Customer Reviews

My Fair Lady (20 Bit Mastering)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of a certain age "My Fair Lady" was the definition of popular musical theatre. During it's heyday on stage and film hundreds of jazz ensembles added individual MFL tunes to their repetoire and dozens of jazz LP's covered the entire Lerner & Loewe score. (The Verve LP "Oscar Peterson Plays My Fair Lady" ranks at the very top.)

One of the best is still with us and has been gloriously remastered. These cuts sound like they were recorded last week rather than almost 50 years ago. While Shelly Manne (who, along with bassist Leroy Vinnegar, was THE rhythm of the "West Coast Sound") is one of my favorite drummers he often "takes charge" of his groups, which is fine in his horn based quarts and quints but he can overpower a piano trio with ease. Here he wisely dials it back a notch or two allowing Andre Previn and Leroy Vinnegar to investigate and develop some of the most beautiful music to ever enter the American (British?) Songbook. Previn, in particular, seems to be at home with this material. His tempo and harmonic interplay breath life and vitality into tunes that were pop hits of their day. While everyone's favorite will likely be the beautiful "On the Street Where You Live", my personal pick is the haunting and lovely "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" which Previn handles better than ANYONE (including the aforementioned Oscar Peterson).

The ensuing album is a true classic that has withstood the test of time. Besides being a stunning take on what many consider to be the twentieth century's finest example of musical theatre (OK, that's my opinion) it is also a testament to mid century "modern jazz" before that term became perjoritive.

If you are into jazz, this is a "don't miss" CD. I first bought the album in the mid-fifties and it quickly became a particular favorite of mine. It features Andre Previn in his best jazz mode, and the instrumental give and take with Manne and Vinnegar yields some truly memorable riffs. It is as fresh and listenable forty years later as it was innovative when originally released.

Have searched high & low for this album, so Amazon thank you. Andre Previn is so cool on this album along with all of the other musicians. My favorite since college days. From "On the Street Where You Live" to the end, the musical interpretation from the Broadway play is magnificant and has haunted me all these years. Can't wait to hear it again!

This album was my first entre to modern jazz in 1958. I still have my original LP and it is still my most cherished. For anyone wavering about modern jazz, do not hesitate with this one. It never goes cold and never stops swinging. A must for anyones collection!

I owned this LP in my twenties, when I listened to mostly jazz and classical music genres. I had always liked show tunes and the the music from My Fair Lady, especially. Andre Previn's ingenious renditions and improvisations to these songs are typical 60's jazz. This CD reproduction is truly a classic and one that should make up any collection of late 50's and 60's piano-based jazz trios.

One of my favorite albums of all times. Have worn out two "LPs", two cassettes,
and am now on my second CD! So happy to be able to replace my old worn-out
CD. Thanks, Amazon. I'll be back.

This is such a great little album that I can't get over it. The music is fun and lively and demands your ears to keep listening. Further, this new remastered version is stellar! The previous CD release was horrific and robbed the disc of all of its life. The extra money for this 20 bit remaster is welllll worth it.

We actually had this "album" many years ago and made a mistake of lending it to someone, never to be seen again. Now we have it again and it's even better than we remembered it. A classic. And the speed with which we received our order was fabulous.

CONTEMPORARY C3527 Mono

FEATURING: Shelly Manne - Drums; Andre Previn - Piano; Leroy Vinegar - Bass

SIDE 1: Get Me To The Church On Time; On The Street Where You Live; I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face; Wouldn't It Be Loverly

SIDE 2: Ascot Gavotte; Show Me; With A Little Bit Of Luck; I Could Have Danced All Night

Like others, I originally bought the LP back in the Fifties.It was always a favourite but of course vinyl dosen't retain its quality forever. What a great surprise then to find the CD was available thru Amazon.Since receiving this updated version,I have found that the quality of this recording has not dated one bit. Unlike some CDs, every track is a winner! Andre Previn has retained the essence of these memorable compositions but at the same time has added some pretty enjoyable, but tight improvisations on piano. Meanwhile the rhythm section , compliments of Manne & Vinegar set up the perfect platform for Previn as they drive each number along like a steam engine! A GREAT recording!