Customer Reviews

Let There Be Love

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You'd think eventually they'd run out of ideas, but not John Pizzarelli Trio. The album features four originals, two with his wife, Jessica Molasksy (with whom he penned A Lifetime or Two and Wouldn't Trade You on Kisses in the Rain), as well as one solo and one with the inexhaustable pianoman, Ray Kennedy. For those familiar with the trio- a heads up about the percussion. It doesnt interfere with the music. It's well done and (I'm not making this up) Tony Tedesco played brushes on a phonebook. I imagine it's hard to be overpowering while playing the Tri-Borough Area yellow pages anyway. Enjoy the trio's latest with guests old friend Harry Allen on saxophone; Dominic Cortese on accordian; Jesse Levy on cello; Ken Pelowski on clarinet; and the unstoppable Bucky Pizzarelli on his own seven string. There are no better jazzmen out there-don't miss their latest achievement.

From, "These Foolish Things" to "I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do", it's clear that John Pizzarelli wanted listeners to experience the spontaniety of "being in love". He succeeds. Along with pianist Ray Kennedy, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, percussionist Tony Tedesco, saxophonists Harry Allen and Ken Peplowski, Accordionist Dominic Cortese, cellist Jesse Levy and his father guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli, he elicits remembrances of that first touch, first kiss, the wedding day, the rainy afternoon, or everyday basking in the wonder of love. A delightful album!

As always Pizzarelli and his trio offer great listening. Their gifted musical honesty is always a pleasure. Many judge Pizzarelli's voice as limited but his engaging prformance along with Kennedy's piano playing is anyting but limited. Worth the listen time and again because their music is always an uplifting and involving experience. Their guests on this recording just make the whole package all the more irresistable. That they all are having a good time and enjoy musical making to the hilt is their greatet contribuation to what they do so well. In their hands the commonplace becomes extraordinary. With their gentle side they are real, and combined with their jaunty style they have few equals. The only thing better would be to see and hear them in the Oak Room at the Algonquin.

I had the great good fortune this holiday season to receive John Pizarelli's new C.D., Let There Be Love, as a gift. I've known John Pizarelli's distinct, melty voice from my cast recording of Lady Be Good, where he sings the Gershwin classic 'Fascinating Rhythm,' and from commercials for Foxwoods Casino, but I've never actually owned a C.D. of his before. I was really excited, and took the time out to listen to it later that week. Let There Be Love is a C.D. of jazzy love songs, some universally known, such as 'Stompin' At the Savoy,' and some written by John himself (with the help of others, including his wife, Jessica Molaskey--the "femme fatale" he used for photographs inside the album cover). The album is a pleasure to listen to and is absolutely beautiful. John's sweet toned voice makes you wish he was singing the beautiful love songs to you, and his talent on the guitar would make legends Djengo Reinhardt proud. And the band...the band is something I just can't get enough of. You can hear every member's special instrument, and an unexpected and pleasant surprise is the pronounced accordion playing in 'Da Vinci's Eyes' by Dominic Cortese. I highly recommend this album for anything from dates to wind down music. Now I have to go and buy the rest of John's C.D.'s!

I stumbled onto John only because he was once suggested by Amazon during one of my many purchases of Chet Baker. Now I have all of his albums and I love his stuff and I want to see him live in a smoky jazz bar. I love the old romantic stuff (as well as anything from Pink Floyd to Diamond Rio) but Pizzarelli has earned a special place in my heart as well as my wife's and when we first listened to this album.....I admit it...we had to get up and slow dance right in the living room(in front of the children). If you have a fire place, Get out the wine and start a fire first....and send the kids to gramma's.

