Posted
on December 7, 2009, 12:59 am,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
Millions will rejoice this holiday season with the much-anticipated release of Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas. The first-ever Christmas recording from Andrea is a heart-warming collection of seasonal favorites produced by the legendary David Foster. The lush, beautiful arrangements alongside Bocelli’s unmistakable soaring vocals make this a must-have holiday recording. Highlights include “White Christmas,” “Oh Holy Night,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” “The Christmas Song,” and “What Child Is This” among others. My Christmas will also be a major component of a PBS Great Performances special to air on Public Television this December, featuring Andrea and David Foster with additional special guests.
From the Artist
“I have long dreamed of recording a holiday album that captures the beautiful traditions of the holiday season. Every year these songs have brought incredible joy to my family and I, and it is my hope to give back that same joy by making this album,” commented Bocelli.
“The time comes for every singer to record a Christmas album. That’s probably because Christmas is the most beautiful holiday of the year”, says Andrea.
“Recording a Christmas album means recording good music; music that gives joy, and instils a sense of peace,” says Andrea Bocelli.
Format : CD
Number of Discs : 1
Year of Release: November 3, 2009
Label: Philips
Genre: Classical, Holiday music
Track List:
1. White Christmas 3:59
2. Angels We Have Heard on High 3:55
3. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 3:33
4. The Christmas Song 4:33
5. The Lord's Prayer 4:24
6. What Child is This 4:31
7. Adeste Fideles 3:35
8. O Tannenbaum 4:18
9. Jingle Bells 3:36
10.Silent Night 4:37
11.Blue Christmas 4:18
12.Cantinque De Noel 4:34
13.Caro Gesu Bambino 1:44
14.I Believe 4:25
15.God Bless us Everyone 3:15
Posted
on December 6, 2009, 12:45 am,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
Amazon.com Editorial Review:
As the song goes, “Merry Christmas” has already “been said many times, many ways.” Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs is a worthy–though not particularly unique–addition to the holiday catalog. On it, she excels with an approach mastered long ago: elegant delivery that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In “Winter Wonderland” she promises to “frolic and play the Canadian way,” which should draw smiles from her native land. (That’ll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends “Jingle Bells” with the girlishly giddy statement, “I’m just crazy about horses.” Well…can’t argue with that. – Leah Weathersby
Various Holiday-themed Diana Krall tracks have popped up over the years, but CHRISTMAS SONGS is her first full-length Christmas album. In recent years Diana has not rested on her laurels, musically-speaking. Some such as myself have thought highly of her later albums, while others missed her earlier forays into pop/jazz standards.
CHRISTMAS SONGS should appeal to those on both sides of the fence, and will likely reach out to many newcomers as well. The sense of effervescent, swinging fun that marked portions of her earlier albums is back on a number of tracks (“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bells,” etc.). Meanwhile, those of us who feel she’s emotively-deepened as a vocalist in the last few years will find ample evidence of that too, particularly on the ballads (“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “White Christmas,” etc.). Diana’s accompiament also tries something new (for her): there’s a tasty, compatible big-band on many tracks (courtesy of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra). In addition, several ballads have string-dominated orchestrations (somewhat similar to those on THE LOOK OF LOVE).
