Customer Reviews

All Way (Expanded)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We saw Jimmy Scott at Yoshi's Dec 99 in a guest appearance with Jimmy Mcgriff and Hank Crawford. I never heard of Jimmy Scott, and to tell the truth, was slightly uncomfortable during the performance. This was not like anything I had ever heard before, and its not often that you see an artist so totally involved with the presentation - not just going through the motions or putting on a show. But I kept hearing the singing. We purchased ALL THE WAY on the way out of Yoshi's , and have listened to it often. Sinatra does a classic ALL THE WAY, and it took me a couple of listenings to fully appreciate Scott's version. Its totally unique and affecting. Get the CD and listen to it through at least 3 times ... you'll keep coming back for more.

Jimmy Scott, this superlative singer is an unsung American Master. His distinctive voice--high and crystalline--is freighted with emotion unlike any singer I have heard. Many of us are lazy listeners of lyrics, but Mr. Scott's evocative interpretations of American popular ballads so engross the listener that he has us hanging on to every word. His renderings are invested with a longing and a melancholy of a life lived on the hard side. It is true that Mr. Scott is an emotive singer, but he is also a singer of high sophistication. I first came across Jimmy Scott when he was appearing at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The reviews were glowing, but what struck me was that here was this artist with a superb talent who had traveled a very rocky road. However, his travails infuse his talent and what results is incomparable. On "All the Way," Mr. Scott is accompanied by estimable jazz musicians, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Grady Tate, guitarist John Pisano, and saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman. Five stars doesn't get it; "All the Way" is off the charts.

Listen closely to this amazing vocalist, and I dare your musical soul not be both exhilerated and smoothly relaxed at the same time! Hidden and/or unrecognized for decades (at least to this listener, who, by chance heard him in 1995.) "All The Way" played on my auto stereo for nearly a year....a two hour commute each way. Just Jimmy Scott. Each word/lyric...so filled with his distinctive soulful yearning, pleading, love. This is not just singing/vocalizing. This is the love and joy and angst of life somehow captured in the voice of a man, who...if you let him...reaches clear to your toes. I dare you not to sing along with him, throwing the opening lyrics of "At Last" as far as you can, or visualizing someone from the past as you "accompany him" with "Everytime We Say Goodbye". And...each time you listen to Jimmy....he sounds brand new, all over again.

I picked this up on the advice of a friend, having never heard Jimmy Scott before. The CD hasn't left my player since the day I bought it.

I heard a song sung by Jimmy Scott on the radio and immediately ordered this album and was blown away. A jazz balladeer of the highest order, born back in 1925 and still "unknown." This is beautiful, haunting, powerfully emotional music; jazz standards that are anything but.

This CD is simply AMAZING. Jimmy's voice is truly unique and his phrasing is just impeccable. As other writers have noted, Jimmy's style of singing is very slow & deliberate, as though he wants you to feel every note & breath that he takes. Every song on this cd will take you on an emotional journey, reach into your soul & when the song is over, all you will be able to say is "Wow". I have played this cd during many intimate gatherings and let me tell you, there are many new Jimmy Scott fans in Seattle. CD's may come & go, but this one continues to be in my cd player.

This wa the first c,d.I bought by Jimmy Scott after I heard of him on t.v. one nite, I play this cut daily it is so smooth, no one but Roy Hamilton,sings a love ballad like this Roy must have been influnced by Jimmy since he was younger but died early in life.He is the first person since Roy to move me like this ,I am more entranced by Jimmy every day , I want to own every thing by him I think if it was possible to make a bad cut it would still be better than other peole , I heard Some one to W atch, on the [Savoy Years] and all the way CD, i believe i like it better on this C D,I think its more haunting, the whole cd. is so relaxing , I love Embraceble Youthis was made in his late years, you would wonder, how could a old man sound so smooth, as a woman you ould fall in love with him, I cannot say enough, but to ask you to buy the Savoy Years and More to go along to gether, it would make your day

It's hard to describe Jimmy Scott...one thing is for sure...he pulls you into his world through the emotion that comes through in every performance...what a wonderful voice too. I've listened to this cd at least 50 times and it gets more beautiful every time. There's nothing more romantic than a quiet evening with someone special, just cuddling or dancing to this music. If you aren't in the mood for love after listening to it, you need a libido transplant or a new partner.

This CD is what REAL JAZZ music is all about. I considered myself a true Jazz Afficionado and yet I had never heard of this amazingly talented man until I saw his documentary "If Only You Knew".... I was blown away. Out of all the recordings I purchased thereafter, "All The Way" stands out as my personal favorite recording by Mr. Scott. He takes you in with each song, each note and does not let go. I can't get through the song "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" w/o tearing up. Its a very rare occurence when a singer and the songs he/she chooses to sing are truly worthy of each other....this CD is a must have for any serious music lover and a great introduction to one of the most underrated talents of our time.

Jimmy: Ive been introduced to you and your music, from listening to pbs.org.. Saw your biography. Heard your sound.
Touched my heart in such away, i was glued to program-till the end. Brought out so many emotions. Your voice- its strength- just reached out of the tv screen to me. Little as you maybe, your voice and melody is a giant. Just had to order your cd's to add to my collection. Keep going strong. Your voice is powerful tool- it sends true meaning to the word song. Youngest to the oldest-stand in line to see you, greet you, listen to you.