Customer Reviews

Our Love Is Here to Stay

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I'm a sometimes pianist but a great appreciator of jazz. My wife is niether. But, we both love this cd. I don't think a week goes by that we don't play it at least once. And, the first month we owned it, we played it continuously. Anyone who can put over such campy songs as Avalon and Honeypie has got to be good. And Pizarrelli not only puts it over but makes me come back again and again. His engaging voice and style just make you want to smile everytime he sings. The big band back-up is also a very nice twist -- and I did not think I would like it, having heard him exclusively with small groups in the past. I own Ella, Sinatra, the Duke, Paul Simon, the Beatles and about everything in between. But this is easily one of the top five in my collection.

In my opinion, John Pizzarelli is a jazz guitarist/vocalist who deserves greater recognition. Although not a natural vocalist, he sings with a feeling of sincerity reminiscent of the crooners that were popular during the big band era. His guitar work is extraordinary. Whether the song is upbeat swing or a slow ballad, he can do it all. In upbeat charts such as "Avalon" and "Little Girl", Pizzarelli whips out bebop licks and chord riffs with blinding speed. He handles ballad chord solos and comping with such delicacy and sensitivity in such numbers as "It's Sunday" and his original composition "The Day I Found You". Don Sebesky did a masterful job of arranging the charts and conducting his big band. Popular music fans will be fascinated to hear the Beatles cover, "Honeypie", arranged as a hip, swing, big band chart. A definite keeper for jazz aficionados!!!

John Pizzarelli is an excellent jazz guitarist/vocallist, and on this album he shines. Most of the songs are performed with The Don Sebesky New York All-Star Big Band, but "The day I found you" is with his trio, and "It's Sunday" is performed solo. Included amongst the usual standards is a Lennon/McCartney song "Honeypie" and "Say Hey Kid" which John co-wrote with Don Sebesky and Ray Kennedy. Listen to guitar and piano on "Avalon"...beautiful. Makes you feel like dancing. Anyway, I could go on and on about how great every song is, and the wonderful instrumental breaks, but I won't. Just get this album and see for yourself.

John Pizzarelli remains a remarkably talented artist who tours and produces great music to this day; and on this CD from 1997 we get some of John's earlier work that sizzles and sparks like fire! John's artistry is very, very good; and aspiring guitarists and vocalists would do well to study his work. His interpretations of classic jazz numbers and love ballads leave people breathless.

The CD track set starts with "Dream." This classic love ballad gets a swinging big band style musical arrangement from John, his brother Martin Pizzarelli on bass, Ray Kennedy on piano and the Don Sebesky New York All-Star Big Band. The end result gives us an electric interpretation of "Dream" that would make Johnny Mercer proud. John sings well as the musicians play; and his extra lyrics will charm you.

"Our Love Is Here To Stay" starts off with John singing the opening verse against a relatively sparse musical arrangement; and when the band does come in "Our Love Is Here To Stay" shines like gold! Don Sebesky's arrangement makes good use of the horns, percussion and the piano as well. Great! If you listen very closely, the band makes a few very quick key changes that serve to enhance the quality of this number. "Avalon" gets a breakneck pace but this works very well; the guitar and piano actually improve "Avalon" greatly. Watch out for that guitar solo on "Avalon!" The musical interlude rises to a stunning crescendo and then jams really hard to raise "Avalon" to new heights.

"The Day I Found You ("The Pollywog Song")" boasts a romantic, wistful melody that relies on the piano and the bass to carry the bulk of the melody. John sings with panache and a great deal of sensitivity, more so than he does on other numbers on this CD. "The Day I Found You ("The Pollywog Song")" is a highlight of this album.

"(I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo" gets a sublime jazzy interpretation by John and the musicians; the backup male chorus bolsters John's vocals. This playful love song explores the happiness John's character experiences as he thinks of an upcoming visit to see his one true love. I think you will like "(I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo" very much! Great guitar and piano in the musical interlude, too!

"Rhythm Is Our Business" starts with a breakneck tempo that makes this number swing with the best of them! The guitar solo shines as does the brief bass solo; and the band's arrangement reflects good judgment. The backup male chorus harmonizes well, too. There are some pretty good improvised lyrics as well.

"Say Hey Kid" ends the CD track set. "Say Hey Kid" starts with a big band swinging arrangement that makes great use of the horns, bass, guitar and percussion. Andy Fusco also does a sublime alto sax solo on "Say Hey Kid." This jazzy, snazzy instrumental number leaves the listener begging for more--and more is what you'll get on other John Pizzarelli CDs!

The liner notes have great pictures of the musicians and the song credits are provided. The cover art has a great color photo of John Pizzarelli.

John Pizzarelli remains a strong force in the entertainment industry. If we're lucky he will continue to entertain us as only he can for many years to come.

Great job, everyone!

I love this CD mainly for two special classic standards - the title track, George and Ira Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here To Stay" (one of George Gershwin's last songs) and Johnny Mercer's "Dream." On these two beautiful tracks, his equally talented guitarist Dad, Bucky Pizzarelli, joins him playing his rhythm guitar, Ray Kennedy on piano and Martin Pizzarelli on bass. I never imagined that "Dream" can be interpreted in a totally different tempo, that of a swinging and invigorating arrangement. This is one of the best versions I've ever heard and I simply love it!

As always, John Pizzarelli's albums are so remarkably, brilliantly and tastefully recorded, be it with his trio or with a full orchestra. In this recording, he is paired with a fine and gifted arranger, Don Sebesky, whose works on the arrangements and orchestrations are the best-ever you could expect from any orchestrator.

An interesting feature is the added lyrics to "Dream," a tribute to one of the best lyricists of all-time, Johnny Mercer. Listen closely and I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I do. Here goes...

"He wrote so many of our popular songs
He's everybody's favorite verser
He was a native of Savannah."

The rest of the highlights include a song made popular by Nat King Cole, "Avalon," a classic from Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, "I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo" and Styne and Berkenhead's "It's Sunday."

"Dream, when you're feeling blue
Dream, that's the thing to do
Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream."

This has got to be one of the best-produced albums of any genre, ever. John Pizzarelli's vocalese is astonishing; not only can he play unbelievable riffs on the guitar, he can sing right along with them. The song Avalon comes as close to being a perfect arrangement as anything I've ever heard- absolutely brilliantly arranged and brilliantly played. I love jazz and anything by John Pizzarelli, but this is truly an Ultimate album. If you only get one Pizzarelli album, or one jazz album for that matter, this is the one to buy.

John Pizzarelli has a unique style that repsects the traditions of small ensemble jazz while remaining approachable and easy to listen to. A nice mix of vocals influenced by the style of Nat Cole, with a big band orchestration that reminds one of Harry Connick Jr. on his earlier albums.

A Wayne Newton sound-alike and not half as talented...Glad I bought this one on sale!