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Music > South Africa > Jazz
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In Joy
(CD)
By:
Gordon James
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R244
Discovery Miles 2 440
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Out of stock
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Although this 1998 CD may at first glance seem to be a reissue, all
but three of the 11 selections had never been released before. The
highly influential pianist Bill Evans is heard in five different
settings. An unissued (and slightly earlier rendition) of the third
section of George Russell's "All About Rosie" (a showcase for Evans
with Russell's 14-piece orchestra) starts off the release. Next are
the three previously issued but somewhat obscure numbers: a live
rendition of "My Funny Valentine" with Miles Davis in 1958 (played
by just a quartet) and two songs from a 1962 set headed by
vibraphonist Dave Pike. For Piano Player, producer Orrin Keepnews
discovered and released six long-lost selections from 1970: duets
by Evans (who also plays a little bit of electric piano) and
bassist Eddie Gomez that are strong enough to make one wonder why
the projects was originally abandoned. Wrapping up the intriguing
set is a trio number (with Evans, Gomez, and drummer Marty Morell)
that is an alternate take left over from The Bill Evans Album. The
pianist's fans will definitely want this consistently enjoyable CD.
~ Scott Yanow
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Paris Blue (dig) CD (2005)
(CD)
Kyle Eastwood; Contributions by Christophe Marais, Michael Stevens, Dennis Moody; Produced by Stephane Malca, …
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R373
Discovery Miles 3 730
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Out of stock
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The complete 1955 Bethlehem album Songs From The Heart and the
complete 1956 Bethlehem album All Of Me on one CD. Contains 25
tracks including an alternate version of Hartman's definitive
interpretation of 'I See Your Face' as a bonus track. 20-bit
remastered. Lonehill. 2005.
The Bethlehem label didn't make it out of the '50s before folding,
and one of the reasons why is the ambitious yet misguided George
Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, a three-LP box set that represents a
complete recording of the Gershwin classic (with narration and
sound effects). Bethlehem certainly had the talent to pull it off
-- appearing on the label, and this production, are Mel Torm‚,
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, Johnny Hartman, Bob Dorough,
Betty Roche, Frances Faye, and minor period stars including
vocalist Frank Rosolino, bandleader Stan Levey, and arranger Russ
Garcia. And long-playing versions of theatrical productions were
huge in the mid-'50s (a few sold millions of copies). The most
popular of these, however, were simply easy-to-digest highlights
LPs that never attempted to present the complete production. This
version is a gargantuan two hours long, difficult to sit through
even if every performance was stellar (and, unfortunately, that's
far from the case). The recording makes a virtue of being hip,
primarily through the narration of Al "Jazzbo" Collins, a radio DJ
who may have been hip for the times but whose counterfeit
excitement and perfect diction make the proceedings sound like a
period newsreel. ("Watch out, Porgy, here comes that mean Sportin'
Life!") Torm‚, as the most popular vocalist on the label, was a
shoe-in for the role of Porgy, despite Johnny Hartman's clear
superiority, and Frances Faye received the role of Bess despite
Betty Roche's ability to handle the role much better. Those
mistakes are compounded by Russ Garcia's period arrangements (the
Ellington group makes only one appearance) and some decidedly
subpar performances from Frank Rosolino early in the program.
Still, it has to be admitted that a highlights compilation of this
record would sparkle very brightly, driven by Mel Torm‚'s
swinging "I've Got Plenty o' Nuttin'" with a super-enthused backing
chorus, George Kirby's "It Ain't Necessarily So," and Betty Roche's
reprise of "Summertime" during the second half. ~ John Bush
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Minors Aloud
(CD)
Emmons/ Buddy / Breau/ Lenny, Lenny Breau
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R357
Discovery Miles 3 570
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Out of stock
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Back Home CD (1996)
(CD)
Dave Brubeck; Contributions by Phil Edwards; Produced by Russell Gloyd, Chris Brubeck; Performed by Brubeck Dave
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R285
Discovery Miles 2 850
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Out of stock
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PERFIDIA
(CD)
Lundgren, Jan
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R555
Discovery Miles 5 550
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Out of stock
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