Who's Who in Jazz

1. Ain't Misbehavin' - Lionel Hampton

2. Sleepy Time Down South - Lionel Hampton

3. Hamp, Rich, Dido Blues - Jon Hendricks

4. Limelight - Gerry Mulligan

5. Buddy's Rock - Buddy Rich

6. My Funny Valentine

7. Walking Shoes - Gerry Mulligan

Who's Who in Jazz,Various Artists,Spotlite Records,Big Band,Bop,Jazz,Pop,Swing

Jazz

Music

jazz

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

Life and Death On The Great White Way
Fantastic!
Well executed, entertaining, musical
Eclectic Mix
"Bye, bye love"....

All That Jazz (1979 Film)
Ralph Burns
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Soundtracks | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Cabaret
A Chorus Line
Fosse
Fame
Chicago (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000008115
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

Main Title (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
On Broadway - George Benson
Michelle (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
Take Off With Us - Sandahl Bergman & Chorus
Vivaldi Concert In G (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
Ponte Vecchio (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
Everything Old Is New Again - Peter Allen
South Mt Sinai Parade (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
After You've Gone - Leland Palmer
There'll Be Some Changes Made - Ann Reinking
Who's Sorry Now - Chorus
Some Of These Days - Erzsebet Foldi
Going Home Now (Instrumental) - Ralph Burns
Bye Bye Love - Ben Vereen & Roy Scheider

Album Description

1995 reissue of the soundtrack to director Bob Fosse's acclaimed 1979 musical co-starring Roy Scheider and Jessica Lange. Ralph Burns arranged & conducted all 14 tracks, whichinclude performances by George Benson, Sandahl Bergman and Ben Vereen with Scheider. A Spectrum/ Karussell release.

Album Details

Accompanying Music to the Critically Acclaimed, Oscar Winning (For Best Art Direction, Best Score and Best Costume Design) 1979 Musical which features Musical Performances by Roy Scheider and Ben Vereen and also Stars Jessica Lange and Johnathan Lithgow. Includes the George Benson Standard "On Broadway", plus a Piece of Vivaldi's "Concert in G" and More.

Customer Reviews:

Life and Death On The Great White Way.......2007-06-24

Bob Fosse's 1979 ALL THAT JAZZ is perhaps most famous for the extreme reaction it provokes: you either love it or you hate it. There is no middle ground.

Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider) is a celebrated stage and film director famous for creating dance numbers with a super sexy style--and truly chaotic professional and personal life. Even as he edits a film he has recently directed, he begins rehearsals for a new Broadway show. Even as he duels with his acidic show-biz ex-wife over the needs of their daughter, he cheats on his girl friend with any lovely chorus girl who wants to fall across his bed. He goes from crisis to crisis in a round of late nights fueled by nicotine, caffine, alcohol, and drugs--and he loves every ego-gratifying moment of it. What he does not love is the heart attack he has in the middle of it all.

What divides viewers is not so much the plot as the overall style of the film. Like Joe Gideon, Bob Fosse (1927-1987) was most famous for his musicals, which were often akin to beautiful but distinctly dark hallucinations of super-stylized motion showing lots of skin. With ALL THAT JAZZ, Fosse takes his unique, highly surrealistic musical style and combines it with the similarly surrealistic approach of such master directors as Fellini. The result is a film that shifts between past, present, and future with glittering musical numbers that leap from the mind of Gideon himself to make wry comment on his egocentric madness--and in which beautiful show girls become the personification of death.

As Joe Gideon, Roy Scheider (perhaps best known for his tough-cop role in THE FRENCH CONNECTION) truly gives the performance of his career; he is amazing in the role of the driven, egocentric director/choreographer who will stop at nothing to pursue his desires, professional or otherwise. The film also gives us two performers who rarely appear on screen: Leland Palmer as Gideon's ex-wife Audrey Paris (a role based on Gwen Verdon) and Ann Rhineking as Gideon's long-suffering dancer-girlfried Kate Jagger (a role, ironically, based on herself.) Both prove extremely memorable--as does Ben Vereen, a performer I do not usually like, appearing here in as the emcee of Gideon's final and most memorable hallucination.

The cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno is sharp, clean, disquieting, and manages to convey the New York of the late 1970s in remarkable detail; the editing by Alan Heim (who also worked on such memorable films as NETWORK and STAR 80) is also memorable. Indeed, be it lighting, costumes, casting, or overall art design it is virtually impossible to fault the film at any level. Even so--ALL THAT JAZZ remains as likely to divide viewers today as it did in 1979. Movie musicals have changed a great deal over the past decade or so, but ALL THAT JAZZ remains a unique offering. You either get it or you don't; you either like it or you hate it.

There are at least two DVDs on the market. One is a no-frills edition with a good transfer; the other offers several bells and whistles that fans of the film will enjoy. Recommended in either version.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Fantastic!.......2007-06-18

A Fosse lovers must see. I was up for the main group of dancers for this movie oh so many years ago. I remember what I wore to the audition. We all showed up at the St. James theatre in NYC even though there was no audition notice in the trades and no announcement. I remember Fosse coming on the stage and laughing saying "how the hell did you all know about this...?" Well, word of mouth among the gypsies, that's how! He had already chosen his dancers but he liked to see what was around just in case. I was always called back and got to the last call back. Too bad right! Well the rest is history...get this dvd, it is a piece of history and a kind of dance, director, choreographer and discipline that no longer exists. SO sad!

