singer Archive
Cecile McLorin Salvant – The Window – Mack Avenue Records
A shooting star jazz vocalist- blending fireworks with a sly vulnerability…
The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3)
A Silver Screen Blu-ray collection of the first five (and funniest) Marx Bros. movies. The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3) (1929-1933/2016) Cast: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont Directors: Victor Heerman, Norman Z. McLeod, Joseph Santley, Robert Florey, Leo McCarey Studio: Paramount/ Universal Studios Home Ent. 61181320 (10/18/16) Video: 1:33 for 4:3 B&W Audio: English mono PCM Subtitles: English SDH, French Extras: See below Length: TT: 408 min. Rating: ***** At least three of the four Marx Brothers are the reigning kings of comedy on film and they remain one of the most iconic comic teams of all time. And these – their first five films for Paramount – are the most hilarious of all their work – the later ones for MGM get more serious are are not filled with comedy sketches, witty dialogue and plenty of gags like these five. The first one, from 1929, was actually the first all-talking and music sound film – The Jazz Singer only has a part with sync sound. And this was when many films had the sound on separate discs that had to be synced […]
What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD
A terrific documentary on the life of this important vocalist in jazz, plus a CD of some the songs most associated with her career. What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD (2015) Director: Liz Garbus Cast: Nina Simone and many of her friends and family Studio: Netflix/RadicalMedia/Moxie Firecracker Prod./Universal/Eagle Vision Blu-ray EVB335429 (9/2/16) + standard CD (2 discs) Video: 1080i for 16:9 screens, HD color & B&W Audio: English DTS-5.1 HD-MA, PCM stereo (CD – 44.1K/16-bit stereo) Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese Rating: ***** The story of her life and career is shown thru bits of archived interviews, extensive footage of her performances, and new interviews with family, friends and colleagues. Simone started out as a little black girl classical pianist of great talent, beginning at the age of four, who was turned away by Curtis Institute due to her race. She became a jazz and pop pianist, a unique vocalist, songwriter, singer, performer, civil rights activist, wife and mother, victim of abuse and a black icon. Simone’s career in music began when she had to earn money and began by playing and singing jazz and blues in nightclubs. She was considered by many to be too black, short […]
DVORAK: Sym. No. 9 in e minor, “From the New World”; Sym. No. 8 in G Major – Czech Philharmonic Orch./ Frantisek Stupka – Praga Digitals stereo-only
For those unfamiliar with the veteran Czech conductor Stupka, these two Dvorak performances provide a brilliant introduction. DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 in e minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”; Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Frantisek Stupka – Praga Digitals stereo-only SACD PRD/DSD 350 134, 78:23 (8/12/16) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] *****: The name of Czech conductor Frantisek Stupka (1879-1965) certainly did not convey to me the same authority as I had accorded Vaclav Talich, Karel Ancerl, and Rafael Kubelik, but these performances – of the “New World” Symphony (6 January 1964) and the G Major Symphony (8 January 1959) – have changed my perspective. Stupka – having made his reputation with the Czech String Quartet – served as co-director of the Czech Philharmonic from 1946-1956 and director of the Moravian Philharmonic, the latter of which remained an “Eastern” ensemble without recorded documentation. The live broadcasts here preserved by Praga prove instantly refreshing and eminently affectionate readings of repertory that once more – under an inspirational conductor – throw off any sedimentation or ossification from long-wrought familiarity. The reading of the New World Symphony proceeds linearly but with inflamed interior voices from the […]
Susie Arioli – Spring – Spectra Musique