Quite unusual for contemporary holiday albums is the lack of any attempts to write a new classic; there are no Krall-penned tunes here. Most of the songs are among the holiday season’s most oft-heard classics, but Diana’s voice brings a fresh touch to them. At times she effectively breaks out into scatting, and frequently tweaks the melodies to just the right extent as one would expect of a jazz singer. Of course, her piano moves into the foreground at times as well. Most if not all fans of Diana’s late-1990s albums will be satisfied with this album from beginning to end, as will many who favor the recent discs. It’s safe to say that CHRISTMAS SONGS will prove to stand the test of time and become a classic seasonal album. - J. Lund, Amazon.com Customer Review
Format : CD
Original Release Date : November 1, 2005
Number of Discs : 1
Label : Verve
Genre : Jazz
Track List:
1. Jingle Bells 3:25
2. Let It Snow 4:01
3. The Christmas Song 4:23
4. Winter Wonderland 3:14
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas 3:07
6. Christmas Time Is Here 3:34
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 2:53
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4:18
9. White Christmas 4:31
10. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? 4:09
11. Sleigh Ride 3:26
12. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep 3:40
Personnel:
Diana Krall - Vocals/Piano
Jeff Clayton - Flute/Alto Saxophone
Keith Fiddmont - Clarinet/Alto Saxophone
Rickey Woodard & Charles Owens II - Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone
Adam Schroeder - Bass Clarinet/Baritone Saxophone
Clay Jenkins, Gilbert Castellanos, William Barnhart, Rick Baptist - Trumpet
Joe Meyer , Rick Todd, Brad Warnaar - French Horn
George Bohanon, Ira Nepus - Trombone
Tommy Johnson - Tuba
Tamir Hendelman - Piano/Fender Rhodes Piano
Alan Broadbent, Gerald Clayton - Piano
Randy Waldman - Keyboards
Stefon Harris - Vibraphone
John Clayton, Robert Hurst , Ben Wolfe - Double Bass
Joe Porcaro, Emil Richards - Percussion
Anthony Wilson , Russell Malone - Guitar
Jeff Hamilton - Drums
Posted
on December 1, 2009, 3:48 pm,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
Pop/jazz/rock cross-over star Michael Franks’ first-ever holiday album sets the scene for mirth, merriment, and a cool yule all around. On tracks like “Said the Snowflake” and “I Bought You A Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree),” the artist’s trademark wit and lyrical wordplay are clearly in evidence. And throughout the disc’s ten tracks, this master musician taps into his signature sense of timeless romance, wrapping his poetic song craft in melodies as inviting as a blanket of freshly fallen powder. Delight your senses with the magic of the season, as observed by Michael Franks.
Rhino Records along with Sleeping Gypsy Music present an unusual Christmas release by Michael Franks entitled “Watching The Snow”, featuring Jay Anderson [acoustic bass], Jay Azzolina [guitar], Charles Blenzig [piano/keyboards/additional percussion], Cafe [percussion], John Clark [French horn], Chris Hunter [sax & flute], Billy Kilson [drums], Romero Lubambo [guitar], Veronica Nunn [lead/background vocals] and Alex (Sasha) Sipiagin [trumpet/flugelhorn]…all songs composed and performed by Michael Franks, bringing contagious jazz themes mixed with reggae percussion that will keep you completely wanting more of the same.
Sentimental at times we have “THE WAY WE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S”, comes the countdown and soon the ball will drop…”WATCHING THE SNOW”, one of my favorite pastimes is through the picture window, when we watch the snow…”CHRISTMAS IN KYOTO”, it’s highly unlikely I’ll soon forget that Christmas in Kyoto…”MY PRESENT”, and can my hands retie these ribbons I undo, if what I find is you…”I BOUGHT YOU A PLASTIC STAR (for Your Aluminum Tree)”, it gets pretty cold here at night down to sixty degrees, there’s angel hair up in the palm trees, it sure looks like Christmas to me…”SAID THE SNOWFLAKE”, look at me Little Me, out of all the other snowflakes, I from the sky am first to fall…”THE KISS”, no matter where this journey ends, as long as I have you beside me…”WHEN THE SNOWMAN SINGS”, a Snowwoman my own with whom I can happily freeze, when the wind blows sub-zero we’d be nicely equipped, if you catch my drift…”ISLAND CHRISTMAS”, we’ll decorate a mango tree and you can string some lights on me, no snow to shovel Christmas Day we’ll snorkel through a turquoise bay ~ just a smidgen of what to expect if you choose to pick up a copy…by the way all proceeds from this album will go to the no kill shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization “Hearts United for Animals”…way to go Michael! - J. Lovins, Amazon Customer Review
Format : CD
Number of Discs : 1
Original Release Date: October 26, 2004
Label: Rhino / Wea
Genre : Jazz
Track List:
1. The Way We Celebrate New Year's
2. Watching The Snow
3. Christmas in Kyoto
4. My Present
5. I Bought You a Plastic Star
6. Said the Snowflake
7. The Kiss
8. When the Snowmen sings
9. Island Christmas Featuring Veronica Nunn
10.My Present (Reprise)
Posted
on November 19, 2009, 6:46 am,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
2009 album from the Italian Jazz drummer. Lorenzo Tucci, one of the most valued drummers in the international jazz scene, distinguishes himself for his expressive pathos and capability of spreading to the new generations the teachings of the great masters of the past (Art Blakey, Philly Jo Jones, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Max Roach), using a personal style which underlines all of his versatility.