Well executed, entertaining, musical.......2007-03-25

The film is appearantly a loose auto-biographical account of the film's director Bob Fosse (Cabaret, Chicago, Star 80). A scrutinizing look at obsession leading to self destruction and finally the transference of pain to others. The film has too many technical high points to mention. Choreography goes without mention and has been mimicked by modern artists, sometimes blatantly. The screenplay is complex enough to be interesting but remains in the realm of 'easily digestible.'

Eclectic Mix.......2007-02-24

Since I adore the movie, I can't help but love the soundtrack to All That Jazz. I'm not sure this CD would move every listener as it does me, but I see every scene as I listen and can't help but dance along now and then. Like the movie, this soundtrack is bittersweet and very raw in some places, cheeky and sentimental in others. For a Fosse junkie like me, it's a must have.

"Bye, bye love"...........2007-02-09

Loved the DVD and this CD is just as entertaining. George Benson oozes showmanship so much so that it comes across just listening. "On Broadway and Bye bye love" are the stand out's.

Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter/Guess Who's in Town

Average customer rating:

Class and Talent that transports you to another place and time
What Living in NY Was All About
He's The Top

Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter/Guess Who's in Town
Bobby Short
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bobby Short Celebrates Rodgers & Hart
You're the Top: The Love Songs of Cole Porter
Late Night At The Cafe Carlyle
The Mad Twenties/My Personal Property
Celebrating 30 Years at the Cafe Carlyle

ASIN: B00005MKCL
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Rap Tap on Wood
You've Got That Thing
You Don't Know Paree
Pilot Me
Katie Went to Haiti
How's Your Romance?
At Long Last Love
By Candlelight
So Near and Yet So Far
How Could We Be Wrong?
Hot-House Rose
Let's Fly Away
Why Shouldn't I?
Once upon a Time
Weren't We Fools?
Do I Love You?
I've Got You on My Mind
Where Have You Been?
I Hate You, Darling
I'm in Love Again
Just One of Those Things
Why Don't We Try Staying Home?

Tracks:

Guess Who's in Town
Honeysuckle Rose
How Can You Face Me?
Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid
Sposin'
Ain't Misbehavin'
Tan Manhattan
Black and Blue
Make Me Believe Ballroom
I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town
Lonesome Swallow

Customer Reviews:

Class and Talent that transports you to another place and time.......2006-01-05

This two-CD set is a true gem. The second features songs with lyrics written by Andy Razaf--familiar tunes such as "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'"--for such luminaries as Fats Waller and Eubie Blake. Fantastic liner notes taken from the original album.

The title CD features 70 minutes of Cole Porter brought to dazzling light by Bobby Short's fabulous voice and piano. Some of the tracks were previously unpublished, some part of the many Broadway shows and Hollywood movies Porter collaborated on. If you're not too familiar with Porter, but are a Woody Allen fan, you'll certainly recognize "I'm In Love Again" from 'Hannah and her Sisters'. "Weren't We Fools" has something for everyone who has loved and lost and loved again.

When I first played this CD, my 2 1/2+ year-old son said "Mommy plays pretty music"...at every pause between tracks he said "More music is coming." Yes, Bobby Short will make everyone love Cole Porter. Short's magnetic personality and energy shines through the technology so you can simply close your eyes and imagine yourself in the Cafe Carlyle or any other venue where he played.

Pop this CD in your car and you won't care if someone cuts you off or doesn't signal a turn....

What Living in NY Was All About.......2004-01-18

I, too, treasure the 2-disc vinyl set of "Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter." This particular issue of the CD is a bargain...it was originally issued a few years ago at, if I recall correctly, over $30. More years ago than I want to remember, while living in New York, I had the pleasure of spending my 30th birthday at the Carlyle and Mr. Short with my first wife...who also later became my second! But I digress...This disc set is one I treaure, and one who anyone with a sense of musical style [which invariably means a keen sense of personal style, I find] will enjoy. So, my STRONG advice: mix an ice-cold Manhattan or martini [stir it...don't shake!], settle down over some terrific hor d'oevres, and let the nuances that can define love and life overtake you. Nothing better.

He's The Top.......2003-11-08

I've been waiting 20 years for "Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter" to be released on CD. I don't know what the problem might have been, but the Atlantic vinly two-disc set from the seventies is perhaps my favorite jazz vocal recording of all time. This album features Bobby with his two longtime sidemen - Robby Scott on drums and the late, great Beverly Peer bowing the double bass. About Cole Porter nothing more need be said. And the whole shebang is cheaper than two drinks at the Cafe Carlyle bar. Buy it and treasure it.

Average customer rating:

Choral work at it's finest.
Love it
Light and shadows
Cambridge Singers = Quality
American Gramaphone, please reissue this title.

