Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner

Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner

ASIN: B00005NY9K

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Toots Thielemans is the arch romantic of jazz, an unabashed melodist who specializes in wringing joy and nostalgia from the most personal of instruments. Here he plays harmonica exclusively, foregoing guitar and whistling to concentrate on his unique ability to execute sophisticated jazz lines on the tiny instrument. He's joined by pianist Kenny Werner, a regular duo partner who's attuned to Thielemans's every nuance and impulse. They explore a moving collection of melodies that ranges from Bach's "Sicilienne" to medleys of songs associated with Sinatra, Michel Legrand, and Disney. When Werner turns to electronic keyboards, as on Bill Evans's luminously reflective "Time Remembered," he's able to provide a surprisingly lush "string" backdrop to support Thielemans's lyric rapture. Werner's also an excellent soloist in his own right, and it shows particularly in the tunes by distinguished modern pianists, like the Evans medley, Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," and Chick Corea's "Windows." --Stuart Broomer

Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner,Toots Thielemans,Kenny Werner,Universal,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

One More for the Road
Average customer rating:

Superior Jazz-Pop

Stunning!

Toots & Vocals

Masterful Stuff

One for the road

One More for the Road
Toots Thielemans
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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From This Moment On

ASIN: B000EQ4G50
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Come Rain Or Come Shine
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Last Night When We Were Young
Ill Wind
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
I Wonder What Became Of Me
That Old Black Magic
This Time The Dream's On Me
Stormy Weather
It's Only A Paper Moon
Over The Rainbow

Customer Reviews:

Superior Jazz-Pop.......2007-02-03

I don't think you can find a better "duets' album than this one. From it's cool, retro-styled cover photo to its impeccable selection of Harold Arlen tunes, this album strikes all the right notes.

The arrangements are (for the most part) fresh-sounding, and the orchestration is never intrusive, but supple and buoyant--which allows the songs to 'breathe'. The strings have a nice shimmer and sheen that will transport the listener. Best of all, the album may introduce you to several sparkling young vocal talents. I myself am particularly smitten with Lizz Wright's vocal (so authoritative, warm with a little smolder)---I think there is a reason why she is featured in the opening track ("Come Rain or Come Shine"). Madeline Peyroux on "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" for once sounds more like Ella Fitzgerald than Billie Holiday. Beth Hart's reading of "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues'" is so spirited and slinky that I think it is the friskiest and most fun track by far.

I have only one or two quibbles: "It's Only A Paper Moon" is given a fairly predictable, tepid arrangement. And, sorry folks, but I can't count myself among the fans of Jamie Cullum. He sounds like a young Michael J. Fox trying to do Sinatra ("One For the Road").... and he can't resist throwing in the Elton John-ish turn of phrase. But these are two minor detractions from what is overall a smashingly good album. Toots Thielemans is still at the top of his game, and his harmonica provides delicious sounding seasoning on the vocal selections, and unrestrained lyricism in the instrumentals.

Perfect accompaniment for travel.

Stunning!.......2007-01-11

This is one of the most beautiful albums of all time. All the various vocal contributions are wonderfully combined with glorious syphonic arangements and, of course, Toot's magical harmonica. My 80 year old parents adore this, my 20 year old kids love it and I love it!!! Put it on, relax, pour yourself a nice glass of wine, light the fire and be prepared to be wrapped up in sonic beauty.

Toots & Vocals.......2006-12-11

The liner notes in Toots Thielemans' CD accurately state that the songs of Harold Arlen (with an assortment of lyricists, including the great Johnny Mercer) are widely known, even though they don't enjoy the same kind of popular reverence as say those of composers Cole Porter or Irving Berlin. "One More for the Road" is designed, in part, to place Arlen center stage. Toots does this ten times over. But he does something else.

Thielemans and producer Ruud Jacobs' decision to showcase less-well-known vocalists is also a master stroke. Most of these superb vocal talents enjoy limited airplay, but are certainly worthy of astounding acclaim. Some stand out more than others: Lizz Wright, a Georgia native (USA) with a smoky contralto is warm and sultry on "Come Rain or Come Shine." Madeleine Peyroux's Billie Holiday-esque vocals shine on "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Oleta Adams full-bodied vocals expand the meaning of Lena Horne's signature "Stormy Weather." The vocal standout, however, is Trijntje (pronounced "Train-cha") Oosterhuis' burnished vocals on the nearly forgotten Arlen/Johnny Mercer masterpiece "I Wonder What Became of Me." Thielemans is correct when he says Trijntje deserves greater exposure in the United States.

For some diehard Thielemans fans, this CD may have too little of Toots (He plays without vocals only on four tracks.) Yet he manages to pull off three important things: First, he superbly highlights the masterful compositions of Harold Arlen. Second, he displays exquisite good taste in vocalists. And third, he perfectly blends Jazz and Traditional Pop so much so that a Jazz purist and a Pop music dilettante would be equally pleased. This CD is a perfectly pleasant ride with the master of Jazz harmonica and his astounding new friends.

