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CD Reviews
These reviews are for pop and jazz CDs only. No rock or rap ones will be reviewed.
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CD Reviews:
The Bell Sisters - The "Bermuda" Girls
Frank Sinatra in Hollywood (1940-1964)
Here I Am - Songs by Ed Greenebaum - Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston
Nobody Does It Like Me - A Tribute to Dorothy Fields - Morag McLaren
She Haunts My Dreams - John Enright
Sing! Went the Strings Of My Heart - Loretta Cormier
Under A Blanket Of Blue - Loretta Cormierr
What a Classic - Andrea Bates
Windflowers - The Songs of Jerome Moross - Various Singers
written in the stars - The Bill Charlap Trio
The Bell Sisters - The "Bermuda" Girls
2 CDs
Disc One = 27 tracks (Total Time = 66:27)
Disc Two = 30 tracks (Total Time = 66:14)
Compiled and annotated by Rex Strother. Transfers by Geoff Milne. Digital Processing by Tall Order. Project Supervised by Paul Pelletier. Graphic Design by Mary & Mick.
Jasmine Records JASCD 634, 2003.
Rating: Excellent
If you were around in the early 1950s, you'll probaly remember the Bell Sisters. Their real names are Cynthia and Kay Strother. Their best known song was "Bermuda," written in 1951 by 16 year old Cynthia Strother with help from her father. Cynthia was joined by her 11 year old sister, Kay, when they made the RCA recording with Henri Rene and His Orchestra. "Bermuda" was a big hit in 1952.
Because of their young age, they were forced to record mostly novelty material, such as with Phil Harris ("Hambone") or Spike Jones ("Barnyard Christmas"). Yet even with these novelty songs on the 2-CD set, these girls remain highly professional and had a lovely blend of voices. Cynthia, who at times sounds like a young Doris Day, also wrote other songs that are included on both CDs. Just to name a few I found especially appealing: "So Late, So Early" (a very sweet love ballad - arranged and conducted by the great Nelson Riddle); "Something Japanese" (delightfully exotic); "School is Over" (a fun rock n' roll song with "dooby-doo" chorus). I didn't care as much for "The Big Goodbye." But it's an obvious choice to end the first disc.
The second disc has excerpts from radio shows and some demo recordings. Tracks 1-18 are from Bing Crosby's 1952 radio show with John Scott Trotter's Orchestra. Tracks 19-23 are from the 1954 radio show, "Stand By For Music," with Frank DeVol and His Orchestra.
The first two tracks of disc two have some banter with Bing Crosby from his radio show (27 February 1952) and then the Bell Sisters sing "Bermuda" in Henri Rene's arrangement. They also sing other songs on Crosby's radio show, including: "The Wheel of Fortune" and "June Night" (sung with Bing); and "Boo-Hoo" and "Poor Whip-Poor-Will" (again sung with Bing); also another version of "June Night" (sung with Bing's son, Gary Crosby). The Bell Sisters have credited Bing Crosby with greatly assisting their singing career and from listening to these enjoyable radio shows you can hear why that is true.
The later tracks are from "Stand By For Music," an Armed Forces Radio show. One of the songs the Bell Sisters sing is "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I" - later recorded in a hit recording by Elvis Presley. I prefer the Bell Sisters lovely sensitive rendition of this song. All these radio excerpts are lots of fun to listen to and take you back to what it was like in the innocent days of the early 1950s.
The CD notes are written by Rex Strother, the nephew of these sisters. His notes are direct and informative. Just to quote one passage from his notes:
Although Cynthia had written their first hit recording, RCA did not encourage the sisters to record or release any more original tunes, prefering to give them novelty material and occasionally pair them with novelty performers, as in the case of Phil Harris and Spike Jones. This did not deter Cynthia from continuing to write, and some self-penned and accompanied songs are included on Disc Two.
Probably the most interesting one is Track 24, the original RCA demo of "Bermuda," with Cynthia on piano. The other demos provide ample evidence of Cynthia's skill as a songwriter. Her songs include: "Latin Louie"; "Little Boy Bullfighter" (written for the Mickey Mouse TV show); "Las Vegas Blues" and "Somebody's Gotta." The final two tracks feature Kay's solos in arrangements by John "Sonny" Anderson: "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home?"; and a great rendition of Ben E. King's r&b classic, "Stand By Me."
From lisatening to these 2 CDs it's apparent the Bell Sisters deserve to be better known. It's a shame they didn't continue with their career. But in the fleeting world of show business you're a big deal one minute and then forgotten afterwards.
Thanks to Rex Strother, all this enjoyable song material is now available for the first time.