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Gregorian Chant , William Byrd , John Taverner , Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina , Samuel Scheidt , John Sheppard , Maurice Durufle , Robert White , Cambridge Singers , Gerald Finley , and John Rutter
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Stillness And Sweet Harmony
Hail, Gladdening Light: Music of the English Church
Faire is the Heaven: Music of the English Church
Lighten our Darkness

ASIN: B0000005MF
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Music Of The Morning Rite: a. Alleluia - b. Haec Dies
Music Of The Morning Rite: Easter Sequence
Dum Transisset Sabbatum
Sanctus
Exsultate Deo
a. Easter Acclamations b. Surrexit Christus Hodie
Music Of The Evening Rite: Before The Ending Of The Day
Music Of The Evening Rite: In Pace
Music Of The Evening Rite: Into Thy Hands, O Lord
Music Of The Evening Rite: Ubi Caritas
Music Of The Evening Rite: Keep Me As The Apple Of An Eye And Nunc Dimittisa
Music Of The Evening Rite: O Christ, Who Art The Light And Day
Music Of The Evening Rite: a. We Will Lay Us Down In Peace b. Libera Nos, Salva Nos

Amazon.com

A brief glance at the packaging for this recording might make you think New Age, and indeed this label normally offers recordings in that vein. The disc's cover tells nothing about the music inside--all we see are the ruins of an ancient abbey, the moon in the sky on the front, the sun on the back. But wait. If you get far enough to listen to the recording, you'll find one of the most beautiful and beautifully programmed choral recordings in the catalog. The compositions, organized into the categories "Music of the Morning Rite" and "Music of the Evening Rite," are mostly from 16th- century composers--Byrd, Taverner, Sheppard, White--with a few Gregorian chants and a gorgeous rendition of the 20th-century motet by Duruflé, "Ubi caritas." Conductor/choral music legend John Rutter has assembled a program that's both uplifting and restful; the performance is faultless. One could only complain about the short (39 and a half minutes) playing time. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Choral work at it's finest........2007-06-03

I really enjoyed this work. I was first introduced to this title through American Gramophone's website and was also my first introduction in the works of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers. You do not have be religious to enjoy this work. I find the music uplifting and very sublime. I have listened to it many times, and I find that my favorite period to play it is in the morning hours. .

I have since purchased many other Rutter titles including "Images of Christ", and more recently "Lighten our Darkness"

Love it.......2007-05-02

13 years ago, I had the tape of brother sun, sister moon and as a teenager and I would play it every night as I slept, I loved it. I dont know what happened to it and I have ever sence been looking for it, and I just baught the CD and am so excited.

Light and shadows.......2003-07-29

Recorded in the Great Hall of University College School, London, the Cambridge Singers under the direction of John Rutter produced a true masterpiece in 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' in 1988. The title derives from a famous prayer by St. Francis of Assisi, and is inspired by liturgical music from (or derivative of) the Middle Ages and Renaissance polyphony and Gregorian chant. The music is meditative, uplifting, and elegant in simplicity and stunning vocal quality.

--Brother Sun--
The first half of the disc is largely composed of pieces from the liturgical Morning Prayer cycle, concentrating on texts from Easter, the most important of Christian days. From the Alleluia to the Acclamations and Surrexit Christus Hodie (Christ is risen today), the flow from Gregorian Chant to compositions by Byrd, Taverner and Palestrina (giants of this type of music) in increasing energy and glory, as befits both a Morning service (time to wake up!) as well as a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Perhaps of particular note here is the cantoring of bass Gerald Finley in the Easter Acclamations.

--Sister Moon--
The second half of the disc concentrates on music of the evening; in particular, the Compline service, a service of unwinding and sombre meditation with which monastic communities conclude their days of work and worship. Many churches have reincorporated Compline into a regular cycle of services; some have even done so as a result of exposure to this recording. The music here is softer and less energetic than that of Morning prayer. This includes music from Whyte and Sheppard (also masters of the Medieval-to-Renaissance liturgical polyphony) as well as a brilliant motet by twentieth century composer Duruflé for the Ubi Caritas.

--Liner Notes--
The notes for this recording include the titles and words, in both Latin and English, for each of the pieces recorded here. It has an excerpt from a prayer by St. Francis, and a basic introduction to the music relating it historically and liturgically. One thing conspicuously missing is any biographical information about John Rutter, or any descriptive information about the Cambridge Singers apart from the basic listing of singers.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. For this particular recording, the choir consisted of eleven sopranos, six altos, six tenors, and six basses.

Cambridge Singers = Quality.......2002-05-23

I do love this cd, but tend to play certain tracks as my first love is chant. I play the Victimae Paschali Laudes in the car and sing along - it is so very beautiful that this rendition of this Easter Chant is worth purchasing this cd alone. I love that one track so much, my only criticism of the cd is that I wish they'd centered the entire cd on chant - and I hope they will do one like that in the future because the quality of the voices is stunning.

American Gramaphone, please reissue this title........2000-03-30

I originally obtained this CD through Minnesota Public Radio. The first time I listened to the Ubi Caritus, I was moved to tears. The CD became my favorite to play at Christmas and other times. I gave the CD to a friend who has moved to Oregon, deeply regret that it is no longer in production.

Tracks:

Hopin' That You'd Slow Down
Mirror
Let Me Go
I Know You By Heart
All I Can Do
I've Done Nothin' Wrong
Tear Down The Wall
Took Too Long
Whirlwind
When Will I
Magnolia

Album Description

The buzz is getting out! In the March 2000 issue of Guitar One Magazine titled, "BEST IN THE U.S.", Monte Montgomery was chosen as one of The Best 10 (unknown) Guitarists in America. The article states: "Monte Montgomery was the first artist chosen for this column (the first to make our jaws drop!). His scorching yet musical solos, combined with great pop sensibility in his songwriting, are what cought our ear. But when you consider that he's playing those Van Halen-esque solos on an acoustic guitar with distortion, it becomes a slam dunk" - Guitar One Magazine.

