Customer Reviews

Live in Montreux 91-97

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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Fans of Rachelle Ferrell know how enjoyable her live shows can be. A little sassy, a little smooth, hers is a talent born for the stage, which is porbably one reason that her name, while big in jazz circles, hasn't quite reached the echelon of Cassandra Wilson or Diana Krall. "Live In Montreaux" covers a lot of ground in making up for that.
This disc actually features pieces of two shows, one from 91 and one from 97, each featuring different musicians. 9 of the songs are from the '91 Montreaux show that is legendary amongst RF's fans (as well as jazz critics), when she played with a trio of Philly boys and wowed the crowd.
The best tune on the disc is a Rachelle original, "I'm Special" which features George Duke. The tune bounces, both by the propulsion of Rachelle's incredible voice and some great keyboard and percussion work. Ms. Ferrell's voice on this tune is in excellent form, and the bliss in her voice while singing this tune carries well to CD.
Rachelle chose her covers very wisely, particulary in taking on "My Funny Valentine". While this tune has been covered to death, there is a torch quality to Rachelle's version that gives the song a real sense of freshness. "You Don't Know What Love Is" is also gorgeous, and compares very well to the Cassandra Wilson version on "New Moon Daughter".
Other highlights - "I Can Explain", "With Every Breath I Take".
Anyone who is a Rachelle fan probably pre-ordered this album, knowing how enjoyable her voice is live (NOTE - this recording translates well from performance to CD, something rare in many jazz circles given the subtleness and complexity of orchestration). For the uninitiated, this is a great starting point for turning on to one of the most vibrant, yet underappreciated singers of our day.

Aight, it's an hour later. I've had time to recover. I'm sitting here munchin' on a jam sandwich in amazement at the beauty of Rachelle's craft. Rachelle, I salute you for your endurance, bravery, innovation, and experimentation which characterize your work and make you one of the most beautiful artists our planet has known. That said, this cd is the bomb! Rachelle breathes life into each song making them wholely hers, claiming them whether she wrote them or not. She makes music and personifies Spirit in a way to be remembered forever.
She swings the bejeezus outta 'You Send Me'. She seems completely comfortable and at home amongst the Eddie Green Trio but I guess they'd had a year or two's practice together by then.
On 'You Don't Know What Love Is' she simmers with the spirit of unrequited love. She kills it.
'Don't Waste Your Time' is filled with the vocal percussion, etc. that shows once again her dedication to discovering her potential.
She then blesses us with the live interpretation of her version of 'My Funny Valentine'. I woulda paid [money] just to hear the last "daAaaAAaaaaayyyyy!" she hits.
Easily one of her most powerful, evocative songs of all, 'I Can Explain' captivated audiences even as early as 1991. The fact that it is still so widely admired and requested is a testament to the power and sheer beauty of this song. This early version shows its primal magnificence way before it was ever recorded for Individuality.
George Duke comes out and spreads a little magic over 'I'm Special'. "I'm special in your life!" Ain't that the truth?
With 'Bye-Bye Blackbird' Rachelle keeps the powerful atmosphere going, effortlessly (seemingly so... but we know she's worked so hard) beautiful and entrancing.
The live version of 'Prayer Dance' is a treat. Masterful and divine with every step, Rachelle dances her dance of Spirit and invites us to dance with her.
On 'With Every Breath I Take', Rachelle takes a beautiful song and makes it heavenly. The accompanying musicians weave a beautiful tapestry of sound behind her as she rumbles out the lowest low note I've heard from her yet.
'Me Voila Seul' finds Rachelle soaring in honor of the great Charles Aznavour and bringing new greatness to his wonderful masterpiece.
And 'On Se Reveillera' shows the beat-boxing, goddess of voice we all know and love.
Rachelle is a queen y'all. Auntie, you're amazing.
If you can't tell, I like the cd aight. ;)
Peace and love y'all,
Daniel

Stating the obvious, her range is unbelievable. Her improvisational skills are nearly unmatched. But what impresses me most about Rachelle Ferrell is her ability to sing pure emotion. In that sense, I can think of no other singer that can do what she does. Whether she's expressing anguish, joy, despair, or tenderness, the listener is immediately transported to the place where that emotion resides. Her ability to take the listener to that place earns her the listener's implicit trust--we know, through a kindrid-spirit kind of connection, that she's "been there." And she reminds us that we've been there too. It's from that safe, common place that we're able to appreciate the technical prowess with which she transforms unformed feeling into sound.
And the best part is; she doesn't even needs words to do it.

