Number 1 Jazz Vocal Album [Import]

Number 1 Jazz Vocal Album [Import]

ASIN: B0009UVCL2

Track Listings

1. I've Got You Under My Skin - Diana Krall

2. Makin' Whoopee - Louis Armstrong

3. Lullaby of Birdland - Sarah Vaughan

4. Blame It on My Youth - Holly Cole

5. I Could Have Danced All Night - Jamie Cullum

6. Black Coffee - Peggy Lee

7. My One and Only Love - John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman

8. Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) - Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto

9. This Masquerade - George Benson

10. Dance Me to the End of Love - Madeleine Peyroux

11. Tout Doucement - Blossom Dearie

12. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald

13. What a Little Moonlight Can Do - Billie Holiday,

14. Here's to Life - Shirley Horn

15. Every Day I Have the Blues - Joe Williams

16. Love Me or Leave Me - Nina Simone

17. Look of Love - Denzal Sinclaire

Tracks:

I've Got You Under My Skin - Diana Krall
Makin' Whoopee - Louis Armstrong
Lullaby of Birdland - Sarah Vaughan
Blame It on My Youth - Holly Cole
I Could Have Danced All Night - Jamie Cullum
Black Coffee - Peggy Lee
My One and Only Love - John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman
Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) - Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto
This Masquerade - George Benson
Dance Me to the End of Love - Madeleine Peyroux
Tout Doucement - Blossom Dearie
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald
What a Little Moonlight Can Do - Billie Holiday,
Here's to Life - Shirley Horn
Every Day I Have the Blues - Joe Williams
Love Me or Leave Me - Nina Simone
Look of Love - Denzal Sinclaire

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous Jazz Staples.......2007-06-28

"Lovers of jazz are blessed with variation, a richness of choice that graces its listeners like no other music today. Be it the simplicity of the sound itself, or how that music is created, the instruments of jazz employ all the best there is to offer. One of the most capable forms of expression in all of jazz is the human voice. Whether it's subtle or bold, the artistry of singing has been enriched by all of the artists in this compilation." ~ Ross Porter ~

Ross Porter, then President and CEO of Jazz FM.91 and a recipient of "Broadcaster of the Year" award in the National Jazz Awards in 2004, did a great job in compiling the material on this superb CD from Verve Records. It is packed with gorgeous jazz staples that would surely bring an awesome listening experience to your ears. If you are like me who sometimes enjoy listening to a variety of vocal styles collected in one CD for a change or to break a monotony, then this is one great listen for you.

Represented here are some of the greatest and most seasoned jazz artists of yesteryears as well as some of today's most talented jazz singers - from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horn and Billie Holiday to Diana Krall, Astrud Gilberto, Madeleine Peyroux and Holly Cole; from Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams, João Glberto and Stan Getz to George Benson, Denzal Sinclaire and Jamie Cullum.

This collection features seventeen songs all performed to perfection starting off with a classic gem from Cole Porter's musical treasures, "I've Got You Under My Skin," interpreted by Diana Krall. Its superb chart arrangement was beautifully done by a brilliant arranger/conductor/orchestrator and award-winning composer, Johnny Mandel. This, to my ear, is the most charming female vocal version I've heard so far. Diana Krall applies her soft, mellow and sultry vocal styling to Johnny Mandel's sublime orchestral arrangement. I believe that the beauty of a song interpretation greatly depends on the chart arrangement and orchestration. Mr. Mandel's brilliance is validated in the opening track and track #14 as well, "Here's To Life," one of Shirley Horn's most remarkable recordings."

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman's "My One And Only Love" is overflowing with beauty and enchantment. The duo together with McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums) created a gentle serenade making it the most intoxicating vocal jazz ever recorded! I could listen to it endlessly and will never get tired. Johnny Hartman's rich and smooth baritone voice is the perfect match to John Coltrane's sweeping sax.

What is a great jazz compilation without Billie Holiday? Her fans will be thrilled as she gives an upbeat treatment of the beautiful music and lyrics of Harvey Woods in "What A Little Moonlight Can Do," which was recorded in 1954. What makes it simply wonderful is Oscar Peterson's majestic touch on the ivories, Ray Brown's creativity on bass, Charles Shavers' impressive artistry on trumpet, and Ed Shaughnessy's engaging mastery on drums.

George Benson shows off his vocal artistry and guitar virtuosity to the fullest and gives Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" an extremely satisfying rendition it so deserves. The legendary jazz icon, Louis Armstrong, with his most recognizable voice, sings "Making Whoopee" and teams up with the First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald on a gleaming Gershwin classic, "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off." Sarah Vaughan delights you with one of her signature songs, "Lullaby of Birdland" while Peggy Lee enchants you with her "Black Coffee."

Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, whose voice is mysteriously alluring, and her hubby João Gilberto give credence to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Gene Lees' "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" incorporating Portuguese lyrics (which I think is the most romantic of all languages next to Italian) to this enthralling Bossa Nova staple.

I love how Jamie Cullum injects a contemporary and bedazzling flair in "I Could Have Danced All Night," a treasure from Lerner and Loewe's all time favorite classic, "My Fair Lady." Holly Cole's interpretation of "Blame It On My Youth" is simple astounding. Her voice is best suited for this timeless and wonderful song.

Denzal Sinclaire's "The Look of Love" perfectly wraps up this grand presentation. This is one of the most beautiful vocal versions of this Burt Bacharach and Hal David's gem of a song which has a romantic outlook. I simply love this song for it is very memorable to me. (Remember this powerful song I used to sing to you?). Denzal Sinclaire joins velvet violin, cello, French horn in addition to the usual musical instruments in a relaxed yet sentimental croon and making it so special with his splendidly cool vocal flair.

In closing, I had an enchanting listening experience with this CD and I'm absolutely sure you will, too. So give this CD a listen with your undivided attention and . . . happy listening!

Wholeheartedly recommended to all jazz fans.

"I hope you enjoy these wonderful artists at the height of their craft doing what they love to do: sing jazz." ~ Ross Porter ~

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