Celebration [Import]

Norman Brown | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B00000JQZC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,275 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Out'a Nowhere

2. Together at Last

3. Paradise

4. You Make Me Feel Brand New

5. Celebration

6. Getting By

7. Rain

8. Never Again

9. Breaking Out

10. It's Time for Love

11. Stay Young

12. Rain [Mix]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

An obvious admirer of George Benson, guitarist Norman Brown is a skilled performer who is probably playing a notch or two below his abilities in order to win broader acceptance as a smooth-jazz artist. Still, he injects enough individuality and fret-board flair into this 53-minute, music-for-your-moods package to distinguish himself as an inventive player who can add some soulful panache to the format. Brown's selections (9 of the 11 are originals) are pleasantly engaging, with roughly half of them targeted at the patio, the others designed for the bedroom. Three tracks, one a languid remake of "You Make Me Feel Brand New," include vocals, yet Brown is more memorable as a guitarist. His nimble technique is showcased most convincingly on the breezy title track, the opening "Out'a Nowhere"; the thoughtful Jaco Pastorius piece "Rain"; and a very Benson-like "Getting By." Anyone searching for a light-jazz album that can nicely complement an easy afternoon or sultry sunset should give this disk some consideration. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz

Some of guitarist Norman Brown's affinity for Wes Montgomery comes from his father. A Wes fan himself, Brown's old man would challenge him to learn Montgomery's songs, promising the young guitarist keys to the car if he succeeded. "It actually motivated me enough to really go ahead and learn how to play the style that I had fallen in love with," says Brown. His latest album, Celebration, finds his smooth-jazz style drawing heavily on Montgomery. Another of Brown's influences is clearly George Benson. For proof, just check the way he scats along with his guitar lines on "Out of Nowhere," our featured track.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Talent Isn't Always Out'a Nowhere, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebration (Audio CD)

When I first heard the song "After The Storm" by Norman Brown, I was confounded as to how a jazz song could song so good. Ever since I've been sampling Norman's music at CDNOW, and I've went out and got Celebration. In my opinion, a few tracks alone can make this album a convincing buy. "Together At Last" is a song that is suitable for driving on the road or relaxing to. It's has a mellow (very cliche) vibe. "Celebration" is a notch above smooth jazz, it's a subtle groove number with a keen guitar bridge/breakdown toward the end. And also, there's a unique twist on the SWV original "Rain." Personally, I think Norman Brown is one of the best contemporary guitarists of the decade. If the aforementioned songs weren't included, it wouldn't totally affect the overall value of the album, it would still be a good thing to put into your walkman/cd player any time of the day. This is probably Norman Brown's best album to date.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norman Is Just To Smooth !, March 20, 2000

By 

Tony_Tone "Anthony Jamal Smith" (Washington, D.C., District of Columbia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celebration (Audio CD)

This is smooth Jazz at it's very finest.. I have no idea what the reviewers that rated this a one star listen to .. His style is very similiar to George Benson.. that what turned me on to him in the first place a few years ago.. There are more vocal tracks on this effort then his previous efforts He's does a very nice job on two rnb tracks

The Stylistic's Classic You Make Me Feel Brand New and SWV'S cover Of Rain

Other Noteworthy cuts

Out A No Where

Paradise

Never Again

Celebration

Ir's Time For Love

It's smooth Pick it up if you love Contemporary Jazz at it's best

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "BEST JAZZ GUITAR CD TO DATE", September 11, 2002

By 

Paul Roseboro "lousy-cat" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebration (Audio CD)

When I first heard Norman Brown's single "That's The Way Love Goes" on a jazz radio station I called the station instantly before the song could finished and asked for the artist name and cd title which was "After The Storm", I went and bought the cd the very same day and have been a fan ever since. I was not only impress with his playing but with the song arrangements and the feelings he was delivering so sincerely. He sounded like George Benson playing at his best. Two weeks later I was at a car wash when a Lincoln Navigator pulls up beside me blasting the most incredible jazz guitar playing, I asked for the name of the cd and deja vu!! "Celebration" by Norman Brown. With out a doubt he has picked up the reign of jazz guitarist that was once ruled so many years by the great Wes Montgomery and George Benson.