| 1. Sunset Bay |
| 2. Steppin' Out |
| 3. Eventide |
| 4. Someday |
| 5. When Love Comes Around |
| 6. Givin' My Love to You |
| 7. I'm in Love |
| 8. Didn't I Tell Ya'? |
| 9. I'll Make Love to You |
| 10. In the Spring |
| 11. Happy Again |
Steppin' Out,The Braxton Brothers,Windham Hill Records,Contemporary Jazz,Fusion,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Urban
Average customer rating:
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Steppin' Out/Very Best of Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005J9TZ Release Date: 2001-05-22 |
Tracks:
- Is She Really Going Out With Him
- Sunday Papers
- One More Time
- Got The Time
- Look Sharp!
- Fools In Love
- On Your Radio
- It's Different For Girls
- I'm The Man
- Friday
- Don't Wanna Be Like That
- The Harder They Come
- Enough Is Enough
- Beat Crazy
- One To One
- Biology
- Someone Up There
- Jumpin' Jive
- Real Men
- A Slow Song
Tracks:
- Another World
- Steppin' Out
- Breaking Us In Two
- Memphis
- You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
- Happy Ending
- Be My Number Two
- Right And Wrong
- Home Town
- Precious Time
- Down To London
- Me And You (Against The World)
- Rant And Rave
- Nineteen Forever
- Obvious Song
- Stranger Than Fiction
- The Man Who Wrote Danny Boy
- Stranger Than You
Amazon.com
The two-CD Steppin' Out trawls the recorded career of an ambitious artist whose work has ranged from reggae-inflected new wave to classical crossover. Cosmopolitan even at his most punky, former Royal Academy of Music student Joe Jackson found his greatest success with Night and Day, a blend of pop and Latin flavors that produced highly memorable tracks such as this retrospective's title song, "Another World," and "Breaking Us in Two." That very sophistication, however, has often proven the downfall of some Jackson discs and ultimately blurred his musical identity beyond the focus that, say, Elvis Costello has maintained through many stylistic shifts. Even powerful early music--such as several cuts from 1980's dub-wise Beat Crazy--is marred by sledgehammer irony, while excerpts from later albums are anything from tastefully bland to downright irritating. --Rickey WrightCustomer Reviews:
All Joe All the Time.......2007-04-12
Amazing!.......2006-11-08
The songs touched by a lot of eclecticism and sometimes remind you The Police, Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Billy Joel and Elvis Costello.
Musthave item for all music fans.
He's the man.......2006-08-26
His earlier rock LPs were great cut for cut and the many cuts featured from these LPs bear this out. There's a few rarities included here for the serious fans and the later cuts will give a flavor of those efforts while not getting into great depth. In his varied career, Jackson has had many highlights and this set does as good a job as possible of featuring his best.
Steppin' Out / Very Best of Joe Jackson.......2006-08-24
Fantastic collection.......2005-08-29
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Steppin' Out
Diana Krall Manufacturer: Justin Time Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000071FS Release Date: 2000-02-22 |
Tracks:
- This Can't Be Love
- Straighten Up And Fly Right
- Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
- I'm Just A Lucky So And So
- Body And Soul
- 42nd Street
- Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
- Big Foot
- Frim Fram Sauce
- Jimmie
- As Long As I Live
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Amazon.com
For years singer-pianist Diana Krall has been bringing new lifeblood to jazz via her dual knockout talents. And while her later recordings reveal a consistently maturing artist, this 1992 debut album shows that the Nanaimo, British Columbia, native had the goods right from the get-go. In her mid-20s here, Krall sings with honesty, subtlety, and persuasion while playing the piano with head-shaking authority, both as accompanist--she offers amazing asides in between vocal phrases--and as an absolutely A-one improviser. Indeed, it is remarkable to hear her weave her gifts into a wondrous whole. Working with bass ace John Clayton and the superb drummer Jeff Hamilton, Krall presents one winner