Today most recordings have singing that's too loud and technically overproduced. So, it's a pleasure to listen to the Bell Sisters and their smooth harmonizing in old-fashioned Mono sound. Praise goes out to Geoff Milne and Tall Order for their excellent restorations of these old recordings.
If you're looking for some charming 1950s songs and lovely singing, then these recordings by the Bell Sisters are highly recommended for your CD collection.
What a treat to have the "Bermuda" girls back again!
--Roger Hall, 5 February 2003
For more about the Bell Sisters CD set, go here -
Frank Sinatra in Hollywood (1940-1964)
6 CD Box Set (with hardbound book)
Producers: Didier C. Deutsch and Charles L. Granata. Co-Producers: George Feltenstein and Darcy M. Proper. Audio Restoration: Andreas K. Meyer, Sony Music Studios. Stereo Remixing & Remastering: Doug Schwartz, Mulholland Music; Andreas Meyer & Jen Wyler, Sony Music Studios. Bristol Productions Limited Partnership, under exclusive license to Reprise Records for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the rest of the world.
Rhino/Turner Classic Movies Music R2 78285
Rating: Excellent
CD 1 (1940-1944) - 27 tracks (68:44)
CD 2 (1944-1948) - 33 tracks (74:36)
CD 3 (1948-1952) - 28 tracks (74:32)
CD 4 (1953-1955) - 27 tracks (71:29)
CD 5 (1955-1957) - 24 tracks (64:08)
CD 6 (1958-1964) - 21 tracks (66:16)
With so many recordings of Frank Sinatra already available, why release another large box set like this one? Well, you may remember some or all of the films that Sinatra sang in - and you'll find them all here in one collection, from his Big Band years with Tommy Dorsey in LAS VEGAS NIGHTS to the Rat Pack gang in ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS. It took seven years to compile these 160 tracks, carefully selected by Sinatra experts and faithfully restored to CD, many for the first time anywhere.
In addition to the 6 CDs covering the years from 1940 to 1964, there is also a very attractive illustrated 120 hardbound book. The book contains the following sections:
- Preface by Leonard Maltin
- You're Sensation: A Personal Reflection by Michael Feinstein
- Restoring The Voice of Hollywood by Charles L. Granata
- Hollywood's Golden Age: The Era of the Fabulous Movie Musical by Didier C. Deutsch
- Sinatra! The Visual Voice by Will Friedwald
- Pal Joey: The Quintessential Sinatra Movie Musical by Scott Allen Nollen
- The Songs
- Alphabetical Track Index
- Credits
With so much worthwhile information, the book alone makes this set worth having.
All the popular Sinatra movie songs are included on the CDs. Here are just a few:
"Dolores" (Frank Loesser-Louis Alter) and "I'll Never Smile Again" (Ruth Lowe) from Sinatra's first film LAS VEGAS NIGHTS (Paramount, 1941); "I Fall In Love Too Easily" (Jule Styne-Sammy Cahn) from ANCHORS AWEIGH (MGM, 1945); "From Here To Eternity" (Bob Wells-Fred Karger) - the song wan't sung in the film of same title (Columbia, 1953); "You're Sensational" (Cole Porter) from HIGH SOCIETY (MGM, 1956); "All the Way" (Jimmy Van Heusen) - the Oscar winning song from THE JOKER IS WILD (Paramount, 1957); "The Lady is a Tramp," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" (Richard Rodgers-Larry Hart) from PAL JOEY (Columbia, 1957); "Monique" (Elmer Bernstein-Sammy Cahn) from KINGS GO FORTH (United Artsists, 1958); "All My Tomorrows" and "High Hopes" (Jimmy Van Heusen-Sammy Cahn) - another Oscar winning song, from A HOLE IN THE HEAD (United Artists, 1959); "It's All Right With Me" (Cole Porter) and others from CAN-CAN (20th Century Fox, 1960); and "My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)" (Jimmy Van Heusen-Sammy Cahn) from ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS (Warner Bros, 1964).
Those are the familiar movie songs by Sinatra. There are also many alternate takes or outtakes, promotional tracks, and interviews. They include: the Academy Award acceptance speeches for the movie short on tolerance - "The House I Live In (That's America To Me") and for Best Supporting Actor role in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY; a somewhat self-serving interview with Louella Parsons; promotional spot for PAL JOEY; and bonus selection on the last track of CD6: "Don't Be A Do-Badder" - a rare Vocal Tracking Session with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. You can hear how much fun they're having with the recording session, but the goal is a successful track. Sinatra mentions his notorious impatience with multiple tasks, saying at one point that he's going home to New Jersey. It's a shame the song itself is not very good - one of the few Van Heusen-Cahn klinkers. The ending is also quite abrupt.
