Customer Reviews

Amtrak Blues

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These 'standards' are anything but; Alberta Hunter's versions are unbeatable. She has that kind of voice and rhythm that seem so natural and yet, like Billie Holiday, defy the human range thus placing her in the pantheon of jazz greats. She is earthy yet refined and completely in touch with the band, she moans and cries at places that you'll find yourself wondering how she got there. "Darktown Strutters Ball", "Georgia Brown" and the intensely down and dirty "My Handyman" are sensual, comic and dramatically original-your body will react- guaranteed. Unpredictably fresh, this late great senior citizen packs all she's got and all we need, right in to each piece. I have given this CD as a gift to many people and they have all been smitten and grateful. Decidedly worthwhile.

Amazing woman,Alberta Hunter recorded this wonderful album at the age of 83 - great survivor of the original blues craze of 1920's,she was a contemporary of Bessie Smith ( Bessie's very first hit "Downhearted blues" was actually written by Alberta Hunter!) and all the other blues greats,and somehow she endured all the way up to 1978. when she recorded "Amtrak Blues".Yes,you can tell its an old voice,but she had such a character that made listen pure fun - her version of this old standards are simply undescribable,she sounds like great old lady,sometimes even dirty (You never heard "My Handy Man" if you didnt hear this one - in comparison,Ethel Waters version from 1920's is simply nice little song,Alberta makes a listener blush).Interesting,I found this late Alberta Hunter period much interesting then her younger phase.In the 1920's and 1930's she was never such a character as here - just as late albums by Ida Cox,Sippie Wallace or Victora Spivey shows,these women actually got better with age.This album is really heart-warming,showes that character never dies,age doesnt mean anything and one is young as he feels.

I had never heard of Alberta Hunter until a good friend introduced her to me via the original vinyl recording of "Amtrack Blues". Made when she was 83 years young, the recording is absolutely fantastic. Her backup musicians are incredible, the sound quality is excellent, and Alberta is an absolute hoot! Alberta's vocal quality on this record is much more interesting than her earlier, younger period. Her age and wisdom are evident, and this only makes her more appealing. "Handyman" is positively hilarious. No one's ever recorded this song with such incredible wit and naughtiness - at 83 no less! If you like the blues - this deserves a place in your collection.

A great artist at the top of her form. This recording was made in her late 80's and its better than the stuff she recorded in her younger, more popular days. There's something in her voice/delivery that suggests that "I might be old - but I know whats going on" kind of wisdom that only comes when you're singing from the heart, and for the heart. This is an all time classic.

ALBERTA HUNTER Sounds Fantastic Here.Her VOice Just Gets Richer with time.I'm Having a Good Time Sums up This Disc Perfectly.Her VOice just Radiates.The Music is Great.A Must Have.

Produced by John Hammond, this is a simple, sweet, swinging collection that showcases the incredible talent of 83 year old Alberta Hunter. It has the feel of a live recording; the supporting musicians and Miss Hunter are obviously having a grand old time. In a world where every singer thinks he or she is an artist, Alberta Hunter provides an object lesson in real artistry.

I'm absolutely blown away by this recording. Alberta Hunter may have been a blues singer but her phrasing and breath control (at 83!) are fantastic. Quite a few jazz singers could learn a thing or two from listening to her.

CD is good quality recording done in Ms. Hunter's later years. Alberta had a successful career in jazz in the US and Europe in early part of this century, came back to the US, raised a family and had a full career as a nurse. After "retirering" as a nurse, she went back to performing. While her voice clearly shows her age, it also shows what makes Alberta's performances so great, STYLE! Her voice is filled with character and personality which is simply wonderful. If you ever got to see her live, you'll know what this means. This recording captures some of that and for that reason is worth adding to your collection. She can still make me blush!

We'd never heard of Alberta Hunter until reading a profile of her in The New Yorker, I think by Whitney Balliet, though I wouldn't swear to it. That would have been in about 1981 or so. We couldn't afford full-priced theater or clubs in those days, but the performance sounded great, and Hunter was already 86; God only knew how much longer she'd carry on.

So we headed to The Cookery in Greenwich Village for what proved to be one of the most memorable evenings of jazz we ever heard, and acquired this recording as our souvenir.

It's hard to imagine an 80-something woman singing come-hither jazz hits, but Hunter pulled it off with panache, her long earrings swinging and her eyes twinkling as she gestured with her hands. This recording gives a great taste of what it was like.

Close your eyes while listening, and you can see her standing in the darkened club, singing in a gravely voice, dignified by her age, vast experience and amazing grace. She was a character, and a master at her art.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

As I noted in a recent review of Memphis Minnie one of the interesting facts about the development of the blues is that in the early days the recorded music and the bulk of the live performances were done by women. That time, the early 1920's to the 1930's was the classic age of women blues performers. Of course, when one thinks about that period the name that comes up is the legendary Bessie Smith. Alberta Hunter came into prominence at the tail end of that period. Although there were periods of quiescence Ms. Hunter had a long career as a classic blues torch singer.

This compilation produced by the legendary John Hammond and, therefore, technically good has a nice run of songs of the type that helped make Ms. Hunter's mark. Her phrasing on Always is interesting. Her heartfelt sorrow in A Good Man Is Hard To Find comes through. Sweet Georgia Brown is just so, so fine. And the plaintive My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More says it all. If you like torch singers this is for you.