after another. "This Can't Be Love" is typical, a selection where it is all but impossible not to tap your foot. After a nicely enunciated vocal--she slides into phrases much like Sarah Vaughan--the pianist cooks in her Oscar Peterson-meets-Gene Harris style, playing hip ideas that fall easily on the ear, underwritten by her rock-solid feel for time. "As Long as I Live" is another example of Krall's ability to sing and swing a standard with a nonstop groove. "Straighten Up and Fly Right" is slower and features a deeply bluesy vocal; "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" is equally sultry. The classic ballad "Body and Soul" finds her singing with intimacy and playing with a caressing touch. A very impressive start for a very impressive artist. --Zan StewartAlbum Description
The esteemd Canadian jazz pianist's 1993 debut album, her sole release before signing to GRP in the U.S. 'Stepping Out' features John Clayton on bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums and Krall both singing & playing the piano. The 11 tracks consist of both originals & covers, including 'This Can't Be L ove', 'Straighten Up And Fly Right', 'Between The Devil An d The Deep Blue Sea' and 'I'm Just A Lucky So And So'. De leted in the U.S.! 1993 release.Customer Reviews:
Like a Nova.......2007-03-04
Strong Debut.......2006-09-26
Unpretentious swing from an upstart performer..........2006-08-01
Great CD - Club Version Not what you Expect.......2005-12-01
Just the usual- catchy, classy, sultry .......2005-03-16
Most of the songs have been heard before (and since) and yet they are worth repeating even from one CD to another. "Straighten Up and Fly Right" is understanded but undeniably affecting. "I'm just a Lucky So and So" seems sculptured just for her in both body and spirit. The other tunes were all gems...a winner.
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Steppin' Out with the Grateful Dead: England '72
Grateful Dead Manufacturer: Grateful Dead / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002T2Q7O Release Date: 2004-08-31 |
Tracks:
- Cold Rain and Snow
- Greatest Story Everr Told
- Mr. Charlie
- Sugaree
- Mexicali Blues
- Big Boss Man
- Deal
- Jack Straw
- Big Railroad Blues [Live]
- It Hurts Me Too [Live]
- China Cat Sunflower
- I Know You Rider/Happy Birthday to You
- Playing in the Band
Tracks:
- Good Lovin'
- Ramble on Rose
- Black-Throated Wind [Live]
- Sitting on Top of the World
- Comes a Time
- Turn on Your Love Light
- Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad
- Not Fade Away
- Hey Bo Diddley
- Not Fade Away
Tracks:
- Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
- Black Peter
- Chinatown Shuffle
- Truckin' [Live]
- Drums [Live]
- Other One [Live]
- Paso [Live]
- Other One [Live]
- Wharf Rat [Live]
- One More Saturday Night [Live]
Tracks:
- Uncle John's Band
- Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)
- Dark Star [Live]
- Sugar Magnolia [Live]
- Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks) [Live]
- Brokendown Palace
Customer Reviews:
Another Great Live Document.......2007-04-24
Oh yes, some great jams too.
"Some Folks Look For Answers, Others Look For Fights...".......2006-03-25
What is actually great about this set is that fans of the early Live/Dead era stuff or fans of the Post-Pigpen years will get the best of both worlds, here. You get Pigpen's B3 organ, Soulful Voice and astounding harp blowing wrapped up with Keith Godcheaux's stinging grand piano (he used the Helpinstill piano pickup system, that's why the piano always had somewhat of an electric feel to it, which you couldn't get with microphones; piano players and/or Helpinstill enthusiasts, take note).
Steppin' Out contains so many definitive Dead moments that were never released. Disc 1 and 2 contain superb performances of the shorter songs, especially "Greatest Story Ever Told", "Deal", "Black-Throated Wind", and "Playing In The Band". Speaking of "Playing In The Band", I really think that this is the best version that the Dead had ever done of the song. I really don't think that any hour-long jams that this song bookended after 1974 really captured the essence of the song, as well as this version does.