Format - CD
Number of Discs - 1
Release Date - May 19, 2009
Label : Schema
Genre - Jazz/Nu Bossa
Tracklist:
1. Ensadinado
2. Day By Day
3. Please Don't Leave
4. The Sky
5. My Kind'A World
6. Just Give Me Time
7. Olhos Negros
8. Lilemor
9. Wives & Lovers
10.Wintersong
11.Tropicola
12.Balanco No Samba
Personnel:
Lorenzo Tucci Drums
Alice Ricciardi - Vocals
Walter Ricci - Vocals
Nicola Conte - Guitar
Paolo Recchia - Alto Saxophone
Daniele Scannapieco - Tenor Saxophone
Max Ionata - Tenor Saxophone
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gianfranco Marchesi - Trombone
Gianluca Petrella - Trombone
Pietro Lussu - Piano
Luca Mannutza - Piano
Pietro Ciancaglini - Double Bass
Luca Florian (percussion).
Arranger: Luca Mannutza
Engineer: Paolo Filippi
Posted
on November 18, 2009, 12:02 am,
by Conrad,
under Music.
Vanessa Williams is a singer, songwriter, actor and mother of four — and, apparently, an excellent multi-tasker. While performing her Emmy-nominated role as the top villain on TV’s Ugly Betty, she managed to find time to record her 13th album. It’s called The Real Thing, and it was released on June 02, 2009.
“It’s been interesting,” says Williams, “because I have a whole new fan base now — a lot of young teenage girls who watch Ugly Betty with their moms. A lot of kids had no idea that I could sing. It’s nice to have a flip side of the career, where I’m seen as a villain on TV but I get a chance to show the softer side as a recording artist.”
The new CD incorporates plenty of Latin influence; the title track of the album is originally from Sergio Mendes’ Brazil 77. “My father, who was a music teacher, played lots of different types of music in our house growing up. I always loved Latin music, and I always loved jazz. So, this is one of the songs from my past that I’ve always loved. When I thought about the direction for this album, I wanted to have Latin and Brazilian, but also stay with jazz.”
Williams also performs Bill Withers’ “Hello Like Before”. Bill Withers reminds me of the days when we would go on these long road trips,” Williams says. “We would have an eight-track cassette, and we’d have the Temptations, and Bill Withers was one of the favorites.” She says she chose the song because “a lot has to do with love, and that’s been a staple for the hits that I’ve had. But it also has to do with telling a story. I’m 46 years old — I’ve got lots of stories and lots of memories about love.”
This is Vanessa Williams’ Concord Records debut and her first album in more than four years. In her own words, The Real Thing is “a potpourri of breezy Latin rhythms, sultry jazz standards and dreamy pop sketches,” and delves into the sophisticated pop and R&B that have been the hallmark of her dynamic musical career. Vanessa has garnered a total of 16 Grammy nominations and sold millions of albums throughout her musical career. She continues to be one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in entertainment, who has conquered the musical charts, Broadway, videos, TV and motion pictures. Vanessa Williams can currently be seen in the hit television series Ugly Betty and in the blockbuster film Hannah Montana: The Movie. The Real Thing is produced by Grammy Award winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes, and Rex Rideout.
Format : CD
Original Release Date: June 2, 2009
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Concord Records
Genre : Latin/Jazz/R&B
Track List:
1. Breathless
2. Hello Like Before
3. Loving You
4. Just Friends
5. The Real Thing
6. Lazy Afternoon
7. Close To You
8. I Fell In
9. October Sky
10.Come On Strong
11.If There Were No Song
Posted
on November 10, 2009, 4:59 am,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
After starting his career as a songwriter and background vocalist for superstar Gloria Estefan, Jon’s 1992 self-titled debut album sold more than six million copies worldwide and was certified triple platinum in the U.S.A, where it reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. He later scored a Top 5 hit with the single Just Another Day, and three more top 30 hits, Angel, I’m Free, and Do You Believe in Us? The Spanish-language version of the album, Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte, became the Number One Latin album of 1992 and earned Jon his first Grammy Award, for Best Latin Pop Album. This landmark success was followed in 1994 by Jon’s second album, Heart Soul and Voice, which went Platinum in the U.S.A. and spun off the Top 10 hit If You Go and a Top 30 hit Mental Picture. His third album, Amor, was released in 1995 and earned the singer his second Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.
Jon Secada is known by millions as an international superstar who has sold over 20 million records worldwide, written and produced his own hits as well as those for such artists as Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. What many do not know is that Jon received his Master’s Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami and finds much of his musical inspiration and passion for this album from such vocalists at Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Hartman and Joe Williams.
