Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster

Jacintha | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 16, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Groove Note Records
• ASIN: B00000IZ62
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Georgia on My Mind

2. Our Love Is Here To Stay

3. Tenderly

4. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

5. How Long Has This Benn Going On?

6. Stardust

7. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

8. Pennies From Heaven

9. Danny Boy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Here's to Ben... and Billie, May 27, 2000

By 

Kelvin S. Yew (Singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster (Audio CD)

Meant as a tribute to Ben Webster, Jacintha's album nonetheless expresses her Billie Holliday Influence as well.

A well known singer and stage talent in the Singapore entertainment scene, Jacintha (in the tradition of one name jazz luminaries such as the Duke, Django and Ella) now pays her dues to the music she grew up listening to. The tracks, however, seem to read off as a listing of jazz standards rather than Ben Webster's works. Rather, the title implies a recognition of Ben's style of "discipline and restraint" as Jacintha asserts. What this means to the casual listener is you're going to hear some laid back jazz reminiscent of the pre west coast cool movement.

A very competent quartet provides the backdrop for Jacintha's vocals, with pianist Kei Akagi, Tedy Edwards on Tenor Sax, Darek Oles on Bass and Larance Marable on Drums. Like Billie, Jacintha exhibits her trademark backphrasing. Like Billie, she does an excellent rendition of "Pennies from Heaven", and "Georgia on my Mind", the latter albeit in the style of Dave Brubeck's version.

Not a landmark album by any stretch. This album delights rather than inspires. Relaxes rather than stimulates.

Recommended: If you are inviting someone special over for dinner.

Not recommended: If that someone special knows the differences between bebop, post-bop and third stream jazz.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars End of the day remedy..., February 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster (Audio CD)

Come home from work, or just the outside world. Pour a glass of wine for your partner and you and put this CD on the stereo. You will drop the worries and hastles of the world quickly.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why this woman hasn't taken off in popularity in the United States. This album is beautiful throughout and simply stunning in some places. Her use of silence is notable. Her accompanying musicians mesh exceedingly well with her. The resulting texture is lovely.

The recording is top notch. We just bought our first real "audiophile" system and have listened to all our older favorites...and this CD. This gets played the most by far.

There may be other female singers that you may enjoy. I cannot see anyone not being amazed by Jacintha's rendition of Danny Boy (I'm not Irish). Buy this instead of another album by one of the other more heavily touted female jazz vocalists. This is the Jacintha album to buy if you are going to try one rather than Autumn Leaves which is very good; this is simply wonderful.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Local girl makes good, sings jazz", November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster (Audio CD)

"Finally, after years of experimenting with Broadway tunes to TV themed songs, Jacintha returns to what she does best-singing jazz favorites. I first bought this virgin work a year ago and with much anticipation. Boy, was I impressed! Play the CD when you are happy. Play it when you are in the blues. Play it when you are in love. For Singaporeans, Jacintha is the definitive local girl made good, and I anticipate a growing jazz-loving crowd behind her as she takes on the international jazz arena. Watch out for her second jazz album in February 2000, for her tribute to Johnny Mercer. This is a record for all moods. Timeless."