Speaking of hour-long jams, the "Truckin'-Drums-The Other One-El Paso-The Other One-Wharf Rat" jam on Disc 3 is the true defining moment of this set. However, "Dark Star-Sugar Magnolia-Caution (Don't Stop On The Tracks)" on disc 4 is just as deserving of the same title. But the only problem I have with it is that Donna Jean Godcheaux doesn't get up and harmonize on the "Sunshine Daydream" section with Bob Weir. She did that so well when you heard it on "Europe '72" (although I read that Donna's part was later added during studio overbuds for "Europe '72", so that answers my question). After mayhem of "Caution", Disc 4 and the entire experience in general, ends with the best closing song ever imaginable, "Brokedown Palace". It just sums up everything that has been experienced throughout the duration of the set.
Getting down to the musicians, Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh's lead guitar-bass guitar interplay has never been performed so well, especially in the cerebral modal crosstalk throughout "The Other One" and "Dark Star". Whenever Jerry plays low notes on guitar or Phil plays high notes on bass, they sound so similar, it's almost impossible to tell them apart. Bob Weir's solid rhythm guitar has never sounded so rich and full and hasn't since (during the tune up between "Ramble On Rose" and "Black-Throated Wind", he plays the opening guitar lick from "Weather Report Prelude", which makes you wonder what other things they may have needed these tapes for). Billy Kreutzmann's drumming is just so solid , especially on "Drums" where he rings in "The Other One" in true rhythmic splendor. Along with Kreutzmann, McKernan's random moments of backup percussion (tambourine [audible on "Deal", "Jack Straw", "Wharf Rat", and "Black Throated Wind"] maracas/shakers ["Sugar Magnolia", and "Playing In The Band"], guiro ["Uncle John's Band"]) really does at least make up for parts that were originally played by Mickey Hart in the studio. Still the double drumset crosstalk is sadly absent, and in a way was never the same again after Hart's departure and return, being that both Hart and Kruetzmann changed their drum sounds and styles radically after 1972.
Basically to summarize, any body who even likes the Dead a little bit, should get this set just to here really good live versions of their short songs, but any devoted Dead fanatic who followed the band in it's later years, but couldn't get over to England in time for the recordings of these shows (or you weren't born yet), should get this for the metaphysical/psychological rush of musical mayhem that is the jams, that encapsulate the ends of discs 2, 3, and 4.
The Dead sound very powerful, yet very natural. In later years, they would expand their stage setup with so much percussion equipment and amplifiers that the music seemed to become less original and astounding. This is why, in many respects, this was The Dead at their pinnacle, with Pigpen on his way out and Keith and Donna on their way in. Pretty much the only thing that could've made this better would've been a surprise appearance by Mickey Hart, but unfortunately that was never to be (at least with Pigpen still in the group).
So please, do yourself a favor and buy the album. I promise that a fan of The Dead on any level will love it.
Greatness.......2005-08-10
is a no-brainer 5 stars. If you program for Dark Star plus
the two OTHER ONE tracks, you have a full hour of brilliant
jamming with a bare minimum of vocals. Now you may wonder,
the Rockin' The Rhein release, ALSO from 1972, ALSO has a
long DARK STAR that is over-the-top fantastic; so the question
becomes: is the 1972 Steppin' Out DARK STAR different enough from the 1972 Rockin' The Rhein DARK STAR to justify purchase?
Hell yes!!! In fact, it's COMPLETELY different! To my ears,
Jerry's guitar tone throughout Steppin' Out has a much sharper tone to it...I'm guessing it's because he was using a Stratocaster
guitar? Anyway, the long DARK STAR tracks on Steppin' Out and
Rockin' The Rhein are very different jams...both GREAT.
Also, if you search around, Steppin' Out has some definitive
vocal tracks as well...Sugaree, Deal, Ramble On Rose, Comes A Time, Brokedown Palace, etc., and after all, I believe it's best to buy Grateful Dead CDs for favored "definitive" tracks you program for, rather than playing the CDs from start to finish. Incidentally, Steppin' Out has some cool pictures in the little book. No "touch of gray" in Jerry's hair here!
