The years from 1979 to 1983 are the most important years in our vita – most of the LPs which I bought during those years are still vital, crucial, elemental, and timeless. Just three examples: the Quincy Jones-produced album “Give Me The Night” by George Benson, featuring, among many others, the monumental, lavishly arranged and…
We’re usually going to Italy for a week or two each year, our favorite spots being somewhere in the Tuscanny or Liguria region where you have everything: beautiful landscape, amazing food and wines, wonderful people and the beach close by. At the beach, you always have people walking around selling stuff like clothes or food…
Another homecoming record of sorts here from Dee Dee Bridgewater who recorded an album of songs associated with her hometown Memphis, Tennessee. Barbara Mason‘s “Yes , I’m Ready” starts off this mixed bag and it is clearly the most fulfilling and satisfying tune on the album. After the opening, things get worse. Her voice sounds…
Last year’s album “Cloak” is still prominently featured on my iphone playlist so whenever I’m going out to walk Gina, chances are there’s a track from Jordan Rakei playing on my headphones. The 25-year old singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer from New Zealand, who now lives in London, graced the stages of this year’s XJazz…
Songs of the south and a sort of homecoming is the topic of Lizz Wright‘s latest album “Grace” and she once again comes up with a collection of 10 little anthems to add to her repertoire. A repertoire which consists of her own folk-induced jazz and soul and gospel songs and a voice that seems…
Singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli celebrates Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim and the 50th anniversary of their joint collaboration which ended up on the 1967 LP “Frances Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim”. Thankfully, John left out the obvious “Girl From Ipanema” (except for a tiny little snippet which you’ll read about later), but…
Patti LaBelle‘s last album was “Miss Patti’s Christmas”, released in 2007. 10 years after her holiday record, she comes up with a collection of Jazz standards (mostly), starting out with “The Jazz In You” with a luxurious horn section and a grand entrée before she steps back for “Wild Is The Wind”. Patti of course…
I know it’s been a while since my last post – thankfully, summer has been pretty busy at our little summer hideaway beer garden which will see some live music performances in 2018. We’re currently working on that. Meanwhile, a lot of mediocre and a few outstanding new discs have landed on our desk –…
There are a lot of ways to celebrate the music of Milton Nascimento, the Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist who turns 75 this October. From his first solo album in 1967 to his famous and successful Clube da Esquina record in 1972 and its follow-up in 1978 up until his more recent works with all…
There are a lot of positive and good things to say about Diana Krall‘s new album “Turn Up The Quiet”. First and foremost, the title says it all: she DOES turn up the quiet, with ample help from legendary engineer Al Schmitt and equally legendary producer, the late Tommy LiPuma. Diana’s voice is recorded with…