Customer Reviews

Midnight

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fabulous CD!!! I think music like this unfortunately takes a back seat to all the other "splashy" material that bombards us today. I am not sure it will ever get its recognition due. I think many times artists like Ms. Schuur need to find other venues in which to promote their music. The mainstream tastes of today just don't seem to appreciate it.
Maybe thinking "outside of the box" on promoting music is becoming a needed requirement for many artists. Barry Manilow has a rare talent for the feel of producing music almost more than performing...........his instincts are impeccable, if you are a jazz lover, it is a must........if you sit on the fence with jazz this will convert you........the lyrics to "What is Love", I am in agreement with the previous post that it has a classic Gershwin sound that you just don't find in modern written lyrics.

Beautifully written and produced album. Smooth, romantic, lush jazz arrangements that will carry you away. Nice to see such clever, sophisticated, emotional lyric writing, most notably "Stay Away From Bill", "Life Is Good", "What Is Love" and "When October Goes". It's also nice (and rare nowadays) to own a new album you won't need to press "skip" during.

These songs have an American Standard feel to them and some have the potential to endure with the likes of "But Not For Me" and "The Thrill Is Gone". Most particularly Panzer/Manilow's "Life Is Good".

Diane Schuur's voice is as captivating, powerful and mesmerizing as ever.

If you're looking for a great classic album to add to your collection, I wouldn't miss "Midnight".

DIANE SCHUUR is the real thing !

In an age of media hyped jazz vocalists, DIANE SCHUUR quietly demonstrates how one can beautifully produce & create a wonderful jazz CD without much fanfare and pop interventions.
Her vocals are classy and right on the money.

This CD is destined to be listed as a true classic in the JAZZ arena. It should receive several GRAMMY NOMINATIONS in the Jazz catagory at this year's ceremonies.
Even if you are not a maniac of jazz music, you will fall for the simple production of this CD. The lady is a classy vocal talent. This is a CD that you will play over and over again.

The marriage between Concord and Schuur is truly amazing ~ if you doubt it, just listen to the latest release "Midnight", featuring songs that were composed just for "Deedles", as she is affectionately called by her friends. Jazz vocals that leave you entirely satisfied with her rendering signature style. Deedles comes up with a great guest roster Karrin Allyson, Brian McKnight and Barry Manilow (who also arranged, produced and created this wonderful album) ~ each tune takes on a beautiful and eclectic glow. Every cue has that lush velvet full sonic sound, keeps you coming back and wanting more.

Deedles voice has come of age, Manilow's arrangements transports the listener to another level of her talent. You'll love "STAY AWAY FROM BILL", featuring Karrin Allyson in a fun duet ~ "I'LL BE THERE", with Brian McKnight and Schuur blending their voices with soul and then some ~ "ANYTIME", this is not the Eddie Fisher or Eddie Arnold song, but a new rendition with lyrics and melody by Manilow, as Barry and Deedles sing their way into your heart. But the highlight of this venture is "WHEN OCTOBER GOES", haunting and even mesmerizing when Schuur takes the stage and the first note comes to you, her feelings come through and you know she is singing this especially for the ones she loves, her fans...gotta love it!

Total Time: 48:26 on 13 Tracks ~ Concord 2209 ~ (8/12/2003)

A great CD for a candelight dinner & cozy evening by the fireplace. Diane does Manilow's music proud & vice-versa. You won't hear *anything* like Copacabana or Mandy on this CD. Manilow has hidden it well for years, but he is a very fine jazz songwriter. Diane is not shrill on any of these songs - She sounds mighty-fine! I'm not going into song-by-song detail - but wanted to share my overall impressions of this cd.