Masterful Stuff.......2006-09-27

The list of guest vocalists mostly work, with the first track, featuring Lizz Wright, worth the price of the disk by itself. Arlen's tunes, of course, are all winners, and Toots is in fine form, with help from some very good and a few outstanding arrangements.

One for the road.......2006-08-25

An excellent album. One of Toot's best. A keeper for sure.

Average customer rating:

NICE!
Aural Revelation
Sheer beauty
Que Reste T'l De Nos Amours......

Chez Toots
Toots Thielemans
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005YTT
Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

Sous Le Ciel De Paris (Live)
La Vie En Rose
Valse No. 2
Dance For Victor (Dedicated To Victor Feldman)
Hymne A L'amour (If You Love Me Really Love Me)
Que Reste-T'il De Nos Amours (I Wish You Love)
Old Friend
Un Jour Tu Verras
For My Lady
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Les Moulins De Mon Coeur (The Windmills Of Your Mind)
Le Temps Des Cerises
La Valse Des Lilas (Once Upon A Summertime)
Adagio Assai From Concerto For Piano & Orchestra in G Major
Moulin Rouge (Live)

Customer Reviews:

NICE!.......2004-12-04

I have just purchased this CD while making my usual friday
afternoon trips to the Virgin Mega Store and what a great holiday
gift I have gotten for myself. Harmonica is such a simple yet
magical instrument especially with Toots. All of the tracks from
this album is well-known, well-presented, and with that richness
what else can one ask for? I would recommend this CD to anyone
who enjoys decent music, get the CD, share the music along with
its warmness with your whole family, and winter fades in just a
matter of seconds.

Aural Revelation.......2004-09-06

It is always a pleasure to discover a great artist I've not heard before. Toots' playing is a revelation. I'd never imagined the harmonica as such an expressive jazz instrument. (Growing up in the 60s and 70's I'd limited it in my mind to the blues.) He combines great technique, graceful lines, and a great ear for melody and improvisation. I'm also impressed with the other artists he attracts to play with him. This album is a joy from start to finish.

Sheer beauty.......2003-04-03

As a fairly serious jazz music fan who loves rich harmonies, true melodies and vocalists who transcend the everyday, I was surprised and somewhat embarrassed to discover Toots Thielemans so late!

In many other places, I'm sure, you can find descriptions of the virtuosity of this wonderful musician more lucid than I could provide. Yet, I have found myself so entranced by his music, as represented in this CD (among others), that I felt compelled to write a review here.

At least two of the pieces on this CD would have to rank in the top 100 of my all-time favorites. The music is very tastefully arranged and selected--but the guy's harmonica playing is about as close to sublime as one could possibly get with such an instrument.

I couldn't recommend this more highly to anyone with a love of France, and a love of beautiful music and superb musicianship that is never pretentious, ever fascinating.

Que Reste T'l De Nos Amours.............2001-10-18

I was sitting here trying to remember what made me purchase this disc when in simply dawned on me! Listening to "Chez Toots" is rather like being transported back to Paris, sitting at a sidewalk cafe and enjoying the sights, sounds and yes, even the beautiful women that the City of Lights has to offer.

I 'm not sure how but this disc has a certain intimacy to it that is hard to deny...but, than again why would you want to? The music can be terribly sentimental, maudlin and old-fashioned...and I love it! Few cd's can transport me such as this and make wish I were back in France with that old flame, a bottle of wine and so much more innocence. Songs such as " La Vie En Rose", "Sous Le Ciel De Paris" and "Moulin Rouge" literally can tug your heartstings with a certain world-weariness that comes into play on this cd. Of course having the wonderful Shirley Horn and Dianna Reeves only adds to the sheer beauty of this disc.Ooh La La....!! Toots was wise enough to understand that a disc such as this only works if you keep it honest, direct and with enough emotional integrity to make the listener aware just how much you truly love these songs. And it's terribly obvious how good of a time he is really having. And I guess that makes it so much easier for me to sit back, relax, and enjoy myself as well!

Tracks:

Speak No Evil
Estate
Three And One
Rain Waltz
All Of You
The Dragon
Only Trust Your Heart
Sophisticated Lady
Hello, Young Lovers
Sarabande
Little Rootie Tootie
We'll Be Together Again

Customer Reviews:

Incredible Musicianship!!.......2007-01-12

Toots is surely one of the most under-rated jazz musicians on the planet. He deserves a much wider audience. On this CD, he treats us to different (and universally wonderful) singers with a fabulous choice of music. Some charts are lush and warm your heart. Others are swinging hard and give Toots a chance to exhibit his substantial chops. Even if you're lukewarm about the harmonica, his music will change your mind!

