Customer Reviews

Cafe Blue

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is my A-number-1 favorite disc on the planet. It was one of those that caught my interest on the very first playing, and, today, on my 4,325,642nd playing, it still keeps getting better with every listen.

I use this disc exclusively (specifically track 11) to demonstrate a true high-end audio experience to friends and family who still think "bits is bits". Each and every single one of the 20 or so demonstrations I've performed so far have yielded two very specific, unequivocal responses: 1) "Wow, that was unbelievable!" and 2) "Who *WAS* that artist?!"

Because of this album, I now have everything she's ever made, and will continue to purchase everything she makes until one of us dies!

To me, Cafe Blue is Patricia Barber's best album, bar none, followed closely by "Modern Cool" and "A Distortion of Love".

Ms. Barber is the beneficary of the return of Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs to the highest-end music recording. And, oh my, did they ever do a superb job! Audiophiles will rejoice at MFSL's superlative sonics. And while this CD is a curious choice for the comeback, it really does work. Probably the dynamic range of this recording had a lot to do with the selection, and surely Ms. Barber delivers a fine performance.

Chances are good you already own this CD. But before you debate shelling out the added do-re-me for the SACD version, please consider:

It's like hearing this CD for the first time. Come to think of it, it's like hearing a CD for the first time.

My first experience with Patricia Barber's music was the critically acclaimed "Modern Cool", a disk lauded by music editors as "breakthrough" and "the best Patricia Barber albumn ever". I played it twice and put it away. Perhaps I'm too much of a traditionalist, but I considered it more crossover than "breakthrough".

I had all but given up on Patricia Barber's music until I took a chance and bought her newest disk "Companion". What a wonderful live recording! Patricia captured at her best. I was hooked and could hardly get to amazon.com fast enough to buy "Cafe Blue"! The Patricia Barber experience just keeps getting better! This production is very polished, in stark contrast to the club grittiness of "Companion". Patricia's voice is at once refined, supple, seductive and pouty, garnished by her richly textured compositions brilliantly executed by her three piece band. Patricia has artfully woven an ecclectic mix of compositions into a recording that plays with your emotions, then leaves you shaking your head in wonderment at disk end. The soulful opening track "What A Shame" will have you lamenting a love lost before you know it. But Patricia doesn't let you languish long as she moves you quickly into the freneticly paced "Mourning Grace", a piece with lyrics penned by Maya Angelou and featuring Brazillian influenced music from Patricia. This lady is full of surprises, and so is this disc (did I mention the angelic "Romanesque"?). "Cafe Blue" has earned a permanent position in my CD changer, and Patricia a place in my heart.

I have both her CD and LP. This CD/record ranks among my top 5 picks. No wonder this has been a Stereophile R2D4 and an audiophile favorite...

Patricia's sultry/seductive voice keeps you glued to the music. Hearing her live here at Chicago (HIFI 99) was one of the greatest audio treats I've had for years!!!

Grab this CD!

Picture a smokey filled room. Her voice surrounding, touching you. Lyrics that are riveting. Haunting bass and piano. On my top five listing of reference recordings.

The cd is one surprise after another. Each song is strong of itself, yet seemlessly blends with the others to create a mood. It's perfect for coffee in hand, lights low and time to reflect moments. I saw her in concert recently and I highly recommend that venture -- she's incredible! Comparisons to others? Why bother, simply listen to the samples.

Although this cd was released in 2004, I have just discovered it, after having heard her rendition of "A Taste of Honey" on a local jazz station. Mezmerized by her vocals and music arrangements, I knew immediately that this was the way that the song should have been recorded all along, so I didn't hesitate to purchase it. I am not disappointed with any of the twelve recordings. Also, I find her vocals on "Too Rich For My Blood" enchanting and would love to hear more strings on this selection, if she ever records it "live" or plays it "live" on stage in the future. I am a new fan of hers now and will be purchasing her other offerings. You will not be disappointed with this cd.

Like Bird, Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and Monk (to mention a few), some jazzmen simply re-invent and re-direct the art form. (Miles did it multiple times.)
Miss Barber is of that caliber. Her arrangements are scintillating; her voice quality is unique, and the intellectualism and passion she brings to her music are frankly superb. Long may she grace us with her STYLE...

Barber takes us on a melancholy but beautiful excursion into late-night serious jazz. Sit down, pour yourself a brandy and enjoy the mood this album automatically induces. Barber's vocal talents are quite extraordinary and she is ably supported by excellent musicians; from a haunting "Ode to Billy Joe", to an upbeat "Yellow Car" and makes you think with a fine improvisation of Miles Davis' classic "Nardis". This album also makes your stereo shine and kudos to Premomition Records for this superb transfer. A must-have album for any discerning listener.

Since purchasing this album, I've collected 2 others - "Modern Cool" and "Nightclub" which expand the spectrum of Barber's soundscape. The titles are self-explanatory to the mood of each album and together with "Cafe Blue" should earn a prime positions in your list of favourites.

This is an amazing CD, both sonically, and musically. Best appreciated on an audiophile level system. For me, the best track is "Too rich for my blood"--one of the best tracks I've ever heard. A must for people who really like to listen to music, actively listen.