Customer Reviews:

great monte!.......2006-08-16

ah yes! this is one of my favorite cd's. i love all the songs on it. ever since i heard about him and decided to give him a try i just couldnt stop listening to him. his cd is always in the player. in fact i want to get an i pod just so that i can have ALL his cd's available when ever i want and not have to have all his cds. to much to carry. he is just that great!

Please Come to Atlanta.......2006-04-14

I just had to write. I bought this album a couple of years ago based on the recommendation of some guy at a concert. I listened to it once and it just didn't do anything for me, so I put it back on the shelf. Then about two weeks ago I was picking things to play in the car and said okay I'll give it a second chance. It hasn't left the CD player since. I must have played it 15 times. The guy is an amazing guitar player, the hooks are great, the solos are great, recording quality great, and once you get used to them, the vocals are pretty darn good. I have already ordered two more albums by Monte and can't wait to hear them. Now if we can just get him to Atlanta so I can see that incredible playing live.

Rare and Wonderful Talent.......2006-03-20

In this age of MTV, VH1, and American Idol, the emphasis is on looks and not talent. One has to look and act the part to make the big time. Musical talent is secondary. Monte Montgomery will most likely never make it to the top of the music world even though he deserves to be there. He just doesn't look the part. If this were 30 years ago, everyone would know Monte Montgomery and he would be recoginzed for the musical genius he is. This is a real loss for the people who will never know Monte and enjoy his music.

This is Monte's second CD and in my opinion, his best work. He has it all - the melodies, the lyrics, the voice, the guitar vitruosity. Monte doesn't try to prove how fast he can play although guitar enthusiasts will be amazed at what he coaxes out of a beat up Alvarez acoustic guitar. When Monte plays guitar it's a memorable melody that fits the structure of the song perfectly. You may not believe your ears and may think it's all done with electronic tricks but your doubts will be erased when you listen to "When Will I," recorded live at Austin City Limits. Yes, all you hear IS real.

I've been listening to this CD since it was first released and it's still in my CD player. If you love and appreciate good music, buy this. You'll be glad you did.

This is also a Desert Island Disc!.......2006-03-07

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. I was not a fan of acoustic music when my brother first told me to check out Monte back in '99. Monte's guitar virtuosity bridged that gap for me.

I got "1st and Repair" first, so it is a sentimental favorite, but "Mirror" is probably his best disc. There are songs on "1st and Repair" that I'd consider my favorites of Monte's, but "Mirror" is probably a more consistent release. There isn't a dull moment on this CD.

Add it to your shopping cart now!

Highly Recommended / Must Have.......2005-10-07

This was the first Monte CD I heard, then purchased. It is excellent. Monte has a distinct voice, as did Louis Armstrong, which sets him apart from other singers - makes him authentically a one of a kind. Monte has broken through the barriers that hold independent artists out of the mainstream. His work and style are worth studying if you play guitar. Monte is a guitarists guitarist and a songwriter's songwriter. Professionals respect him, fans adore him. You can't go wrong with this one. The solo section of "When Will I" is the definition of a well-organized, inspired solo. As a guitarist and songwriter, I highly recommend that you buy this CD.

Sousa Original / United States Marine Band

Average customer rating:

Enjoyed very much despite muted scratchy sound on last track
Great Band and Greater Music
A Moderate Sampling of Sousa
Start of a great series for Sousa admirers
Sousa Played as only the Marines can do

Sousa Original / United States Marine Band

Manufacturer: Altissimo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sousa Original II / United States Marine Band
Sousa 3
Sousa, Vol. 4
Sousa's Greatest Hits
Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches

ASIN: B00000IK8P
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

Semper Fidelis
Presidential Polonaise
Mahattan Beach March
Comrades Of The Legion March
Saber And Spurs March
Gridiron Club March, The
King Cotton March
Easter Monday On The White House Lawn
Who's Who In The Navy Blue March
Invincible Eagle March, The
Excerpts From Mars And Venus March
Washington Post March (1890), The
Washington Post March (1988), The

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyed very much despite muted scratchy sound on last track.......2007-02-07

I gave this to my father. He was thrilled by the collection of songs. He said the last track was a little scratchy and lower volume but that the sound quality of all of the other tracks was great.

Great Band and Greater Music.......2006-03-18

Having taught music for 41 years, I do appreciate the quality of a good band, good music and a good recording. This series is all three! My only complaint is that the CD's are not long enough. I would like to have them last much longer. Enjoyed them very much!

A Moderate Sampling of Sousa.......2003-12-04

Actually one of the better CDs of the limited Altissimo! line of products. At least we have the Marine band playing Sousa, as it should be, but many of the selections are what we have heard already on countless CDs of Sousa. A few of the selections here are different and worthwhile. The problems we encounter are a mixture of recording styles taken from different internal tracks from the Marine Band Library. These recordings were never intended for commercial use. Hence the un-even sound at times. Also the brief durration of the CD indicates as well that it was never intended for public use. Finally, lack of any worthwhile liner notes tops off a rather un-professional job overall.