John Whitney, Music Director, Southern Tier Symphony

A Jazz Master.......2005-09-09

Toots was a one of a kind. How many men would even try to play wonderful, bop oriented jazz on a chromatic harmonica? Not only did he try, he damned well did it, beautifully, melodically and wonderfully. If you don't have some Toots in your CD collection, then you don't have enough jazz. He is a master, a wonder and a constant delight.

Toots at his best.......1999-03-22

This is a really fine album with beatiful playing throughout. In the opinion of the authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz it is arguably his best album.

Tracks:

Fruta Boce
Obi
Felicia And Bianca
O Cantador
Joana Francesa
Coisa Feita
Preciso Aprender A So Ser
Fruta Boa
Coracao Vagabundo
Manha De Carnaval (Morning Of The Carnival)
Casa Forte
Moments
Bluesette

Customer Reviews:

Toot Sweet.......2007-06-26

Toots is down in 'smile a mile wide' cruise zone here, with the soul-stirring sounds of Brazil's finest muso's-vocalists coming along for a ride you are bound to regret ending. Stellar line-ups 'to die for' sometimes misfire, but not on this album. It's sweet as Amazonian honey. Granted, no radical boundary pushing found here, but don't hold the civilised, comfortable tone against it. The sound is impeccably balanced, light and sensual. So harmonically tasteful it's bound to make you turn the lights down low and.... ooh la la. Life is better than good with Toots and the Gang in fine, serenade form.

Toots Thielemans Explores Brazilian Jazz!!!.......2002-12-29

Toots Thielemans has been the leading harmonica player in Jazz music for over 50 years. With this CD, he explores Brazilian Jazz and makes it sound like it was created just for him. On this recording he has gathered some outstanding Brazilian Jazz musicians and let them do their thing while he adds his always splendid harmonica playing to the project. With the exception of his signature piece "Bluesette", all of the songs are Brazilian Jazz pieces and they are arranged beautifully.

If you are a fan of Brazilian Jazz I think that this recording will surprise and delight you. If you're a Toots fan, you won't be surprised, just delighted.

Brazilian Jazz with Harmonica * * * *.......2002-06-13

This is a fantastic album putting together some of the best Brazilian composers since Tom Jobim with the Great Toots on Harmonica, the only great composer he missed from Brazil? Joáo Donato and that is unforgivable. Other than that, it is a Must-Have Collection.

Best rendition of .........2001-04-17

Bluesette, no other rendition can beat this version - in my opinion. Many other tracks were very very good. One track impressed me very much sounded like a paloma blanca soaring over a white mission tower in a hot summer day, made me think of leisure, freedom,tranquility, and joy.

Never thought that harmonic can make wonderful music like this album did.

A truly outstanding collection of gems of rare beauty.......2000-01-05

Both albums, The Brasil Project, I and II, should be a part of the collection of anyone who truly values outstanding quality in every way: musical themes,interpretation and performance, great recording sound and mixing.Thielemann et al are true to their great names and reputations. The list of the best would be all and too long.

Average customer rating:

Amazing Accidental Discovery!
Elis is a gift from God!
Two giant musicians !
Stunning! A Six Star Tour De Force!!!
Pure Fire - Elis Regina ensemble with Toots on harmonica

Aquarela Do Brasil
Jean 'Toots' Thielemans and Elis Regina
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Entre Amigos/Among Friends

ASIN: B00000471V
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Wave
Aquarela Do Brasil
Visao
Corrida De Jangada
Wilsamba
Voce
Barquinho
O Sonho
Five For Elis
Canto De Ossanha
Honeysuckle Rose
Volta

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Accidental Discovery!.......2007-07-05

As an avid jazz-samba fan from the era of those Getz/Gilberto/Jobim (etc.) collaborations, I am stunned to imagine -and embarrassed to admit that I did not know of Elis Regina before recently stumbling by accident into these extraordinary reviews on the Amazon site. The obvious question was, "Could anything be as good as these people say?!!" The answer is YES! For starters, the magic of this beautiful CD thoroughly compares to that experienced when I first heared the other albums referenced above, and then some! Not at all because these selections display great musical innovation or complexity within this genre; -they don't, and that is what makes these performances so delightful from start to finish. That is, this is music which "sings", and goes straight to the heart of the listener. The whole group sound like they are enjoying themselves enormously during the sessions, and I still find myself unable to sit still when this album is on! Rather, the compulsion to tap one's toes, or to rise and start dancing (with or without partner available) is simply irrepressible! Small wonder, therefore, that the polite and cool-tempered Swedes who observed these recording sessions were spellbound, or so it seems, by the spectacle of these Brazilians having so much fun while "working"! For Elis Regina, she is everything the other reviewers say, and she grows on me increasingly with each new listening; her loss at such a young age is forever saddening and confounding to me. Very thankfully, however, the recording engineers have captured and preserved the moment for us magnificently with this album. I am also very pleased, as well, to be introduced to the music of Toots Thielemans, who blends into this group with absolute perfection.

