Customer Reviews

Kisses in the Rain

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording is about as far as one can get from Wagner, Verdi and Puccini but my introduction to this recording on a Connecituct Public Radio broadcast interview with Pizzarelli opened up a new world of music to me. A proof that music has many sounds and voices each magnificent in its own way. I was bowled over by Pizzarelli's voice - its smoothness, its intimacy of tone, its earnest sincerity - and his trio that offer some of the most moving and heart stopping momemts of gentle strength I've have ever heard outside of classical music. An absolute case of less is more, more and ever more... I regret I could not get to his performance at the University of Hartford some weeks ago. The reviews of it were estatic. This recording deserves a hearing by any body capable of being moved by genuine, sincere and gifted music making. Amd what great music making it is indeed!

This is yet another great cd by a truly talented trio of musicians that provides pure joy to any listener. Kisses in the Rain is a particularly beautiful song that remains on your mind after you've played it. John's brother Martin provides great bass lines to the trio's fast-moving swing tempos, and Ray Kennedy continues to inspire us all. Can't seem to get enough of John's sophisticated style and talented musicianship! A must buy for all jazz lovers.

Sparkling! Absolutely brilliant! John Pizzarelli and his Trio have another winner with "Kisses in the Rain." Loved the witty lyrics on "I Wouldn't Trade You" and the wonderful rendition of Bing Crosby's "From Monday On." This CD just makes you feel great! P.S. Check out his earlier "PS Mr. Cole" for more of this great Trio.

"It's one thing to say, 'Let's make arecord that captures the feeling of a live concert,' but another to actually do it. You go into the studio thinking you're going to make a CD that flows like a night at Carnegie Hall...but once the tension and expectations generated inside the studio walls are added, the results...always have missing ingredients--namely, the X-factor of the 'live' experience...The setup [for this album] was very tight: Ray just over my left shoulder, Martin to my direct right. Because of that closeness, no headphones were needed, and the atmosphere was one of a living room jam session..." So begins the liner notes for this album. I couldn't have said it any better. Not only does the trio exhibit is usual grace and agility, it makes the music come alive. For example, you can hear John's signiture thumb-thump on "I Thought About You." It's these small things that make a concert and concert. As if all that wasn't enough, this trio must have the quickest fingers in the Western Hemisphere. "I Got Rhythm" is incredible, and yet the trio can change gears with "When Lights Are Low." The album also features several original compostions. Ray, on piano, wrote "Oscar Night" as a tribute to the great Oscar Peterson. John himself composed the title track as well as the very comical "Baby Just Come Home To Me". The album also includes tracks John wrote with his wife, Jessica Molaskey; one of them being "I Wouldn't Trade You", written for the movie "The Out-Of-Towners". Their "A Lifetime or Two" will put a melancholy smile on your face. Who knew such a few collection of songs could hit upon so many emotions? The John Pizzarelli Trio can, without exception.

The trio really shines on this album. It is one of my favourite Pizzarelli albums and it includes what i believe, to be one of John's finest performances. "I Got Rhythm" is amazing the way he scats along with his guitar. I love it. Another stand out track is "I'm in the mood for love" .. truly beautiful. But each and every track here is a good one including the 5 originals, one an instrumental, "Oscar Night" written by Ray Kennedy in tribute to Oscar Peterson. This is an album that will appeal to everyone (at least, it should), whether or not they are jazz fans. 8 page booklet contains photos and liner notes written by John.

As a die fan of the crooners, Sinatra, Como, Martin, I am so glad I found John Pizzarelli...What a talent!!!His great vocals plus the great acoustic guitar sound..wonderful...and to have a great one sing the standards and to step up to the plate after the other great Italian singers have stopped singing...I especially lked his phrasing and intonations..and how some of the songs touched me like ole Sinatra used to...especially like he did with "I could have told you", a song from Frank's "Look to YOur Heart" album and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams"...Great album...great jazz guitarist and jazz vocalist...Highly recommend!

John Pizzarelli's latest effort, "Kisses in the Rain" is another landmark album that adds to his stature. After listening to this album several times it became evident to me that this is more than just a wonderfull album. Pizzarelli parts the water with the opening number, "From Monday On", gives a modern interpretation of Gershwin with "I Got Rythm", and melts hearts with "I thought About You". Ray Kennedy steps up to the plate on this disk with "Oscar Night", and Martin Pizzarelli fills in the rest of the blanks with rythms that keep you on the edge of your seat! I had the opportunity to see The Pizzarelli Trio live in Salt Lake City, and it was obvious that John is a virtuoso with his guitar, and a more than competent band leader. Quick and witty, with a touch of humor, Pizzarelli is paving his way to success with nothing short of hard work, and explosive guitar riffs along with outstanding, and ever enchanting vocals. If you havn't heard of Pizzarelli, this is the album to pick up. Sure it costs a few bucks, but you will thank me, I guarantee it!!!

John Pizzarelli and his trio are the freshest people to hit music in sometime. I was lucky enough to catch John twice in live performances and both times he was outstanding. I wish that there were more of him so I could love much more of him.

John Pizzarelli is a delightful singer; he's been singing and performing on guitar at a consistently high level since his very first efforts (remember I LOVE JERSEY BEST?). Appearing here with John is the wonderfully swinging Ray Kennedy on piano and brother Martin on bass. The program they play is varied and exciting. It opens with a terrific up-tempo version of FROM MONDAY ON, a tune associated with Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Paul Whiteman. Two other selections are taken way up (I GOT RHYTHM and BABY JUST COME HOME TO ME); the first has a fiery scat chorus by John (the A TISKET, A TASKET, quote is great!), the second is a tune written by him. Ray Kennedy can swing like mad and does so on these two numbers. In fact, Kennedy plays marvelously on everything here; I love his MOODY'S MOOD FOR LOVE quote on I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and his sexy approach on DON'T BE THAT WAY. John's composition KISSES IN THE RAIN would fit perfectly in a film noir movie, and his wife's tune, I WOULDN'T TRADE YOU, is reminiscent of a Cole Porter "list" tune. There are just a lot of pleasant surprises throughout the CD. I think it's one of John Pizzarelli's very best CDs and would recommend it highly to anyone who likes vocal jazz along with excellent small-group accompaniment.

This is music that will speak to everyone...People who don't like Jazz will love this. People who love Jazz will love it also...Everything is superb...you'll be singing along with it before you know it...