its own," and envelopes you in a feeling of
such well-being that the autumnal regrets ("the sand particles") become pearls.
So, in the end, no regrets: just beautiful collaborative music,
in a class of its own. Life is too short NOT to have music like this on hand.

Average customer rating: Jazz That Anyone Can Love my favorite record Why is this out of print? One of the very best Chet Baker records A TIMELESS ARTIST NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE...

Chet Baker Sings and Plays from the Film "Let's Get Lost" Chet Baker Manufacturer: Novus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Baby Breeze Embraceable You Chet Baker with Fifty Italian Strings Chet The Best of Chet Baker Sings ASIN: B0000004XM Release Date: 1992-05-01

Tracks:

1. Moon & Sand
2. Imagination
3. You're My Thrill
4. For Heaven's Sake
5. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
6. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
7. Daydream
8. Zingaro
9. Blame It on My Youth
10. My One and Only Love
11. Everything Happens to Me
12. Almost Blue

Customer Reviews:

Jazz That Anyone Can Love.......2006-08-19

Not all of Chet Bakers CD's are worth having but this one is. The beauty is in the fragility of his singing voice. Similar to Johnny Cash's later recordings you can hear the life that the voice has lived as it sings. His playing is also beautifully fragile and perfect all at the same time. I've probably over analysed everything here :) I just really liked this CD.

my favorite record.......2005-11-16

This one never gets old for me. Chet made a lot of lousy albums, presumably feeding his heroin habit, but this is a masterpiece. He seems to own the songs -- the emotion pours out of them like he wrote them all himself -- but they're never saccharine. The rest of the quartet, while superb, lets him take center stage where he belongs for one of the last recordings of his life. Don't miss it.

Why is this out of print?.......2005-07-29

What can I say about this record? Its brilliant yet unassuming. Chet feels vulnerable and damaged and very sincere. One of my all time favorite records. It is suitable for all ages, anytime with anyone for all occasions. Off-key and clumsy but very easy on the ears and the mood.

One of the very best Chet Baker records.......2005-06-22

This is one of the 2 very best Chet Baker records (the other one is "Chet"). And it is the music from the best music documentary film I have ever seen: the wonderful film by Bruce Weber with the same title.

A TIMELESS ARTIST NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE..........2003-12-20

This album consists of the tracks Baker recorded especially for the Bruce Weber documentary `Let's get lost' - a retrospective of the life of the great horn player and vocalist. Baker's life was troubled - his drug addiction is legendary, and ultimately caused his death, directly or indirectly, as the individual chooses to view the events. His musical genius is indisputable - and these recordings are an incredible witness to that. The group accompanying Baker (featured here on trumpet & vocals) is a small one: Frank Strazzeri (piano), John Leftwich (bass), Ralph Penland (drums & percussion) and Nicola Stilo (guitar & flute). There are standards a-plenty here - songs that will be loved forever by the likes of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Johnny Burke & Jimmy VanHuesen, Antonio Carlos Jobim - as well as a tune by none other than Elvis Costello, just to show that great ones are still being written.

Baker was always a fine vocalist - and no one else sounds quite like him. There are times when it sounds like he's hanging onto the notes by his fingernails - but there's never a moment (here, or in anything I've ever heard him sing) when he sounds detached from the song. Every one of his performances is filtered through his heart and soul - and that's a beautiful thing to experience. Without taking such extreme liberties that the melody is unrecognizable (as many who style themselves `jazz vocalists' seem to do), Baker lovingly caresses each tune and makes it his own. The sheer intimacy that Baker is able to express in the love songs makes the listener feel like he or she is eavesdropping on a conversation from the next table in a dimly lit, wee-hours jazz club - and it's a privilege to share such raw, honest feelings.

The players are perfect in their support here - Baker's voice is the center of every arrangement, but with an instrument as magnetic as the singer possesses, how could it be otherwise? His trumpet playing is as fine as ever, even at this late stage of the game. It's sometimes sad to listen - there's pain so clearly and eloquently expressed in every song - but there's an unnamable joy present as well, for what a gift it is that he shares with us!

Weber's documentary is hard to watch as well - Baker's life was a hard one, filled with pain and sorrow, for which he turned to heroin. It's heartbreaking to witness someone hurting so much - but his music is without question of the timeless variety, and something to be treasured.

Average customer rating: Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads Needles in Haystacks (or weeds) This is a cd that will impress some jazz fans This smooth, sultry CD will set the mood!

Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads Scott Hamilton Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ballad Essentials Scott Hamilton Quartet Live in London After Hours East of the Sun From the Beginning ASIN: B0000006HW Release Date: 1989-08-28

Tracks:

1. I'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her
2. Dream Dancing
3. 'Round Midnight
4. Two Eighteen
5. Laura
6. Maybe September
7. Emily
8. In A Sentimental Mood
9. A Beautiful Friendship
10. Body And Soul
11. Embraceable You

Customer Reviews:

Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads.......2002-08-01

I have hundreds of jazz recordings and many by Scott Hamilton. Hamilton plays with taste and at the same time, passion. His smooth phrasing is both intellectual and spontaneous. This album is one of my very favorites and is enjoyed by many other friends who are also musicians. A real treat!

Needles in Haystacks (or weeds).......2001-11-29

I am not a regular listener of Jazz. While I have tried more modern Jazz styles from the likes of Parker, Coltrane and Miles Davis, I still much prefer the older offerings of musicians like Armstrong, Goodman, Basie and Miller.

I do love the sound of the saxaphone. No other instrument quite compares to being able to give forth a romantic or sensuous sound. It should be easy to find a Jazz cd which features the saxaphone for a nice, quiet romantic evening - or one would think. Unfortunately, to one such as I who is unfamiliar with most names in Jazz, this task had become one which was frustrating. I found compilations but nearly all of them had simply too much "funky bass" or up-tempo interruptions or too strong percussion. Some offered some fine tracks but then the musician decided to "impress" the listeners by launching into a "See how many notes I can play in one minute" routine.

I've spent alot of money and wasted alot of time trying to find that cd which is soft, unadorned, simple and romantic from beginning to end. Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads is the needle in a field of weeds for this listener. This is a great cd for that quiet evening at home with someone you love and while I would consider Dream Dancing to be a bit more up-tempo than I would have liked - given my lengthy search, it is but a minor distraction. Thank you Scott Hamilton! I do not know who comes up with all these compilation cd's of so-called "romance" but I am made to wonder if the compilers have actually ever been on a date. Scott Hamilton has been on a date! Hamilton knows!

I HIGHLY recommend this cd. Thank you once again, Mr. Hamilton and keep the ballads coming!

This is a cd that will impress some jazz fans.......2000-10-03

This is the first Scott H. cd that I have bought, but it will not be the last. This musican definetly has the talent. Scott was no stranger to me before I bought this cd. I had long known about him via Rosemary Clooney. For several years he was a member of her band.

Scott seems to have a good feel for his sax. He knows how to bring out the right sound on each song. He plays in a very relazing style. Scott seems to attract very good side men who love to play with him. The main concern I had for this cd was the repertoire. There were a few songs on this cd that I didn't like. Other than that I really enjoyed this cd.

This cd has a very romantic sound. Some jazz fans may object to this romantic feel.

I Would Like To Recommend This CD

This smooth, sultry CD will set the mood!.......2000-03-22

If you're looking for some slow, romantic saxophone jazz to set the mood, this disc is an essential. Whether you're planning an evening alone with your sweetie or just cookin' up some pasta, give this a spin and an average evening will become memorable. Heck, babies have no doubt been conceived with this disc playing in the background.

Average customer rating: a timeless performer--full of soul and life....

Plays Jerome Kern Stephane Grappelli Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music European Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008K762 Release Date: 2003-06-02

Tracks:

1. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
2. Way You Look Tonight
3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
4. Fine Romance
5. Yesterdays
6. Ol' Man River
7. All The Things You Are
8. Pick Yourself Up
9. Why Do I Love You
10. I Won't Dance
11. Long Ago And Far Away

Customer Reviews:

a timeless performer--full of soul and life...........2005-01-17

This is one wonderful example of some of the finest music from a true fiddling legend. The amazing Stephane Grappelli brings a unique, expressive and innovative flavor to every song on this album. Though, I never had the opportunity to see him perform in concert, I have been told that everytime Grappelli would play his instrument, he had a grand smile from ear-to-ear, as bright as the sun and this is definitely felt in the expression of songs. Even when he plays the most heartbreaking tunes, we hear his warm personality come through in the music.

Grappelli's style is like none I have ever heard before, but I will try to find the words to describe it. He is jazzy, yet classical, and while we definitely hear the pure sound of each song, we also hear Stefane's generous and energetic "skatting" (I didn't even know this was possible in fiddling! You just have to give it a listen to truly know what I am talking about).