Expressions: The Jazz Album is a stunning collection of new songs, classic standards and Secada hits – all with a twist and Jon’s own jazz-flavored arrangements. Songs include the evergreen favorites Chances Are and What A Wonderful World, the Secada hits Angel and Just Another Day and, some new tunes including Find Me In Your Dreams, a touching tribute to his children. In addition, Jon is joined by such legendary and respected musicians as Mike Levine (piano), Alex Berti (bass) and Lee Levin (drums), as well as featured guest performances by Dave Koz (tenor saxophone), Ed Calle (tenor and soprano saxophone) and Jason Carder (trumpet).
Format : CD (September 22, 2009)
Number of Discs: 1
Original Release Date : September 22, 2009
Label : Secada Productions
Genre : Jazz
Track List:
1. Prologue: I Do Love You 1:11
2. Body And Soul 4:04
3. Chances Are 3:53
4. Find Me In Your Deams 4:17
5. Wishes 5:12
6. Letter From A Friend 5:47
7. Angel 3:29
8. I Found A Reason 4:32
9. When Night Time Falls 4:27
10.What A Wonderful World 4:50
11.I Don't Care Much 4:21
12.Just Another Day 5:54
13.Rainbows 3:34
14.Alone Again (Naturally) 4:27
15.Epilogue: I Do Love You 2:00
Pesonnel:
Jon Secada - Vocals/Arrangements
Mike Levine - Piano
Alex Berti - Bass
Lee Levin - Drums
Dave Koz - Tenor Saxophone
Ed Calle - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
Jason Carder - Trumpet
Born in 1969 in Seoul of South Korea, Youn Sun Nah comes from a family of musicians – her father is a choir conductor and her mother a classical singer. She made her debut in the field of music at the age of 23 with a joint concert with the Korean Symphony Orchestra but it was not until she turned 26 that she decided to make music her profession. She then performed in numerous Korean musicals on a national stage, for which she has received numerous awards. However, because of all its constraints she did not find that musical environments fulfilling. She decided to go to Paris in 1995 to study jazz and French chanson at the CIM school —one of the oldest jazz schools in Europe— and at the National Music Institute of Beauvais, and at the Nadia and Lili Boulanger Conservatory. Her innate talent for jazz revealed itself when she started playing in Parisian jazz clubs with her group YSN 5tet She made her rounds around the Paris club scene, performances that would earn her invitations to work together by many famous musicians. Youn Sun Nah made strong showing in a number of jazz concourse like La Defense, St. Maur, and Montmartre. She became the buzzword in theaters and festivals all over France, while also performing in Korea, essentially managing simultaneous careers in two countries.
En 1997 une jeune chanteuse du nom de Youn Sun Nah obtient le premier prix au Concours de la Chanson Française organisé par l’ambassade de France en Corée. Si le public coréen la connaît déjà pour ses remarquables prestations dans les comédies musicales, et si sa solide formation classique semble la destiner à un tout autre avenir, sa décision est prise : elle partira à Paris pour chanter la musique de son c ur : le jazz.Elle débarque à Paris en 1998 où elle se fait rapidement remarquer. Jacques Vidal fait appel à elle pour enregistrer sur son disque Ramblin (Shai Music) en compagnie de Manuel Rocheman, Simon Goubert et Florin Nicolescu.Parallèlement, elle commence à écumer clubs et festivals en compagnie de trois jeunes musiciens rencontrés au CIM :Guillaume Naud, Yoni Zelnik, et David Georgelet.Ensemble ils remportent le premier prix au Concours de St Maur, ainsi que le prix du jury au Concours de la Défense. En 2000 ils enregistrent leur premier disque avec de nombreux invités : Manu Codjia, Matthieu Donarier, Jean-Philippe Viret et le vibraphoniste David Neerman qui vient élargir la palette sonore du groupe et transformer le quartet en quintet.Depuis, le quintet s’est produit au Duc des Lombards, au Mandala (Toulouse), Jazz à Vannes ; Festival de Jazz des Cinq Continents (Marseille), Jazz in Marciac, Musiques d’ici et d’ailleurs (Chalons-en Champagne) ou encore en Corée dans les villes de Séoul et Pusan.Leur nouveau disque “Light for the people” a été enregistré en février 2002 au studio La Buissonne. Il est sorti depuis 2002 sur le jeune label “In Circum Girum”.