Elis is a gift from God!.......2006-08-26

Elis is my one and only singer! I am sorry to say this, but Elis does not sing, SHE HUMILIATES THE REST! As a Brazilian I am very proud of her singing so many wonderful Brazilian songs and share them with the world. Thank you, Elis! I love you!

Two giant musicians !.......2004-12-05

Two legends : two unforgettable names for the musical story of Brazil .
Toots Thielemans is an extarordinary musician . His wide scope has allowd him to face one of the widest spectre of the music .
In this famous recording dated from 1969 Elis Regina (the divine , unforgettable and supreme brazilian song goddess and one of most inspired female singers ever) joined theor gifts to giva the world a tresure of thousand carats .
Canto de Ossanha, Aquarela de Brazil , O barquinho and Wave are among the best tracks of this spectacular and glorious CD . The only complaint -if I may- is the shortness of this album . Thought and recorded according the LP laws: Twelve tracks and that's all . I have the hidden hope someone finds records not available before or recording sessions never released before to get the chance to enjoy the craft of this fantastic combination .
Acquire this CD and get close to the world of this giant couple .

Stunning! A Six Star Tour De Force!!!.......2004-05-19

On a scale of 1 to 5, "Aquarela Do Brasil" is a SIX!! One of the great MPB performances of all time, with Toots Thielemans adding soaring beautiful harmonica/guitar solos between some truly amazing vocals by Elis Regina. Plus Toots gives three solid solo performances, including an Elis tribute.

Recorded in 1969, during a "howling snowstorm" in Stockholm Sweden of all places, the Brazilian Super-Diva, Elis Regina, and the acclaimed jazz master, Toots Thielemans, conjured up a steaming, mid-summer Brazilian beach in the studio. Elis is on fire throughout and clearly having alot of fun! Her musical quintet, Elis Cinco, is brilliant and audibly enthusiastic. Singing with a wide range of emotions and tossing off gymnastic phrases with ease, Elis is incredible! She wields her voice like a knief, cutting quickly and deeply into each song. Toots is equally brilliant and the entire ensemble plays like old musical friends. I speak no Portuguese but this music is as clear as a crystal.

Normally I pick out a "Piece D'Resistance" in every CD, but this CD is so uniformly brilliant that there are too many outstanding performances by both artists to pick one. The sensuous, sultry "Barquinho" (Little Boat) is cast as an overpowering ballad performance that will slow your breathing. "Voce", the tongue twisting "Corrida de Jangada", and the sizzling "Wave" (with Elis' patented "sozinho" Afro-Brazilian tagline at the end) are new again. She totally personalizes "Aquarela Do Brasil" using the 'bridge' only and then adds the batucada "Nega do Cabelo Duro" to it, infusing it with humor and the sound of "crickets": very unique performance. And the octave-jumping tour de force of "Cantu de Ossanha" is spine-tingling great singing like no one else can do it.

I bought this CD primarily out of curiosity about the combination of Toots & Elis. I had recently bought the excellent "Chez Toots" CD and noticed this CD in his discography. I popped it in the CD player and wandered away. The next morning the CD player woke me up with "Wave" and I was captivated and totally amazed for the next hour. As a jazz, classical, and pop music fan, I KNOW singers and this singer was someone very, very special. She understood nuance, emotion, improvisation, the blues (ok, "saudade", if you must), how to deliver a knockout punch and leave us wanting more. It's no wonder they called her 'The Hurricane'. Now I'm collecting more Elis recordings and have just purchased the self-titled first CD cut by her multiple Grammy-winning daughter, "Maria Rita". With this CD, Elis (over twenty years after her tragic accidental death) has stolen my musical heart. She ranks in the company of the greatest singers ever: Ella, Sarah, Maria Callas, Judy, and LadyDay. I think she realized she was really a jazz singer at heart interpreting MBP. Believe me, this CD should be required listening for ALL music fans who love GREAT MUSIC. Definitely, a SIX !

Snowstorm? What snowstorm? LOL

Pure Fire - Elis Regina ensemble with Toots on harmonica.......2003-05-18

One of the outstanding Elis Regina's characteristics as a singer was not only her quality as a vocal master. She also knew very well how to choose her musicians and arrangers.

And she also had all great Brazilian musicians at her keep. They used to say it was very hard to work under her top parameters but the result was prestige. Many American songbirds became famous on this aspect - this reminds me of Carmen McRae and Betty Carter - and like them, Elis Regina always brought luck to all musicians and composers she recorded with.

This album counted on her trio in 1969, leaded by pianist and composer Antonio Adolfo. This same trio made her European tour in 1969 and recorded this album with Toots Thielemens in Sweden.

Half the program consists of instrumentals with the trio plus Toots. Very Great!