Start of a great series for Sousa admirers.......2002-09-07

The President's Own play these like no other ensemble. I don't know what the current occupant of the White House thinks about them, but this wind ensemble is a national treasure in my book. This whole series is highly recommended. They play with more energy than the fine musicians of the Detroit Concert Band who sound a little bored on the complete Walking Frog set. They are a much finer ensemble, playing with greater precision and balance than Kieth Brion's British players on Naxos. The only weakness is in the documentation. There is none. We are not even told who the excellent conductor is. But that doesn't prevent one from enjoying the inspiring performances. Highly recommended!

Sousa Played as only the Marines can do.......2001-11-01

This release by Altissimo! is a great collection of Sousa Recordings played by the band that Sousa made great. There are tons of Sousa recordings out there, but none feature the US Marine band. Sousa marches don't sound the same until you have heard them played by the Marines. Sousa wrote many of these marches while bandmaster of the Marines, thus the reason why the renditions of these works are so excellent here. The band playes with a real drive and energy, the likes of which few can compare. While not a large selection of marches, this CD is only volume one of a four volume set of Sousa's music featuring the US Marine band. (...) Now more than ever, with our nation in crisis, we need the inspired music of our great service bands.

Average customer rating:

One of the greatest rock albums ever
No comparison to their all-time classic
Caravan's Finest Hour!
For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
Return of the earlier Caravan sound

For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
Caravan
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

In the Land of Grey and Pink
If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It All Over You
Waterloo Lily
Caravan
Cunning Stunts

ASIN: B00005A0UX
Release Date: 2005-12-22

Tracks:

Memory Lain, Hugh/Headloss
Hoedown
Surprise, Surprise
C'thulu Thulu
Dog, The Dog, He's at It Again
Be Alright/Chance of a Lifetime
Auberge du Sanglier/A Hunting We Shall Go/Pengola/Backwards/A Hunting W
Memory Lain, Hugh/Headloss [US Mix][#][*]
No! ("Be Alright")/Waffle ("Chance of a Lifetime") [#][*]
He Who Smelt It Dealt It ("Memory Lain, Hugh") [#][*]
Surprise, Surprise [#][*]
Derek's Long Thing*

Album Description

Full title 'For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night'. Remastered reissue of the British progressive rock act's 1973 album.Featuring the original 7 tracks and 5 bonus tracks, 'MemoryLain,Hugh/Headloss', 'No!/Waffle', 'He Who Smelt It Dealt It', 'Surprise,Surprise' and 'Derek's Long Thing'. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered and Includes the Us Mix of 'memory Lain Hugh/Headloss', Previously Unreleased Chipping Norton Studio Sessions with Derek Austin and Stuart Evans Including 'memory Lain Hugh', 'be Alright/Chance of a Lifetime', 'surprise Surprise'and 'derek Long's Thing'.

Customer Reviews:

One of the greatest rock albums ever.......2007-04-26

I like to write reviews of books and CD's that I liked from years
ago. These great works of art stand the test of time. A lot of rock
albums, as do many classical works, sound great regardless of when you
hear them. "For Girls Who Grow Plump In the Night" is without a doubt
one of my all-time favorites, from a highly underrated band. It is one
of those albums you can put on any time and you know you will enjoy it,
from the first note to the last. There is not a bad track on the album,
and it flows superlatively. It is also the kind of album you can put on
and people who have never heard of Caravan will pay attention to and
enjoy it, and I remember more than 1 person who heard it with me
bought it. This lineup also recorded one more album, a live one called
"Caravan And the New Symphonia," with an orchestra, that is excellent as well.
I don't think that any of the songs on this album are on that
album, but that's so much the better, because you get great live
versions of some of their other classics (and they had many,
along with many different kinds of music as well).

As I said above, Caravan was a totally underrated band. They were
great musicians, whatever the lineup, with a dynamic sound, and they
were appealing enough to have had commercial success - too bad they
didn't have it!

No comparison to their all-time classic.......2007-02-24

I was surprised after I listened to this album how many people could compare it to the classic "In the Land of Grey and Pink" and even say it was "a return to form" for the original members that made ILGP. ILGP is a masterpiece and "For Girls who grow plump in the night" pales in comparison. It is surprising that such a drastic change could occur with just one album in between the classic and this one. The name of the album is curious but it seems to suit marketing more than the poor offering on this album. The clean recording and sound is gone. Most of the songs seemed muddled and too boring. Even the music is not of geat quality. Only the song "The Dog, The Dog, He's at it again" stands out with the class of ILGP. Of the rest there are sparks of brilliance when it comes to musicianship and lyrics but they just pop up here and there. These are evident in the songs, the opening number "Memory Lain, Hugh/ Headloss", the somewhat melodious "Surprise Surprise", the "Chance of a Lifetime" part of the "Be Alright, Chance of a Lifetime" song, and the second soft melodious part of "Auberge du Sanglier/A Hunting We Shall Go/Pengola/Backwards/A..." though it ends like a James Last instrumental. Some acceptable keys on "C'thlu Thlu". For those of you who are listening to Caravan for the first time this album may not make an impression. If you want to get a feel of Caravan's might check out their masterpiece "In the Land of Grey and Pink".

Only 2.5 stars for this album.

