CD-Charts Position 51
Average Rating:

Live in Paris

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Diana Krall

Release Date October 01, 2002
Sometimes live performances don't live up to to their studio counterparts, but in this case Krall adds dimension and depth to her already formidable studio recordings. Dexterously inventive, she puts improvisation back into jazz-isn't that is what jazz is all about? You'll recognize all the old standards, and some super arrangements. She knows how to swing and her up-tempo version of 'Devil May Care', to my ears, is slick and simply dazzling.

(Warning: Jazz critics may turn their noses up at all this as they seem to do when a jazz artist achieves a modicum of popularity or crossover appeal(then they wonder why jazz is an endangered species) but just ignore them-Diana Krall is one of the best to come along in a long long time)

CD-Charts Position 52
Average Rating:

French Kiss: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 09, 1995
This is easily my go-to soundtrack, it's lifted me out of many a crappy mood and I've listened to it endlessly over the years. It features a variety of songs, classic and contemporary, that are evocative of France and each one is special.

On the classic side you have Ella Fiztgerald and her amazing voice on "I love Paris". There's Louis Armstrong, his rendition of La Vie En Rose is second only to his "Wonderful World" for simple, easy elegance, and the amazing Charles Trenant (who also wrote La Mer) give us Verlain.

On the contemporary side there's Van Morrison, the under-appreciated (in America anyway) Zuchero, and Kevin Kline with his theater background in the Pirates of Penzance and other musicals steps up the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 53
Average Rating:

The Essential Barbra Streisand

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Barbra Streisand

Release Date January 29, 2002
Listening to Barbra Streisand's voice it's no mystery why she has sold millions of cd's according to the Recording Industry (RIAA) and Nielsen SoundScan. Included in this set is her last Top Ten Hit on "The Billboard Hot 100", "I Finally Found Someone" a duet with Bryan Adams (from her movie "The Mirror Has Two Faces") She's won multiple Grammy's and an Academy Award for her music, multiple Emmy's for her various television work (and her February 14, 2001 Fox/TV concert special had 8.7 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research) She won an Academy Award for her role in the movie "Funny Girl" (tied with Katharine Hepburn) and received a Tony for her Broadway work. She's also well known for her political work, including her support of Hillary ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 54
Average Rating:

Ken Burns's Jazz: The Story of American Music

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 14, 2000
When I discussed the Ric Burns documentary about the old West with an Amerindian acquaintance, I complained that the film concentrated on the Lakota, to the exclusion of other peoples. My friend answered that, as the Lakota was the best known native American culture, that was a good place to start, and the audience would then move on to learn about other parts of the story.

I suppose the same is true of the documentary by Ric's brother Ken Burns, on the history of Jazz, on which this box set is based. It is heavy on Louis Armstrong and on the Big Band sound of the Swing era - probably the Jazz best known to the general public - but light in other areas, including the many, varied strands of Jazz in the last 30 years or so. There is a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 55
Average Rating:

Annie (1977 Original Broadway Cast)

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
from: Sony

Release Date September 15, 1998
Simply put, this is the DEFINITIVE recording of this musical. Dorothy Loudon will always be the best Ms. Hannigan (sorry Carol!), Andrea McArdle will always be the best Annie, and Reid Shelton will always be the best and brassiest Daddy Warbucks. Also, the wonderful songs that were cut from the 1982 film are all here and an absolute delight: "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover," "NYC," "Getting a New Deal For Christmas," etc. Don't hesitate to buy this delightful album to a musical that is far more political than smaltzy than most people would think.

CD-Charts Position 56
Average Rating:

The Definitive Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Louis Armstrong

Release Date January 24, 2006
Even though I given this a Five Star rating, I know that not everyone has the capacity to like Satchmo. However, for those music lovers who love the blues, love classics, and love pioneers of great music, this is an awesome collection from a great artist.

The majority of adults that I know have heard "What a Wonderful World". Even if it was a remake version, it is a great song.

His duet with Bing Crosby, "Gone Fishin'", is one of my favorite summer songs.

Speaking of summer,"When it's Sleepytime Down South.', is a wonderfully relaxing addition as a live cut.

Classic versions of, "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Cabaret", and :Hello Dolly" add incredible excitement.

I could go through the entire CD ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 57
Average Rating:

When You Know

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Dianne Reeves

Release Date April 15, 2008
Dianne Reeves "When You Know" again demonstrates her vocal abilities but I have to say, the songs are a little too standard. Her voice is capable of much more intricate tunes and hopefully she'll return to the unique stylings that one usually finds on her collections.

CD-Charts Position 58
Average Rating:

White Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Bing Crosby

Release Date June 01, 1995
You can never go wrong with Bing. Better even than Sinatra in my opinion.

This is one of my favorite Christmas albums. Bing's voice is so rich and warm, it can't help but put you in the mood for the holidays.

CD-Charts Position 59
Average Rating:

Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Billie Holiday

Release Date October 02, 2001
This is not a good demonstration of Billie Holliday. First, too many songs squeezed into each side. Sound not good. For me, it was a waste of money. One of her best is the Billie Holiday-Lester Young CD " a musical romance"

CD-Charts Position 60
Average Rating:

The Look of Love

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Vocal Pop
by: Diana Krall

Release Date September 18, 2001
Amazon has done it again by being there with their great selection of products they sell. Amazon always has described to me the product in detail so there are no surprises when I buy from them for a gift. Keep up the good work