CD-Charts Position 41
Average Rating:

Surrender

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Jane Monheit

Release Date April 24, 2007
I've been a huge fan of Jane since her first release, and was unfortunately quite disappointed by this album.

True, her voice is in wonderful form (when is it not?) but the weakness of this album lies mostly in the arrangements, which seem highly over-produced, sappy, and bland.

I get what she was going for here, perhaps a more lush and luxurious sound than the jazz combos of most of her previous recordings. But where as Diana Krall did this sort of thing very successfully with the interesting, haunting arrangements on her "Look of Love" CD a few years back, Jane's effort comes across as elevator music to my ears. The paint-by-number orchestrations and syrupy production values don't help, either.

I'd ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 42
Average Rating:

Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
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 43
Average Rating:

A New Standard

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Steve Tyrell

Release Date September 21, 1999
We were in an Italian restaurant and a CD was playing. The restaurant owner told me who the singer was and as soon as I got home I looked him up on Amazan. I love the entire CD. Alot of times you can order a CD and only like a few songs but all the songs on this CD are great.

CD-Charts Position 44
Average Rating:

Live in Paris

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

Release Date October 01, 2002
The first time I listened to her voice, I could not really match her voice with how she looks. She is a pretty woman. But her voice is husky and cool. I youtubed her and saw some video clips of "Live in Paris" and other performance videos. I've noticed that she often performs with a very talented bassist John Clayton. He is awesome. People rave about Diana but I have to say that John and other artists who performed with Diana are cool too. I think I am going to check out John's new project through ArtistShare. It is supposed to be a family project.

CD-Charts Position 45
Average Rating:

All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio

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

Release Date March 12, 1996
Prior to this album, Diana Krall was not considered serious enough as a Jazz singer who could play a mean piano roll. She was a pretty girl, with a pretty voice, who would do standard jazz covers.

But this album changed all that, the trio in this record is brilliant and Diana's talent as a vocalist AND a piano player is showcased here in great abundance. It was good for her to choose a tribute album to Nat King Cole, and it results in a very good record and nice interpretations of Nat Cole's classics. It was difficult without a drummer as well

I don't have a large collection (50 to 60 CDs ), but this is one cd that i listened to so many items, i scratched it till it could not be played anymore.
For me the standout tracks ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 46
Average Rating:

Not Too Late

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Norah Jones

Release Date January 30, 2007
The music is what you get on the unenhanced CD, vintage Norah with several of her best tracks yet. My favorite is 'The Sun Doesn't Like You' - very dark, threatening, totally non-specific, with this really neat strong music (vocal and instrumental).

I hoped for one or two different songs on the DVD (you get that on her first DVD), but that doesn't happen. I'm not a great fan of videos. These are far better than most (visual quality, concept, execution), but I'd have been happier with more of the rehearsal footage,or small-house concert ...

And I'm picky.

CD-Charts Position 47
Average Rating:

The Language of Music

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
starring: Thelonious Monk, Aretha Franklin, Ahmet Ertegun, Tom Dowd, Ginger Baker
directed by: Mark Moormann

Release Date August 24, 2004
Tom's story is amazing and a must see. From the casual listener to the musician, this movie will certainly be relevant. Excellent interviews with Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, and many others help make this story come to life. Tom Dowd was one amazing engineer, one amazing musician, and one amazing human being. You will definitely enjoy this movie.

CD-Charts Position 48
Average Rating:

You Are There

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Roberta Gambarini, Hank Jones

Release Date February 12, 2008
Start with a phenomenally gifted, rapidly ascending vocalist of the same heritage as Caruso and Sinatra, add as the sole pianist the musician who is the current reigning patriarch in jazz, and finally select a few sterling examples from the Great American Songbook. The results are predictably spectacular but not "showy" or "exhibitionistic." This is not an album simply to be impressed by. Gambarini is sufficiently mature, and in command musically, that she can afford to use her virtually unlimited technique to one end: bringing the song to realization for all concerned--the composer, the performer, and the listener. Indeed, "You are there."

Anyone who finds this music "boring" hasn't learned how to listen. If you have yet to discover the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 49
Average Rating:

Piece by Piece

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Katie Melua

Release Date June 06, 2006
I first heard Katie Melua perform on the Graham Norton show on BBC America, and was immediately curious to hear more.

Piece by Piece is a lovely album. Katie Melua has a voice like the smoothest, silkiest dark chocolate: sweet, fluid, without being cloying.

The first two songs, Shy Boy and 9 Million Bicycles are catchy and easy to listen to over and over.

On Piece by Piece, she uses her voice like an elegant instrument.

Halfway up the Hindukush is so tuneful, my teenage daughter and I were singing the chorus together in line at Publix last night while we waited on our deli sandwiches. To find an album that we BOTH enjoy together is a special treat, since she typically leans towards something completely different. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 50
Average Rating:

Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Jazz
by: Frank Sinatra

Release Date May 26, 1998
This is Sinatra at his best. The voice is pure, the phrasing is perfect, and the pathos and passion in the lyrics are delivered as only Old Blue Eyes can. If you feel the need to mourn a lost love, just play Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely, and you will experience your heartache all over again.