Caravan's Finest Hour!.......2006-03-06

The progressive-rock group Caravan never really achieved much commercial success in the US. But, still had some loyal fans. They received a modest amount of radio airplay back on album rock stations in the early to mid 70's. This album probably was Caravan's Finest Hour! The best tracks on this one are Memory Lain Hugh Headloss, Hoedown, and A Hunting We Shall Go Pengola Backwards. The price is a bit steep, but may be worth it to those who still enjoy the days of classical rock music, like me.

For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night.......2006-01-25

For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night is my favorite CARAVAN
recording. Maybe because this is where I started listening
to them or because the music is incredible, I can't say, but
for the "early" CARAVAN sound, this is it and at it's best.

Also, I'd put this on my TOP 50 albums to take to that
desert island...

Return of the earlier Caravan sound.......2004-05-27

Waterloo Lily obviously threw a few Caravan fans off. With David Sinclair out of the picture, new keyboardist Steve Miller (not to be confused with the American that gave us "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Swingtown") gave the band a more fusion slant. Might have not been a problem to those familiar with the more fusion-oriented Canterbury bands like Hatfield & the North. So after one album with Matching Mole, David Sinclair decided to rejoin Caravan, with two new members, Geoff Richardson on electric violin, and bassist John G. Perry who replaced Richard Sinclair. The results were this, their fifth album which was basically picking up where In the Land of Grey & Pink left off. The album starts off with "Memory Lane, Hugh", a nice, catchy piece with vocal harmonies that remind me of the Byrds. "Headloss" is really cheery and upbeat. There's "Hoedown", which basically revolves a repetitive but great rhythm. As you noticed, David Sinclair bought some new instruments, his organ doesn't get much use here, but he used a Davoli synthesizer, electric piano, and clavinet. "C'Thulu", given the song was obviously inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, is supposed to have a more sinister tone, even John G. Perry, who does some of the vocals here (as well as Pye Hastings, of course) sounds oddly like Ozzy Osbourne here! You can even hear the sound of wolves howling in the background. But the song has some ridiculously cheery passages as well. Side two demonstrates just as well how Caravan decided to stick to the sound they're best known. The ending of the album is largely orchestrated, with even an orchestrated theme from Soft Machine's Third (that is, "Slightly-All-The-Time"). If you're a Caravan fan, you're going to want this album, but if you're new, start with In the Land of Grey & Pink.

Average customer rating:

This guy is good!
Monte is your God.
blown away!
Incredible Talent
Desert Island Disc

1st and Repair
Monte Montgomery
Manufacturer: Heart Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Texas Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mirror
Wishing Well
Live at the Caravan of Dreams
New & Approved
The Story of Love

ASIN: B0000060GT
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

Movin On
Sorry Doesn't Cut It
1st And Repair
Love To The People
Leaving Paradise
Girl Like You
River
Pocket Change
The Fall
Last Goodbye
It's Alright
For What It's Worth
Love Come Knockin'

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

This guy is good!.......2007-07-04

I discovered Monte a few months ago and am I glad I did! This guy is fantastic. He can write, sing, and boy, can he play a guitar. There's not a bad song on the CD. You won't regret purchasing this CD. Get it.

Monte is your God........2006-09-27

Austin's own Monte Montgomery is simply one of my favorite musicians hands down. If you're at all familiar with him, then you probably know what a remarkably talented guitarist he is, but he's much more than that. He's also an incredible singer and songwriter, that rare perfect combination of everything that you just don't see often enough.

On the surface, his approach may seem a bit simplistic and straight-forward, but what he does with it is what's so amazing. Great melodic sense is a talent like any other, and he's got it in spades. Combining that with jaw-dropping guitar virtuosity, and furthermore actually making it go together is really something special.

Not only that, but Monte also manages to bring together a rich tapestry of sounds, blended perfectly with his mellow acoustic sound. "Leaving Paradise" and "The Fall" are slightly R&B-tinged ballads, on which Monte gives vocal performancs to rival the great Stevie Wonder. He's an amazing guitarist, sure, but he's a hell of a singer as well. Elsewhere, he likewise brings a bit more punch to the table, with the hard-driven, almost percussive rhythms to counter-balance the inescapable hooks of the opening track "Movin' On", and with the menacing rockabilly twang of "River", featuring some majorly sweet slide guitar.

A reviewer below panned this disc for being "pop", however I don't consider that a bad thing, for Monte's popcraft is nearly unrivaled. After all, "pop" doesn't have to be a bad thing, and it certainly isn't here. Songs like "It's Alright", "Pocket Change", and the title track, for example, are just perfect popitude, the kind of hooks and melodic sense that John Mayer would sell his soul to possess even a fraction of. And then there's "Girl Like You", which has what I consider to be one of the coolest guitar melodies ever. It feels so layered and intimate, and creates a helluva cool atmosphere.

The final song on the album, "Love Come Knockin", is about the best kind of ending you could ask for. It begins with a sort of reggae-tinged melody, with a great melodic chorus, finally giving way to glorious reams of spacious melodic soloing. This song is a perfect example of Monte's greatness as a musician. He doesn't just play fast because he can, he sets a motif, builds on it, and draws you in and never lets go. This song is 10 minutes of pure awesomeness.