Sound on the CD1 is not the greatest, but considering the age and fragility of these tracks, it's a wonder they could have been saved and restored. Not all the songs are classics either. It's well known that Sinatra wasn't thrilled with his role in THE KISSING BANDIT from 1949. The five songs from that film aren't much to brag about. But that's only a very small portion of this massive collection.
Most listeners will probably best remember the Sinatra movie songs from the 1950s and '60s. One of the songs I especially remember is "You My Love" (J. Van Heusen-M. Gordon) from YOUNG AT HEART (Warner Bros, 1954). This is a beautiful song and it's great to have it included in an alternate mix with Sinatra, who is joined by the sweet voiced Doris Day. Another welcome addition is the famous "Soliloquy" from CAROUSEL (an unreleased 1955 Capital Records session master). Some of the most popular songs of this era were written by Sinatra's songwriting team in residence: Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. They wrote two of the three Oscar winners sung by Sinatra. Strangely the third Oscar winning song, "Call Me Irresponsible" from PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION is not in this collection. It was sung in the film by Jackie Gleason but Sinatra's recording was the most popular one and certainly contributed to it winning an Oscar. Sammy Cahn also received an Oscar (with Jule Stne) for "Three Coins in the Fountain" in 1954. Fortunately, that song is included in the Sinatra in Hollywood collection.
I have a few minor quibbles. The box set design is very bland with its basic black used throughout. Why make it look so dreary, when Sinatra was so colorful an artist? Instead of having everything in black, it would have been better to have the box set sleeve printed in another color so it could be read when place on a bookshelf. Some of the pages in the book are printed over photos and are hard to read. This is a common practice among CD album designers. They just don't consider the reader - especially the older ones with poorer eyesight! On the plus side, the six CDs are easy to read within their case. Each one has a different photo of Frank Sinatra at the age when the recordings were made. The hardbound book and CD case slide easily inside the outside cardboard box.
All in all this is a marvelous box set. It would make a great addition to your Sinatra collection.
I highly recommend it, especially if you're a Sinatra fan or movie music fan.
--Roger Hall, 12 July 2002
A few related links:
Here I Am - Songs by Ed Greenebaum
15 tracks (Total Time = 62:12)
Executive Producer: Ronnie Wells. Producer: Ed Greenebaum. All songs ASCAP - Notrack Publishing Co., 80 Victoria Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.
Ronnie Wells (vocals); Ron Elliston (piano, arranger); James King (bass); Mike Smith (drums); Steve Abshire (guitar); Bruce Swaim (tenor sax).
Tracks:
1. "She's Not Right For You" (4:09)
2. "Who Needs All Those Love Songs" (6:15)
3. "Is That Bossa Nova" (5:09)
4. "Someone Just Like You" (5:11)
5. "I Love To Be With You" (2:47)
6. "We're Through" (4:05)
7. "Every Time I See You" (3:12)
8. "The Quiet Side" (4:25)
9. "Here I Am" (4:22)
10. "You I Like" (2:56)
11. "I Like To Keep Things Simple" (4:56)
12. "Me Worry?" (3:06)
13. "Boy Am I Loving It" (2:38)
14. "They Call Me Junior" (4:42)
15. "I Just Hate It When You're Right" (3:38)
Recorded on July 22, 1998 in Springfield, Virginia.
CD: Jazz Karma Records, P.O. Box 7190, Silver Spring, MD 20907-7190.
Rating: Excellent
When I reviewed Loretta Cormier's CD, Under a Blanket of Blue [see below], I noticed there were two songs by someone I had never heard of but was impressed by his craftsmanship. Thanks to Loretta, I now have a CD of songs by this highly sophisticated songwriter named Ed Greenebaum. Both of the songs on Loretta's CD ("Someone Like You" and "The Quiet Side") are also on this one from Jazz Karma Records.
This is a wonderful selection of songs about love gone bad and also right as well (the last song nicely sums this up). The songs are a nice mix of slow ballads and uptempo swinging numbers, all done up in smart jazz stylings by Ron Elliston.
The CD opens with a smoldering song, "She's Not Right For You." Immediately the words tell it like it is - stay away from that woman! Vocalist Ronnie Wells has a marvelous jazz style reminding me of a mixture of Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Her voice is a perfect match for these songs of tenderness ("The Quiet Side") and male-female torment ("We're Through"). What I found especially impressive is how conversational these songs are and that's in the tradition of past masters such as Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin. Just listen to the title track, "Here I Am." The verse opens with this question: "Are you looking for someone who's nice?" Then it answers with just a few well chosen words: "close the door, look no more, Here I Am." Obviously, Ed Greenebaum is aware of the need to say it succinctly and always get the song title in as many times as possible. After all, that's probably what many listeners are going to remember.