The Big Gundown: John Zorn Plays the Music of Ennio Morricone

Average customer rating:

Lots of variety
Zorn's first masterpiece
Definitely a must-have Zorn album!
This is the first major Zorn album
Yes, better than the original

The Big Gundown: John Zorn Plays the Music of Ennio Morricone

Manufacturer: Tzadik
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004W3KY
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

The Big Gundown
Peur Sur La Ville
Poverty (Once Upon A Time In America)
Milano Odea
Erotico (The Burglars)
Battle Of Algiers
Giu La Testa (Duck You Sucker!)
Metamorfosi (La Classe Operaia Va In Paradiso)
Tre Nel 5000
Once Upon A Time In The West
The Sicilian Clan
Macchie Solari
The Ballad Of Hank McCain (Vocal)
Svegliatti & Uccidi
Chi Mai
The Ballad Of Hank McCain (Instrumental)

Amazon.com

As if John Zorn's super-creative take on film composer Ennio Morricone weren't essential in its first iteration on Nonesuch Records, Zorn is celebrating the album's 15th anniversary with an updated, remastered version. The darker lows and brighter highs make this Gundown clearly superior--with its original cast of characters (Bill Frisell, Arto Lindsay, Diamanda Galas, and many more) sounding alternately darker, sultrier, and more cinematic than ever. Zorn's reticence to record the original album's 10 pieces looks altogether unreasonable, as his genius for adding color and dimension to Morricone's tunes shows profusely. To make this an even better deal, there are six new bonus tracks that feature Marc Ribot as part of an ad hoc string quartet on "The Sicilian Clan" and "Chi Mai," and as sparring partner with British avant guitar god Derek Bailey on the roaring "Svegliatti and Uccidi." This one's magnificently important. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Lots of variety.......2007-06-10

John Zorn stepped away from his game piece albums and began to get into more conventional songs with "The Big Gundown". A set of 15 Ennio Morricone songs, and one Zorn-penned homage to a Morricone song, it's a difficult album to classify. Zorn is usually characterized as jazz, but this is a long long way from Louis Armstrong, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of improvisation. Zorn himself performs only on a minority of the songs. He's more of a producer-arranger. But, even if he isn't playing the alto sax, these songs bear Zorn's unmistakeable imprint. There's an original 1985 section, and Zorn added some bonus songs in 2000.

Let's describe all the songs since the music sample is often deceptive for this CD. "The Big Gundown" aims for creepy. There are ominous piano chords, dissonant noises, and screams. The music resolves somewhat when a Brazilian percussion section begins, and ends with some Rawhide-esque "ha"'s. "Peur Sur La Ville" is built around an unsettling piano figure and noises. It has a unconventional free-jazz aura to it. "Poverty" is a quiet song based on Toots Thielman's whistling. "Milano Odeo" is a catchy, almost rock-n-roll song taken at a brisk pace. As the song goes on, the keyboards get more unsettling and the guitar gets noisier. "Erotico" has bluesy organ, and Bill Frisell's most romantic electric guitar (in an '80's way) paired with female vocalizations. "Battle Of Algiers" might be my favorite (maybe just because of the represented movies I've seen it's my favorite). Wayne Horvitz pounds out the tense piano line while sounds effects explode in the background. "Giu La Testa" has a slow build for about four minutes, then there's a plucking, walking part to take the song out. "Metamorfosi" is a good song to play when you want guests to leave, Diamanda Galas screams on top of tribal drums. "Tre Nel 5000" is credited to Zorn as a composer. To me, it sounds like a 4 1/2 minute dose of ambient noise. "Once Upon A Time In The West" starts quietly and deliberately, with feedback swelling and decaying. Robert Quine and Jody Harris play their guitars otherwise very minimalistically (not minimally, the feedback is constant). That ends the 1985 section of the CD.

The 2000 section uses an updated cast of players. "The Sicilian Clan" is familiar from the "Naked City" CD, though the instrumentation is more acoustic, and Cyro Baptista adds "western movie" percussion. "Macchie Solari" is another unsettling song. It ends in a fit of crashing piano chords and screams. "The Ballad Of Hank McCain" teams Mike Patton's heroic baritone with Jamie Saft's organ and Baptista's background congas. It's one of the more accessible songs, I wonder what it would sound like with a fuller band. The later instrumental version sounds about the same except, of course, without singing. "Svegliatti And Uccidi", with Marc Ribot and Derek Bailey on guitar-mangling duties, is a skronky blow-out. "Chi Mai", with the same musicians as "The Sicilian Clan", has a pretty melody and gentle music.

Some of these songs are very cool and original, others I can go without. Since it's a mixed bag I give it three stars. Zorn is certainly an original, and fans will want to make sure they have this one.

Zorn's first masterpiece.......2005-04-30

One of the best albums in Zorn's catalog, "The Big Gundown" is a masterpiece augmented in this 15th anniversary edition with a number of new recordings. These are reinterpretations of Mooricone pieces (with one Zorn original) for various groups. The entire record is powerful and energetic, with breathtaking arrangements, brilliant performances, and a fire that had not been captured in Zorn's previous recordings. It is also probably his first true masterpiece.

