Give Me the Simple Life

Give Me the Simple Life

ASIN: B0008191FG

Editorial Reviews
Sounds Of Timeless Jazz, May 2005
...solid foundation&understanding of phrasing, tempo and the emotional presence to put forth her feelings in an interesting, convincing approach.

Product Description
Produced by Lazarus and Christian Pegand, Give Me the Simple Life was recorded in Paris with Lazarus' working trio of Alain Jean-Marie on piano, Gilles Naturel on bass and Andrea Michelutti on drums. In addition, Biréli Lagrène, the reigning king of gypsy guitarists, the greatest living exponent of Django Reinhardt's legacy today, joins Lazarus on three of the tracks, while drummer Winard Harper substitutes for Michelutti on half of them.

Give Me the Simple Life

Give Me the Simple Life,Sara Lazarus,Dreyfus,Jazz,Jazz Vocals,Pop

Average customer rating:

Well done standards

honest, authentic, real...and about time!

"watch this rising star climb to greater heights ~ Lazarus"

Sara Lazarus, a great talent

Give Me the Simple Life
Sara Lazarus
Manufacturer: Dreyfus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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No More Blues

ASIN: B0008191FG
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

It's Crazy
Once Upon A Summertime
Some Of My Best Friends Are The Blues
Get Out Of Town
He Was Too Good To Me
Give Me The Simple Life
Morning
Foolin' Myself
I'm Thru With Love
This Can't Be Love
September Song
Smile

Album Description

Produced by Lazarus and Christian Pegand, Give Me the Simple Life was recorded in Paris with Lazarus' working trio of Alain Jean-Marie on piano, Gilles Naturel on bass and Andrea Michelutti on drums. In addition, Biréli Lagrène, the reigning king of gypsy guitarists, the greatest living exponent of Django Reinhardt's legacy today, joins Lazarus on three of the tracks, while drummer Winard Harper substitutes for Michelutti on half of them.

Customer Reviews:

Well done standards.......2005-11-04

I almost didn't review this, although I've owned it for a little while. On first listen, it struck me at the "3-star level." I can't see the point of doing a 3-star review on a little-known jazz singer.

But on repeated listenings, this album is better than that. Ms. Lazarus sings all standards here. The charts are good, albeit not sensational. Not a formula for a double platinum album, but so what?

The main thing that struck me about this set is Ms. Lazarus' way with words. She bites and devours the lyrics. She has the most precise diction of any singer I know of (and that's one hell of a lot of singers!). For example, on the song "I'm Thru With Love", I never realized that the words were "icy, frigid, air"; I always thought them to be "icy Frigidaire" (which make no sense to the song; the point being, most singers of this genre don't sing the commas. Ms. Lazarus does).

But that's not always a good thing. As a result of such attacking diction, Ms. Lazarus sounds like a trombone throughout. But on ballads such as "He Was Too Good to Me" and "Smile", I think she'd be more effective if she sounded like a viola. Hopefully, she'll display such versatility on her next album.

Absent unusual good fortune, I suspect this album will be out of print in three years or less. Buy it now, and enjoy it while it lasts. RC

honest, authentic, real...and about time! .......2005-06-30

I've heard Sara Lazarus live, both in the US and in France, and have followed her career since before she even had one. The moment I first heard her sing, she became an instant classic (and favorite of mine). She conveys such a range of emotion, so much gutsy strength and old-soul tenderness, so honestly and simply and uniquely...it's clear that music is a big part of her DNA. (You get the feeling that Sara Lazarus never actually decided on singing, so much as singing decided on her.)

The color of light she brings to the room, the smile she puts on your face, the desolation and joy she conveys, you know you're dealing with not merely a great artist, but a true human being...probably something to do with how seriously she takes music, and how unseriously she takes herself. Or how her "style" represents who she actually is, rather than who she could conceivably copy. I don't claim to be an expert, but I'd guess she'd be far more comfortable hanging around with Billie, Ella, Lena, and Sarah than she would any of her contemporaries.

(I mean, how great is it to NOT hear yet another breathy, highly affected, ultimately forgettable, "female jazz vocalist"?!)

In person, Sara Lazarus is one of those rare individuals whose musicianship, intelligence and humor are all the more memorable and delightful because they come in such an unassuming, soft-spoken (some would even say shy) package. But unlike so many other performers, Sara lacks the gene for self-promotion... which explains why we've had to wait for DECADES to hear her first CD!

The wait is over, and well worth it. Check out the audio samples online here, get the CD, give it time to sink in... and if the music works in you the way it does on me, then tell all your friends who want to hear some REAL singing about Sara Lazarus... because (at least for now) if we don't tell them, nobody else will!

"watch this rising star climb to greater heights ~ Lazarus".......2005-06-05

Dreyfus Records presents a breath of fresh air in the world of Jazz...coming in with her debut album "Sara Lazarus", which is a self title has all the makings of a very big hit on the Jazz Scene...her backup band is Alain Jean-Marie on piano, Gilles Naturel on double bass, Winard Harper on drums, Andrea Michelutti on drums and Bireli Lagrene on guitar...recorded on July and August of 2004 at Studio Ferber in Paris, France with some of the best jazz musicians around today.

Lazarus has the stage presence of a trooper with 12 great tracks of outstanding arrangements...the following in alphabetical order with standards and tunes not featured in the usual jazz circles...gotta love it!

FOOLIN' MYSELF
GET OUT OF TOWN
GIVE ME THE SIMPLE LIFE
HE WAS TOO GOOD TO ME
I'M THRU WITH LOVE
IT'S CRAZY
MORNING
ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME
SEPTEMBER SONG
SMILE
SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE THE BLUES
THIS CAN'T BE LOVE

Her approach to ballads and swinging tunes are exceptional...feel this artist is headed for stardom and a great future...her style is a blend of Ella and Billie, with some Diana Krall thrown in for good measure...Sara's vocal range and breath control shines with every track she tackles...look forward to her next release for all the fans of America's original music...JAZZ!

Total Time: 49:00 on 12 Tracks ~ Dreyfus Records 66712 ~ (5/24/2005)

Sara Lazarus, a great talent.......2005-05-28

This lady has the style and class of the classic female jazz aingers, from Billie to Ella to Carmen to Sarah V. This CD has some great tunes, great arrangments, a great back up band and a great singer on it. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

The Stripper/Nick Quarry

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0006SSQPM
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Main
Execution
Sunday Dinner
Empty Room
Lila and Helen
Party Boy
Mother's Worry
Job Hunting
Classroom
Dancing Lesson/Should I
Birthday Present
Lila's Confession
New Job
Comfort for Lila
Change of Heart
Lila's Advice
End Title
Give Me the Simple Life
Twistin' Baby
Rock and Roll Blues
Ababel
Gas Station Source
Stripper Blues
Dixieland Source
Rock and Roll Retch
Romance
Something's Gotta Give
You've Gotta See Mama Every Night
Frankie and Johnny
You've Gotta See Mama Every Night (Reprise)
Empty Room (Alt.) [*]
End Title (Mono)
Meet Nick Quarry
Body Art/Don't Move/Pool Bit
House Call
Quarry Cornered

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Jazz Music

Jazz Music