As Ron Kearns explains it in the CD notes: "I don't know Ed, but I do know the artists (Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston) and I know they always do standards and good quality songs. So, what made them do an entire CD of non-standards? Quality songs! When I first listened to this CD, I know why they decided to do it - these songs set a new standard while being firmly rooted in the basics...It occurred to me that 'standards' become standards because they are worth keeping around." I'd completely agree with these highly flattering words. His songs are like choice new wine in old bottles.
If I may alter the title track's message a bit, this songwriter of might as well say of his work: "Here I Am."
If you purchase this enjoyable CD of talented musicians performing the wonderful songs of Ed Greenebaum, you'll surely want to hear more of their artistry.
Have you ever asked yourself this question: "are there any good standards being written today like those of yesterday?"
My answer would be - yes, get this CD and you'll hear them!
--Roger Hall, 8 October 2002
To contact songwriter Ed Greenebaum, write him at:
Nobody Does It Like Me - A Tribute to Dorothy Fields
13 Tracks (Total Time = 64:26)
Morag McLaren, vocalist
Bruce O'Neil, Musical Director
Musicians:
Tracks 1, 2, 10, 13, 17 - Harold Fisher (drums/ percussion); Steve McManus (double bass/ bass guitar); Simon Gardner (fluegelhorn. trumpet); Andy MacKintosh (alto & tenor saxophones); Bruce O'Neil (piano).
Tracks 3, 4, 9, 12 - Billy Ward (drums); Dave Ruffels (double bass); Mark Stewart (guitar/ banjo); Randy Sanke (trumpet/ cornet); David Lahm (piano).
Tracks 5, 6, 15 - Sarah Button (1st violin); Joanna Archard (2nd violin); Fiona Griffith (viola); Helen Thomas (cello); Lucy Shaw (double bass); Bruce O'Neil (piano).
Tracks 7 & 8 - David Lahm (piano).
Tracks 11, 14, 16 - Anna Hemery (violin); Marcus Tilt (accordion); Bruce O'Neil (piano).
Track 13 - Tommy Blaize & Louise Clare Marshall (backing vocals).
Recorded in New York and London (March/April 2000)
CD: MCPS/ Dress Circle MM115
Rating: Excellent
Tracks:
1. "Big Spender"
2. "Nobody Does It Like Me"
3. "Exactly Like You"
4. "Looking For Love"
5. "The Way You Look Tonight"
6. "Make the Man Love Me"
7. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love"
8. "On the Sunny Side of the Street"
9. "Lost in a Fog"
10. Medley: "Where Am I Going"/ "I'm Way Ahead"/ "There's Gotta Be Something Better Thank This"
11. Medley: "April Fooled Me"/ "I'll Pay the Check"
12. "Porgy"
13. "Rhythm of Life"
14. "April Snow"
15. "Remind Me"
16. "Pick Yourself Up"
17. Medley: "It's Not Where You Start"/ "If My Friends Could See Me Now"
This is a marvelous collection of songs by the first important American female lyricist, Dorothy Fields (1905-1974). I enjoyed the whole disc but especially the early songs on this CD (all with music by the still underrated Jimmy McHugh). These treats include the pensive "Looking for Love" (1929); the atmospheric (complete with a Battery Park "pea-souper") "Lost in a Fog" (1934); and "Porgy" (1928) - a real blues gem. Then there's the bittersweet pairing of "April Fooled Me" (the Puccini quote adds special poignancy to this song written ten years after Jerome Kern's death) and "I'll Pay the Check" (with its gypsy-like tango arrangement). I found this pairing as the best track on the CD, sung with great feeling by Morag McLaren. Another standout track is "The Way You Look Tonight" - the first and only Oscar winner for Dorothy Fields, with music by the "Dean" - Jerome Kern. This features a beautiful arrangement for strings and piano by Bruce O'Neil which nicely accompanies Morag McLaren's sensitive singing, just as Fred Astaire sang it in the classic 1936 film musical, SWING TIME.
The uptempo numbers are also well done, especially those from Sweet Charity (music by Cy Coleman,1973) - tracks 1, 10, 13 and 17. My favorite of these tracks is 13, with good close harmony singing and a catchy mix of jazz, rock and gospel. It should also be mentioned that this CD has the advantage of Dorothy Fields's son, David Lahm, who has done six of the arranagements: tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12. The other tracks have arrangements by Bruce O'Neil, whose work is both inventive and imaginative.