I think in many ways, the opener and title track best illustrates the aesthetic on the record, if you don't like that one, you'll probably not care for the rest of it-- it covers a number of moods, being dark, haunting, theatrical, explosive and esoteric, sometimes all at once. This sort of theatrical mood extends across a number of songs, the haunting circular piano and percussion workout "Peur Sur la Ville" (with a blazing alto sax solo from Tim Berne), an the dark electric guitar workout take of "Once Upon a Time in the West", reduced a funereal pace.

But there are also many moments of delicate beauty as well-- take for instance "Poverty (Once Upon a Time in America)", with an unusual instrumentation of whistling, harmonica (both handled by Toots Theilman), harp and accordian. Particularly when the harmonica takes the melody, the support swells and embraces and holds on, expressing pain and loss and fear for the future. Or consider the brooding and yet someone still light "Giu la Testa (Duck You Sucker!)", building anticipation through its dark motifs and bizarre instrumentation (among others, the Japanese shamisen, english horn, acoustic guitar, gamecalls and keyboards).

The bonus tracks are no less essential-- Zorn brought in about everyone he played with for the originals, these were a chance to catch up. The amazing thing about Zorn is that as an arranger, he's lost none of his flair in the intervening years, in fact, he may have even gotten better. Zorn uses his "Bar Kokhba" sextet (the Masada String Trio augmented by guitarist Marc Ribot, drummer Joey Baron and percussionist Cyro Baptista) to great effect on breathtaking arrangements of "The Sicilian Clan" and "Chi Mai", and adds another great guitar workout feature with Ribot and Derek Bailey in a noisy, disjoint take of "Sveggliatti and Uccidi", but its Mike Patton's Tom growl on "The Ballad of Hank McCain" that is the gem of the material-- stunning delivery that really captures something special (and may be the best vocal Patton has ever done) over a delicate organ (Jamie Saft) and percussion (Baptista) backdrop that matches and perhaps outstrips the best of the original material.

This is essential music for Zorn fans, if you're not, this may well be a good place to start-- the music can be difficult, and it covers a ton of moods, but there is a lot to hear. Highly recommended.

Definitely a must-have Zorn album!.......2004-04-27

I've got about 30 Zorn albums, and this was the first I heard, back in college late during an all-nighter. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Fantastic stuff, and very weird. This is more listenable than some, but definitely not the most easy of Zorn's albums. Great treatments of some familiar pieces if you're into spaghetti westerns.

This is on my must-have list for Zorn albums.

This is the first major Zorn album.......2003-03-15

Back in the mid-1980s, Zorn wrote new arrangements of Ennio Morricone's soundtrack music. He hired the best musicians to play the songs. Then, in 2000, he remastered the old album and filled out the disc with five more Morricone songs.

The result is CD that's all over the place, ranging from beautiful to ugly, from very complex to painfully simple. "Chi Mai," for example is a song you'll listen to over and over. It never gets old. But then there's "Metamorfosi," in which a woman howls and screams over the sound of slowly pounding drums.

Yes, better than the original.......2002-08-14

I just recently took the plunge on this reissue of the Big Gundown, comparing it to my original Nonesuch CD, and the new one is a winner. The music is obviously the same, and great it still is, but I always regretted the thickness of sound and low-level mastering of the original CD. The reissue has cleaned, brightened and polished the sound to a much higher level, it blossoms immediately in the ears and is now superb. The additional tracks are a treat too, Chi Mai is one of Morricone's greatest and pithiest themes, although the manner of the new material is fairly straight-ahead. Also nice is the extensive liner notes, an addition from the original release and a departure for many other Tzadik-Zorn recordings. Zorn fans should go for this in an instant, as should the Zorn-curious. This is his single greatest and most important record.

Tracks:

Some Cats Know
I Love Paris/It's Alright with Me
Close Your Eyes
More than You Know
Bluesette
I Wanna Be Loved
I've Got the World on a String
Yesterday/Yesterdays
Accentuate the Positive
All the Things You Are
'Round Midnight
I'm Gonna Wash the Man Right Outa my Hair
Anthropology

Amazon.com

Jazz vocalist Connie Evingson is joined by a true all-star cast for Some Cats Know: Ray Brown, Al Grey, Doc Severinsen, and Jimmy Hamilton, to name a few. (Evingson's usual Minneapolis-based band is on hand as well, including Sanford Moore on piano, Terry Moore on bass, and Dave Karr on saxophone.) The song list is great, too: "I've Got the World on a String," "Yesterday/Yesterdays" (crossing Lennon-McCartney with Kern-Harbach), "All the Things You Are," "'Round Midnight," and "Anthropology." Highlights include a lickety-split Cole Porter melody of "I Love Paris" and "It's Alright with Me" punctuated by bursts of scat, sax, and percussion, and a lilting "Bluesette" with composer Toots Thielemans guesting on harmonica. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

a very go9od jazz singer.......2006-11-10

great selection of tunes with very good arrangements, sung by a very good singer

Excellent singer!.......2005-09-06

I have recently discovered Connie and her beautiful voice. She is outstanding and really can project her style of jazz. I have purchased all of her CDs and am looking forward to more.

