Customer Reviews

Companion

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

Again, it is clear: the quality of the singing voice reaches its top when it sounds like an instrument. Patricia Barber has perfect timing and what is more, she has a terrific sense of humor. In "If This isn't Jazz" it is displayed with intelligence, not only in the words but especially in the use of the instruments (the hauling guitar) and when she sings: "if the real thing is coming along" she's telling the truth.

As pointed out by my predecessors the sound quality is superb, listen to "The Beat Goes On" and hear the public in the background clapping to the rhythm. The rhythm section is best judged by listening to "Black Magic Woman", it leaves the Santana performance far behind. Strictly speaking we cannot say that what Patricia Barber does is jazz, it is fusion, but fusion in her own way, more reminiscent to jazz than what Holly Cole or Cassandra Wilson do.

I recently decided to explore new music, especially vocal jazz (after an amazing discovery of the great Diana Krall), and I got this CD based on the reviews posted here. All the ravings about this woman's voice are right on. Maybe words are not enough. What a sultry voice! The Beat Goes On is perfect for the opening track. Her rendition of Black Magic Woman is worth listening over and over and over. My only disappointment? Sometimes I fell there was too much instrumental music and too little of her vocal talent. Give me more! Have to decide which of her other CDs to get...can't wait to get it!

Ifyou love live blues and improv, this recording is for you. The rendition of Black Magic Woman is perhaps the most captivating jazz performance I have heard. I have a friend who is a jazz pianist and he was captivated too. The other tracks are also excellent, but pale in comparison to the final track.

Patricia Barber has a unique artistic identity and talent which IMHO many musicians lack nowadays. Her interpretations of music by other artists transform the original work and become something special. Added on this cd are superb tone throughout the whole cd, a very nice live mood and exceptional recording quality. Note the laughs arising from the audience and the slight change in her voice due to herself smiling also, when she says "cheerful folks go away" while performing Let It Rain.

This is the first Pat Barber CD I ever heard. It blew me away that the band and her, the interpretations of songs, worked so well together! We start with the cover of Sonny and Cher's, The Beat Goes On. Her interpretation is so fresh and alive on this recording, I actually paid attention to the lyrics (smile)! Black Magic Woman, the Santana cover metamorphasizes with her and the band's playing. It will blow you away! There is a sultry, clean voice from Pat that reminds you of old smoke filled jazz halls. Yet there is the modern sophistication in the interpretations and playing. The CD is good from start to finish. Next to Modern Cool, it is her best. Fantastic spin!!!

This is an audiophile quality live album and it is one of my main reference CD's in testing stereo components for review. It is also a great album musically. Can't say enough about it. Buy it.

Again, it is clear: the quality of the singing voice reaches its top when it sounds like an instrument. Patricia Barber has perfect timing and what is more, she has a terrific sense of humor. In "If This isn't Jazz" it is displayed with intelligence, not only in the words but especially in the use of the instruments (the hauling guitar) and when she sings: "if the real thing is coming along" she's telling the truth. As pointed out by my predecessors the sound quality is superb, listen to "The Beat Goes On" and hear the public in the background clapping to the rhythm. The rhythm section is best judged by listening to "Black Magic Woman", it leaves the Santana performance far behind. Strictly speaking we cannot say that what Patricia Barber does is jazz, it is fusion, but fusion in her own way, more reminiscent to jazz than what Holly Cole or Cassandra Wilson do.