"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and the rest of the songs will bring a smile to your face, and, also a tear to your eyes. All the while, you will also get the feeling that Grappelli is playing just for you. Enjoy this with a glass of red wine and your closest, dearest friends. It's truly delightful. We owe to so much to Grappelli for sharing his gift with the world.....

Average customer rating: A wonderful debut by an impressive young guitar player.

I Listen to My Feet Michael Young Manufacturer: Artist One-Stop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002IQO2S Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

1. New Mexican Scar
2. Rosin
3. We Know
4. Empty Hallway
5. Remember The Blind
6. First Step
7. Wiggle Eye
8. Little Imp
9. Head, Point North
10. Canyon Club
11. I'm Cold
12. I'm Sad
13. Too Damn Happy
14. Broken Leg
15. From A Child To A Lion
16. I'm Tired
17. Where's Philadelphia
18. Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful debut by an impressive young guitar player........2004-08-13

A collection of folksy instrumental tunes, Michael Young's debut effort is fantastic. His talent allows him to sound as though he's playing more than one guitar at once. His songs range from moving, heart-wrenching ballands to upbeat, rock-ish tunes. The songs are melodic, hypnotizing, and often catchy. It's perfect background music AND foreground music. I can't stop listening to it. I'm very impressed (and you will be, too). Check it out.

Average customer rating: Excellent Rzewski's 7 CD Compilation incredible playing of works with mixed content/concept

Rzewski Plays Rzewski: Piano Works 1975-1999 Frederic Rzewski Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fred Rzewski: The People United Will Never Be Defeated! Rzewski: The People United Will Never Be Defeated Iannis Xenakis: Percussion Works The Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 7; Boston Concerto, Cello Concerto, ASKO Concerto, Dialogues ASIN: B00006JI9X Release Date: 2002-09-24

Amazon.com

From his 1975 mega-variation set, The People United Will Never Be Defeated, to his eight-hour "novel for piano," The Road, Frederic Rzewski breathed new life, passion, and vitality into the long dormant composer-pianist tradition. Political and social issues provide a subtext from which Rzewski's musical imagination explodes with purposeful virtuosity, stylistic freedom, and high drama. He can conjure slow droplets of notes on a dark, still background ("A Life"), only to cram and compress a multitude of disparate popular themes within a larger, traditional framework (Sonata for Piano), or integrate music and spoken words to a level where they cannot exist without the other ("De Profundis"). Rzewski the composer provides Rzewski the pianist plenty of opportunity to display his ingenious improvisatory mettle: his cadenzas for "Mein Yingele, Which Side Are You On" particularly dazzle. There are, to be sure, other ways to play this music, such as Marc-André Hamelin's suavely proficient People United and Paul Jacobs's authoritative premiere recording of the North American Ballads. But the elemental force and personality defining Rzewski's pianism leave as indelible an imprint as his music. No lover of contemporary piano music should miss this important, superbly annotated release. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2005-10-07

Rzewski is one of the greatest composers of our time.
Definately a must have!

Rzewski's 7 CD Compilation.......2004-01-30

7 Discs of amazing piano performances from Rzewski, and this time around he's playing his own music. Highlights: First track off 1st CD: "North American Ballads (4) for piano, Nos 1-04", an excellent introduction to this compilation. Worth the money? ...Ahh, I dunno.. I hate giving my money away to loony liberals, but in this case, his music is brilliant so I found my purchase well worth it.

incredible playing of works with mixed content/concept.......2002-11-18

Rzewski said he never developed a style or musical language,but if you work your way through all seven disks here there is actually a musical language which emerges and a static dimension as well to Rzewski's creativity.
His music demands a strong subject, an inflammatory one if possible to get his improvisatory creative imagination in gear, as his celebrated solidarity exhibited in the "36 Variations" on the "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" which to my ears still remains the high point of all these disks. His musical language is magnetized around simple contrasts,timbral virtuosity and variations on the music materials he selects, as even the "North American Ballads" suggest,which also maintains a fascination over the years.Equally if not more timbrally fascinating are his "Four Pieces" which are not here.Rzewski I beleive is a composer like Stravinsky, he needs something to manipulate that is already formed in the real world,very postmodern in orientation and his music then never claims a magical dimension where moments can synergize amongst/between itself,themselves, as exhibited by his political brethren as Christian Wolff or Luigi Nono. He does however utilize the entire 20th Century piano vocabulary, but is always drawn toward a what we can refer to as Rzewski-esque chromaticism, a dovetailing of the fifth semitone interval, as: c-e-f#-b-Bb-f,something you may find in the piano music of Karol Syzmanowski. The "Fantasia" opening here is a good example of this,played with great passion and might also suggest the harmonic meaderings of Busoni.Also the 26 miniature variations on "Mayn Yingele" had an interesting subject dedicated to the memory of Kristallnacht, the desecration of synagoges in Germany,the story of a Jewish man working 18 hour days who never sees his son, only sleeping.The musical form of "miniature" is quite interesting,and one Rzewski knows quite well.
He has impressive TV miniature Operas entitled "Chains".
These miniature variations are followed with a Cadenza prior to Variation # 23, a procedure he is fond of, a summing up with a virtuoso recapitulative display.He does similar handlings in his Cardew disk on "We Sing For the Future".

