Companion

Patricia Barber | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00001ZWF5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,464 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Beat Goes On

2. Use Me

3. Like Jt

4. Let It Rain

5. Touch Of Trash

6. If This Isn't Jazz

7. Black Magic Woman

8. Bonus Track

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1998, after releasing several critically lauded but commercially underperforming CDs, Chicago vocalist Patricia Barber struck a resonating chord with Modern Cool. Barber alternated a throaty vocal delivery and a more refined, stately approach to singing as she traipsed through genres with a strong, unconventional band that played to her strengths. More than anything, Modern Cool delivered an eloquent snapshot of what Barber would be like on stage, and now its follow-up, Companion, comes along to show off her chops in a live setting. Barber elected an old-time jazz approach to the live album, picking Chicago's Green Mill, a favorite haunt and home base for her, and let the tapes roll for a few shows in July of 1998. What you get is very much like Modern Cool: touches of pop turned to artsy poetry--in a most convincing way--on Sonny Bono's "The Beat Goes On" and a delightedly curve-ball reading of "Black Magic Woman," the Peter Green tune made famous by Santana. And then there are Barber originals, which she sends off expertly with piano and splashes of rough guitar paint and a whole-group clatter that's indicative of both the leader and her band's intimacy with these tunes. Like Cassandra Wilson and myriad others stretching the jazz singer's palette, Barber has made a deep cut in the tradition, without turning off any lovers of the traditional jazz lyric. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

This great album was recorded live at the Green Mill in uptown Chicago over the nights of July 17-19, 1999. This disc features two brand new original songs and three very uniquely interpreted cover songs, plus you also get two rearranged tracks from 1998's Modern Cool. All total, you get nearly 45 minutes of live Patricia Barber. Recorded & mixed by Jim Anderson at Chicago Recording Company. Newly remastered 24k gold collector's edition HDCD. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "companion"ÿ, December 10, 1999

By 

Travis Bickle (western massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Companion (Audio CD)

This recording of Patricia live at the Green Mill captures the essence of her live performance: Strangely aloof, yet intimate with her audience. The opening track, a cover of Sonny Bono's "The Beat goes On" set's the tone for the entire CD, which ultimately brings you into Patricia's view of the 20th Century again. Including this tune in the Modern cool addendum, Patricia takes what may have been an anthem for the mid sixties, and turns it into a haunting prediction for the coming millenium (Nicely done, Patricia)True to Character, Barber suprises us with the second track, a cover of Bill Withers "USE ME" : Michael Arnopol incredible Bass Playing providing the drone-like low end Melody (remember "ode to billy joe?), and John McLean's haunting guitar style deep in the background, gives the piece a unique feel, but one quite familiar to Barber's fans.Suffice to say, this CD is a must for those of of us who are Patricia Barber fans, but also for those who would like to learn more about this incredible performer: and to those people, prepare for a revelation!....you may as well buy the whole catalogue NOW! Lushly recorded,with a presence you wouldn't think possible, this CD will not disappoint anyone! Thank you Patricia, You have made my holiday shopping a breeze again this year!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz to make you think!, December 1, 1999

By 

William M. Elston (Kingwood (NOT Houston), Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Companion (Audio CD)

Jazz makes us either sway slowly or snap and jump. If it's really good, it will make the whole joint jump; and if it is great, certain numbers will make older jumpers remember jumping decades ago. This album delivers all of that.

Good jazz delivers passion, and this CD has boat loads of passion by all members of the quintet. To those that don't remember Sonny Bono or think Carlos Santana only recently recorded a hit CD, this is a jumping jazz CD. For those who do remember Sonny and Carlos it will make the joint and the memories both jump and jolt. The profound music connection of the sixties era, missing in much of today's music, is here in spades. "Companion" brings new life and perspective to a few great old tunes combining them here with new ones and Patricia's own delicious Chicago style.

A "Sterophile" editor calls it the best Barber efforts since "Cafe Blue". This is a SONICALLY OUTSTANDING live album, fit for a demo of the stereo system that some build to be pround of and enjoy! Equally the tunes will lift the soul to places that only jazz can take it, even if heard on a boom box.

New and old appreciators of the new jazz lycists (somewhat similar to the style of Holly Cole), audiophiles and sixties nostalgiaphiles will all love Patricia and the gang after hearing this one. Listen to it late, with the light low and the volume high. Discover a small and tastey piece of what jazz, Patricia and the 20th century have given us!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barber Is Chicago's Next Jazz Icon, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Companion (Audio CD)

New York has Casandra Wilson, British-Columbia can claim Krall, but Chicago has the only female vocalist who spanns the broad sholders of jazz. Patricia Barber is an original -- a legend in the making.

This album is the stuff of "true jazz" and also serves as a gateway for those just venturing into that sometimes intimidating scene. Smooth Jazz listeners who have yet to cross the line can join with those who have as both will find something to revel in.