CD-Charts Position 191
Average Rating:

Best of Smooth Jazz

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 28, 1997
excellent for a relaxation time. I use it for my office, my car and my home

CD-Charts Position 192
Average Rating:

Love Songs

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Billie Holiday

Release Date March 12, 1996
Along with 'Lady in Autumn' this is probably the best compilation of Billie Holiday's work. Superbly remastered, it is arguably the finest representation of jazz singing in this period EXCEPT for Lady's other recordings during this time. The reason for this is not only Billie Holiday's extraordinary sound (which defined jazz singing with each note), but the quality of the musicians who accompanied her. Many of these sessions were led by Teddy Wilson (the leader with whom she is most closely associated during this period), who led on nearly half of the selections on this CD, and features legends like Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Buck Clayton.

The songs are of a higher quality than many of the pieces Holiday was given to record ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 193
Average Rating:

The World of Nat King Cole

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Nat King Cole

Release Date January 25, 2005
This is a excellent mix of well known Nat King Cole hits and very easy to listen to songs that show the true talent of this great singer. I give it five stars simply on it's merit and enjoyment. But one I wish was on this CD is "Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy days of Summer". Why it isn't I don't understand. But,I haven't found it yet on any other NKC mix either. Don't let that stop you though. You'll enjoy every song that is on this CD.

CD-Charts Position 194
Average Rating:

We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 05, 2007
My memories of the late Ella Fitzgerald are sketchy at best. I certainly do recall her numerous appearances on the Ed Sullivan show in the 1960's and I do own a vinyl collection of her greatest hits. However, jazz has never been one of my favorite genres. Recently I came across the 2007 Verve release "We All Love Ella". I must say that this disc certainly piqued my curiosity. And after listening to "We All Love Ella" I find myself longing to hear more of this stuff.
A good many of the artists who appear on "We All Love Ella" are among the most versatile vocalists in the business today. The disc opens with a splendid rendition of Ella Fitzgerald's huge 1939 #1 hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" by Natalie Cole. Seems to me that Natalie just keeps getting better and better ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 195
Average Rating:

Steppin' Out

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Diana Krall

Release Date February 22, 2000
If you are not already a fan of Diana Krall, this is a horrible record (yes, and I even remember playing 78's)to start an association. It is essentially the Thunder Bay Jazz quartet with (in extremely small letters) Diana Krall on vocals. And, there are very limited vocals, even in the songs where she actually sings a few words. She appears to be a wonderful Jazz pianist, but, it is not evident from the cover of the album that this is going to be a showcase of her non-vocal skills, and so the number and length of the instrumentals is startling. Virtually all the songs with vocals are up-beat, up-tempo, and in many cases cutesy. So much so, that I began to wonder if some were chosen from an Alvin and the Chipmunks album. Finally, and most damning to me is the fact that she seems ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 196
Average Rating:

1988 Summer Olympics Album: One Moment in Time

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 25, 1990
This album is one of the best from the late 80's. I mean that's when the Olympics still meant something. Something changed with this world in the 90's and it went to hell in a handbasket. I mean you hardly ever hear of an Olympic album nowdays. "One Moment In Time" is a song that everyone can relate too. We all have had our one moment in time or we will have eventually. I was starting college back in Oklahoma in the late summer of 1988 when this album was released and it takes me wayyyyyyy back to a better time. Also, something a lot of people don't know about the song "Indestructible" by the Four Tops, is that this song was played at the end of the 1988 movie "Alien Nation". It is a great song as well and if you watch the movie it really gives you a good feeling inside about making ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 197
Average Rating:

Red Earth

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Dee Dee Bridgewater

Release Date August 28, 2007
To preface this review, I am not a jazz fan. I have very little exposure to Jazz, don't own other Jazz CDs, and don't listen to Jazz regularly. I found out about this CD when NPR did and interview with Dee Dee, during which they played a couple of the tracks. I was immediately entranced by Dee Dee's amazing voice, and by the sheer energy and joy present in the music. After some consideration, I decided to buy the CD and try something new. I am so glad I did. This CD is amazing. The music is powerful, entertaining, and thankfully accessible to an inexperienced Jazz listener like myself. I've always thought of jazz as something I should like, but that might take a lot of work to appreciate. This CD changed my mind, and I may dip my toes in a little deeper...

My favorite tracks ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 198
Average Rating:

Anita O'Day Sings the Winners

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Anita O'Day

Release Date June 01, 1990
I didn't discover this talented musician (Anita O'Day) until about a week or two before her unfortunate death at age 87. Her unique sound (I think which reminisces at times Judy Garland territory, but that's just a personal opinion), uncanny scatting abilities and amazing sense of swing engaged me enough to dig into her long musical legacy--and, since I adored her take on Miles Davis' "Four" after hearing it, I knew this was the CD to start out with (since it features "Four" as the, of course, fourth track), and it is indeed great. This re-release features the original set list from the first printing of Anita O'Day Sings the Winners and much more. "Four" happens to be my favorite song here and O'Day gives a tremendous performance with some brilliantly written lyrics (see album insert for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 199
Average Rating:

Pretty Little Head

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Nellie McKay

Release Date October 31, 2006
Very, very witty rapid-fire personal and social satire, wrapped in catchy melodies and a vocal style that would win the 1950s and could be great for the occasional retro musical. If one *must* compare to other artists, one might imagine Elvis Costello with a Doris Day style.

But I think one looks at this artist's material thusfar as promising potential rather than perfection in and of itself.

One looks forward to the compositional choices becoming more inviting and more meaningful.

Inviting: When Nora Jones popped onto the scene, her music had something for everyone and very few turn-offs. The lyrics did not require a highly particular sense of humor to appreciate, and the musical style was even-tempered. In contrast, Nellie McKay's choices have resulted ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 200
Average Rating:

Clear Horizon: The Best of Basia

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Basia

Release Date November 17, 1998
More than just a collection of her previously released works, includes life performances as well. A must for any Basia fan.