Serene and Sexy.......2003-10-10

This album grows on me the more I hear it. She has a new slant on some old favorites that are becoming MY favorites! She also has put some songs together that I've never heard before ("Some Cats Know," for one) that I am glad to know. Good, easy listening music with a soft swing beat.

A great new find!.......2002-07-25

Every so often, I come across a CD by an artist unknown to me, and I have to ask myself why on earth I haven't heard of this person before. Connie Evingson is one such artist.

Kicking off with a slow, sexy version of "Some Cats Know", you could stop the disc right there and decide you want to keep the CD, but the solid tracks just keep on coming, song after song. "I Love Paris/It's Alright with Me", "Close Your Eyes", "I've Got the World on a String", and others, wrapping up with a swinging version of "Anthropology" (slightly rewritten as a tribute to Sheila Jordan). Probably most surprising is Connie's cover of the Beatle standby "Yesterday", which Connie gives her specialized jazz treatment. Although hardly considered a jazz number, Connie successfully makes "Yesterday" work as one anyway.

Snap up a copy of this CD. You can't go wrong, I swear! And if you like Connie's style here, I would also recommend Tierney Sutton's self-titled debut album, or Christine Hitt's "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To".

Singing by one classy cat.......2000-06-13

All the songs on Connie Evingson's latest cd, Some Cats Know, are tastefully arranged. Connie's singing is always in control and in strong sympathy with the lyric. Two outstanding cuts are the medley of Yesterday/Yesterdays and Blusette. The pairing of the Lennon/McCartney Yesterday with the Kern/Harbach Yesterdays is so obvious, yet I can't remember hearing it done by anyone else. Yesterday is done first in a slow, torchy, my-heart-just-broke way and then Yesterdays picks up the tempo a bit, fast forwarding to a later day when yesterday is a distant memory. Blusette, accompanied by the composer, Toots Thielemans, on harmonica is sung in a pleasantly relaxed tempo. If you enjoy straight ahead jazz singing as done by singers such as Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, June Christy or Chris Connor then you will enjoy this cd.

Average customer rating:

Cure for insomnia
Toot the Belgium Chocolate of the Harmonica
Very sweet CD
Romantic Jazz
Beyond this World!!!

Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner
Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Brasil Project
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Chez Toots

ASIN: B00005NY9K
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Tracks:

Dolphin Dance
The Dolphin
Sinatra medley: All The Way/My Way
Tender Is The Night
Legrand medley: You Must Believe In Spring/Windmills Of Your Mind/I Will Wait For You
Smile
Inspiration
Sicilienne
Windows
Bill Evans medley: Time Remembered/Very Early
Autumn Leaves
Disney medley: When You Wish Upon A Star/Someday My Prince Will Come
What A Wonderful World

Amazon.com

Toots Thielemans is the arch romantic of jazz, an unabashed melodist who specializes in wringing joy and nostalgia from the most personal of instruments. Here he plays harmonica exclusively, foregoing guitar and whistling to concentrate on his unique ability to execute sophisticated jazz lines on the tiny instrument. He's joined by pianist Kenny Werner, a regular duo partner who's attuned to Thielemans's every nuance and impulse. They explore a moving collection of melodies that ranges from Bach's "Sicilienne" to medleys of songs associated with Sinatra, Michel Legrand, and Disney. When Werner turns to electronic keyboards, as on Bill Evans's luminously reflective "Time Remembered," he's able to provide a surprisingly lush "string" backdrop to support Thielemans's lyric rapture. Werner's also an excellent soloist in his own right, and it shows particularly in the tunes by distinguished modern pianists, like the Evans medley, Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," and Chick Corea's "Windows." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Cure for insomnia.......2006-11-04

Listening to these great artists perform together is a treat, of course, but for me there was too little variety in the selections. I've learned to play this CD in installments; otherwise I get either depressed or sleepy. If you're hoping for either, this could be the CD for you. Otherwise, I'd look elsewhere in Warner's and Thielemans' repertoires.

