Chris Connor Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song

Chris Connor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 14, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002I3N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,362 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Cabaret

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great single-composer collections, August 15, 2000

By 

N. Dorward "obsessive reviewer" (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chris Connor Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Audio CD)

Ella Fitzgerald is still probably the singer most associated with single-composer recitals, but this 2-CD set by Chris Connor is fully worthy of comparison with Fitzgerald's Gershwin set--indeed, I think I prefer it. Connor's warm voice is given a wide range of settings here, all of them (with the exception of "But Not for Me" and a few previously unreleased tracks with Maynard Ferguson) with small combos. Arrangements are mostly by the pianist Ralph Sharon, & are clever & tasteful but never fussy--there's sometimes a charming period flavour, as in the sly quotation of that West-Coast staple, "Bernie's Tune", in the arrangement to "Strike Up the Band", or the use of three-trombone arrangements for much of disc 2. He likes to keep the verses to the tunes, too, which is a wise move (it adds immeasurably to tunes like "Fascinating Rhythm" or "I Got Rhythm"). Connor handles the lighter-hearted Gershwin tunes like "Slap That Bass" & "Little Jazzbird" with style & wit, while ballads like "A Foggy Day" (given a brilliant, bluesy arrangement by Sharon) or "Our Love Is Here to Stay" receive luminous readings, understated but tremendously moving. Her accompanists include many fine names, like Hank Jones, Joe Newman, Al Cohn, Joe Puma, Herbie Mann, Jaki Byard, Kenny Burrell and Milt Jackson. This is a fine set.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most original Gerswhin collection, April 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Chris Connor Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Audio CD)

Chris Connor recorded her Gershwin collection about the time Sarah Vaughan was doing hers. They were released about the same time and both sold equally, rather than competed for sales, because they were so different. Sarah's glorious album is pop-centered in terms of approach and large orchestral arrangements, though she can't help but take a jazz point of view on her vocals. It's a superb album and the C.D. version is even better, with alternate takes and portions of recording sessions. Chris' album was totally jazz in approach, relying on small jazz combos for accompaniment and approaching virtually every song as if it had never been sung before. When this album was released Chris was about a year into her career at Atlantic Records, a career that out of the gate aroused gigantic record sales unusual for a jazz artist. This albuma actually was recorded after "A Jazz Date," but that album eventually appeared two albums later (trivia for you Chris buffs). This a low-key, cool album with an intellectual approach to the material. Forty-five years after its first release it remains provocative, endlessly listenable and just as hip as can be. The extra tracks are Chris recordings of Gershwin songs originally on other albums (the Maynard Ferguson tracks all were released before, incidentally) and make the C.D. version even more attractive. Yes, when you see the photos you'll note that at this point Chris and Doris Day resembled each other. Interestingly, Chris was/is a gigantic Doris Day fan and Doris was/is a gigantic Chris fan. As an artist and individual, Chris has long been one of the most popular people in show business. She's so UNshowbizzy, so matter of fact, so interested in so many things, such a walking expert on obscure show tunes and little-known gems by master composers, such an intelligent and cool lady. It's too bad the public only got to know her through her songs--the person herself is so outstanding, too! The resurgence of interest in Chris Connor among young listeners is so thrilling. For a long time she simply was forgotten. Now she's big business again--what a joy that must be for her and what a lucky thing for all lovers of good music. And if you've seen or heard Chris Connor lately you know she is right this minute at the top of her form. Don't miss this wonderful album. George Gershwin would have loved it, Ira Gershwin did love it, and you will too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Fit, September 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Chris Connor Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Audio CD)

After forty plus years, this material remains timeless, as a good classic ought. It's repeatedly listenable; reveals something new every time; has many moments one awaits with anticipation. The Gershwins will continue to get ever greater in apprehension of their place in Music as time goes by. Everybody takes a crack at interpreting the Gershwins, but not even Ella nor Sassy nail it like Chris Connor has.