Customer Reviews

Jazz and the New Songbook: Live at the Madrid

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I have been a huge fan of Carmen Lundy of her earlier work but, I have to say that this 2 disc CD set is by far her best material to date. She has an outstanding set of musicians performing on the CD set. There isn't a mediocre song on this CD. As you listen, from one track to the next, the music gets better. If you enjoy a vocalist with artistry, creativity, and presence then you will enjoy this 2 disc set.

There isn't much that I can say about this album in under 1,000,000 words! It's THAT good! If you get past "Someone To Believe In" without marveling at the voice, songs, arrangements and musicianship, you're deaf!

A singer/ songwriter at her finest.

An early lead for the "Jazz Vocal" of the year!

From the opening great Carmen original "(Lucky Me)I'm In Love Again", it is clear that the lucky ones are those of us who possess this wonderous collection which is music at its very finest and one of the greatest live concerts ever recorded...listen to "One More River To Cross" and become a believer as Carmen enchants with a loose creative vocal that is mind-blowing and deserves to be award-winning as no singer alive today can match this! "Something To Believe In" is a soul-stirring tour-de-force that is beautiful beyond belief and by now it is clear that this tremendous concert is a total magical musical experience beyond compare filled with one stunning tour-de-force after another. Stand-outs abound such as the wildly rhythmic "Wild Child" which is a riveting journey into self-discovery, a bluesy and romantic "Send Me Somebody To Love" which has the sound of a classic standard along with the dark and haunting "You're Not In Love" which contains another remarkable vocal. Throughout Carmen Lundy shows that she is clearly the greatest singer/songwriter of her generation and in the jazz field a classic original equal to Ella, Ms. McRae and Sarah. Anyone who appreciates the ultimate in great singers should not miss this concert masterpiece filled with stunning vocal performances or the opportunity to see this wonderfully gifted singer who also happens to be a great songwriter in concert...nobody around today like her! Take off on a magical musical adventure and get lost in one great original classic after another such as the epic "(I Dream) In Living Color" where musical guides Billy Childs and Carmen & Co. are the capable of taking one to places unknown and will musically show you the time of your life!!! Bravo to Carmen Lundy for sharing your amazing and abundant talent and to all of the incredibly great musicians who gave their ultimate best throughout this tremendous landmark concert experience...WOW!!! I see a well deserved Grammy for this masterpiece!!!!!!

This is the jazz concert to end them all! The spectrum of talent is brilliantly evident from the opening number and it only gets better with each song.

Each composition is rich like a fine tapestry as ballads and up-tempo numbers are interwoven into a masterpiece. If you are already familiar with Ms. Carmen Lundy then you are in store for a wonderful journey that far exceeds any of her studio recordings, as only a live performance can bring. If you are not familiar with Carmen, get ready to be impressed!

Ms. Lundy's live concert is sweetly seasoned. She feels the music so thoroughly in her soul. There are deeply passionate moments as well as light comic ones. All of these songs are composed and arranged by Ms. Lundy. She brings unique freshness to her songs each time she sings them. Look for some clips of this concert on You Tube.

Now for some highlights: Carmen's vocal on her composition of "One More River To Cross" is sublime with Billy Childs on piano. Carmen's vocal in "Something To Believe In" is very fine. It is a gorgeous, sincere ballad. "Better Days" is a sweeping musical fantasy. "Where'd It Go" has some complex vocal arrangements and an awesome piano solo/accompaniment from Robert Glasper. The performance of "Afrasia!" has the most glorious interpretation of any song I think I have ever heard. It is at once complex, raw, yet delicate. "Long Journey Home" is a gripping jazz number which showcases many of the talented musicians on stage. Bobby Watson in particular is an accomplished artist. "You're Not In Love" highlights the highs and lows found in Carmen's sophisticated voice. "All Day, All Night" is an intense up-tempo thrill. "Old Friend" is the most poignant song in Carmen's repertoire. Her delicate vocal can touch you deeply to tears. And the finale "In Living Color" is dynamic as it showcases each musician.

One cannot talk about the musicians without mentioning Curtis Lundy. Carmen's brother Curtis is a musical genius whose strength and sensitivity tends to remain in the background. He is a serious bassist and has several amazing recordings of his own. And you can find excellent vocals from Carmen on his cds also.

As of this review, Carmen has been nominated for "Best Jazz Vocalist Of The Year" by Jazz Week. This is a well-deserved nomination for this multi-talented artist. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Carmen!

So goes the first line of the first song in this utterly astounding live concert, luckily for us captured on both DVD and double CD set. IN LOVE AGAIN opens the concert, with Ms. Lundy's polished and impeccable phrasing and intonation, horns ablaze. And, lucky me, it just keeps getting better with each song. Performed live, this ensemble brings us a more soulful rendition of SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN, with the LA String Quartet urging us along. The first set culminates in two back-to-back, outright swingin' and sassin' tunes, WHERE'D IT GO and WILD CHILD. The band by now numbers about 12 people, and everyone is clearly having a blast! Did I mention that these are all Lundy originals? Hail, hail the New Songbook!

This band has to be one of the most selfless bands ever assembled. Each player seems to genuinely want to give the stage over to the other, at the same time positively owning their own solos. Bobby Watson is a master. Phil Upchurch, an understated but oh-so-amazing wizard. The bass section of Curtis Lundy, Nathan East and Kenny Davis is nothing short of miraculous. What rhapsody to have up-and-coming Robert Glasper, a solid Billy Childs, and a very melodious David Roitstein on piano and keys. Two drummers on stage at the same time? COME ON! Victor and Smitty HIT! Mayra Casales gives us percussion passion and precision. And Steve Turre, the phenomenal trombonist, not only graces us with that instrument, but slays us with his mastery of the Conch shells.

While all this is going on, Carmen Lundy keeps it all together with her expressive leadership, unparalleled musicianship, and sheer vocal mastery. She debuts 3 new songs in this concert, AFRASIA - what a ride!; an impassioned WALKING CODE BLUE; and a gorgeous new holiday song HAPPY NEW YEAR. Closing with a rollicking IN LIVING COLOR where the band stretches out and lifts the roof off the house, I feel elated, exhausted and divinely satisfied. Am I a fan? You bet I am. And this release proves why you should be too.