Customer Reviews

Ballad Essentials

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This talented artist began playing at the age 16 and developed quickly, moved to New York in 1976. Played with Benny Goodman in the late '70s, also with such greats as Warren Vache, Ruby Braff, Rosemary Clooney and the Concord-Jazz All-Stars, recording a long string of performances for Concord that are not able for their consistency of outstanding jazz.

Scott Hamilton has appeared on more than 60 Concord releases during the past 22 years, a master of the swing, butmore not able are his beautiful tones which appear on these dozen collections from - "Scott Hamilton Is A Good Wind Who Is Blowing Us No Ill" (CCD-4042)(1977), "Scott Hamilton 2" (CCD4061)(1978), "Tenorshoes" (CCD-4127)(1979), "The Right Time" (CCD-4311)(1986), "Scott Hamilton Plays The Ballads" (CCD-4386)(1989), "Radio City"(CCD-4428)(1990), "Scott Hamilton With Strings"(CCD-4538)(1992), "East Of The Sun" (CCD-4583)(1993) and"My Romance" (CCD-4710)(1995), is just the tip of the iceberg.

Of course there are stand outs - "MY FOOLISHHEART" the classic Ned Washington and Victor Young composition performed by Alan Broadbent (piano, musical director, arranger andconductor) and a trans-fixing solo by Hamilton, you just want it to go on and on..."IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD" smooth and haunting Duke Ellington tune, Scott makes this one his own, you find yourself drifting in a musical journey with just a peaceful existence.

But the highlight is - "TONIGHT I SHALL SLEEP WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE" another Ellington tune, shades of the Jackie Gleason presents arrangements from "Music For Lovers Only", only this time we have Scott Hamilton to put the icing on the cake.Concord once again shares the warmth and wonderful moments from their vaults of never-to-be-forgotten classic sounds of JAZZ!

TotalTime: 58:36 on 12 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4885...(2000)

I shall not waste your valuable time with an analysis of this cd. Other reviews exist with which I am in agreement and these reviews detail the merits of Hamilton's work with far more eloquence than I could achieve.

Ballad Essentials is a wonderful and marvelous cd. Hamilton's saxaphone is smooth and flowing. The songs are basically romantic. This cd is ideal for a romantic and/or relaxing evening. One of the best Jazz cd's I have ever heard for such occasions. Highly do I recommend Scott Hamilton's Ballad Essentials.

This is my first Scott Hamilton Cd.I didn't know much about this guy until I heard him in a music store.Wow!he is a real gentleman who play great ballads.He got the warmest and most beautiful subtones that anyone can get.His tone is full of lust and romance.Listen with care...exquisite harmonies keep pouring out from his sax.Watch out for <My Foolish Heart>, a song fills with bittersweetness.I rate this 5 stars because this is the best ballad album I have ever heard.The notes that came out from his sax may not be as complex as Henderson or Coltrane's,but every note he played is very essential to Jazz ballads.With this album,you don't even need a lover to spent a perfect valentine's day.Enjoy it at solitude moments with a glass of red wine would make a perfect moment.I highly recommend this album to people who love REAL MUSIC.Trust me,this one is unlike many other ballad albums out there...Enjoy!

Tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton came onto the scene as a very young man playing in an old style. These days, he's not quite so young, but he still plays in an old style, big and breathy and romantic. This anthology brings together some of his ballad performances culled from Concord releases dating back to 1977 up through the mid-'90s. The tunes are standards, and Hamilton plays them straight--lovingly, romantically, convincingly straight. The sound quality is warm like the interpretations, making this a most desirable disk indeed, tailor-made for late-night relaxation (appropriately, the last cut is "Tonight I Shall Sleep with a Smile on My Face").

This CD will definitely put you in a mellow mood. It is very relaxing throughout each track. All of the songs are slow and smooth. You don't listen to two or three slow songs and then suddenly a fast upbeat song that catches you off guard. It's great to curl up to with a cup of hot chocolate or glass of your favorite wine and the one you love.

This cd is pure Scott Hamilton. Smooth ballads and very easy listening. It is worth listening to every minute of it. Some might say old fashioned ballads, but performed in the latest jazz fashion.

Again the saxtenor Scott Hamilton shows his unique style, with magnificent sonority, daring less than usual on his improvisations. Tommy Flanagan is not at his best. Lewis Faber

Scott Hamilton is a very accomplished tenor saxophonist in the mold of Zoot Sims - which is high praise indeed. This is a collection of laid-back tracks culled from a decade or more of his rather prolific releases. These ballads work as more than just mood music - the cool jazz of these combos is quite enjoyable to appreciate the musicianship and listen to actively. But if you're looking for background music to a sexy evening in your bachelor's pad, this works well.

What a thrill it was for me to buy this cd. It has 12 tracks on it from 12 different cd projects. It re-opened my eyes to what Scott had available of his music. I am sure I will want to order more products by him based on this cd.

On this cd Scott plays nothing but pure ballads. This is my favorite kind of song. I can't seem to get enough of this romantic music. For the most part I liked what Scott did with this project. However, I did hear a few songs that I didn't paticulary like. All in all, I liked this cd and hope others will feel like wise.