Customer Reviews

Billy Stritch

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

 

 

What a wonderful CD. Classic tunes with fresh new arrangements. Reminded me of a cozy supper club. Where has Billy Stritch been? Buy it. You'll love it.

It's a shame that Billy Stritch only has two cds on the market. This man is multi talented and has the most wonderful voice, one of the best in contemporary music today. All you have to do is listen to the song "Star Eyes" to see what a talent he is. Please Billy, more music.

If you're a fan of Jazz and Cabaret, Billy is someone you need to get to know WELL. Of his current three available albums (check out 'Jazz Live' and 'Waters of March'), this is the least of the three and it still deserves 4 stars (actually, 4 1/2, but that vote wasn't an option). This is more straight-forward cabaret jazz, but he's medleys are so hip I've actually had my accompanist attempt to duplicate them for my own performances (imitation being the best form of flattery and all that). For true romantics 'It Amazes Me' and 'Meditation' are soulful, and for those who want to dance Fred-and-Ginger style, check out 'You Stepped/Dream Dancing' and 'Come Rain/As Long' (duet with Liza Minelli). This is something every cabaret enthusiast should have prominently displayed on their shelf!

Billy Stritch is one terrific singer and pianist not to mention his Grammy Award; this album shows his abundant talent and it's great for his fans. I am sad that this is currently out of print but hopefully that will change with time and continued sales of this CD on the secondary market! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is done in very good taste.

The music starts with Billy performing a magnificent rendition of "Night and Day" and "One Note Samba;" this medley gets a very spirited arrangement and Billy's excellent diction bolsters his performance all the more. Billy truly delves deep into these numbers to make them very special; and it's quite a strong start for this CD. "Let's Misbehave" was always one of my very favorite tunes; and when Billy does it he takes it to new heights! His piano playing is absolutely wonderful and he never falters--wow, what a great job he does on this track! "It Amazes Me" gets the royal treatment from Billy who handles complex tempo and key changes like the pro he always was and still remains! "It Amazes Me" is quite good; and "Teach Me Tonight" gets lifted to new heights in Billy's capable hands. I first heard "Teach Me Tonight" sung by the immortal Dinah Washington; but I'm sure that Dinah would approve of Billy Stritch's treatment of this tune.

"Star Eyes/You Fascinate Me So" is yet another elegant melody that shines brighter than silver and gold when Billy Stritch performs it to perfection--and beyond! "Up Is Down" has some good backup for Billy--not that he truly needed it but they certainly do sound quite nice anyway. "Never Let Me Go" also sports a fine piano arrangement.

"Buds Won't Bud" features Billy squarely front and center--and that's quite all right by me! We're again treated to another awesome medley of "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "As Long as I Live;" Billy performs this with panache and I could never tire of hearing Billy do tunes like these. In addition, "Meditation (Meditação)" really has Billy singing wonderfully; and that piano work fits in faultlessly--this music is all THAT good.

"But Not for Me" has a heavenly piano arrangement and Billy pulls this off flawlessly; and the album ends very nicely with Billy Stritch performing "Mountain Greenery."

Billy Stritch has more talent in his pinky finger than most "celebrities" out there; and an album like this one proves it. This is a great CD for his fans; and people who like jazz cabaret won't be disappointed either. This is even a great starter CD for people just getting acquainted with Billy's marvelous talent.

If you like jazz cabaret you will love this CD. The singing and melody tracks are good, the arrangements amazing.

Billy, you should have never left Sharon Montgomery...there is the talent!! And, why do you keep singing all of BASIA's songs??????