Won't You Let Me Love You

Won't You Let Me Love You

ASIN: B00004TZYK

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are two ways to reflect upon the passing of loved ones. We can either go deep into melancholy over the death, or reach back and celebrate the joys of the lives just ended. Two of saxman Walter Beasley's grandparents died while this album was being recorded, and Beasley thankfully chooses the wistful, optimistic route. While positive grooves abound, he's clearly got the past on his mind; "Babygirl" launches the disc with a dreamy, sensuous alto melody winding its way over a subtle retro-soul groove and the hypnotic wah-wah click of Jeff Lockhart. No doubt recalling a sweet moment in his younger years, Beasley presents a cover of the Stylistics' gentle "Sideshow" with a soprano line that pushes the boundaries of the familiar melody; he then breaks for a completely unique improvisation, as if reflecting on his youthful memory of the song while adding adult experience into the mix. With down-home acoustic guitar harmony by Kevin Barry, "Theresa" artfully blends a folk influence with straightforward rhythm and jazz, with more than a wink to Bob James's famous Taxi theme keeping the retro flavors going. A title like "Sleep Tight" might make us think sad thoughts, but Beasley actually soars his highest and comes up with his most playful improvisations here. He graces the title track--an important tune in his upbringing on the sax--with a nice enough vocal, but he uses the romance in his voice to greater effect on a thoughtful cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions." The classic lyrics, optimistic in the face of harsh realities, float gently along a moody atmosphere before giving way to a reverberating guitar solo by Jeff Lockhart. --Jonathan Widran

From Jazziz
There are two ways to reflect upon the passing of loved ones: We can either go deep into melancholy over the death or reach back and celebrate the joys of the lives just ended. Two of the saxman Walter Beasley's grandparents died during the recording of Won't You Let Me Love You, and the saxman clearly chose the wistful, optimistic route of response.

While positive grooves abound, Beasley's clearly got the past on his mind. "Babygirl" launches the disc with a dreamy, sensuous alto melody winding its way over a subtle, retro-soul groove and the hypnotic wah-wah work of Jeff Lockhart. Beasley presents a cover of the Stylistics' gentle "Sideshow" with a soprano line that pushes the boundaries of the familiar melody; he then breaks for a completely unique improvisation, as if reflecting on his youthful memory of the song but adding adult experience into the mix.

With its down-home acoustic guitar harmony by Kevin Barry, "Theresa" artfully blends a folk influence with straightforward rhythm and jazz - with more than a wink to Bob James' famous "Taxi" theme. A title like "Sleep Tight" might evoke sad thoughts, but Beasley actually soars his highest and comes up with his most playful improvisations here.

Beasley graces the title track - a tune instrumental in his upbringing on the sax - with a nice-enough vocal, but he uses the romance in his voice to greater effect on a thoughtful cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions." The classic lyrics, optimistic in the face of harsh realities, float gently through a moody atmosphere before giving way to a reverberating guitar solo by Jeff Lockhart.

Tracks:

Everybody Says Don't
I Wonder What Became of Me?
The Eagle and Me
I Had Myself a True Love
Into the Woods / Giants in the Sky (Malcolm Gets)
Another Hundred People / So Many People (Malcolm Gets)
Let's Face the Music and Dance / The Song Is You (duet with Malcolm Gets)
Happiness
Loving You
You Could Drive a Person Crazy
Not A Day Goes By / Losing My Mind

Tracks:

Buds Won't Bud
I Got Lost in His Arms
West Side Story Segment: Something's Coming / Tonight (Malcolm Gets)
Move On (duet with Malcolm Gets)
Medley: Hard Hearted Hannah / Waiting for the Robert E. Lee / San Francisco
Ice Cream
Send in the Clowns
The Trolley Song
Not While I'm Around (duet with Malcolm Gets)
Anyone Can Whistle

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Barbara Cook is one of today's most accomplished song stylists, and if you don't believe us, just listen to this live album. It's a master class in the art of singing. It documents an evening at Carnegie Hall during which Cook proved that she can dissect and extract the substance out of the simplest of lyrics. One of the best surprises is "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" (from Company), which is taken at an amiable trot and allows the singer to display its humor. Cook is not a swinging singer and uptempo is not her pace; give her a ballad, though, and she'll wring the last drop of emotion out of it. Her version of "Losing My Mind" (here paired with "Not a Day Goes By") is simply astonishing. The singer also performs songs that Sondheim has said he wished he had written, an awful lot of them by Harold Arlen. No complaints here. Guest Malcolm Gets solos on a few songs and duets with Cook on others, including "Let's Face the Music and Dance." This is classic material done masterfully by a classic singer. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Wow!.......2004-02-20