Good set... but certainly not perfect. .......2005-03-28
I must say that there is truly something for every kind of Dead fan on here. Fans of "good old rock 'n roll" will find plenty of what they want on here, as will people who like long, spaced-out jams and casual listeners who want to hear popular songs such as "Uncle John's Band" and "Sugar Magnolia." As a general rule, this CD's get more interesting as they increase in number; disc 1 is mostly short rock songs, while disc 4 is a transcendant voyage through one's inner psyche that is up there with Live/Dead and Anthem of the Sun as my favorite disc of Grateful Dead material in my collection.
Probably the most interesting musical ideas on this set are presented by the two keyboardists: Keith and Pigpen. By this time, Keith is fully integrated into the band's sound; sometimes, he can sound so dominant that I wonder why Pigpen isn't back home, nursing his health. Then the band launches into one of Mr. McKerman's songs or the organ kicks in with a funky groove and I realize just how important he is to the group. His finest moments appear on disc 4. "The Stranger" is arguably the finest song he ever sang, featuring some incredible lyrics and a great solo from Jerry. It would have been a great substitution for the somewhat lackluster "You Win Again" and "Ramble on Rose" on Europe '72. The "Caution" on here is probably the strongest jam I've herd from the Dead at this point, perhaps excepting the "Dark Star" on Live/Dead. Every band member gets a chance to shine and contribute to the sinister brew that follows an extremely high-energy "Sunshine Daydream," with screams from Bob Weir and Pigpen to drive up the intensity. At one point, the dying maniac in the cowboy hat sings a line as he plays the same melody on the organ... which is probably the highlight of the entire jam. Just as the song fades out, angry and distorted guitar breaks the silence, prompting two more minutes of additional jamming. THIS is what chaos sounds like. THIS is the sound of war, of panic and confusion, of lost souls heading to their doom and screaming in pain.
Needless to say, the entire set isn't nearly as intense or even as interesting. Quite frankly, some songs ("Sugaree," "Mexicali Blues," "Deal") sound quite boring to these ears. Perhaps that's why I'm giving this four stars; although there are some great recordings on here, a three disc set would serve the same purpose only without the occational track you have to skip. Were I reviewing the downloadable version of this on the iTunes music store, which is about ten dollars cheaper, I might decide to go for the full five stars.... however, this is the physical copy and is thus priced differently (although you do get a nice color booklet with an essay and pictures of the band). I reccomend this for people who already like the Dead and are interested in what REALLY went on in Europe in 1972. As I mentioned earlier, any kind of Dead listener will find something to like about this, although probably not the whole thing.
Very Good Recording.......2005-03-05
I won't go on picking apart each and every song, so go out and buy it and find out for yourself how good this release is. I definately would recommend this over Europe '72 because A. You get twice as much music, B. You get way better songs included on this release, and C. this IS europe (well, england) in the year 1972! You will pretty much find the same quality in this 4-disc set and much more than in Europe '72.
Don't even hesitate, this is definately a worthy collection to be put in your collection.
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Steppin' Out: Astaire Sings
Fred Astaire Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000046V0 Release Date: 1994-06-21 |
Tracks:
- Steppin` Out With My Baby
- Let`s Call The Whole Thing Off
- Top Hat, White Tie, And Tails
- They Can`t Take That Away From Me
- Dancing In The Dark
- `S Wonderful
- The Way You Look Tonight
- They All Laughed
- I Concentrate On You
- Night And Day
- A Fine Romance
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- The Continental
- I Won`t Dance
- You`re Easy To Dance With
- Change Partners
- Cheek To Cheek
Amazon.com
In 1952 Fred Astaire joined Oscar Peterson and some of Verve's best sidemen to lay down jazzy, laid-back versions of songs he had made famous in his Broadway and film career. Those 38 tracks, released as The Astaire Story, have been condensed into this collection, Steppin' Out: Fred Astaire Sings. While Astaire was not blessed with great vocal chops, the best American songwriters including George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter loved him for his unerring sense of rhythm and sympathetic treatment of lyrics, qualities that are well displayed here. Tony Bennett hit the pop mainstream with his 1994 album of jazzy Astaire standards. Here's the original. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Fred and Oscar.......2007-06-27
Dancer AND Singer.......2006-11-12
Fresh.......2006-09-05
A certain subtlety comes through and the lyrics are freed from sentimentality, as Astaire masterfully burnishes a deeper and more heartfelt thoughtfulness. "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and "I Won't Dance" have a simpler, carefree quality, and the accompaniement by greats such as Oscar Peterson on piano and Charlie Shavers, Flip Phillips, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and Alvin Stoller are first rate. This is a must have for not only Fred Astaire afficionados, but also for anyone who really wants to hear how to take an old hit, change it around and come out with something totally fresh.
