Bottome Line Encore Collection [Live]

Kenny Rankin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Bottom Line / Koch
• ASIN: B00000I0QP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,830 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It feels like you are seeing him live!, December 4, 1999

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bottome Line Encore Collection (Audio CD)

As good as Kenny Rankin is in a studio, he is better live. This CD captures the essence of him live.

He goes from guitar to piano effortlessly, he is skilled on both instruments. His taste, be it in his own writing, or the songs he covers, is exquisite. And this CD captures the between-songs stories that are an integral part of his act.

A special bonus: The song "Hodong inside Myself" is from his lost CD of the same name (where can it be found?) and contains an essential Rankin lyric.

Kenny, your fans need more!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kenny Rankin at His Best--Live, September 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bottome Line Encore Collection (Audio CD)

I first heard Kenny Rankin perform in the early 1970's as the opening act for George Carlin in Passic, New Jersey. I came to love his crooning ability and have always wondered why he never reached the full pinnacle of stardom that his talent deserves.

But fortunately for me I was exposed to him early in his career and saw him perform live at The Bottom Line in New York City many times. This album captures the versatility and clarity of Mr. Rankin's vocal ability perfectly.

If you are a true fan of Kenny Rankin you probably already own this recording. If you are not familar with Mr. Rankin's music, I urge you to add "The Bottom Line Encore" to your collection.

I have given this CD to several of my friends who I knew loved music but never heard of Kenny Rankin. Each person expressed amazement of the quality of Kenny Rankin's voice and how much they enjoyed listening to this beautiful performance.

The more you listen to this CD the better Mr. Rankin sounds.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars While Kenny's Guitar Gently Smiles, January 23, 2005

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bottome Line Encore Collection (Audio CD)

"I just feel privileged that I've been allowed to continue in my craft, and I've been encouraged by all the positive feedback I've gotten from people over the years. When someone tells you a song changed their life, or inspired them to look at things in a slightly different way, well, you can't ask for a better reward than that." ~ Kenny Rankin

FLASHBACK. Late seventies. Hearing "Haven't We Met" for the first time on the airwaves and liking the song. It was love-at-first-hear! The album: "The Kenny Rankin Album." Some of the songs: "When Sunny Gets Blue," "On And On," ("...puts on Sinatra and he starts to cry...") "Here's That Rainy Day," "Groovin'," "You Are So Beautiful," and "I Love You." And that was the beginning of Day One!

Then came more nice albums: "After The Roses," "Peaceful," "Here In My Heart," "Inside," "A Song For You." And more great songs: "Misty Roses," "Sunday Kind Of Love," "One More Goodbye, One More Hello," "Inside," "In The Name of Love," "A House of Gold," "Peaceful," "What Matters Most" and the list is endless.

NOW. "Professional Dreamer" on my Wish List.

Mr. Rankin has a special way of singing a song so uniquely his own. And all the songs he recorded became exceptionally great and left lasting impressions to the listeners' tasteful ears. I have loved and enjoyed Kenny Rankin's music as far back as I can remember. He's such a great singer, composer, arranger and a gifted guitarist as well, and he's one of my all-time favorite musicians. Needless to say, his music has greatly moved and inspired me.

"The Encore Collection" is my most recent Kenny Rankin CD. It was recorded LIVE at The Bottom Line (New York) in 1990 and the repertoire is simply fabulous with seventeen best-loved songs performed to perfection and to the delight of his audience and listeners. Listening to this CD is like being in that live concert. The sound quality is flawless and Mr. Rankin's performances are outstanding.

For me, the most special number is his marvelous a cappella performance of Irving Berlin's evergreen, "Always" (this is my late parents' ultimate favorite song, and mine, too). It just blew me away while listening to it and I had to press the repeat button to satisfy my ears! It's simply spellbinding and now I realized that his voice is the greatest I've ever heard after Sinatra! I'd say this is the very highlight of the concert because of the audience's enthusiastic prolonged ovation.

The rest of the highlights are The Fab 4's "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Penny Lane" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (with a touch of Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine"), a medley of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Doralice" and Stevie Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine of My Life," one of his personal favorite songs "Why Do Fools Fall In Love," the very haunting "Inside" (which he whispery ended with three nice words..."I love you"...then applause, applause and more applause), and of course, to me the most memorable song that drawn me to his music, "Haven't We Met."

The FINALE was "Blackbird" which he started with a 'bark' and ended with..."I Love You, Good Night." But the audience was clamoring for more...more...and more!

And the ENCORE was his heartfelt a cappella rendition of a very nice old song "Because of You" which he started with..."This is all for you for all the years." The words and music are so enchanting...

"Because of you there's a song in my heart

Because of you my romance had its start

Because of you the sun will shine

The moon and stars will say you're mine

Forever and never to part"

What a lovely way to wrap up the terrific concert! He has an extraordinary ability to express himself thru his beautiful music and his impeccable guitar playing skills. Congratulations Mr. Rankin for your unparalleled performances!

This recording is truly remarkable and it's a MUST-HAVE to all Rankin fans. Five stars would be underestimating this superb CD. I'd give it ten stars. I'm sure you'll all agree with me.