For more info about Youn Sun Nah 5tet please check Here or you may download this PDF from this Site.
Youn Sun Nah 5tet are first and foremost live performers, and they are at their best when they find themselves together on stage, testing their creative limits, developing new arrangements, and losing themselves in improvisation. They electrify their audiences, carrying them from emotion to emotion, thanks in no small part to Youn Sun Nah’s haunting voice.
Format : CD
Number of Discs : 1
Date Released : Feb. 01, 2002
Label : In Circum Girum
Genre : Jazz
1. One Way (nah-neerman)
2. Song For The People (nah-zelnik)
3. Untitled (nah)
4. Besame Mucho (lalonde-velasquez)
5. Sometimes I'm Happy (caesar-grey-youmans)
6. Lost Dream (nah-zelnik)
7. Your Face (nah-zelnik)
8. Nostalgia (hyun jae myung)
9. Abysses (neerman)
Personnel:
Youn Sun Nah - Vocals
Guillaume Naud - Piano
David Neerman - Vibraphone
Yoni Zelnik - Contrabass
David Georgelet - Drums
Posted
on November 2, 2009, 10:54 pm,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
Wynton Marsalis has been described as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation, as one of the world’s top classical trumpeters, as a big band leader in the tradition of Duke Ellington, a brilliant composer, a devoted advocate for the Arts and a tireless and inspiring educator. He carries these distinctions well. His life is a portrait of discipline, dedication, sacrifice, and creative accomplishment.
Wynton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 18, 1961 to Ellis and Dolores Marsalis. He was the second of six sons, one of whom is autistic. At an early age Wynton exhibited seriousness about study, an aptitude for music and a desire to contribute to American culture. At age 8 he performed traditional New Orleans music in the Fairview Baptist Church band led by legendary banjoist, Danny Barker. At 14 he was invited to perform with the New Orleans Philharmonic. During high school Wynton was a member of the New Orleans Symphony Brass Quintet, New Orleans Community Concert Band, New Orleans Youth Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony and on weekends he performed in a jazz band as well as in the popular local funk band, the Creators. At age 17 Wynton became the youngest musician ever to be admitted to Tanglewood’s Berkshire Music Center. Despite his youth, he was awarded the school’s prestigious Harvey Shapiro Award for outstanding brass student. When Wynton moved to New York City to attend Juilliard in 1979 and began to pick up gigs around town, the grapevine began to buzz. The following year (1980 ) he was rewarded with the opportunity to join the Jazz Messengers to study under master drummer and bandleader, Art Blakey. It was in Art Blakey’s band that Wynton learned the relationship between jazz and democracy. Art Blakey would always say, “No America, no jazz!” It was from Blakey that Wynton acquired his concept for bandleading and for bringing intensity to each and every performance. In the years to follow Wynton was invited to perform with Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sweets Edison, Clark Terry, Sonny Rollins, and countless other jazz legends.
Join the party as jazz master, Wynton Marsalis and his 10-piece band, breathe new life into these Christmas classics. Christmas Jazz Jam is Wynton’s first new Christmas record in 20 years.
Format : CD
Number of Discs : 1
Date Released : Oct-12-2009
Label : Somerset Entertainment
Genre : Jazz
Track List:
01. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 04:50
02. Mary Had A Baby 04:04
03. Jingle Bells 04:43
04. Blue Christmas 05:25
05. Go Tell It On The Mountain 07:09
06. O Christmas Tree 07:25
07. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 07:22
08. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 06:06
09. The Christmas Song 05:31
10. Good King Wenceslas 06:50
11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 07:09
12. Greensleeves 02:06
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Posted
on November 2, 2009, 8:08 am,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
Some of the contributors who lent their musicianship to this record, was, of course, Sonny Emory & Maurice White, along with Verdine White assisting on Bass, plus some vocal help from Cara Fears and keyboardists/songwriters, Phil Davis (who wrote the song, “Body Language” by Boney James) and Greg Manning.
There is going to be a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire fans to recognize this lost album by drummer, Sonny Emory & his “Hypnofunk” crew, because the album was produced by Maurice White for Kalimba International. The album was recorded in the year of 1997, when EWF was getting ready to put out another album for their independent record label, Pyramid Records. This album, however, did not go directly to the local record stores to be sold. Instead, this album was being exclusively sold, online, at mp3.com as a digital album download. This was not only the beginning of a new way to buy your favorite music, but also a way where you could save your music money by ditching the middle man from the marketing plans of selling a new record (kinda made the RIAA mad because they weren’t getting any money from this new franchise {SO WHAT!}). By the time the RIAA tried to win a ‘nonsense’ battle by trying to shut down mp3.com, This Hypnofunk record suddenly disappeared with the ‘then’ website (which is now back up, but without this album being available).