The trio has come out with another winner. I saw the trio when they were last here and they knocked my socks off with their swingin' rhythm and soothing ballads. It's all captured here. Kisses In The Rain, also recorded on the Telarc label promised to catch the spontaneity of a live performance. It did and they carry on the tradition. With John's sweet vocals and delicate guitar-playing, Martin's stomping rhythm and Ray's tinkling piano, you can't go wrong. Throw in some masterful songs written by members the trio and Jessica Molasky and you've got an album to die for. Since their appearence I have started collecting albums, and this is a very very welcome edition.

you know, pizzarelli is really thinking about his good looks when he goes into the studio. thats where he knows he's going to sell so many cd's! he is smart, isn't he? he's probably sold TONS of cd's just on his smashing good looks. the amazon reviewer seems taken aback by the packaging. he has certainly read the liner notes, mentioning the guitar and suit and taking a guess at where the photos were taken, but he hasn't read them enough to spell miss molaskey's name correctly or to realize it is a co-written song.i am sure the cd was meant to be enjoyed with a friend and is that such a crime? i don't think so. lighten up.

I have never been to Fire Island, but the photos look like they were taken at someone's home on their porch. I think he should be commended on the simplicty of them. There's no fancy technologically altered background with psychadelic forms. They're rather refreshing; and just because the album features mostly "slow songs", does not lessen the quality the ones featured. They are charming, and some DO swing, especially Stompin' at the Savoy and All I Saw Was You, as does the collaborative effort of pianist Ray and John's It Our Little Secret (which was written lyric-less by Ray the day John's daughter was born and was originally to be a children's tune). Follow is as soothing and mellow as they come. John's vocals can warm any heart

"You will be listening to fifteen live performances, warts and all, but honest and from the heart. What you will be hearing spans seventy years of song writing....songs which reflect the universality of love over time....So make yourself at home. There's a place on the couch for two. Enjoy." ~ With love, John Pizzarelli ~

First off, I would like to congratulate John Pizzarelli for a well-deserved recognition bestowed upon him last month. He is the recipient of this year's "Ella Fitzgerald Award." This award was established in 1999 by Festival International de Jazz de Montreal and is given to exceptional jazz singers renowned on the international scene for their valuable contributions to jazz music in terms of "versatility, improvisational originality and quality of repertoire."

With so many honors and awards given to him in addition to his numerous recordings, live shows and concerts, John Pizzarelli has made a name for himself. He maintained his status as one of the pioneers behind the reinvention of standards from Great American Songbook and introducing them to younger generation.

"Let There Be Love" is one album that is sure to impress. It is something that any Pizzarelli fan cannot ignore for all its musical attributes. The material is a mix of standards and some of his originals most notably "Da Vinci's Eyes," which features the sound of accordion that radiates an old-fashioned charm played by Dom Cortese.

The repertoire offers something for everyone's taste. If you love a bit of zest and verve, "Stompin' At The Savoy," "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket" and "Let There Be Love" will surely delight you. If you're inclined towards mellow rhythms, "You'll Never Know," "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" and "Everything I Have Is Yours" are just the perfect tracks to enjoy.

To me, I'm simply contented with the third track, "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)." He picked this song from the treasure chests of a trio of songwriters Jack Strachey, Harry Link and Holt Marvell, reinvented it, given it a whole new twist, spiced it up with fresh arrangements and voila...a five-minute-track that is sure to impress. It's an enthralling musical outing! The versatile singer/musician/songwriter has made a statement with his top-notch delivery and made it the album's center of attraction.

"An airline ticket to romantic places
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you...

You came, you saw, you conquered me
When you did that to me
I knew somehow this had to be"

With a little help from his family (Bucky and Martin Pizzarelli) and his long-time musical partners (Ray Kennedy, Harry Allen, Tony Tadesco, Ken Peplowski and Dom Cortese), John Pizzarelli has succeeded in creating the album's musical aura for the listeners to enjoy while unwinding and relaxing on tranquil nights.

With my heartfelt recommendation. You'll enjoy it as much as I have.

i ordered the cd from john's website and loved it! harry allen, ken peplowski and john's dad, bucky all play on this cd(all not mentioned in your review, hmmm?)plus there are some songs here that weren't familiar to me, like dave frishberg's OUR LOVE ROLLS ON. i thoroughly enjoyed it.