This album is simply genius. From beginning to end, every tune, every note sung, every instrument played is so enjoyable on every level. And what levels! Starting with the title track, Diane Schuur invites us to spend MIDNIGHT with her and some friends. Dipping through mood-swings - her journey is one of simply great melodies with story-telling lyrics touching highs and lows of love and life. Her haunting take on WHEN OCTOBER GOES - considered a Manilow classic standard by now - drives the lyric home harder. The diva-duet STAY AWAY FROM BILL with Karrin Allyson is the jazz worlds own BOY IS MINE (by Brandy and Monica). I'LL BE THERE with Brian McKnight is ideal for sipping cocktails on a hot summer night... as is this whole album a perfect cocktail cd. CONSIDER THE POINT, HE LOVED ME, and LIFE IS GOOD are tear-jerking sentiments with Schuur's vocals (on all these tracks) being welcomingly subdued this time 'round. While the tunes lean more toward a Broadway vibe with jazzy overtones, it is undoubtedly her best career recording. Like he has done with Dionne, Nancy Wilson, Bette - and for himself, Mr. Manilow (this time with Eddie Arkin) knows vocalists, arranging, musicians, production - and he knows how to deliver it to the masses. You'll happily snap along to SOUTHWIND, NO HEARTACHE, MEET ME - and want to makeout by the end of track 4 so have someone near! Whether making out, having a dinner party, lounging at the beach or a fireplace..., really anything, this cd is a must for those whole cherish real songs, crafted by real musicians, song by a real vocalists. More please, Mr. Manilow & Mr. Arkin, more! When they duet for the brief closer ANYTIME, you can hear a genuine love and admiration Schuur and Manilow share for each other as fellow music lovers and buddies (as we see in the Enhanced "Making Of" section included on the cd).

Diane Schuur is one of the best female vocalists.

Listen to Midnight and you will agree.

Diane Schuur's new album "Midnight" is a definite winner...she ought to get another grammy for it. The songs are brilliant...especially "What Is Love?". The lyrics to that one are as clever as many old Gershwin tunes. All the songs are originals, written by Barry Manilow and his partner Eddie Arkin, and include a couple that Johnny Mercer left unfinished. Ms Schuur is brilliant throughout.

I had heard about Diane through the grapevine and picked up Midnight and it has been in my CD player ever since. She brings to mind a female Frank Sinatra. You are transported to a NYC jazz club circa 1952. Her voice is so versatile,and Barry Manilow does an excellent job producing and writing a lot of the music. The first track Meet Me, Midnight is beautiful and the CD never lets up and includes some great duets with Brian McKnight and Barry. "Deedles" as she is affectionately known has won me over and I strongly suggest it for fans of female jazz vocals like Norah Jones and Dianne Krall.

Im honored to submit the first customer review of this new (2003) CD, which was originally publicized in 2002. I knew Id be interested in it no matter what, with Barry Manilow as the producer/songwriter and Diane Schuur as the (but not only) vocalist. I know that Barry has authentic jazz chops from his classy 2:00 AM Paradise Café (1984) and Diane was at her best on 1987s Diane Schuur & the Count Basie Orchestra. So, they both have plenty of experience using nonpareil musicians and are up to superior material and arrangements. (I also note that Amazon.coms customer reviews still rate both 2:00 AM and Schuur/Basie as Five Stars, and I would also rate each *****). Im not disappointed with Midnight, but Im going to give it 4.5 (out of 5) stars. Its a top-notch effort and mostly successful, but not quite the highest achievement. (But, considering the dreck that dominates contemporary music sales  even Grammy winners  a new album this good is a miracle; for similar quality in vocals and arrangements, check out Monica Mancini). All of the songs are new in Midnight except the near-standard When October Goes, which includes Johnny Mercers lyrics beautifully brought to life by Manilows music. When October Goes is one of my personal top 10 songs; Schuur does it well (including a Johnny Mandel-like arrangement) but I prefer Rosemary Clooneys voice on this one. The other cuts are a well-paced variety of swing and ballads, with a few standout lyrics (but not as strong as all Johnny Mercer lyrics). So, Ill stick with 4.5 stars: Well worth repeated listening and including in anyones library. Also note the studio musicians, who are often heard in various (current) big bands and at jazz clubs, parties, and festivals: Some (but not all) are: Alan Broadbent on piano; Chuck Berghofer or Abe Laboriel on bass; Peter Erskine or Harvey Mason on drums, Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar; Dan Higgins on alto sax/flute; Bill Liston on tenor sax; Warren Luening on trumpet/flugelhorn; and Andy Martin on trombone.