Customer Reviews

Day Like This

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was of the view that "Sing Sing Sing" was the best vocal jazz ensemble c.d. of this millenium, until two things were brought to my attention: 1) "Sing Sing Sing" was released in 2000, which technically was the last millenium; and 2) There's 2006's "Pure Imagination" by Vox One. Really, that's the one (and if you like the vocal jazz ensemble genre and don't have that one, run--don't walk--to wherever you buy c.d.'s and get it now!!).

Nevertheless, the New York Voices are the bomb. There is no better vocal jazz ensemble out there for blasting out tight, accurate harmonies at warp speed and perfect blend. Listen to what they do here to Annie Ross' "Jackie", for example--it's a wowser, on the order of "Don't Be That Way" from "Sing Sing Sing." Or check out their lovely bossa on "Chamengo"--this one will have you dancing around the room in nothing flat. And I just love their a capella treatment of "Stoned Soul Picnic"--way more than the original famous version by The Fifth Dimension.

Unlike "Sing Sing Sing", however, this c.d. is an eclectic olio, which basically proves that the NYV can knock you out in just about any kind of style. But I already knew that about them. I prefer c.d.'s with a theme--e.g., "Sing Sing Sing" and "Sings the Songs of Paul Simon."

Down Beat recently rated this c.d. at 3 stars. Down Beat is notoriously hard on jazz singers; but their biggest knock on this c.d. generally and on the New York Voices specifically is that, for as great as they are at vocal harmony, they don't really have a topflight soloist.

I've disagreed with that observation before, and I'll disagree again, at least to this extent:

Kim Nazarian and Lauren Kinhan are great singers, but I would grant you that Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne of the Manhattan Transfer are better solo singers. (And given that those two are two of the best solo singers in the world, there's no shame in saying so!) Peter Eldridge has a gorgeous lower register in his voice, and if he'd stay there he could become another Billy Eckstine or Earl Coleman. But he does sound like an ensemble singer in his upper register.

But Darmon Meador is just tremendous. The best cut on this c.d. (IMO) is "On a Clear Day", and that's because of Meador's scat solo. The second best cut (again, IMO) is the title track, and again, Mr. Meador is the featured soloist.

I think that, just as Nash D'Ville features Laurie Wheeler, the New York Voices should consider not being so democratic on solos, but instead feature Darmon Meador. He's that good.

Overall, 5 stars if you love it, says Amazon.com, and I love it. I recommend it; but if you are not familiar with The New York Voices, I recommend you buy "Sing Sing Sing" or "Sings the Songs of Paul Simon" first. There are some great moments on this c.d.; but there are more great moments on those. RC

This album captures all the energy and imagination from one of the most talented groups on the planet. On this album is everything from new treatments of jazz standards to pop/r&b covers and original tunes. Particular favorites include Kinhan's original "The World Keeps you Waiting", solo piano/4 voice "For all we Know", "No Moon at All" and the cool arrangement of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning. This is required listening for any serious jazz/vocal group fan. You'll dig it! It will live in my CD player for quite some time to come :)

I love this group, and I love this CD. Even the songs I thought I didn't like so much at first (mostly the originals) I now love. I sing and arrange vocal jazz myself, and to do what NYV has done on this album takes talent and dedication. Noteworthy musical events on this CD include: Darmon's scat on On A Clear Day, Kim's lead vocal on Jackie, the arrangement of Darn That Dream, Noticing the Moment (great play on words from the original, Moment's Notice) , and the harmony on the chorus of The World Keeps You Waiting is just so elegant. The only song I regularly skip is Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - it's ok, but there's nothing really great about that track. The rest of the CD more than makes up for that, and it is fully worth the purchase price if you are a fan of jazz and/or vocal harmony.

I have been enjoying New York Voices c.1997 and Hearts of Fire c. 1991 (my personal favorite) for years. I recently increased my anthology to include Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild by Count Basie and New York Voices c. 1990, Sing, Sing, Sing by New York Voices c. 2001 and A Day Like This by New York Voices c. 2007.

When I first listened to A Day Like This, I knew immediately it was a body of work that had more to offer than what I could glean casually. Each time I listened to it I discovered more musicality than I first experienced.

It is full of rich and complex harmonies, rhythms and melodies. It took 2 or 3 times to really appreciate how good this CD is. There is so much to enjoy; big band with horns and voices intertwined masterfully. I disagree with other comments that the NYV do not have soloistic star power. While individually they may not match Ella, Nancy Wilson, Diane Reaves, Carmen McRae Tony Bennett or Mel Torme, they are unmatched in vocal jazz ensemble singing.

Their scat singing is not only vibrant and technically accurate but feels spur-of-the-moment fresh and captivating.

If you like good jazz (and non-jazz styles), rich harmonies, vocal and instrumental layers neatly weaved into a rich harmonious fabric, you'll like this CD.

I just saw this group live in Astoria, Oregon and was BLOWN AWAY. Live performance was equally impressive as studio work. Blend with this group is perfect. The two guys in the group also play other instruments and are just as proficient on them as they are with their voices. Any vocal jazz fan should add this to their collection.

The best NYV CD to date! This talented, swinging group has produced a real gem. The arrangements and execution are superb. The balance and interplay between the singers and instrumentalists are beautiful. As a wise person once said, give it all the stars you've got!

This is one precise, talented group of singers. Pitch perfect, scat, and good tunes, what more could you ask for??? If you are a fan of real jazz.

Yeah, that's it! One of the best vocal recordings I've heard in the last years. Starting with DARN THAT DREAM, a smooth and precise baritone solo by Peter Eldridge, followed by a magnificent track called THE WORLD KEEPS YOU WAITING with a strong chorus with a nice tigh harmony very well chosen. Then I'd call your attention to NOTICING THE MOMENT (the CD's best track! - although in the last part there's a note that Kim could sing one octave up) and also to two beautiful bossa nova styled songs: CHAMEGO and A DAY LIKE THIS. JACKIE strikes you at once! It's brilliant and very well arranged. All the other songs are also very good. Great vocal arrangements and precise execution. So that I still keep the CD in my car since last month! It neve stops playing. I also had the oportunity to see the New York Voices live here in Brazil. It was amazing! And how gentle they are! Great musicians, lovely recordings: a must for jazz vocal fans!

This is one of the most stimulating, invigorating and enjoyable c.d.s I have heard in many years.
The standard of musicianship of the backing group is at the highest level, the bassist and drummer performing at the top level, with a maturity and finesse not often found.
As for the vocal performances, WOW, interpretation of the vocal arrangments, and delivery are as close to perfection as one has ever heard.
What an amazing group and this is one recording which I would recommend be in every true music fans library.
Again, as close to the perfect c.d. as one has ever heard.

I freely admit to being a fullout fan of this ensemble. I own all of their recordings and have seen them live several times. Having revealed my obvious bias, I will state that "A Day Like This" is among the best vocal jazz recordings I have heard. There is a pleasing mix of styles that do not result in an uneven album, but rather complement each other to create a satisfying whole. For those who may be unbelievers, or jaded by the use of "Auto-tuning" in studios these days, I will also state that I saw them live in Cleveland in a small, jazz-club setting about two weeks after this CD was released, and their intonation is as flawless live as it sounds in the studio. These four people are true artists and work hard at their craft. Darmon Meader's arrangements are beautiful and the original tunes by Peter Eldridge and Lauren Kinhan are excellent. Modern vocal jazz does not get any better than this, folks. New York Voices are the real deal.