Customer Reviews

Music of The Kennedy White House

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As part of its major exhibit of Jacqueline Kennedy memorabilia this year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art commissioned the release of this "Music of the Kennedy White House" retrospective. Truly a trip down memory lane for this music lover who came of age in 1960 and did his part to "vote in" a First Family with some cultural aspirations. Such bittersweet memories they are, too: So much taken away so soon.

Almost no one from that era on this recording survives to this day: Casals, Bernstein, Copland, Ella and most others are long departed. Of the very few who are left, all but one seem to be comfortably retired.

But that one is worthy of special mention: Paul Winter, and his early (post-college) Sextet. Barely a year out of college, and almost a year to the day before that fateful event in Dallas, this driving "hard-bop" jazz group was the first-ever jazz ensemble to perform live at the White House, at Jacquie's request. And the track here - a live performance of "Bells and Horns" that is better than a performance found elsewhere on a "Ralph J. Gleason Presents" album (now remastered and available elsewhere at Amazon.com) - is a winner. That Paul Winter was to go on to other musical vistas, transmogrifying his style over the years to become quite a different artist today is largely beside the point: This is good, elemental hard-driving jazz, and the "horns" (alto and baritone sax and trumpet) are uniformly excellent, particularly his Desmond-like alto.

Not everything here will be to everyone's taste, and, regrettably, too many of the tracks have been simply licensed from commercial CD's for purposes of providing an overview of the artists and composers (and their performed works) who were present. (Winter's is one that is "live," as are several others.)

A clear runner-up for "memories" honors: Pablo Casals performing "Cant Dels Ocells" ("Song of the Birds"). So beautifully done that it opened my tear ducts.

Those WERE the days.

Bob Zeidler

I have been looking for years for the 1960's White House performance by the great cellist, Pablo Casals, but to no avail. He came out of exile and to the United States to honor our new, young, hopeful President.

Then I found this CD. What a find! Great music of a special time in our history. Thank you Mrs. Kennedy for insisting that the cultural life of our country (or any other) is as significant to its history as the men and women who forge the laws to govern.

The CD arrived in great shape and I have been enjoying it very much ever since. I would use and recommend this vendor for future purchases.

"Grace. Style. Hope. Beauty. Experience again the Golden Age of Camelot with this best selling CD, specially commissioned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for its blockbuster exhibition, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years. Featuring selections from notable Kennedy White House performers, along with the personal favorite songs of the President and First Lady. Also included is a special live recording of Pablo Casals's historic 1961 White House performance and a never before released live recording from the first ever White House jazz concert.
Release No. MM113
Music Genres: Classical, Jazz, Rock 'n Roll, Broadway, Gospel
Running Time: 54:32"