So go ahead, and enjoy this one while it’s here!
Format - Digital Dowloadable Platform Only
Year Recorded/Released : 1997
Label : Kalimba Int'l
Genre : Funk Jazz/R&B
Track List:
01. 7-Up Streams Of Consciousness
02. Inside Your Heart
03. I'm With You
04. Pretenders
05. The Love Element (Interlude)
06. Every Little Bit
07. Trinidad & Tobago
08. Hump
09. Love, We Can Make It Part Of Life
10. Hypnofunk
Posted
on October 30, 2009, 11:05 pm,
by Conrad,
under Music, Videos.
2009 album from the singer, pianist and actor, an album of cover versions of songs requested by his many fans. Like his best-selling Only You of 2004, Your Songs consists of Connick singing familiar songs with a full Jazz big band and string orchestra, and, as with nearly all of Harry’s previous albums, he wrote each of the orchestrations himself. He also recruited two of his lifelong friends from New Orleans, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, as well as bluegrass guitar virtuoso Bryan Sutton, for guest appearances. This CD consists of 14 tracks including ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Smile’, ‘Just The Way You Are’ and more…
Much like 2001′s Songs I Heard and 2004′s Only You, 2009′s Your Songs finds vocalist/pianist Harry Connick, Jr. coming up with an urbane and passionate set of American popular songs and contemporary pop classics that he both performs and orchestrates. While his previous recordings leaned toward the classicist side — Only You featured songs of the ’50s and ’60s — Your Songs features a more eclectic mix of standards and pop songs with Connick’s own lush orchestration lending an overall aesthetic of languid romanticism. To this end, Connick turns Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” into a kind of Herb Alpert-inspired ’60s pop nugget and, conversely, the Beatles’ 1964 classic “And I Love Her” gets a kind of ’70s Latin lounge feel with classical guitar flourishes. However, Connick isn’t only concerned with reworking tunes in unexpected ways; on the contrary, longtime fans of Connick’s swinging neo-crooner work will be pleasantly surprised by his straightforward takes on “Just the Way You Look Tonight” and “Some Enchanted Evening.” Similarly engaging are his renditions of such rock-oriented tunes the album’s Elton John title track, his low-key version of Don McLean’s “And I Love You So,” and the Carpenters’ “(They Long to Be) Close to You.” Ultimately, Your Songs is a classy and feel-good stroll of an album. - Matt Collar
Format : CD (September 22, 2009)
Original Release Date: September 22, 2009
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Sony Music Distribution
Genre : Jazz
Track List:
1. All the Way (3:33)
2. Just the Way You Are (3:48)
3. Can't Help Falling in Love With You (3:15)
4. And I Love Her (3:12)
5. (They Long to Be) Close to You (3:16)
6. Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much) (4:11)
7. The Way You Look Tonight (3:45)
8. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (3:23)
9. Your Song (3:35)
10.Some Enchanted Evening (4:07)
11.And I Love You So (3:30)
12.Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (3:52)
13.Smile (3:11)
14.Mona Lisa (3:04)
Personnel:
Harry Connick Jr. - Vocals, Piano, Arranger
Bill Reichenbach Jr. - Trombone
Bruce Dukov - Concert Master
John Fumo - Trumpet
Joe Barati - Bass Trombone
Cenobia Cummings - Concert Master
George Doering - Guitar
John Eckert - Trumpet
Dan Higgins - Percussion, Drums
Stephen Holtman - Trombone
Greg Huckins - Baritone Saxophone
Roger Ingram - Trumpet
Tony Kadleck - Trumpet
Bill Liston - Alto Saxophone
Warren Luening - Trumpet
Joe Magnarelli - Trumpet
Branford Marsalis - Tenor Saxophone, Soloist
Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet, Soloist
Andy Martin - Trombone
Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Weldon - Tenor Saxophone, Soloist
Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet
Bryan Sutton - Guitar
Ned Goold - Alto Saxophone
Arthur Latin - Bass
Neal Caine - Bass
Jeff Bush - Trombone
Dave Smith - Trumpet
Geoff Burke - Alto Saxophone
Mike Karn - Tenor Saxophone
String Orchestra
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