Customer Reviews

Live From Las Vegas

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

 

 

Another classic artist from the past. Close your eyes, imagine you are in Vegas during the golden era of the Rat Pack with Hall of Fame entertainers at all the Strip hotels, and then listen to one of best female vocalists of the era. Fantastic!! Las Vegas is 100 years old, and Nancy Wilson helped make it that way. Get this CD and cherish it.

wow is all i can say to this cd... it was made in 1968, (i wasnt even thought about.. lol...), but never saw the light of day, so capitol got it out the vaults just in time for me to get it, while im on my journey with nancy. excellent cd.. i know all the songs on the cd by heart, as much as i play it.. my favorites are, crazy butterfly, hello young lovers, if we only had love, we would have been fine, man... the whole cd is excellent.. take a listen to the samples, if u cant trust me... i wont steer you wrong, get the cd.

I am surprised this CD didn't receive more feedback on Amazon. It is truly a STUNNING recording by the one and only, Nancy Wilson. I actually purchased this disc 3 yrs ago when it was first released, but never really heard it from start to finish in its entirety. Well, I just did a few days ago and listened again today, and I must say, this CD ranks as one of Nancy's very BEST.

First, let me say I am truly SHOCKED for an artist of Ms. Wilson's stature in the music biz, that this CD officially ranks as only one of TWO Live recordings ever captured by her record company, Capitol Records; the other being the uniformly excellent, "The Nancy Wilson Show", but that one is still outdone by "Live In Las Vegas".

The one vocal quality I noticed is the somewhat leathery (sandpaper-ish quality) sound of Ms. Wilson's voice on this recording. I don't know if it's a result of the arduous performing schedule or the hot Vegas climate, but her voice does show fragments of "wear and tear". But this quality does not detract from the enjoyment of the CD. In fact, it may even enhance the listening experience, adding edge and bite to some of the tracks.

Sound quality is just SUPERB, SUPERB. I must really commend the folks at Capitol for their excellent remastering job. You can hear every nuance in Nancy's voice as well as the pin drops and hustling sound of the audience. The level of details captured is incredible.

Upon first or two listens, you may wonder why Nancy didn't choose more well-known standards from her hit Capitol albums like "Broadway My Way" or "Hollywood My Way" or "How Glad I Am" LPs -- all big sellers for her. But I think it's purposely Ms. Wilson's intent to break away from the obvious choices and go with eclectic and unexpected songs like the "K.C. Medley" with "Black Is Beautiful" being the ultimate STUNNER track on this CD. It will leave your jaw dropping when she finishes that last note. Ms. Wilson is not only singing, she is telling a story here. Too bad it is only part of a medley. They should've expanded the song to its full length.

Again, it really puzzles me why Capitol Records didn't take advantage with recording Nancy in more LIVE settings like this one during her 20+ years with the label, but at least we have stunning CD's like "Live In Las Vegas" to enjoy. How many times have I used the word "Stunning" in this review....well, it is exactly that! I strongly recommend you to get this recording. It's the next best thing to being in the front row in Sin City.

Please be clear that I love Nancy Wilson. I only started collecting her music last year after seeing clips on Youtube. I think that she had one of the greatest voices in Jazz/Pop history. However I was dissapointed with " Nancy Wilson Live from Las Vegas". She is not in good voice on this disc. It sounds like she is suffering from "Vegas Throat". Her voice sounds husky, rough and tired. Her signature belting, breath control, flexibility, lovely soft notes, and vibrato are not present. In addition the song choices are not inspired, although I did enjoy her version of "Black is Beautiful". If you want to hear Nancy Wilson live at her best, purchase "The Nancy Wilson Show" CD and/or the "Nancy Wilson at Carnegie Hall" DVD.