Customer Reviews

Color and Light: Jazz Sketches on Sondheim

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

 

 

Superb performances by Peabo Bryson, Nancy Wilson and Holly Cole are the highlight of this Sondheim collection. Sad to say, I was unaware of how prolific Sondheim was for so many years. A true blend of vocals and musicals from the soulful duet by Bryson and Wilson to the rather avante-garde stylings of Herbie Hancock. You may like some songs better than the others (I did). But, I can guarantee that if you like any of the principals involved, you'll consider the CD worthwhile. I have owned it for years and it is still near the top of the list of CD's that I listen to.

Even if you're not a big Sondheim fan (and not everyone is despite what some fanatics think) you'll love this album. The jazz interpretations bring nuances to his music that will surprise you.
If you are a Sondheim nut you have to own this one. The duets are the albums assets but there is not a weak link in the set.

This album was a very pleasant surprise. Loving You - Nancy Wilson And Peabo Bryson, stands out as the best track but the entire album is excellent.

I found this jazz CD to be a delightful mixture of straight ahead jazz, vocal arrangements, and "smooth" tunes. The music is quite listenable and soothing. It has something for everyone who likes jazz. But the purist might find fault with its commercial appeal; I, for one, just sat back and relished.

I am a Sondheim-aholic and I love this album. His music provides a perfect framework for these jazz and R&B greats to make their own.
Many of the songs are "Holy Grail" to me and I was mildly shocked by Cole & Shorter's version of "Losing My Mind". I have grown to love it though, and their version does fit the song's theme.
I never tire of listening to this album; have had it for five years and listen at least weekly. A great addition to any jazz and/or Sondheim collection. Glad to have showtune ballads like these presented so beautfully in the jazz idiom.

This cd is a beautiful compilation of Sonheim song done very tastefully by various artist. The cd is a sleeper, as it should be on the radio for people to hear, as I heard the first and fifth cuts on WBGO and had to get this cd. I was very pleased and pleasantly surprise of the musicians performing on it. Do yourself a big favor and get this one, you won't regret it!!!!

Vocals from Peabo Bryson and Nancy Wilson are the highlights of this album. Pretty Women from Sweeney Todd is a wonderful sensitive interpretation. Likewise the lovely duet from Passion, Loving You. The instrumental pieces are generally OK but suffer without lyrics, since there is a repetitiveness in some of Sondheim's work that is saved only by the poetry of his words. Holly Cole misses the point totally providing flawed and narrow interpretations which destroy the Sondheim magic. I usually play the first six tracks and skip the rest. Despite this, I still believe in Sondheim's genius.

Works best without words. Sondheim's lyrics are badly sung and their meaning undermined. Otherwise fine.