Customer Reviews

After the Roses

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The negative review below made me want to set the record straight. I've loved Kenny Rankin's music since seeing him in the late '60s / early '70s on Johnny Carson, putting Helen Reddy's version of "Peaceful" to shame with his truly peaceful rendition, and enrapturing us all with "Stringman." I inhaled the first two albums I found, "Like a Seed" and "Inside," went orgasmic when "Silver Morning" came out (why isn't it offered here???), and wrote but chickened out sending my only fan letter when "Kenny Rankin Album" was released, the quintessential Kenny. It was more than 15 years before I found a new recording, and I've snatched up every new issue since (except from the overseas CD pirates -- Kenny, darlin', if you own all the rights, why don't you reissue your own CD locally?).

As to the comment below that Kenny is great and doesn't need any help from highly orchestrated arrangements, I agree. However, Kenny is SO great, the more elaborate settings are like a velvet box for a diamond. Kenny's talent showcases equally well whether a cappella, with solo guitar or piano, with his preteen children (as in Roll Around on "Inside"), or with a 60-piece ensemble.

Everything on this CD is good, and I was delighted to hear what Kenny did with Edward MacDowell's semi-classical composition, "To a Wild Rose," written in 1896. My rating of only 4 stars is because of the eclectic mix, with vintage 1-a.m.-at-the-lounge licks (like "Strings") side by side with the sassy "One More Goodbye, One More Hello" and curious string section teasers for the Wild Rose finale. The order of these tracks seems disjointed and without logical flow, but each selection has merit on its own and has Kenny's unmistakable, smooth musical signature all over it.

That said, only diehard Rankin fans like myself will want to shell out the gouging prices currently listed for this now-rare release. The track samplings available here are typical of each song, so if you like what you hear, you'll be happy with the rest.

I highly recommend this album by Kenny Rankin. Many people have commented on "What Matters Most." The song was written by Dave Grusin for the movie "The Champ." In fact, there's a beautiful instrumental version of "What Matters Most" in one of Dave Grusin's album called "Cinemagic" (see track #10). So for those of you who fell in love with the song - you may want to consider the original, instrumental version coming from the composer himself! Get Dave Grusin's "Cinemagic" album.

The combination of the musicianship of Kenny Rankin with the orchestra arrangements of Don Costa is what makes the album. Every song a winner. Get this CD and play it on a romantic night or along with a candlelight dinner. Kenny is touring and expecting to release a new album on Verve in August. ...I love this album and I am going to play it again right now.

Craig
Hawaii

I love the music of Kenny, specially the song "What Matters Most". I hope you can send me in my e-mail the lyrics of this song, 'cause I want to sing this to my husband. Everytime I hear the song I can feel my inner soul floating with LOVE. Thanks!

This album has two of my all time faves - "What Matters Most" and "To A Wild Rose," the latter which I didn't "discover" until recently. As improvisational and mellow as his renditions are, one will constantly find different angles from which to listen to his songs, enjoyable everytime. I sang "What Matter's.." to my future wife - thanks Kenny.

IT'S NOT HOW LONG WE HELD EACH OTHERS HAND WHAT MATTERS IS HOW WELL WE LOVE EACH OTHER IT'S NOT HOW FAR WE TRAVELLED ON OUR WAY BUT WHAT WE FOUND TO SAY IT'S NOT THE SPRING YOU'VE SEEN BUT ALL THE SHADES OF GREEN

IT'S NOT HOW LONG I HELD YOU IN MY ARMS WHAT MATTERS IS HOW SWEET THE YEARS TOGETHER IT'S NOT HOW MANY SUMMER TIMES WE HAVE TO GIVE TO FALL THE EARLY MORNING SMILE, WE TEARFULLY RECALL WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT WE LOVED AT ALL

I forget how I came to acquire this album, but oh, I'm glad I did. Yes, it's more "produced" and orchestral than others, but take it for what it is. And that is one darn fine collection of music.

I learned yesterday that lung cancer diagnosed only weeks ago has taken his life and I am deeply saddened. Fortunate that I got to see him in concert twice and get autographs both times - he signed this album for me. He gave a concert in a smoky little jazz club in Downtown Orlando (this was back when you could smoke indoors). As he signed my album, I remember asking how he could sing in such a smoky atmosphere. I shudder to think that events like that may have led to his unexpected death.

Last night I paid my own little homage, playing several albums of his and rediscovering what I've long known but seldom think about. I promise not to let my collection of his CDs gather dust anymore. "Peaceful" is a particularly poignant album now.

I have heared this cd from my friend and i ask for it. It has the most wonderful music I've ever heared. It keeps ringing on my ear. If you would please send me a copy of the song, What matters most. I would certainly appreciate that very much.... thank you

I don't think i'd need to fill this whole space just to describe the album.....It's THE GREATEST there is.. well, I just wish that they'd publish the lyrics of "What matters most" in this site or send it to my e mail. I love the song terribly... so please I beg thee.. on bended knees.

I've had this album for years - and most of Rankin's others, too. I don't care what the critics say. I love it. I've heard it said that "Regrets" is too melodic a song - not normally his style. What a great Sunday morning record. It's soft, sweet and singable. "To a Wild Rose" is a great wedding song.