Customer Reviews

Marian Mcpartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast

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

 

 

It is always a pleasure to hear intelligent conversation and nice music... And this CD has both!
It starts with a rendition of a rare old song, "At Last", which was originally recorded by Elvis Costello's father with the Joe Loss Orchestra. Then comes a chilling version of "Almost Blue", which he wrote for jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. There's also a series of blue ballads like "Gloomy Sunday" and "You Don't Know What Love Is" which express Elvis' dark side and one can relate to the sadness in the composer's own work (I started to notice that songs like "So Like Candy", which appears in his album Mighty Like A Rose, might derive from his familiarity with this repertoire). The album ends with the original "I'm in the Mood Again", which was a premiere at the time this conversation was recorded (2003).
Fans of Elvis Costello will be delighted by these curious tracks, since it is not common for Costello to devote a complete recital to jazz standards. His voice was soft and he was very melody-conscious at the time. As for Marian McPartland, she's simply charming! Oh, I wish she was my grandmother! Not only her piano playing is delicate, but her conversation is so warm that she brings out Costello's boyhood memories which I had never heard in any previous interview.

It seems the 5 star rating is pretty unanimous on this one! Marian McP is a great interviewer and shows a great knowledge and appreciation of jazz, and Elvis fits right in and performs and sings beautifully! Plenty of great rare tunes you won't hear Elvis sing anywhere else too. Truly wonderful stuff. (And Steely Dan's Piano Jazz CD is just as excellent and satisfying too!) So stop readin' and start buyin'!

Must-have for all Elvis Costello fans with first-time EC recordings like "At Last" and intelligent, fun conversation from McPartland's radio show.

I ran across this by accident and gave it a listen. WOW!!! The interview is interesting and give great context to the music. I really enjoyed listening to this in this particular format. This recording showcases the phenomenal talents of both McParland/Costello.

I'm going to recommend this to a couple friends straight away.

Quite simply filled with some majestic vocals from Elvis Costello and great playing by McPartland. The conversations are interesting the first few times, but will certainly be tuned out upon repeated listens.

The absolute stunner on this album is "My Funny Valentine". Costello just shimmers in this song and is one of the best versions I've ever heard of this old standard. This song alone is worth the paltry $10 to get this great album.

Highly Recommended.

Radio is an intimate medium when done well, and Mary McPartland makes her piano jazz conversations particularly intimate. This is a wonderful recording of two artists whose lives and interests overlap surprisingly much. Elvis speaks more openly than I've ever heard before -- though he is mellowing generally. Great music along with the conversation. A real surprise and delight.

Elvis has established himself as a premiere jazz vocalist with a feel and sense of phrasing accomplihed by only a very few. His interpretation is remarkable as only one who has ever tried to write a song or lyric can appreciate, and let me not forget the incedible Ms. Mcpartland who constantly amazes the listener, simply put she is magnificent.

This CD is a must for any fan of COSTELLO.Not only does he perform some of his own classics but he also performs a whole bunch of other classic songs including a track NEVER officially released by COSTELLO before.He also chats inbetween the performances.YOU MUST BUY THIS.

Musically very good and very interesting dialogue. McPartland's piano is excellent, belying her age. Elvis Costello has an extremely interesting voice but for some reason seems reluctant to let it flow, instead attempting chords out of his range.

Wow !
Not only my favorite guy Elvis,now I have "discovered" a terrific
lady named Marian.
My word this gal has a great touch at the piano.
85 and gorgeous !
You go girl !!