Customer Reviews

Hoagy's Children: In Celebration Of Hoagy Carmichael, Vol. 1

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It's hard for novice jazz listeners to know before listening to a CD whether they've got the real deal in their hands, or if they instead have picked up a lemon. This, my friends, is the real deal.

If you like Hoagy Carmichael, and you want to hear his music sung (and swung) faithfully, you should enjoy this album. My only regret (and it is a small one) is that "The Nearness of You" was performed wordless (although the guitar duet is exceptional) because I like the words so much.

These are tasteful songs, performed by a stellar group with a true love for Carmichael's work. I have it, I love it, and I couldn't rate it more highly. If you are not familiar with Bob Dorough (anyone around 40 should be, if you watched ABC TV on Saturday mornings to dig "Schoolhouse Rock") this is a great introduction to both him and Barbara Lea.

Dorough also plays piano on some of the songs, as does a young Bill Charlap. Dick Sudhalter, who has written books on Bix Beiderbecke and the influence of white jazzmen on jazz between 1915 and 1945 ("Lost Chords") plays cornet, trumpet and flugelhorn.

If you don't like it, give it to your Dad.

This is a CD release of some wonderful old vinyl. Thoughtful arrangements of Hoagy's hand-crafted songs. Unless you're a close Hoagy follower, you will probably find a few good ones you haven't heard before. Bob Dorough's voice is a bit of an acquired taste. I admit I've acquired it. For this kind of material, he's one of the most expressive and energetic on the planet. Barbara Lea's voice is lovely, and her performances are solid.

My car and I have put a lot of miles on this CD.