Customer Reviews

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Higher Ground : Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wish we could have it all on one CD, but how fortunate to be able to listen to these fantastic pieces from the live concert. I found the Nevilles and Irvin Mayfield the most touching. With leRoy Neiman's illustration and Wynton Marsalis' inspiring written insert, Higher Ground makes a wonderful holiday present.

Towards the end of this amazing PBS concert, Elvis Costello sang Allen Toussaint's amazing obscure song "Freedom For The Stallion" featuring Mr. Toussaint himself on piano.

It was, on my opinion, one of the most spellbinding performances I have ever seen in television.

It's amazing that this priceless performance was left off this new CD collection.

I watched this program in it's entirety when it aired live on PBS and was thrilled by the incredible lineup of wonderful performers who gave equally wonderful performances! However, many of the night's most breathtaking performances were left off this CD completely! Wynton Marsalis' opening with "A'in no" ...Peter Cincotti's original "Bring Back New Orleans"...the list goes on. I must say I'm disappointed to see that so many stellar performances were not included and I'm puzzled as to why!

The description of this CD forgot to note this statement from Blue Note's website: "All net profits from the sale of the CD will be donated to the Higher Ground Relief Fund established by Jazz at Lincoln Center and administered through the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to benefit the musicians, music industry related enterprises and other individuals and entities from the areas in Greater New Orleans who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina and to provide other general hurricane relief."

You can't listen to this CD without Katrina's aftermath running through your mind. That doesn't make it a sad listening experience, just a very meaningful one beyond just the sounds coming through the speakers.
There's jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues... all the sounds that made New Orleans a music mecca. The performers are the best (Wynton Marsalis, Norah Jones, Aaron Neville, James Taylor, Buckwheat Zydeco and others).
Treat yourself to this stellar collection of artists/songs and do something to benefit New Orleans at the same time.

ok---I haven't heard the whole cd yet, and I'm sorry to see that others who have reviewed it were disappointed that certain cuts were 'cut'. HOWEVER, I'm about to purchase this cd based solely upon the one cut I heard yesterday on our local music station WWOZ in New Orleans. What I heard was Irvin Mayfield's "Just a Closer Walk With Thee". It's INSANELY GOOD. Being from New Orleans, I've heard this tune done dozens of different ways...and I've heard Irvin Mayfield live dozens of times...but this is beyond amazing. At least try to hear this cut IN FULL. This is a 'turn off the lights and concentrate' sort of offering.

I thought this CD was great, especially the Norah Jones cut. I am a huge James Taylor fan, but was a little disappointed in the JT cut (I love that song, but missed hearing the backup singers and band.) Plus, the CD was made for a great cause. As my friend said, "You can't beat music with a mission!"

Anybody who loves New Orleans will love this CD. It has many of the hit songs associated with the city performed by stellar
artists and many new interpretations of old favorites as well.
Best of all, buying the CD allows money to go to Hurricane Katrina relief.

Yes, there are some great performances from the concert missing, and overall this is a slightly uneven presentation, but the music is great. There are a few really inspired and inspiration performances and some that are simply moving. If you like Jazz, zydeco, New Orleans, or good music you owe it to yourself to get this CD.

I also really enjoyed this CD from various artists. Anything I can do to help in little ways like this, I am more than happy to do. My heart goes out to everyone still in NO. This CD will be played every Mardi Gras season I am around and maybe even on the off-season, too!