Customer Reviews

Lush Life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of Wilson's works in stock, I only like "Love, Nancy" better. This is truly one of her finest - combining jazz standards (Lush Life, You've Changed), carbaret tunes (Over the Weekend), and at times having a show-tuney sound (Free Again). Nancy's voice is strong throughout the album. Ah the Apple Tree, You've Changed, Lush Life, Sonny, and Free Again are extremely strong; the others are good as well. If you love Nancy, you will love this one; if you want to try some Nancy to understand the "hype," this (rather than some of her 1980s and her most recent release) is a good place to start. ENJOY this as I have.

Of Wilson's works in stock, I only like "Love, Nancy" better. This is truly one of her finest - combining jazz standards (Lush Life, You've Changed), carbaret tunes (Over the Weekend), and at times having a show-tuney sound (Free Again). Nancy's voice is strong throughout the album. Ah the Apple Tree, You've Changed, Lush Life, Sonny, and Free Again are extremely strong; the others are good as well. If you love Nancy, you will love this one; if you want to try some Nancy to understand the "hype," this (rather than some of her 1980s and her most recent release) is a good place to start. ENJOY this as I have.

Two words - Buy It. This album is a classic. Sassy, Broadway, seductive, melodic music makes for years of enjoyment . . .

By far one of the greatest vocal recordings and my personal favorite of Miss Wilson. Her complete musicianship is thrilling here in lush arrangements which show her complete vocal control. Miss Wilson can phrase like no other. If you are a student of how to sing - buy this one for sure! Andrea Baker Los Angeles based jazz singer

I don't have a lot of Nancy's albums, but I have heard her sing as an older, mature singer. Like Lady Day and Sarah V., I think she sang best when she was young, and I am not talking about voice quality. These singers had vocal quirks which they used only sporadically when they were young. When they got older, they used them more often in addition to deviating from the melody drastically. IMO, this led to a depreciation in the quality of their vocals.

That being said, this album was recorded when Nancy was young, and is super. My favorites are "River Shallow", a relatively unknown tune by Andre Previn, which swings madly thanks to a great arrangement by Oliver Nelson (?). "Midnight Sun" has a divine lyric by the best lyricist in the business, Johnny Mercer. Nancy caresses the words she sings as if she were making love to them. And "When the World Was Young", with another lyric by Johnny Mercer (this time a translation from the French--this guy could do anything) is so beautiful it sends shivers up my spine every time I hear it.

Many of the other tunes on the CD are relatively unknown, and Nancy does a fine job of interpreting them. Her feel for the lyric was never better, with unerring rhythm and a full, expressive voice. Don't miss this one.

This is the only record my wife and I had in Germany in 1967. Loved it then and love it now. What a great use of tone and half/bent notes.
Wonderful sound and words and accompanyment. Listen and relax.

My very favorite Jazz Female artist is Nancy Wilson. She can make any song sound like a winner!! I own several of her CD's.

Ms. Wilson performed these songs so brilliantly that I
cannot imagine anyone surpassing or even equaling
her efforts.
She has created virtual cinematic experiences with each
and every piece.
The arrangements are very lush and classy.
If you like "September of My Years" by Frank Sinatra
you would probably like this album; they are very similar.

Until I heard this album, I thought June Christy's recording of "Midnight Sun" was 'it.' No more. Every aspiring female [jazz or 'great american songbook'] vocalist should listen to this CD, over & over. It is one of Ms. Wilson's finest.

Some people should not lose historical perspective and should not mix up old and past of a master in singing. "Lush Life" is a superb program with 12 cool arrangements which honor GAS.