Fans will like his interview on the final track, "Cheek to Cheek." As it says in the cover note, Tony Bennett proclaimed Fred Astaire our national treasure. Fred Astaire's versatility and willingness to risk putting these standards to a new rhythm should stand as both proof and inspiration.
A Bridge Between the 1930's and 1950's.......2005-09-09
"Steppin' Out" is brilliant because it serves as a link between the Broadway and Hollywood Music of the 1930's and the new Jazz interpretations of the 1950's. Many of the songs covered in this album were written for and first performed by Fred Astaire.
Verve had a first rate idea in asking Fred Astaire to work with Oscar Peterson. The arrangements show all the brilliance that Peterson was capable of achieving and Astaire stepped up to the musical challange. The jazz pace and phrasing worked perfectly for Astaire. His voice and delivery had only improved with time. In my opinion, his voice in the 1930's had a tinny quality to it. But by the 1950's he had matured and there is deepness to his voice that works well in a jazz setting.
There can be little argument that Fred Astaire was one of the great dancers of the Twentieth Century. Although not as well respected as a vocalist, this album quite clearly shows that Astaire could do it all.
A brilliant collaboration.......2004-11-07
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Steppin' Out
Tony Bennett Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000029C2 Release Date: 1993-10-05 |
Tracks:
- Steppin' Out With My Baby
- Who Cares?
- Top Hat, White Tie And Tails
- They Can't Take That Away From Me
- Dancing In The Dark
- Shine On Your Shoes
- He Loves And She Loves
- They All Laughed
- I Concentrate On You
- You're All The World To Me
- All Of You
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- It Only Happens When I Dance With You
- Shall We Dance
- You're Easy To Dance With/Change Partners/Cheek To Cheek
- I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
- That's Entertainment
- By Myself
Amazon.com
This is the album that transformed Tony Bennett from crooner to hipster, a run that culminated in his 1994 MTV appearance. Steppin' Out is Bennett's tribute to Fred Astaire, who introduced as many American standards as anyone due to his relationships with such songwriters as Berlin, Porter, Kern, and the Gershwins. While Bennett avoids some obvious choices ("Night and Day" and "A Foggy Day" had been covered in his earlier Sinatra tribute), he picks a number of classics from Astaire's 1930s heyday as well as some songs from his MGM years, including the gem of the album, "You're All the World to Me." Bennett is ably assisted, as always, by the Ralph Sharon Trio. Great singer, great songs, great album. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Perfectly Fred.......2006-06-26
But as I say, the packaging doesn't exactly have Tony tipping his (top) hat here. The Sinatra tribute PERFECTLY FRANK had a mature Tony sitting in the audience watching a young Frankie. It screamed "tribute." On the cover here, we have Tony tripping the light fantastic with an exuberant and gravity defying young lady, in her own white tie and tails, who is quite striking but isn't exactly a Ginger Rogers clone. And while the song roster includes the numerous Great American Songbook titles, you'd have to be of an even older generation than I am to instantly recognize them all as having been intimately associated with Astaire. They've been covered numerous times since, and it's hard to say that any one recording artist "owns" them.
Now I've always enjoyed the old Fred Astaire movies, and I rather liked him as a singer. It surprised me nonetheless to learn that the classic songwriters of the day loved having him perform their tunes--because he performed them AS WRITTEN. But maybe it shouldn't be so surprising, when you think about it,s, that an artist who was primarily a dancer would sing the songs straight and exercise his more interpretive instincts via the dance.
