Customer Reviews

Mother Nature's Son

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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As a collector of vinyl and ardent Beatles fan, I was always on the lookout for interesting cover versions and then I found this one. I was a fan of Ramsey Lewis too but this album came as a surprise.

It was an interesting Beatles choice to begin with -- so many artists had covered the Beatles early/mid-career stuff that seemed tailor made for 'easy listening' orchestrations (think: Yesterday, Michelle, Something). I was astounded then to hear the White Album covered. The interpretations here were absolutely unique and not just replicas of the originals. Everything seems to work. The key here is in the arrangements -- and Beatles music lends itself so well to exploring new arenas.

I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice deciding which tracks to cover (others come to mind) but the results are nothing less than exceptional. Ramsey Lewis takes each song and keeps a running thread that's instantly recognizable and puts his own spin on it.

I won't go into detail on each track, they really are all worthy. Though my only quibble are with 'Goodnight' and 'Julia' -- pleasant tracks which could or should have been replaced with more upbeat numbers. I could think of any number of songs... Savoy Truffle, Revolution, Happiness Is a Warm Gun and Birthday -- each would have been amazing in Ramsey Lewis's hands.

Concerning the CD itself, the sound is truly astounding. My vinyl copy was in excellent condition but was played on a very basic player but the CD was like hearing something totally new. I've no idea what a '24-bit remastered version' really is, as opposed to any other remastering but it sounded incredible on my 10-year old machine through top-notch headphones. Great clarity and detail. Rich, full sound.

The foldout booklet, of course, is in Japanese and may have had some interesting liner notes but that's a minor issue. The one thing that did concern me was track 2, 'Rocky Racoon' -- it sounds as though it's been faded out too early. I'm sure it couldn't have been for time restraints so will have to check back with the vinyl version to see if I'm wrong!

Four of these tracks (Mother Nature's Son, Julia, Good Night, Dear Prudence) appear on the Ramsey Lewis CD, Maiden Voyage but completists will probably go the extra mile for this. All in all, a truly welcome and long-overdue release for a wonderful album. Congrats to MCA for this. Nice classy packaging.

As a final note, there is another version of Everybodys Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey by Fats Domino -- who I didn't even realize was still recording in '68. It was available on one of those old Warner Bros. double compilations highlighting their artists -- another great interpretation of an unlikely choice.

Ramsey Lewis is an American Jazz treasure!. I have been searching for this album for years. It is a "must have" for any collector of Jazz. I could never understand why it was not put on CD and released in the USA.

I have over 3000 Beatles covers so far and none match the intensity and grandiose arrangements of Ramsey Lewis' Mother Nature's Son. Ramsey Lewis really understood the Beatles music and was able to successfully translate to a jazz setting without losing the original songs' lyricism.

Doing sections from "The White Album" is somewhat novel in itself but these versions have bite. It seems that everybody's done "Yesterday", "In My Life" or "Norwegian Wood" but, how many have done "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey?" Every instrument is thrown into the mix: guitar, strings, piano, bass, drums and even a Moog.

This is a must have for Jazz and Beatles lovers.

[DW]

Ramsey Lewis' 'Mother Nature's Son' is one of the most important albums of all times. Pianist and arranger Ramsey Lewis plays exclusively themes from the Beatles' 'White Album', and does is magnifically. The orchestral arrangements and conduction by Charles Stepney are incredibly creative. It was recorded in 1968, but will be at least a forever and remarkable work-of-art.

Possibly the best album I ever owned on vinyl ... but I wore it out many years ago! Searched for years and eventually found the CD on Amazon. I was absolutely delighted and fell in love with it all over again as did my then 20 year old son. Sadly, the CD (although well-looked after) is not playing properly now. I'm purchasing it again, but wish it didn't have to be a Japanese import AGAIN. Why can't it be released in the US or in Australia?? I do have two other albums of his on vinyl but "Mother Nature's Son" is an absolute standout. Wonderful arrangements, really haunting at times and also sexy and romantic. What an amazing musician! Has anyone else noticed that the CD cover is the original LP cover reduced down in size?! You can read the original print with a magnifying glass. How cute!

This album was responsible for turning me into jazz music. By 1968 I was a teenager and I used only to listen to Rock and Roll music, specially Beatles albums. The first time I listened to the vinyl record, I knew that a new world was opening to me. The Ramsey Lewis jazz arrangements with his typical swinging are extremely captivating. I hope it will become available for purchase again.

Carlos Cunha

I have this on LP from 1969. This is a VERY rare and astonishingly beautiful album of Beatles tracks done with elegant arrangements written by the late great genius, Charles Stephaney. Charles knew how to get the best performances out of Ramsey in the studio. Charles also did the arrangements on Ramsey's "Maiden Voyage" album. I did luck out and found a 2 album obscure compilation featuring select tracks from this album and MV. And that's the only thing that kept me going as musical food for this very special album, which until now, was unavailable. I cannot believe the price it's going for, though. I guess it reflects the rarity and the demand. Seems Japan releases all the really good stuff and if we want it badly enough, we pay thru the nose for it.