I could honestly speak for days about how great this guy is. Maybe I'm a bit biased, since he's from my neck of the woods, but this kind of talent is simply undeniable. If you ever get a chance to see this man live, do it all costs. I've seen him twice, and he puts on what is easily one of the best live shows you'll ever see. But until then, buy this, and just about everything else he's done as well. In fact, the most amazing thing about this album is that it isn't even his best. The follow-up album, "Mirror", is even more perfect, for Monte has expanded his playing, and developed his more distorted, Eric Johnson-style tone for which he is now well-known (here, his playing is more pure acoustic, but that's certainly not a bad thing). "Wishing Well" is the album one which he "went electric", so the novelty of the whole "acoustic that sounds like electric" thing is gone, but still a lot of great songwriting there as well.

Ok, long review over. Purchase. Listen. Enjoy.

blown away!.......2006-08-01

if you want great music this is it! the greatest person in the world told me to listen to monte and i didnt think much of it untill i heard this genius. like others have said he is the BEST kept secret. im anxiously waiting to see him this month. i listen to his songs over and over again. i cant get enough of it. i just dont get tired of it. it sets the perfect mood to leave a smile on my face. hes very admirable with his excellent lyrics and guitar playing. VERY recomended!!

Incredible Talent.......2006-03-20

Monte Montgomery has it all - the melodies, the lyrics, the voice, the guitar vitruosity. Monte doesn't try to prove how fast he can play - when Monte plays guitar it's a memorable melody that fits the structure of the song perfectly. I've been listening to this one since it was first released and it's still in my CD player. If you love and appreciate good music, buy this. You'll be glad you did.

Desert Island Disc.......2006-03-07

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. I was not a fan of acoustic music when my brother first told me to check out Monte back in '99. Monte's virtuosity on guitar bridged that gap for me. This and Mirror are defintely shining examples in his catalog. Add it to your shopping cart now!

Average customer rating:

Great Vocals Great Piano
A Voice Like Champagne, A Magical Touch on the Piano

Guess Who's in Town
Daryl Sherman
Manufacturer: Arbors Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

You Taught My Heart to Sing
Kevin Hays Trio: For Heaven's Sake
Marsalis Music Honors Michael Carvin
Power of Nine
On the Other Side

ASIN: B000KRN0CI
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

Love You Madly
I Concentrate On You
Then I'll Be Tired Of You
Guess Who's In Town
Carolina In The Morning
Tennessee Fish Fry
Angel Eyes
Lullaby Of Birdland
Underneath The ARches
Welcome To Manhattan
Embraceable You
Like A Puzzle
Don't Worry 'Bout Me
Someday Sweetheart
Dream Awhile

Album Description

Daryl Sherman, one of the finest cabaret singers, regularly performs at the Waldorf Astoria and other jazz venues in New York and internationally. Here, Sherman has chosen an all-star group of musicians to back her, led by Harry Allen. Sherman is known for her musicality and sense of swing, and for always allowing the song to shine.

Customer Reviews:

Great Vocals Great Piano.......2007-06-23

Daryl's albums just get better and better. Her wacky cover photo should not discourage you. She sings with elements of Blossom Dearie and Susannah McCorkle with a style that is all her own. The arrangements on this CD are the best ever, gorgeous ballads, and a fabulous non-vocal version of "Lullaby of Birdland" that really swings. Steve Futterman of The New Yorker named it one of the best CD's of 2006.

A Voice Like Champagne, A Magical Touch on the Piano.......2007-03-20

If you're a fan of my book "Piano Girl," I recommend this recording by the ultimate Piano Girl, Miss Daryl Sherman. She plays with style, wit, and charm and her sparkling personality bubbles to the surface on each one of these delightful arrangements. Oh! Be sure to catch her live at the Waldorf Astoria if you're visiting New York.

Average customer rating:

Age breeds a shining moment
Nice but dismissable.
Disappointing by Quartet West standards
If you breathe and have ears, buy this record!
A Night and a Lonely Town

The Art of the Song

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Haunted Heart
Now Is the Hour
Always Say Goodbye
Nocturne
American Dreams

ASIN: B00000JNMR
Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

Lonely Town
Why Did I Choose You
Moment Musical Opus 16 No.3 In B Minor
In Love In Vain
Ruth's Waltz
Scenes From A Silver Screen
I'm Gonna Laugh you Right Out Of My Life
You My Love
Prelude En La Mineur
The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Easy On The Heart
Theme For Charlie
Wayfaring Stranger

Amazon.com

Bassist Charlie Haden was an integral part of Ornette Coleman's pioneering avant-garde groups in the '50s and '60s and led his own equally forward-thinking Liberation Music Orchestra. His ensemble Quartet West, with tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts, drummer Larance Marable, and pianist Alan Broadbent, revealed a sentimental side of his musical personality that surprised many. This recording, with string arrangements by Broadbent, sounds like a soundtrack to a Raymond Chandler film as Haden's sturdy bass tones make him a worthy supporting actor. But although Shirley Horn's ethereal voice sparkles on "Lonely Town," "In Love in Vain," and "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life," and crooner Bill Henderson's towering pipes are radiant on "Why Did I Choose You," "Ruth's Waltz," "You My Love," and "Easy on the Heart," all of the material is in pretty much the same ballad tempo, which, compounded by the time length of the CD, robs it of the romantic resonance it could truly shine on the listener. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Age breeds a shining moment.......2003-11-20

The criticisms miss the point. This is an effort that does a rare thing - it brings together men and women who can put the experience of life to judicious use in their art. Unlike listening to the deterioration other performers have faced, in later years, at the hands of studio production teams that no longer know what to do with them, Charlie Haden has found a way to create a beautiful volume of space in which to let the years of these venerated performers shine through. It is in this space you shall hear the notes of lives lived and savored.