So now you've got Tony Bennett, who--conversely--may be the ultimate interpretive singer, tackling the same tunes that Astaire sang so straightforwardly and serviceably for his films. Is there an irony there? Well, at the very least, there's a stylistic gap that is certainly interesting. Tony's patented warm, husky vocals, elegant as they can be in their own way, are certainly a world apart from Astaire's classic smoothness. And isn't that point? Bringing something new to the equation? Putting a new spin on these old classics?
It's hard to pick a favorite track here. Unlike Amazon reviewer David Horiuchi above who champions the track "You're All the World To Me," I'd have a hard time picking a favorite tune here. The album works brilliantly as a whole. But I do have do have to admit that while I like some of the breezier numbers (the title track, "That's Entertainment, "Shine on My Shoes" and several other fun outings), I am particularly drawn to the slightly melancholy deliveries Bennett offers on such tracks as "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Dancing In the Dark," "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan," and the wistful closer "By Myself." This is where Tony brings his own distinctive interpretive skills to this tribute project. And it works brilliantly.
The Epitome of Cool........2006-05-29
This Disc Swings!.......2004-08-23
Not a good showcase for Bennett's great talent.......2004-05-15
Must have.......2003-01-07
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Steppin' Out
Paul Taylor Manufacturer: Peak Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008V609 Release Date: 2003-04-22 |
Tracks:
- On The Move
- Steppin' Out
- Long Way Home
- Someone Watching Over You
- Night Rider
- Cantina
- Let's Go Out Tonite
- Hacienda
- Enchanted Garden
- Speakeasy
- Runaway
Customer Reviews:
Gettin into Paul!.......2007-03-31
I'll be buying more of this guy's work!
Hasn't missed a beat..........2004-07-08
The Smooth Sounds Will Take You Away.......2004-01-10
Tonya Howard
http://www.sisterdivas.org
Do not buy this smooth Jazz CD.......2003-10-06
Definitely worth listening to!!!.......2003-07-22
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Steppin' Out: Live! In Concert!
Joan Armatrading Manufacturer: Hip-O Select ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000K2UFC6 Release Date: 2006-11-14 |
Tracks:
- Mama Mercy
- Cool Blue Stole My Heart
- How Cruel
- Love Song
- Love and Affection
- Steppin' Out
- You Rope You Tie Me
- Kissin' and A-Huggin'
- Tall in the Sadle
Album Description
Even though this UK folk star was in the midst of a string of hit albums in the U.S. at the time, this 1979 live LP was not issued here. Now, it finally is Joan at the peak of her unique powers, singing with soul, backed by members of Little Feat and Wet Willie as she sings 'Love and Affection', 'Mama Mercy', 'Tall in the Saddle', 'Steppin' Out' and more.
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Call Me Madam
Manufacturer: Flare UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000056NME Release Date: 2001-01-30 |
Tracks:
- Overture - The Orchestra
- Mrs. Sally Adams - Chorus
- Hostess With the Mostes' on the Ball - Dinah Shore
- Washington Square Dance - Dinah Shore
- Welcome to Lichtenburg - Paul Lukas
- Can You Use Any Money Today? - Dinah Shore
- Marrying for Love - Paul Lukas, Dinah Shore
- Ocarina
- It's a Lovely Day Today
- Best Thing for You - Dinah Shore
- Something to Dance About - Dinah Shore, Chorus
- Once Upon a Time Today
- They Like Ike - Pat Harrington, Jay Velie
- You're Just in Love (I Wonder Why) - Dinah Shore
Customer Reviews:
a fascinating recording.......2003-10-06
Ethel Merman headlined his original cast of CALL ME MADAM, a bouncy musical which told the story of ebullient Sally Adams, who is dispatched as ambassador to the fictional European province of Lichtenburg. The supporting cast included Paul Lukas, Russell Nype (GOLDILOCKS), and Galina Talva as Princess Maria.
Due to a contractual snafu however, there are two very different recordings of CALL ME MADAM. Ethel Merman was under contract to the Decca label (which had recorded her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN cast album), but the recording of MADAM was to be produced by cast album heavyweight RCA Victor. Decca wouldn't release Merman from her contract, as it was planning it's own CALL ME MADAM release.