It's most appropriate to pay tribute to one of the greatest lyricists of her day. She deserves such a tribute for her long and successful career. As Deborah Grace Winer revealed about her in Sheet Music Magazine (July/August 2000): "Since her early '20s, Dorothy Fields's career was marked by extraordinary consistent artistic and financial success, leading her once to the (most Fieldsian) quip), 'If God forbid, we ever had a flop, I'd go to Sardi's and cut my throat, quietly, with a gratefruit knife." Thank God, she never had a flop!
I highly recommend this marvelous CD on all levels - the selection of songs; the playing by the stylish small combo; the appealing arrangements; and especially the spirited singing of Morag McLaren.
Fields and McLaren - nobody does it like these two ladies of song!
Let's hope that more songwriter tributes will be forthcoming from Ms. McLaren and company.
It's very important that these timeless songs be re-interpreted with such fondess and fidelity.
--Roger Hall, 18 September 2000
For information about Ms. McLaren's Nobody Does It Like Me and also her previous acclaimed CD, I Never Do Anything Twice (MCPS/ Dress Circle MM777), go to her web site:
www.moragmclaren.com or www.dresscircle.co.uk/morag
She Haunts My Dreams
10 Tracks (Total Time = 37:14)
John Enright, voalist
Rating: Good
It's always a pleasure to hear someone new on the scene who has real talent. Someone who fits that description very nicely is John Enright, who has put together a selection of his own wonderful saloon songs on his CD. The pianist-arranger is Michael J. Gallo, who plays nicely though sometimes a bit too forcefully. The songwriter also does the singing and he sounds like a Broadway type of voice, not particularly strong but he puts the song across. His songwriting style has much in common with Stephen Sondheim, especially in his feeling for sensitive romantic reflections.
Here's the list of John Enright's original songs:
"Love Was A Song"; "Sinatra Will Sing" (the best song, IMO - melancholy and memorable); "Two Hearts"; "She Haunts My Dreams"; "Roses in the Rain"; Perfect Days"; "A Foolish Dare"; "Kathleen"; "She's Gone"; "Love Never Finds Me."
Many of his songs would fit perfectly in a cabaret setting. As he says in his booklet notes: "For the most part, this is an album of saloon songs - drinking companions for long, dark nights."
But his songs are not depressing or soaked in misery. They express genuine feelings about lost love and remembered relationships.
I hope to hear more from this fine young songwriter who shows great promise.
--review by Roger Hall, 1999
To order his CD, write to:
Erisean Records, L.L.C., 77 Grayson Avenue, Mercerville, NJ 08619.
Sing! Went the Strings of My Heart
13 Tracks (Total Time = 53:15)
Loretta Cormier, vocalist
Rating: Good
This CD has a very good selection of 13 standards, from the breezy opening number to the swinging final song. The singer, Loretta Cormier, is joined by a top notch jazz ensemble, featuring Morris Nelms, piano; Darrel Tidaback, bass; Kyle Keener, drums; Sebastian Campesi, violin (a real standout musician, in the Joe Venuti vein); Cecil Carter, cornet; and Jay Fort, alto and tenor saxophones.
The songs included on the CD are:
1. "I'll Take Romance"
2. "The Best Thing For You"
3. "But Not For Me" (the best track on the CD)
4. "The Moon Was Yellow"
5. "This Heart Of Mine"
6. "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby"
7. "Why Try To Change Me Now?"
8. "The Man I Love"
9. "The Nearness Of You"
10. "You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me"
11. "I'll Remember April"
12. "Who Cares?"
13. "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart."
The singing is okay, though somewhat shaky on songs like "The Moon Is Yellow" and "I'll Remember April." But Ms. Cormier has a real feel for these standards and even if the singing sags a bit, she conveys the song's message quite well.
The arrangements by Cecil Carter are particularly good. It's nice to hear such lesser known standards, such as the lovely Warren-Freed song, "This Heart Of Mine" from the 1946 movie musical, ZIEGFELD FOLLIES; and the 1952 Coleman-McCarthy song, "Why Try To Change Me Now"? Many of the songs are heard in expanded arrangements which give the musicians a chance to shine.
As a jazz vocalist, Loretta Cormier has focused on songs from the 1920 to 1950. She has performed in the Baltimore-Washington area and also in San Antonio, Texas.
The CD has been well produced by Ms. Cormier and skillfully mastered by Jerry Tubb of Terra Nova Digital in Austin, Texas. There's an attractive color insert with several photos of Ms. Cormier.
--Roger Hall
If you'd like to order a copy of these fine pop standards, go to her web site:
Or you can send her an e-mail:
Under A Blanket Of Blue
15 Tracks (Total Time = 54:29)
Loretta Cormier, vocalist
Rating: Very Good
A second CD has been released featuring the song sylist Loretta Cormier. She is joined by pianist, Andrew Langham; Brandon Rivas on bass; and Gerry Gibbs on drums.
