Customer Reviews

Lucky Man

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Dave Koz on an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. He was supposedly in concert and he played "You Make me Smile" and I couldn't believe how much I liked the song. It was peppy, upbeat, and downright fun. So, I came across the CD and gave it a listen. The whole disc is filled with music that makes you notice it. Perhaps the most fun track is "Saxman" which features Koz, Clarence Clemons, and Steven "Doc" Kupka, from Tower of Power. Another quality track on the disc is "Tender is the Night" which features Phil Perry on vocals.

Koz always seems to work with excellent talent, and he continues to do so on this record. In addition to Perry, Clemons, and Kupka, he also works with his brother, Jeff, Jeff Lorber, Nathan East, Bill Payne (from Little Feat), Jimmy Haslip, and Booker T. Jones. All in all, a worthy album for any jazz lover's collection.

Until a friend recommended this album to me, I had no idea who Dave Koz was. I hadn't even listened to him. Now I'm flat-out in love with his music! "Shaking the Shack" is a track I love to play, with the slick sax sounds blended in with the sweet guitar of Robben Ford and Chester Thompson's jamming organ solo. I also like "Faces of the Heart," even though I haven't watched ABC's "General Hospital." My other favorite tracks are "Don't Look Any Further," "Saxman," and "Wait a Little While." And Koz ahs definitely saved the best for last with the sentimental "Misty." If you want a jazz album that shows a mix of emotions effectively, then look for this and other Dave Koz albums. Play that jazzy music, white boy!

When we want to get the day going right, all we have to do is put Lucky Man on the CD player, and the rest of the day falls right in place. Gwen, our operating room nurse knows to go straight to You Make Me Smile, after which everything becomes easier. I thank Dave Koz for many fine hours of premium listening.

I bought this one after my husband and I heard Dave in concert in Tampa during the 1994 Gasparilla Festival--Laura Branigan was the headliner, but in my opinion Dave stole the show from the moment he walked onstage and played "Shakin' the Shack." That number opens this album, and it's a great ride from there to the closing notes of "Misty." You've got everything here from dreamy romantic songs (Faces of the Heart, Lucky Man, and Tender is the Night) to "get down and party" ones like "Saxman" and even some gospel "Wait a Little While."

Half the fun of listening to Dave's music is that you never know who's going to show up to play with him, sing, or have a speaking part. He's got some great fellow sax masters jamming with him on "Saxman"--at least one of them who's toured with arguably the best rock showman of our generation.

After I bought this one, I basically stopped buying and listening to Kenny G. Dave's stuff is much more fun, less "commercial," and quite frankly, his playing tone is much smoother. But that's just my opinion. Get this one, grab your honey, and settle in for a nice winter evening. . .

I remember travelling the Connecticut countryside listening to CD101.9 out of NYC when the announcer played the title cut "Lucky Man." I was immediately hooked. I went out and bought the CD. Dave Koz's ballads top the charts in sensuality, and are unmistakebly 5 star quality. "Tender Is the Night" is another one of my personal favorites from the CD. Sometimes when I hear Tender is the Night, I drift into quiet reverie and enjoy every minute of it. THis CD is spectacular. The two aforementioned songs a true jazz connoisseur will savor. If you don't have this CD, please treat yourself to this tasteful listening enjoyment.

Koz's second CD Lucky Man is not as good as his first, but there are still many good songs on this CD. The second song, "You Make Me Smile," is one of the coolest smooth jazz songs I've ever heard, because of the numerous chord changes. I also love the uplifting, energetic "Saxman," which features many guest musicians, such as Maceo Parker on alto sax and Tower of Power's "Doc" Kupka on bari sax. "After Dark" is also a cool sounding, slow funk tune that's loaded with percussion. This CD is a melting pot of peppy, funk songs and slow ballads with many guest musicians, and Dave has proven that he is one of the greatest "Saxmen" in the world.

Dave Koz is the definitive artist for smooth jazz. The cut "You Make Me Smile" does just what the title says. "Tender Is the Night" shows how to take a beutiful ballad and turn it into the smoothest of smooth.

Born on the west coast, now living between New York and California, when not on the road, Dave Koz is not only a jolly good fellow and a fun DJ. He also is an excellent musician. The toughest critics say he is an imitator of Sanborn. I say that even Sanborn's best album is not as good as this "Lucky Man". This CD has it all : Fun ("Lieutenant Castillo", from "Miami vice", on the "Saxman"), Romance (with a brilliant, as always when singing for other artists, Phil Perry on the vocals), Cover versions ("Don't look any further"), and Power ("Silverlining", for instance). Difficult for anyone to do better, and a hard challenge for Dave Koz himself (he cleverly did a follow-up that goes in a totally different direction, playing sort of folk-jazz). The album is from 93, but even today it still sounds great, when others sound "old". Definetely one of my favourites, if you still had not guessed it by now....

Dave Koz is the premier performance saxophonist of the 90s and demonstrates this within the realms of this album. Most highly recommended is Saxman featuring a plethora of saxophone artists (e.g. Clarence Clemmons, Doc Kupka, Maceo Parker,etc.). Other notable tracks include Silverlining and Shakin' the Shack. Dave demonstrates flawless altissimo execution effortlessly in almost every track. A capella and the finishing touch is his rendition of Misty. In this, Dave speaks one on one with the listener climaxing with a penetrating altissimo A. Highly recommended listening!

Smooth Saxman Dave Koz delivers again with Lucky Man. This is an album which explores various areas of contemporary jazz, and we are all taken along for the ride with the soulful and effervescent artist. From the smooth and soulful"Tender is the Night" and "After Dark" to the smoking hot "Saxman", this album is a trip from one end of the genre to the other, and it's a great ride. A must have for all contemporary jazz listeners.