Toot the Belgium Chocolate of the Harmonica.......2006-08-05

Well what else could be said about this musician? He has played with all the Jazz Greats! No wonder being Himself One of Them! I have treasured Toots Thielemans for decades and especially his 2 Brazilian projects! One of the finest Jazz Musician around and no one could improve on that statement! This album is state of the art sensuality "made a la Toots" with fabulous arrangements "the Belgian Chocolate of the Harmonica Sound par Excellence"! Bruno Pierre Gebarski (Hamburg Germany)

Very sweet CD.......2005-11-13

I have loved the music of Toots Thielemans since I first heard him with the George Shearing Quintet. Toots has a wonderful melodic flow no matter whether he is playing a ballad or an up tempo bop tune. On this CD, he is playing only ballads, and with another musician who has the same sense of melodic flow. Werner is a very technically proficient pianist, but he allows the technique to be at the command of the melody. With two wonderful melody players playing really lovely ballads, this CD radiates warmth. It is all slow and relaxed, but certainly not boring. Of course, Toots is never, ever boring. One of the best Toots CDs I've ever heard, and I love all of them.

Romantic Jazz.......2004-11-16

Extraordinary music is what is contained in this disc. That's for sure. But be aware that it is a romantic and intense ballad program the one contained here that's why I gave this cd only four stars. It could be a little heavy if you listen to it from its beginning to its end. But nevertheless this compact disc could easily be considered an extraordinary achievement. Toots Thielemans is truly one of the few Jazz greats still alive and well. I love him. He plays fantastic sublime melodic lines with his harmonica which has an unbelievable tender sound. No one on Earth plays the harmonica the way he does. He's unbelievable. I have several Toots's records where he improvises on fast tunes and he can blow every musician away. He's unbelievable. But here he choose a ballad program. Ballads which he plays with incredible tenderness and romanticism at a level only he can reach. The harmonica is the only instrument he plays here. Infact he's a very good bop guitarist (and an exceptional whistler too) but here he did concentrate only on the harmonica thing. This is a duo album so it is very intimate in its atmosphere. Toots's pal here is Kenny Werner a really gifted piano player which is a perfect companion for Toots in this ballad program. He plays grand piano but also a few keyboards here and there to add strings section. He improvise too obviously in a very nice manner ... the two seem telepatically linked. Really. A really strong album which to me has the only minus to be a strictly ballad one. With a bass player and a drummer and few fast tunes could be unreachable. But yes, you're right, that would be completly another project. For example recently I purchased "Just friends" another Toots album which is really really great. It is a collaboration between him Teupen and Kuhn. It is a more interesting program in my opinion and the line up is more entertaining too. Harp, harmonica, piano, doublebass and drums. The music is fantastic like in this cd but a little more varied .. Another fantastic one from Toots is "Live takes" which is on Amazon too. Anyway I enjoy this one very much too, don't get me wrong, maybe some tunes of it at a time. I'm not THAT romantic!! Just Joking! Toots rules !!!!!

Beyond this World!!!.......2004-07-27

Words cannot describe the beauty and the mastery of Mr. Thielemans' music. He has once again expressed his soul through harmonica. Together with Kenny Werner this album took a totally indescribable shape. The music is beautiful beyond this world. If I could I would give it a million stars but even that would not describe my gratitude and appreciation for this music. It truly grabs your soul!!!

Average customer rating:

You Gotta Get This One!
Loved Estate, Sari and Velas

This Heart of Mine
Jackie Ryan With Special Guests Toots Thielemans and Ernie Watts
Manufacturer: Openart
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

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

Passion Flower
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ASIN: B0000AM6JD
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

This Heart Of Mine
Sleepin' Bee
Estate
East Of The Sun
Jump For Joy
Make It Last
Anos Dourados
Maybe September
When I Grow Too Old To Dream
MOon And Sand
Come Back To Me/ Lover Come Back To Me
Sari
Velas Icadus
Seasons Of The Heart

Customer Reviews:

You Gotta Get This One!.......2004-01-26

Man, is this a good album! Best vocal jazz album of 2003, that's for sure. Listen to how Ms. Ryan covers "Lover Come Back to Me": she starts about mp on about a middle C, and ends the song ff, about 2 octaves up. Jackie Ryan is one of the few jazz singers around who could have made a career in opera, if she had wanted. As it is, she probably has the richest voice of all jazz singers. But the way she uses her voice is even more impressive. Listen to how she whispers "Estate" (Jon Hendricks "In Summer"), then belts "Jump for Joy" in a manner that would have made Mahalia Jackson proud. If you've read this far, then get to your mouse and buy this immediately. This is just tremendous.

Loved Estate, Sari and Velas.......2003-10-06

Loved Toots and Matthews and the incredible beauty and depth of the songs..Sari is haunting

Average customer rating:

A Jazz Master
toots just gets better with age like a fine wine

Man Bites Harmonica
Toots Thielemans
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Only Trust Your Heart
Live in the Netherlands
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Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner

ASIN: B000000Z5Y
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

East Of The Sun
Don't Blame Me
18th Century Ballroom
Soul Station
Fundamental Frequency
Strutting With Some Barbecue
Imagination
Isn't It Romantic

Customer Reviews:

A Jazz Master.......2005-09-09

toots just gets better with age like a fine wine.......1998-12-30

me wife and i have known toots since the days of bluesette when he had a home in westchester i just have to thank him for many hours of great sounds

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