Susie Arioli – Spring – Spectra Musique SPECD 7854, 46:41 ****: An unpretentious yet slick session from a singer who deserves a wider audience. (Susie Arioli – vocals; Don Thompson – piano, vibes; Terry Clarke – drums; Neil Swainson – bass; Reg Schwager – guitar; Phil Dwyer – tenor sax; Kevin Turcotte – trumpet; Andy Ballantyne – alto sax; Shirantha Beddage – baritone sax; Kelsley Grant – trombone ) There are many reading this review who will be completely unaware of the Canadian singer Susie Arioli. You will not be alone, as she has generated little exposure outside of Montreal where she currently resides. That is unfortunate, as she is a singer of taste, with a bright and expressive voice. Her latest release, Spring, is a strong outing, made all the more enjoyable as she is supported by a veritable who’s who of Toronto-based jazz musicians. With a mixture of original compositions, along with both better and lesser-known numbers from the standard American repetoire, Arioli delivers a song set that shows she knows how to connect with a lyric. Opening with her own tune “Loverboy” which swings along is fine fashion, Arioli and the band show that she has a […]
Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal – vinyl
Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal 00602547233042, 33:43 [12/4/15] stereo vinyl ***: Previously unreleased 1969 album surfaces on vinyl. (Roy Orbison – guitar, vocals; plus many others) Roy Orbison is an intricate part of the original rock and roll landscape. His rockabilly structures share a common bond with Southern-based artists like Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins. His inspiration was drawn from the pathos of country music. Songs like “Only The Lonely”, “Pretty Woman”, “Crying” and “Blue Bayou” were heartfelt revelations with a personal message. Orbison remained vital into the Sixties. But like a lot of American rock and roll stars, the British Invasion pushed them aside. It was more than ironic that the very musicians idolized by British rockers, became its most notable casualties. Orbison, whose “near-operatic” twangy tenor had no equal pushed back on this and continued to record and tour. In 1965, he left Monument Records and signed (an alleged $1M deal) with MGM records. While not as commercially successful, Orbison scored 12 MGM-era singles, 10 studio albums and maintained relevance. There were dark times for the Kentucky singer that included the death of his wife (in a motorcycle accident) and a second tragedy […]
Leonard Cohen – Can’t Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour [TrackList follows] – Columbia/Legacy /Sony Music/Old Ideas
Leonard Cohen gives us a memento that’s better than a postcard or an Instagram picture.
Etta James – Deep In The Night – Warner Brothers/ Pure Pleasure Records – vinyl
A very good soul album on audiophile vinyl.
Live At Knebworth, Blu-ray (1990/2015)
Hailed as the greatest British concert ever…this Blu-ray may prove that!
Gianluigi Trovesi set (Disc List follows) – Black Saint/Soul Note (9-CD set)
A true character who blazed like a crown fire all over Europe.
George Benson – Give Me The Night – Qwest Records/ Warner Brothers /Pure Pleasure vinyl
A superior hi-res stereo vinyl of singer-guitarist George Benson.
Robert Moore – Outta My Soul – Reference Recordings
Stylish jazz and soul from a gifted musician!
Pacific Jazz – Clare Fischer Big Band directed by Brent Fischer – ClavoRoseanna Vitro – Clarity: Music Of Clare Fischer – Random Act
The fine music of the late Clare Fischer on two CDs.
Pacific Jazz – Clare Fischer Big Band directed by Brent Fischer – ClavoRoseanna Vitro – Clarity: Music Of Clare Fischer – Random Act
The fine music of the late Clare Fischer on two CDs.
ROSSINI: Le Comte Ory (complete opera) (2014)
A fine rendition of this terrific piece, which suffers only in comparison to the Metropolitan Opera.
Dr. John – Ske-Dat-De-Dat – The Spirit Of Satch – Proper
A tribute to Louis Armstrong that is exciting, respectful, and bang on the money.
Fripp & Eno – Live in Paris 28/5/75 – (Robert Fripp & Brian Eno, guitar, tapes & electronics) – Opal Ltd./DGM
Three CDs at a bargain price, but only real fans will think it’s worth it.
Barbara Morrison – A Sunday Kind Of Love – Savant Records
An album filled with soulful magic.
Gregg Allman – I’m No Angel – Live (2012)
The video is nothing special but the audio side will appeal to all Gregg Allman fans.
B. B. King – Live, Blu-ray (2009/2011)
I can easily recommend this Blu-ray to any blues or B.B. King fans.