Customer Reviews

With the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

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

 

 

I think this album completes the full circle for Aznavour. Jazz was his foundation during the very early part of his career - from his late 50's works to the mid 60's era. After 40 years of experimentation and championing of various other pop genres, Aznavour has returned to his roots of straight-ahead jazz.

This time around, however, the arrangements are richer and bolder, with lots of harmonic and stylistic innovation brought on by John Clayton. This album is a suprisingly successful new marriage of an otherwise unlikely union between the 60's era french chanson and the 21st century american big-band jazz with a full spectrum of harmonic and diatonic complexity and experimentation.

I wish the best of health to Charles for another decade or two of his relentless magic.

Yes, the age is audible in Charles' distinctive voice, but he is still a great singer and entertainer, with the sense for rhythm...
The arrangements are lovely, Clayton - Hamilton big band is, as expected, beautifully elegant so this is a nice example of intelligent jazzy pop music that suits my tastes...
Rachelle Ferrell and Diane Reeves are guests here, but this one is for the Charles Aznavour's fans
(in his youth he also used ellements of jazz so some of these tracks are reminiscent of his own personal musical history... pour fair le jam!)...

If you liked this one, you'll probably like
Jazznavour as well!