Nice but dismissable........2001-08-09

Haden's pleasant miscellany of neglected but deserving ballads is indeed a mixed bag, but somehow his focus, purpose, and method elude this listener. Neophyte writers are frequently enjoined to compose with a sharp, definitive, unified "thesis." Haden could have used a bit of coaching along these lines before producing this collection. Even drawing upon a common composer (as opposed to ranging from Kern to Rachmaninoff to public domain) might have provided the needed coherence to the project.

In any case, it's always a welcome experience to hear Shirley Horn; the revival of a touching ballad like "In Love in Vain" merits our appreciation; and though I was never a big fan of Bill Henderson (an acquired taste), he deserves to be recorded based on the evidence of this recording.

In sum, this album is more than anything else a "sampler" and should have been priced accordingly.

Disappointing by Quartet West standards.......2001-05-09

The outstanding Quartet West album is 'Always Say Goodbye'. On that CD, Broadbent demonstrates his skills at orchestral arrangement, and Haden deftly selects great oldies to intermingle with some of his own superb compositions. Haden also takes some historic performances -- such as Jo Stafford on vocals -- to bring a resonance to the new covers. The experiment was very successful.

You can see the logic behind this subsequent album: instead of using dusty old recordings, why don't we use today's state-of-the-art production to capture the voices of several current artists? And why don't we let Alan orchestrate the whole album?

The trouble is that the orchestration, beautiful though it is throughout, constrains the band terribly. And the vocals swamp the album. (Actually the Jo Stafford track on 'Always Say Goodbye' is one of the weakest on the album.) They say that the saxophone is the instrument closest to the human voice, and it is Ernie Watts who suffers most on this album, The sax is simply crowded out by all the singing. It is only on the stand-out track, 'Prelude en la mineur', an instrumental re-working of a Ravel piece, that Watts finally gets a chance to let rip.

Shirley Horn's vocals are fine, particularly on 'Lonely Town'. But I simply cannot listen to any of the tracks containing Bill Henderson's voice, and sadly, there are four of them.

The most touching song is the last one, where Haden himself bravely takes the vocal lead. It's a song his mother used to sing on the radio, back in the early 1940s, when the entire Haden family would appear on KWTO Springfield. It is a farewell to the dead, and also a reassurance that one day they will meet again.

If you want a quick survey of this CD, check out tracks #1, #9 and #13. It's a long way from the days of Haden's playing with Ornette Coleman and the Liberation Orchestra, and it's very mellow.

If you breathe and have ears, buy this record!.......2001-04-15

I first heard of Charlie Haden on Dublin's best radio music show - The Mystery Train presented by John Kelly on RTE Radio 1. I bought this CD and it has never been off my current play list. This is beautiful music that touches the heart. Listen to Wayfaring Stranger, Lonely Town, I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life, or Ruth's Walz after a tough day at the office or jammed in traffic and you will be back in touch with the good things in life. As someone who has evolved though Thin Lizzy, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Queen, U2, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, BB King, Grant Green etc, Charlie Haden is proof of my graduation. After since buying other and even better Haden CD's, I am looking forward to seeing him in concert with Quartet West here in Dublin on April 29. BUY IT NOW!

A Night and a Lonely Town.......2000-05-24

Despite its problems, I think this album still deserves a five-star rating. Seemingly inspired by the music of moody classic cinema, a listener might well envision a seedy nightclub in a fog-swept black & white San Francisco of the 1940s or a tearful Ingrid Bergman about to board a twin-propellor leaving Rick and Casablanca behind her forever.

Regardless of which side of the Atlantic you envision on your moody musical journey, this is definitely a lounging type of music, perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons, after-theatre drives around town on warm summer evenings, warm candle-lit baths, or romantic dinners for two. The beautifully romantic ballads range from the longing "Lonely Town" to the mostly-resolute "I'm Going to Laugh You Right Out of My Life" to the quietly complacent "The Folks Who Live on the Hill." Interspersed with these great standards, however, are wonderful instrumental pieces which frame the remaining vocals with stunningly dramatic moods.

The only flaw is the rather unappealing voice of Bill Henderson, who seems to be suffering from a weak set of lungs, if not from lack of enthusiasm. Henderson seems to strive for the vocal capabilities of Shirley Horn, who sings on 1, 4, 7 and 10, but is incapable of achieving those same dramatic pitches of his fellow artist. Nevertheless, he does an adequate job on "Ruth's Waltz" and "Easy on the Heart" even if "Why Did I Choose You" is downright painful to listen to. Haden, who sings on 13, seems similarly incapable of reaching Horn's heights, but "Wayfaring Stranger," the traditional song he chose to render, is capable of carrying itself with the slow somber tone it evokes in the listener.

Regardless of its faults, this remains a beautiful album. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves the kind of sit-at-home music it captures so very well in its beautifully jazzy tunes that are, at the very least, easy on the ears.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

jazz music