There are some very low points I found in this piano music as the "Sonata" written in 1991, which has smatterings of glissandi Liberace like, and a stupid playfulness, that grows musically thin very quickly but is indeed disarming. The Agitato, the last movement begins with a low register uttering of "Taps".
Also the various four parts of "The Road", a work when complete will span some eight hours,all seemed arbitrary to me with the use of the voice to accentuate violent phrasings, and scouring the insides of the piano, with Cage-like tappings of the piano body.This wasn't exciting to say the least, and incredibly self-conscious.And I don't see what agenda is in place to transport the listener here to sustain such length.

Of course as I've mentioned Rzewski's creativity emanates from many places particulary the imagery of the Left, but was formed in his years with MEV the improvisatory ensemble in Rome,in the late Sixties, playing also with self-imposed American exiles, living on Fulbrights and Guggenheims. Rzewski for instance has been known to improvise cadenzas in his performances of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier Sonata", as well as in the early Sixties was the first to include the repertoire of the avant-garde of Stockhausen, Cage,Wolff and Boulez. Rzewski remains a unique example of radicalism in music with an affinity for the causes of the Left,but not so much as Cardew who was more an activist,founding a Marxist Party,nor not so academic bound as Christian Wolff,nor as deeply committed to European intellectual thought and high modernity,technology as Luigi Nono. But his music maintains an accessible directedness,with a high committment to lyricism.
His music also succeeds at times quite well in a dramatic situation as his 50 minute "Antigone-Legend", for Soprano Voice and Piano, or his chamber opera "The Invincible Persian Army"(1984).

Average customer rating: ALI HANDAL is the TOTAL PACKAGE Ali Handal is Awesome, and so is this CD! A killer debut album! She rocks! Great music

Dirty Little Secret Ali Handal Manufacturer: Dessert First Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Singer Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Breathing Underwater ASIN: B00004OCXX Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

1. Slave to Ambition
2. Convince Me
3. While You're Here
4. In Your Name
5. Distance
6. Ode to Love
7. Indy
8. Tie Me Up
9. What are you Waiting For?
10. Arms of a Stranger
11. Dirty Little Secret

Album Description

With her newest CD, "Breathing Underwater," Ali Handal continues to explore themes of passion, sex, and the inner battle between fearless independence and the longing for companionship that defines both Ali Handal the person and Ali Handal the recording artist. This album is an acoustic-guitar driven collection of songs, sparsely arranged and produced by Ali and her co-producer Tim Bomba. Ali plays all of the guitars on the CD, and is accompanied by Wes Wehmiller on bass (of touring bands Duran Duran, Missing Persons, Lisa Loeb) & David Leach on percussion (of Ben Harper's Innocent Criminals).

Ali treats the familiar theme of love lost in her uniquely bittersweet way, as well as writing several atypical love songs for various members of her family (although nothing close to her funky feline love song "Indy" from her first CD - there are no sampled cat meows on this whole record!).

Ali's music has been featured both in films and many TV shows, including Sex in the City, Joan of Arcadia, Life As We Know It, Dawson's Creek, and several shows on MTV & VH-1.

Customer Reviews:

ALI HANDAL is the TOTAL PACKAGE.......2004-04-19

I love this CD! Ali Handal is a great songwriter, she has a beautiful voice, and plays a mean guitar. What more could you ask for? Ali does it all and does it very well. So well that I volunteered to be a member of her small but growing Street Team. Ali has since asked me to be the leader of her Street Team, and I graciously accepted. I want to be around Ali when she gets the recognition she deserves and hits the "Big Time." I have also created a fan group on Yahoo and would like to invite each and every one of Ali's fans to join. You can sign-up for the fan group at Ali_Handal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Also, please sign-up for Ali's Street Team at www.alihandal.com and help promote the best female Indie artist in the country. If you have any questions about the Street Team or the Yahoo group feel free to email me at CHRISZ28@aol.com. And just in case any of you are wondering, no, Ali did not ask me to write this review. I am writing this simply because I love her music and want everyone reading this to buy her CD's and listen to a very talented musician. If you are not a fan of Ali Handal, then you probably haven't heard her mucic.