Popular vocalist Dinah Shore stepped in and played Sally Adams on the RCA Victor album of CALL ME MADAM, which featured the entire original cast. Decca released a "studio cast" album of MADAM headed by Ethel Merman, aided and abetted by popular crooner Dick Haymes (STATE FAIR) and a backup chorus. Of these two albums, the Dinah Shore version is the more delightful. She wisely doesn't try to emulate Miss Merman but sails through the songs in her own charming style. Russell Nype and Galina Talva are wonderfully-winning in their performances and Paul Lukas is superb.
I strongly suggest that you also purchase the Ethel Merman recording as well as the 1995 Encores! cast starring Tyne Daly. CALL ME MADAM is one of the most delightful of classic Broadway musicals.
A crucial oddity.......2001-02-22
Dinah Shore is by no means an ideal substitute for Ethel Merman (who was under contract to Decca Records and not permitted to appear on the official cast album), make no mistake. But Merman made her own album with her own takes on the big songs, so it's perhaps a good thing that RCA went for a dramatically different take here. Shore sings very attractively here -- she's not a tough broad, but a sweet charmer, but the album still works. The show was, of course, a big hit that had plenty of strengths even though it might be too dated to rework today.
The Merman album was already released on CD once, and will be issued again within the year, but this is still worthwhile for Shore's performance, for the niceties of the show like the other original players, orchestrations and songs that Merman didn't preserve, and for a lengthy appendix of Shore's versions of classic Irving Berlin songs.
No one will ever claim that Call Me Madam changed their life. Shows didn't used to need to elicit that reaction to be considered successful.
Not essential but useful.......2001-02-03
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Steppin' Out
The Hoppers Manufacturer: Spring Hill ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000069CLT Release Date: 2002-07-16 |
Tracks:
- Step Along
- Living Water
- I'm Saved
- She Cries
- Joy In My Heart
- I Love America
- But For The Blood
- Hope
- Mention My Name
- Keep On Walkin'
- Once For All
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Steppin' Out Texas Style
The Smokin' Joe Kubek Band Manufacturer: Bullseye Blues ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000048T Release Date: 1991-09-26 |
Tracks:
- Comin' Home Today
- I Wonder Why
- Natural Born Lover
- Everybody's Talkin'
- Square Bizness
- Hands On It
- Smokin' Joe's Cafe
- That's All I Want
- Steppin' Out
- Lonely Days
Customer Reviews:
100% no-messing blues.......2000-08-25
Bnois King's vocals surprised me at first - I thought they were pretty 'un-bluesy'. However, after listening through the album they grew on me, and I now consider his voice to be one of the best I've ever heard on a blues album. His rhythm playing though, is what does it for me. Unbelievably tight, and unashamedly repetitive. Repetitiveness though, is what I believe it HAD to be in a 2 guitar situation. Due to the fact that Bnois keeps it simple, and Greg Wright and Phil Campbell just 'sit' on the groove, it leaves space for the monster that is.... Smokin' Joe Kubek.
Quite how this man can play the guitar the way he does with guage 13 strings, I'll never know. His tone is absolutely monstrous, and his playing shows that he knows you don't have to be a flashy player to gain credit. His playing may sound simple at times, but it's definately deceptive. As a blues player myself, I've tried to learn a couple of his licks, and it ain't that easy!
Wonderful playing, superbly produced, I could go on....
I've only given this 4 rather than 5 stars due to the fact that a couple of tracks (namely "I Wonder Why" and "Lonely Days") are a tad too similar to be on the same album. But that's my only negative point.
This is a perfect introduction to someone who wants the answer to the question "What is modern electric blues?". These guys are IT!!
Jazz Music:
- Summer Wind: Live at the Loa [Live]
- Sweets [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
- Tango Cool
- The Black Velvet Band
- The Complete Riverside Recordings [Box set] [Live]
- The End of the Open Road
- The Oracle
- The Uncollected Glen Gray & the Casa Loma Orchestra, Vol. 2 (1943-46)
- The Unspoken Word [Live]
- The Very Best of Bird