This time around there are 15 standards included:
1. "You've Changed" (Fischer-Carey)
2. "The Quiet Side" (Greenebaum)
3. "That Certain Feeling" (George and Ira Gershwin)
4. "I Wish I Knew" (Warren-Gordon)
5. "Oh, You Crazy Moon" (Van Heusen-Burke)
6. "The Touch Of Your Lips" (Noble)
7. "Gone With The Wind" (Wrobel-Magidson)
8. "Someone Just Like You" (Greenebaum)
9. "I Should Care" (Cahn-Stordahl-Weston)
10. "You Turned The Tables On Me" (Alter-Mitchell)
11. "You Call It Madness" (Conrad-DuBois-Gregory-Columbo)
12. "Carioca" (Youmans-Kahn-Eliscu)
13. "Too Late Now" (Lane-Lerner)
14. "Oh, Look At Me Now" (Bushkin-De Vries)
15. "Under A Blanket Of Blue" (Livingston-Symes-Neiburg)
First, I want to commend Ms. Cormier for the great selection of pop standards. It's a pleasure to hear these songs sung with vocalist and small combo, rather than in bloated arrangements with big band or orchestra.
I was also pleased to hear two new songs by a songwriter I was unaware of - Ed Greenebaum. The two songs ("The Quiet Side" and "Someone Like You") are in the great tradition of past talented songwriters. These songs flow smoothly along and have something to say that's really meaningful. I hope he continues to write songs - he writes both words and music, following in the huge footsteps of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter (who he pays homage to in "The Quiet Side").
The song arrangements done by pianist Andrew Langham are very tasteful and nicely bring out the elements of good jazz writing. The other two musicians add a good deal of smoky jazz flavor.
Jazz vocalist Loretta Cormier is originally from Newton, Massachusetts and has sung in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C area. She has also performed widely in San Antonio with her own jazz group.
On this CD she moves effortlessly from soft and tender ballads to swinging uptemo settings. Sometimes her singing is quite good ("That Certain Feeling") and other times not so good ("Too Late Now" - sung a cappella and not always on pitch). She doesn't always seem comfortable with the material, as in the somewhat stiff singing in "Caricoa" - the sultry song from the first Astaire-Rogers film, FLYING DOWN TO RIO. I regret having to criticize Ms. Cormier's singing. She obviously enjoys singing these great standards. But it's my job as a reviewer to tell it like I hear it.
Among the songs I especially enjoyed were: "The Quiet Side" (this fine song and arrangement should become a new standard!); "That Certain Feeling" (nicely sung and played in an easy to take jazz setting of this great song by the Gershwins from 1925); "Gone With The Wind" (another outstanding jazz rendition of this wonderful song recorded by Mel Torme and others); "I Should Care" (swinging setting of one of my favorite Sammy Cahn songs and the title of his autobiography); and the CD title song (a good closing number).
This is a pleasing album filled with many wonderful pop standards clothed in some very good arrangements.
The songs are performed with a smooth jazzy warmth and demonstrate an obvious relish for the great American songbook.
--Roger Hall
If you'd like to order a copy of Under A Blanket Of Blue, go to her web site:
E-mail her at:
What a Classic
13 tracks (Total Time = 46:43)
Andrea Bates, vocals
John Harrison III, piano and arrangements
Jack Menna, drums
Mike Monaghan - reeds, flute, guest vocal on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"
Dave Zinno, bass
Executive Producer: Andrea Bates
Big Mouth Productions, 2000
Rating: Excellent
Tracks:
1. "I Just Found Out About Love" (3:31)
2. "From Now On" (3:30)
3. "Love Songs Have New Meaning" (4:19)
4. "Everything But You" (2:48)
5. "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" (2:58)
6. "In the Name Of Love" (3:00)
7. "I Keep Goin' Back to Joe's" (4:31)
8. "Learnin' The Blues" (3:54)
9. "Never Will I Marry" (3:22)
10. "Come Rain Or Come Shine" (4:43)
11. "I'm Beginning To See The Light" (2:17)
12. "Wave" (3:33)
13. "Sweet and Lovely" (4:15)
In her friendly CD notes, Andrea Bates writes: "It would be unkind to call some classics 'worn out shoes' but alas, many do become a little tired with continued use. You won't find any old leather in this bunch."
This wonderful CD is filled with many unfamiliar songs by such such great songwriters as Jimmy McHugh, Duke Ellington, Frank Loesser, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. They are all worthwhile songs. There's also some familiar songs like "Learnin' the Blues" and "Come Rain or Come Shine." Both of these "old shoes" were recorded by Sinatra, adding his own initimable touches. Ms. Bates gives both songs some of her own "new leather." She wears her shoes well (you can see them on her CD cover!). She has found just the right mood for these fine songs and she sings them with much gusto.