Ali Handal is Awesome, and so is this CD!.......2001-10-15

Who says girls can't play rock guitar? Ali Handal proves those critics wrong! Not only by playing but by writing or co-writing all the tracks on the CD. Tight play and awesome fretwork. Who needs (or would want) all the bleach blonde pop clones out there when we have the real thing right here!

A killer debut album!.......2001-04-26

Not a weak track on the disk. Straight-forward rockers to grinding funk...playing and production are tight. Exceptionally well-crafted songs; it's a disk you'll listen to over and over.

She rocks!.......2000-10-25

Ali plays the guitar like she means it, writes lyrics that are intelligent and witty, melodies that stick with you, rhythms you can dance to, and she can raise the roof with the power of her singing!

Great music.......2000-06-11

This a great CD! The music ranges from ballad type stuff to funky to hard edged guitar playing. Every song is good. I totally recommend this CD. I've listened to it many times & still love it.

Average customer rating: This is a classic wow very nice Essential Outstanding Compilation

Miles Davis Plays Classic Ballads Miles Davis Manufacturer: Sony Special Product ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: This is Jazz, Vol. 22: Miles Davis Plays Ballads Blue Miles Ballads and Blues Ballads: Stanley Turrentine ASIN: B000002YGY Release Date: 1992-07-07

Tracks:

1. Bye Bye Blackbird
2. Old Folks
3. Circle
4. Stella By Starlight
5. I Thought About You
6. Fall
7. All Of You
8. Blue In Green

Customer Reviews:

This is a classic.......2003-09-13

This collection is exactly what it purports to be. Miles, Trane, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans play Classic Ballads. The eight minute rendition of Bye Bye Blackbird is worth the price of the disc in itself but it is followed immediately by a superb rendering of Old Folks.

This stuff is not altogether "cool". It sure ain't Bop and it precedes "fusion" but these musicians can do it all and two of Miles' own compositions, Circle & Blue in Green are included.

Stella & Thought About You are Miles standards. What more do you want on one disc from one of the greatest jazz groups of all time. The copy I found doesn't even have liner notes but it does point out that there is forty-eight minutes of music enclosed. Buy this gem before it disappears.

wow.......2003-06-15

Finally found the perfect Miles. For driving through NY on a slow, cold, rainy evening. Mellow indeed.

very nice.......2000-09-25

One of many Miles cds dedicated to his ballad playing, this one is a nice example of Miles at his lyrical best. Highlights include "Circle," (from "Miles Smiles") "Old Folks," (from "Someday My Prince Will Come") and the sombre "Blue In Green." (from "Kind of Blue").

A nice cross section of Miles at various points in his career and a good introduction to his lyrical mastery.

Essential.......2000-05-23

If you are Just Getting Into Miles Davis's Music this is a Good Start as any.These Songs have Been Featured elsewhere but are all on this Disc for a Solid Price.Hearing His Music&Rich Tone is a Must for Any Lover OF Quality Music From A Genius.

Outstanding Compilation.......2000-03-02

For the Miles lover, this CD is a must. It is very mellow, perfect for romance! I highly recommend this CD to anyone who likes jazz.

Average customer rating:

This is Jazz, Vol. 22: Miles Davis Plays Ballads Miles Davis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Miles Davis Plays Classic Ballads Blue Miles This is Jazz, Vol. 8: Miles Davis Acoustic ASIN: B000002AFN Release Date: 1997-05-06

Tracks:

1. Circle
2. My Ship
3. Old Folks
4. Mood
5. Dear Old Stockholm
6. I Loves You, Porgy
7. Basin Street Blues
8. Time After Time
9. Flamenco Sketches

Jazz Music:

1. Please Mr. Jackson
2. Please Mr. Jackson
3. Power Slide
4. Satchmo of the Ghetto
5. Satorhythm [Gold CD] [Original recording remastered] [Import]
6. Soul Survivors
7. Street News
8. Strictly Instrumental
9. Super Jazz
10. The Best of Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Music

jazz music