Customer Reviews

I Got No Kick Against Modern Jazz: A GRP Artist's Celebration of the Songs of the Beatles

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...If you're into collecting all things Beatles or just like good jazz, you're sure to like this compilation.

George Benson opens with the romantic twist on "The Long & Winding Road". My favorite selections include Chick Corea's simple acoustic piano solo on "Eleanor Rigby", Tom Scott's alto sax on "The Fool On The Hill", David Benoit's lovely "Here, There, and Everywhere", Spyro Gyro's reading of "In My Life", Lee Ritenour's jazzy guitar licks on the surrealistic "A Day In The Life", and the lively rendition of "Blackbird" (I love those trumpets!). Dave Grusin closes with a bluesy piano solo for his reading of "Yesterday".

If you're like me, and love the Beatles as well as jazz, then this album is for you. Here you have everything from piano solos, jazz trios, jazz vocals, and larger ensembles. The arrangements and improvisations are brilliant, and I am quite sure that even those who aren't that familiar with jazz will enjoy this album. Especially if they enjoy Beatles songs. I really cannot pick a favourite from this album, they are all so good. Really has to be heard to be appreciated.

This is an incredible album especially if you are just getting your toes wet with light jazz. For the Jazz purist, this would probably be too contemporary. Highlights are Nelson Rangell's sax on "let It Be', Arthuro Sandoval's version of 'Blackbird' and George Benson's version of 'Long And Winding Road'. But don't sell the rest of the disc short - Diana Krall's version of 'And I Love Her' shines. Not a bad cut on this album.

I heard this CD at my friend's place. I fell in love with the music the minute I listened to it. Great music!

I've searched far and wide to find this recording from George Benson which is featured as part of this outstanding album. Words cannot express how romantic and unique his rendition of Long and Winding Road is to Beatles fans. Strongly recommend this album!

I bought this for George Benson's "The Long and Winding Road", being a big fan of orchestration. All the other songs are worthy of airplay but get none. Each one has an original sound and a different artist. My favorites are "Michelle" and "The Fool on the Hill". Apparently, many are missing out because people I play this CD for really like it once they hear it. It has been my favorite jazz CD since its release but I'm the only one I know who owns it.

On September 26, 1995, I was browsing the jazz section in the Tower Records in Washington, DC and a staff member was playing this CD. I was in musical heaven. I asked what he were playing and he just showed me the CD cover and told me that it was just released that day.

I purchased it immediately without bothering to listen to any other selections on the CD. When I got home I was elated to find that I purchased a musical treasure.

All of the renditions of the Beatles songs are incredible but my favorites are Michelle - Ramsey Lewis; A Day In the Life - Lee Ritenour, Fool on the Hill - Tom Scott; Long & Winding Road - George Benson and last but not least And I Love Her - Diana Krall and She's Leaving Home - McCoy Tyner. Not to mention the cool Peter Max art on the cover.

It's a shame but I don't remember ever hearing any of the cuts on the radio.

I am a little sad writing this because the Tower Record stores exists no more. The new generations will never experience the excitement of browsing the bins while immersed in a land of listening pleasure where you could find that CD (album for you oldies) that you have been searching months for. Going to the Information Desk with fingers crossed hoping they can locate an obscure CD.

The George Benson cover of "The Long and Winding Road" that opens this CD was enough to land this CD in my "favorites" bin forever. I dare say that it is even better than the original version. David Benoit's cover of "Here There and Everywhere" helps you understand why McCartney (or was it Lennon) called this his favorite Beatles song. Arturo Sandoval layers "Blackbird" with jazz horns and adds some real fire to the song.

EVERYONE I've played this CD for just loves it. Not too many of us own the darn thing, apparently, but everybody who has heard it loves it.

I'm torn between sharing it with the world and keeping it to myself as a private indulgence. I want everyone to hear it but I like the privileged feeling of being an exclusive fan. Can't have it both ways, can I?

I don't think they set out to set the world on fire. Even the title suggests as much. That being said, they took liberties with some well-known songs and made it work. My favorite tracks? All of them. I bought this CD because of McCoy Tyner, for my money the best pianist around today. But the others were remarkable as well. Would I recommend this CD? Absolutely. Remember, this is not Coltrane doing "My favorite things." This is a group of stars who got together to have some fun. And have fun they did. I didn't give it five stars because there are no classics here. Just good music.

I like this one better than Come Together: America Salutes the Beatles (although there were some great performances on it). That one I recommend to country fans. However, this review is about a collection of jazz renditions of Beatles songs and came out just months before The Beatles Anthology television special. If you like jazz or just like all things Beatles, you'll love this!

This CD opens with George Benson doing "The Long and Winding Road" more romantically than the original. Tom Scott plays a nice sax on "The Fool on the Hill". Chick Corea plays a simple piano solo on "Eleanor Rigby". Lee Rittenour plays a nice guitar improvization on "A Day In the Life". Nelson Rangell's sax on "Let It Be" is melancholy. The highlights for me are Spyro Gyra's "In My Life", David Benoit's lovely rendition of "Here, There, and Everywhere", and Arturo Sandoval's lively take on "Blackbird" (on this one, the horns supply a majestic introduction). The compilation closes with Dave Grusin doing a bluesy piano solo on "Yesterday" (which is supposedly the most covered Beatles tune ever). Also, Peter Max, popular artist back in the 1960's, offers some surrealistic artwork.