The CD swings out with a very tasty arrangement of "I Just Found Out About Love" with singing done in a high flying style. It's a terrific opener. The third song on the CD offers a very fine contemplative song, "Love Songs Have New Meaning," with words and music by Ms. Bates. She has also included the lyrics with the CD notes. This is a highly original and inventive song and a great addition to this album.
It's really hard to single out individual songs because every one is a gem. Besides the songs already mentioned, I also especially liked "From Now On" (Basia Trzzretzelewska-Danny White), "In the Name of Love" (Estelle Levitt-Kenny Rankin), "I Keep Goin' Back to Joe's" (Fisher-Segal), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (Harry James-Duke Ellington), and Jobim's "Wave."
As Andrea Bates wrote, there's no "old leather" to be heard on this CD.
And the new leather makes a very comfortable fit and is a highly polished listen.
Okay...enough about the shoes!!
I highly recommend this collection of really fine songs, as performed by Ms. Bates and her talented combo of musicians. Special praise goes out to John Harrison for his tasteful arrangements.
The title says it best...
"What a classic" it is!
--Roger Hall, 4 June 2004
To read more about Andrea Bates and to order this CD, go to:
http://home.comcast.net/~andreabates/index.html
Windflowers - The Songs of Jerome Moross
19 tracks (Total Time = 45:40)
Singers: Alice Ripley, Richard Muenz, Jessica Molaskey, Philip Chaffin, Jenny Giering.
Musicians: Suzanne Ornstein, violin; Richard Brice, viola; Clay Buede, cello; Jeff Carney, bass; Steve Kenyon, reeds; Warren Odze, drums; Eric Stern, piano.
Music Director: Eric Stern.
Produced by Tommy Krasker
Executive Producer: Susanna Moross Tarjan
Recorded and Mixed by Tom Lazarus & Rory Romano.
Recorded April 2000 at Avatar Studios in New York, NY
PS Classics CD
Rating: Excellent
Tracks:
1. "Beer and Flowers" (3:10) - Richard Muenz with Philip Chaffin and Jenny Giering
2. "Lazy Afternoon" (2:45) - Jessica Molanksey with Jenny Giering, Philip Chaffin, Richard Mueunz
3. "Come Live With Me" (1:57) - Philip Chaffin
4. "Oh Baby, Gee Baby" (2:00) - Richard Muenz & Jessica Molanskey
5. "Windflowers" (3:15) - Alice Ripley
6. "I've Got Me" (2:35) - Philip Chaffin
7. "Prologue to UNDERWORLD (1:18) - Richard Muenz with Jenny Giering & Philip Chaffin
8. "That Extra Bit" (1:51) - Jessica Molanskey
9. "I've Been in Love" (2:37) - Alice Ripley
10. "Baby's Gonna Shake It" (1:52) - Eric Stern
11. "I've Almost Time Now" (2:42) - Richard Muenz
12. "Love Me" (2:35) - Jessica Molanskey
13. "Fare You Well" (4:02) - Alice Ripley & Philip Chaffin/ Jenny Giering & Richard Muenz
14. "I Can't Remember" (1:51) - Jenny Giering
15. "It's the Going Home Together" (2:57) - Richard Muenz & Jenny Giering
16. "Some Day" (2:06) - Alice Ripley
17. "My Yellow Flower" (1:08) - Jenny Giering with Philip Chaffin
18. "Ridin' on the Breeze" (2:19) - Philip Chaffin
19. "Stay With Me" (2:03) - The Company
Jerome Moross may be best known for his film scores, such as THE BIG COUNTRY (1958) and THE CARDINAL (1963) [see CD reviews under Compilations ].
As this enjoyable CD demonstrates, he also excelled with Broadway show music.
The 19 tracks feature songs from Broadway and Hollywood. First the songs from Broadway shows...
There are six songs (tracks 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) plus a Prologue (track 7) from UNDERWORLD (an unproduced show from 1962, with lyrics by John Hollander and Lester Judson). There are three songs (tracks 2, 5, 15) from the Moross triumph, THE GOLDEN APPLE (1954 - New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical). Two of the songs (tracks 13, 14) are from the controversial and critically assaulted Civil War era minstrel show,GENTLEMEN BE SEATED (1963 - lyrics by Edward Eager). Five songs (tracks 3, 4, 6, 17, 18) are from the unorthodox show with singers and dancers titled, BALLET BALLADS (1938 - lyrics by John LaTouche).