Having read the other reviews there is little more for me to add. I have been a Barbara Cook fan for a longtime and for me, this is one of her best concerts ever. I do, however, prefer the DVD. As with some other reviewers, I do not want to hear Malcolm Gets (as much as I like him) when I want to listen to Barbara. Her flawless interpretation of music is a hard act to follow for any singer! I managed to see this concert 4 times over a year and a half. Each time I saw her the voice was stronger and more assured (I would not have thought that possible). I can't help but think we will have the pleasure of hearing Ms Cook for many years to come. For those people who enjoyed his CD I strongly recommend purchasing the DVD. Barabara's rendition of So Many People is breathtaking (literally, I don't think I breathed once during the entire song). If you ever have opportunity to see her live - go! She has an ability to make you feel as if every song she sings and every word she speaks is directed to you alone. She can take a large venue and make it feel as intimate as your own living room. Having had the pleasure of meeting her I can say she is as youthful and pleasurable in person as she is in her performance.

Everyone Should Whistle.......2003-10-11

After being privileged to attend this concert, I had to own the CD. Once a lyric coloratura and the original Cunegonde in Bernstein's Candide, Ms. Cook has become (in her 70s) a true diva, blessed with a velvety, warm sound. Every note has meaning. Her high B-flat on "Ice Cream" is still the envy of any soprano today. Everyone should whistle after hearing the superb performances on this CD. Even better, though, is the experience of having been in the concert hall for the live performance. Brava, Ms. Cook!

An amazing intro to the body of work of a true master.......2003-06-16

When I first bought tickets for the 'Mostly Sondheim' show on tour (in San Francisco) I figured it couldn't be too bad. Besides, I had only been exposed to a few of his songs (Anyone Can Whistle, Losing My Mind...) and had only seen "A Little Night Music". On the way out of the theater I immediately picked up this recording of the program. It is truly amazing. I immediately began listening to it and have barely put it down in the last few months. Furthermore, my Sondheim CD collection increased in size from an unflattering zero to five (and it's still growing)! This is an amazing introduction to the works of Stephen Sondheim, who is now my favorite modern musical composer). Buy this now if you don't already have it!

Beautiful, moving concert.......2003-04-13

This is a wonderful CD set with a great selection of songs. I do want to express a slight reservation, however. Barbara Cook has been one of my favorite singers for a number of years and the way her voice defies time is extraordinary -- for her to be singing with such bright, beautiful tone in her mid-70s with no wobble or beat in the voice is an amazing achievment.

I do have to say that by 2001, when this concert was recorded, Cook seemed to have a lost a little bit of power and intensity in her singing. This is only natural for someone of her age. Her voice is still lovely, but you can sense her keeping it in reserve a bit. She's as expressive as ever, but compare the rendition of "I got lost in his arms" on this album to the one on her previous album recorded in 1999, "The Champion Season", and there's less urgency and vocal depth in her singing here. That said, the high B at the end of "Ice Cream" is sensational.

So, despite that caveat, this is, again, a wonderful album, a must for Cook fans, especially for the gorgeous renditions of songs I'd never thought I'd get to hear her perform: "Not a Day Goes By", "Happiness/Loving You", "San Francisco", etc. Buy it!

... and I love Barbara Cook.......2003-02-11

This recording is a disappointment for me. It is not her best work, and Malcolm Gets is uninspired. My biggest complaint however is the engineering of the recording. Throughout the speaking was to soft, the singing volumes uneven, and the applause deafening. I will be passing this CD on to friends, and will later donate it to my local library.

