The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Nancy Wilson (Jazz) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00005Y1YL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,152 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING!, February 19, 2002

By 

Harry N. Cohen (New Haven, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music (Audio CD)

I am usually hesitant to shell out money for a boxed set, but the minute I heard about The Essence Of Nancy Wilson, I knew I would purchase it on it's release date. I did and I am thrilled. Nancy Wilson is without a doubt the most technically proficient singer in jazz,pop,r&b, you name it and Miss Nancy can sing it. There are 4 discs in this set, a total of 81 cuts and there is not a bad cut among them...well, maybe one, bi=ut more about that in a bit. This set covers material recorede by Nancy during her Capitol years 1960-1980, with a few tracks from her Sony years in the 80's and 90's. The high point of the set is a previously unreleased live set from the Sands in Las Vegas recorded in 1968.This show was amazing and features many great Wilson moments.Nancy's version of Jerome Kern's The Folks Who Live On the Hill is breathtaking. Nancy's use of silence and incredible phrasing on this cut are true artistry.This cut is absolutely the best version of this great standard ever recorded...pure perfection. Yje live set also features a beautiful medley dedicated to her (then) young son KC. The last song on the medley is Black Is Beautiful, a song I remember Nancy doing in the late 60's. This version is heartbraking, empowering and loving. Disc one feature some singles that never charted and a few that did including Nancy's Grammy winning How Glad I Am and 1974's You're As Right As Rain.Highlights of disc three include Billy Strayhorn's Passion Flower, Free Again (a staggering vocal), Glad To Be Unhappy, an out of left field but achingly poignant version of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne,and How Many Broken Wings from 1970's Now I'm A Woman, Nancy's foray into the then burgeoning Philly sound. This disc also feature Sunshine, the one clinker out of 81. This cut is from Love, Life and Harmony, Nancy's sort of disco album.Disc four includes a lovely version of Jobim's Wave, Morning In Your Eyes, and the incrredible The Island. This song is the musical equivalent of making love. Listen and you'll see what I mean.This disc ends with 3 more live cuts from a Japanese release from 1975..When Did You Leave Heaven Guess Who I Saw Today and the aptly titled Greatest Performance Of My Life, all are showstoppers. One minor complaint...the profusely illustrated booklet, featuring all of Nancy's Capitol lp covers, previously unreleased photos and exhaustive liner notes fell apart after only 2 readings. Staples anyone? Seriously, this is the best boxed set I have ever purchased. Buy it and you will agree.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FROM A BIG FAN IN SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music (Audio CD)

Miss Wilson is my favorite singer -- there are no exceptions -- so of course I immediately added this set to my collection. I'll admit, however, that -- so far -- I'm stuck on Disk 2, which begins with her live performance at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in '68. She mixes old and new, adding her unique style and talent to each song. This CD, alone, is worth the price of the set. I've seen Miss Wilson in person many, many times over the years, and this Sands performance captures her spirit and art with grace and style. I'll soon move on to the other disks in the set, but I couldn't wait any longer to post my hearty recommendation. I know you'll enjoy!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Awesome, December 20, 2002

By 

MEA (Buffalo Grove, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music (Audio CD)

I have been purchasing Nancy Wilson albums for years so I believed that I had heard all of her recordings. Well, I was wrong. This collection includes new songs from live performances that are excellent, along with different arrangements of old favorites. I agree with the reviewer who praised disc #2. It's a must for any Nancy Wilson fan. If you like to listen to Miss Nancy, buy this set.