There are two songs from film scores: "Some Day" (lyrics by Joe Giordano) was written for a unreleased fifteen minute film titled, FORGET ME NOT; and "Stay With Me" (lyrics by Carolyn Leigh) from the 1963 film, THE CARDINAL - the song was first recorded by Frank Sinatra.
With so many wonderful songs, how do you single out the exceptional ones? Well without meaning to slight any of the fine young singers, I'll highlight a few songs I liked most. Of the Broadway show songs, I especially enjoyed the famous "Lazy Afternoon" (warmly sung by Jessica Molaskey, assisted by three other singers), lovingly orchestrated by Eric Stern. Another highlight is also from THE GOLDEN APPLE and the title of the CD, "Windflowers," sung by Alica Ripley. There are two songs from UNDERWORLD which I found particularly appealing: "It's Almost Time Now" (sung with great feeling by Richard Muenz - this is a gorgeous song!) and "Love Me" (reportedly the favorite song of Jerome Moross - fetchingly sung by Jessica Molansky). And the final track, "Stay With Me," from THE CARDINAL [theme heard on the soundtrack - see CD review ] is truly a memorable song and a fiting conclusion to this CD.
The only complaint I have is that the lyrics should have been included since they are exceptional examples of quality work. And there are places where the diction just doesn't quite make it.
The CD notes by the composer's daughter, Susanna Moross Tarjan, are authoritative and fascinating to read. There are also some helpful comments from producer Tommy Krasker.
Hopefully we will get more from the unfairly neglected Moross song treasury in the future, and they will be performed by the same singers. How about a second volume of songs?
For those who have asked - where are the good recordings of vintage songs these days?
Well, here is one I can highly recommend to you. It's a delighful listen from beginning to end.
--Roger Hall, 28 June 2001
For information how to order this CD, go to:
written in the stars
11 Tracks (Total Time = 69:49)
The Bill Charlap Trio (Bill Charlap, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Kenny Washington, drums)
Recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City in March 2000
Blue Note Records CD 27291
Rating: Very Good
Tracks:
1. "In The Still Of The Night" (7:26)
2. "Dream" (6:54)
3. "The Man That Got Away" (5:26)
4. "Blue Skies" (6:26)
5. "Where Have You Been?" (8:19)
6. "Where Or When" (6:33)
7. "On A Slow Boat To China" (4:00)
8. "One For My Baby" (9:38)
9. "I'll Never Go There Again" (3:11)
10. "Lorelei" (5:30)
11. "It Was Written In The Stars" (6:37)
With the overly hyped Ken Burns PBS series "Jazz" now on the scene, this seems a good time to review this CD by The Bill Charlap Trio.
First off I want to say that the choice of song material is excellent. From a really swinging opening interpretation of Cole Porter's standard, "In the Still of the Night," to the final bluesy Harold Arlen-Leo Robin album title song, "It Was Written in the Stars," this album just overflows with all sorts of well-executed playing.
Yet, it's probably not the kind of album you want to sit down and closely listen to. Instead, it's better to let the harmonies drift into your ears while you're relaxing with a loved one or with friends. I don't mean to suggest that it's just jazz lounge music, but to some it may sound that way. The recording puts you right into a jazz club setting, but it's right up front sound may want you to adjust the volume down a bit.
As befits jazz improsivation, most of the tracks are over five minutes, unlike the usual pop song arrangements. This allows for lots of expansion of the song melodic idea, such as in Johnny Mercer's classic "Dream" or Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies." Just about every track is well handled, with Bill Charlap leading the way with his easy going piano style. He has said that "the melody and lyrics of the song are paramount, just as important to me as improvisation." That is demonstrated in such standout tracks as: "The Man Who Got Away"; "Where Have You Been"?; and "Lorelei." An especially poignant track is "I'll Never Go There Anymore," co-written by his father, Moose Charlap. His son plays the lovely song in a straightforward, unimprovisatory way. It's the shortest track but it's also one of the best. The CD is dedicated to the memory of Moose Charlap.
According to Joel Moss in his album notes, Charlap has the ability to tell "musical stories - many oft told - in ways lyrically rich and emotionally captivating, with its freshness of passionate discovery, while showing ultimate respect for the material." Well, that may be overstating the case just a bit, but there's no mistaking the highly accomplished talent of 33 year old Charlap and his two fellow musicians, Peter and Kenny Washington.
All in all this is a very enjoyable CD for the jazz lover or even for those who just wish to hear some relaxed renditions of vintage popular songs. With over an hour of music, it's also a very good value too. Recommended.
--Roger Hall, 8 January 2001
If you have trouble finding this CD on the Internet, you can write to:
Blue Note Records
304 Park Avenue, Third Floor
New York, NY 10010
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