Average customer rating:

I Had to Have This CD
Only listened to the sample cuts on your website!
Mood setter
It Was Good Enough, I Bought A New CD Player
Don't Hurt 'em Walter

Won't You Let Me Love You?
Walter Beasley
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004TZYK
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Tracks:

Babygirl
Comin At Cha
Sideshow
Theresa
Sleep Tight
Won't You Let Me Love You
Tantam
I Wanna Know
Groove In You
Visions

Amazon.com

There are two ways to reflect upon the passing of loved ones. We can either go deep into melancholy over the death, or reach back and celebrate the joys of the lives just ended. Two of saxman Walter Beasley's grandparents died while this album was being recorded, and Beasley thankfully chooses the wistful, optimistic route. While positive grooves abound, he's clearly got the past on his mind; "Babygirl" launches the disc with a dreamy, sensuous alto melody winding its way over a subtle retro-soul groove and the hypnotic wah-wah click of Jeff Lockhart. No doubt recalling a sweet moment in his younger years, Beasley presents a cover of the Stylistics' gentle "Sideshow" with a soprano line that pushes the boundaries of the familiar melody; he then breaks for a completely unique improvisation, as if reflecting on his youthful memory of the song while adding adult experience into the mix. With down-home acoustic guitar harmony by Kevin Barry, "Theresa" artfully blends a folk influence with straightforward rhythm and jazz, with more than a wink to Bob James's famous Taxi theme keeping the retro flavors going. A title like "Sleep Tight" might make us think sad thoughts, but Beasley actually soars his highest and comes up with his most playful improvisations here. He graces the title track--an important tune in his upbringing on the sax--with a nice enough vocal, but he uses the romance in his voice to greater effect on a thoughtful cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions." The classic lyrics, optimistic in the face of harsh realities, float gently along a moody atmosphere before giving way to a reverberating guitar solo by Jeff Lockhart. --Jonathan Widran

Customer Reviews:

I Had to Have This CD.......2001-07-07

As a jazz lover and fan of Walter Beasley I feel safe to say that Walter is probably the most all around talented sax man in the business. This CD backs up my claim. Walter writes, performs, and sings. Track 1, "Babygirl" is a wonderful introduction with mellow strokes and moods. He then breaks into "Comin at Cha". Very sassy and standard "strut your stuff" sax fare. Track 3, "Sideshow" is a R&B classic but you have to listen to Track 5, Sleep Tight featuring Chuck Loeb on guitar. This one is my favorite along with the title Track 6 "Won't You Let Me Love You" and Track 9 "Groove for You" (Track 9). There is something for everyone especially after you hear "I Wanna Know". That's all I have to say. If you are a smooth jazz fan, then this is your CD. This may be Walters' best all around work.

Only listened to the sample cuts on your website!.......2001-06-19

I know of Mr. Beasley because I've seen him in concert and heard him on the radio, but I don't own any of his music. I heard of his new CD on WEAA (Morgan State University's jazz station)and went right to your site to hear the sample cuts. I ordered it today and rated it on just the sample cuts; I know I'm going to enjoy the whole CD. How's that for a rating!!

Mood setter.......2000-08-18

This was my first purchase of any of his music and oh what a winner! I kept hearing Walter's name on the Jazz station that I listen to and every time I heard a selection it was great. This CD is a winner. It travels from my car, to my house, to the gym, it goes everywhere with me. The music is so smooth and mellow that it just takes your mind off whatever. It has just enough rhythm to make your head bob and your body sway....very nice indeed!

It Was Good Enough, I Bought A New CD Player.......2000-08-01

I was on a business trip to Washington DC and stopped in a music shop and this CD was playing. It was so mellow and smooth I had to buy it. As they played track after track I was more convinced that ever I had to have it. The store didn't have the cassette and since I'd only brought my cassette player, I bought a CD player they had on sale just to listen to this over and over. It was my first Walter Beasley, but it won't be my last.

Don't Hurt 'em Walter.......2000-07-27

I must give it to you Pop, this CD is really, really NICE! In my mind it already ranks up there with "Tonight We Love" and "For Your Pleasure". If you continue to put cd's together like this the world will be filled alot more babies including my first. Keep the romantic melodies coming and i'll keep buying. See Yah when you come to town. Phil

Average customer rating:

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One of America's great songwriters.......2001-03-09

Amid the Cole Porters, Irving Berlins and George Gershwins of the world, Harold Arlen tends to be forgotten. And yet, when the greatest song of the 20th century was recently voted on by a distinguished panel of critics, whose song came out on top? Mr. Arlen's (Over the Rainbow). Here is a superb cross section of Harold Arlen songs by a cast ranging from Judy Garland to Bing Crosby to Ethel Waters, spanning decades and spanning a wide range of styles, from jazz to ballads, poignant to funny. Although the sound is not ideal, as many of the recordings date from the 30's and Pearl's objective in remastering has always been to achieve the fullest musical sound rather than to reduce surface noise, this is a minor complaint given the rich and mind-opening selection of great music found here.

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