Embraceable You: Romantic Songs of George Gershwin

Beegie Adair | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 7, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 7, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Green Hill
• ASIN: B0001MAKL6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,764 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #20 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > General
  • #26 in Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop
  • #45 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > Bebop General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crisp and Cool Jazz Piano!, March 23, 2005

By 

Kevin Currie-Knight "Education Grad Student" (Newark, Delaware) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Embraceable You: Romantic Songs of George Gershwin (Audio CD)

Of all places, I first heard this CD playing in a gift-shop on Sanibel Island, Florida. As one who is attracted to the instrumental jazz ballad, I was quickly compelled (after a few minutes of listening) to ask the store clerk what CD this was, quite sure that it was probably Oscar Peterson or some other legend of the 'cool jazz' idiom. Instead, it was Beegie Adair, whom I'd never heard of. Now, not only have I heard of her, but I can't wait to hear more of her.

This CD is a collection of George Gershwin songs played by Nasvhille pianist Beegie Adair and her trio. And she is certainly more than suited to playing Gershwin, as her cool behind-the-beat piano stylings are some of the most lyrical I've heard. She is a terse player who, instead of using a whole slew of notes, manages to find just the right notes to solo with time and time again. Because of this, she is capable of filling the space to even the slowest of ballads (not to mention the mid-tempo stuff) with a delicate flair.

For those that have not heard Adair before, there are a few comparison's I can give. I was not suprised, for instance, when her website listed Oscar Peterson and Russ Freeman (Chet Baker Quartet) as two of her main influences. She has both the melodicism of Peterson and the cool, laid back approach of Freeman. Another comparison I might give is with the PIANO stylings of Diana Krall. Adair's solos, like Kralls, are delicate and understated but beautiful nonetheless (not to mention the obvious similarity in their song selections.)

To close, the only problem I had with this CD was that neither of the other instrumentalists (bass and drums) were given a chance to solo. Normally, I don't like bass or drum solos much, but 13 songs of all piano soloing can become a bit much if not broken up by other solos. Because of that, I find that the CD is hard to listen too all the way through; as beautiful as Adair's soloing ability is, it becomes a bit monotonous when that is ALL there is.

Still, I have to give this one 5 stars. Adair is just that good.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't go wrong with Beegie Adair, October 16, 2004

By 

iqprofessor "iqprofessor" (NC, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Embraceable You: Romantic Songs of George Gershwin (Audio CD)

I have bought all her albums ever since I heard the "I'll take Romance" CD. Her music is relaxing and soothing. Unlike some jazz panist that gets too loud or wild with their music, her style is more calm but yet she makes the songs her own. Great for dinner parties. Great CD.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the best!, January 26, 2005

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Embraceable You: Romantic Songs of George Gershwin (Audio CD)

Ok..I'm going to rave now but this album is superb. The choice of songs is wonderful and the way Beegie Adair plays them is stunning. I've just discovered her but am truly going out to locate her other albums TODAY! Lovers of romantic jazz....don't miss her!