I can't believe it took me this long to discover this woman. she is amazing. I totally suggest this to anyone who loves real music. She is definitely an artist who does not get the acclaim she deserves. This Album is a true gem.

If you like the human voice and all it can achieve, you cannot but stand in awe after listening to this record, which shows what this woman can do with that instrument that is her voice. WOW !!! In this recording of a 1991 live concert at Montreux Jazz Festival, to which she was invited as some sort of back voice to artists of great and well deserved fame (Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan and others), she must have certainly stolen the show after her demonstration of vocal prowess & ability.
It is not only that she could really convey all the sentiment that the lyrics intended to... it will be the sheer power of her voice what will blow your senses off. Though sometimes her interpretations might resemble the effect of vocal fireworks, she does not overshadow either the spirit or the melody of the song being sung, which is a fortunate achievement, to say the least.
While nearly all of the songs in that CD are real treasures, in my opinion, the highlights of the whole CD are three songs, tracks 5 ("My Funny Valentine"), track 6 ("I Can Explain") & track 7 ("I'm Special")... and you may add "Me voila seul", a song written by Charles Aznavour which she sang as beautifully as it may get.

I'll bet you will feel all the electricity, all the exhilaration that such crowd felt back then, when she finished singing "I Can Explain", a dark, deep, extraordinarily heartfelt song of her own, which she not just only sang beautifully but also playfully where most singers simply would have given up, after reaching the highest note possible...

Hats off to her & her god-given talent !!!!... I simply wish I had been there then... ;-)

She is amazing! Each album is a new experience in the true ART of music.

Rachelle's fourth release, comprised strictly of (LIVE) recordings, chronicles the musical history of an (ARTIST) who has proven once again, that (INDIVIDUALITY) means everything!!! She enlighten's her listeners to the fact that these performances are purely stages of "risk-taking" and "vocal development". If this (AMAZING) display of artistry is what defines musical imperfection...GIVE ME PLENTY OF IT!!! You will be (MESMERIZED) by Rachelle's rendentions of: "I Can Explain"-(Which was still in it's BEGINNING stages), "With Every Breath I Take", "On Se Reveillera"-(Vocal execution and acrobatics at it's BEST), "Don't Waste Your Time" and "Prayer Dance"-(A PROFOUND display of GOD-GIVEN range). She REMAINS, the (EPIPHANY) of all that is musically INSPIRING. A REFRESHMENT for the soul.

Multi-talented Ferrell is at her pristine best on this live recording. Although her studio albums show off her diversity, none of them capture her true, six-octave vocal range like "Live at Montreux". This is one of only a few live recordings where the listener actually feels present at the show(s). A must own for all jazz enthusiasts.

Only God could create the spectacular voice that Sister Rachelle posesses. I was introduced to this vocal genius 10 years ago by my brother who is also passionate about music and Miss Rachelle. When I heard this artist sing How CAN WE HEAL THE WOUNDS OF THE WORLD, IF WE CANNOT HEAL OUR OWN, WHERE DOES THIS PEACE ON EARTH BEGIN IF NOT IN THE HOME.I was so moved, I was consumed with the words, and have learned to sing along with her. If I could have contacted the President of the United States the NAACP or somebody to
say to them LISTEN to this WOMAN, hear her words and they would have felt the need to share the song with all the world. Rachelle speaks in this song How CAN WE HAVE PEACE IN THE
MIDDLE EAST WHEN THERE'S NONE AT HOME, HOW CAN WE HAVE UNDERSTANDING IN THE LAND WHEN THERE'S NONE IN THE WOMAN AND THERE'S NONE IN THE MAN. TELL ME WHERE IS THE LOVE,WHERE IS THE GOD IN YOUR LIFE. I feel this song should be a national anthem especially after the 9-11 disaster. There is so much to say about A RACHELLE FARRELL, she's dynamic, she takes notes UP and DOWN like no other. Rachelle and George Duke along with Al Jareau, visited my city, Kansas City, Missouri in August of 2001. I was unable to partake of this once in a lifetime concert but I played Rachelle's music weeks prior and after the concert as a tribute. RACHELLE, RACHELLE, RACHELLE, HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE SOMEONE THAT TRANSCENDS ALL THAT MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT? I am so greatful to have this opportunity to share my enthusiasms about this GREAT GENIUS OF A MUSICIAN. THE WORLD NEEDS TO BE MORE INFORMED OF HER,HER TALENT IS TRULY NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ENOUGH ON THIS PLANET. Tune your ears to this SISTER, she's a GOD given talent that we all should EXPERIENCE.

One of the best CDs I've ever owned! I listen to it EVERYDAY!