Night Club

Patricia Barber | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00004YL5G
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,514 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bye Bye Blackbird

2. Invitation

3. Yesterdays

4. Just For A Thrill

5. You Don't Know Me

6. Alfie

7. Autumn Leaves

8. Summer Samba

9. All Or Nothing At All

10. So In Love

11. A Man & A Woman

12. I Fall In Love Too Easily

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The piano-playing singer Patricia Barber has quite a pearl of 12 standards on Nightclub with three stellar trios, including three tracks with Charlie Hunter's eight-string guitar. The incomparable bassist Marc Johnson also adds supple support on a few tunes and has a very tasty solo on "Yesterdays." And speaking of soloing, because Barber's vocal phrasing, rhythm, and timbre are so unique, it's easy to overlook her brilliant improvisations on piano. Despite their surface similarities, Barber seems worlds apart from Diana Krall in her presentation. Putting out an album of standards after the ultrahip Modern Cool challenges Barber with a different concept, rather than an attempt to capitalize on the tremendous success of other mainstream jazz vocalists (Krall included). In fact, if there's a problem here, it's that the sardonic wit displayed on Barber's previous releases is missing. On the other hand, it's mightily refreshing to report that a great American jazz singer who established herself on her own material has succeeded at an album of standard tunes. It's a chain of events that most vocalists can't claim. On Nightclub, Barber creates a dark, smoky atmosphere where, like any good impressionistic artist, she brings listeners into her world and lets them enjoy art from her side of the creative pane. Quite an accomplishment. --Mark A. Ruffin

From Jazziz

Being the daughter of Glenn Miller Orchestra-veteran-saxophonist Floyd "Shim" Barber, it's safe to say Patricia Barber was born with jazz in her blood. The sultry vocalist/pianist has released only six albums during a 20-year career, yet those albums chart an ever-growing critical and commercial acclaim. Barber's 1994 release Café Blue led to her winning the "Female Vocalist/Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" category in the 1995 Down Beat International Critics Poll. Her '98 album Modern Cool, like its successor, Companion, charted in the Billboard Top Ten. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," like Barber's latest album Nightclub, features the acclaimed rhythm section of bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Adam Nussbaum.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An innovator's take on jazz standards, October 4, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Night Club (Audio CD)

Since her debut recording Patricia Barber has grown by leaps and bounds with each recording, reaching a recent peak with the masterful Modern Cool and the companion live album (appropriately called Companion). As a composer and lyricist she has few if any peers among contemporary jazz singers. This makes Nightclub all the more interesting, since all of the compositions are standards. In covering such classics as "Autumn Leaves" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" Ms. Barber wonderfullly balances respect for jazz tradition with a uniquely personal take on each tune. The accompaniment, from members of her superb regular touring group and more famous soloists (particularly the superb bassist Marc Johnson), has the sort of near-telepathic empathy on many tracks that makes a jazz record memorable. As fine a pianist as she is a singer, Ms. Barber truly makes these tunes her own.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 6 stars! Magnetic, Riveting, Absorbing, Compelling, October 7, 2000

By 

Brian Ziegler (Elgin, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Night Club (Audio CD)

This is an extraordinary recording. It is one of those all too rare occurrences where the height of recording art serves the height of musical art. Patricia Barber just keeps getting better and better. While her notoriety and popularity may be relatively recent, one can tell that she has spent many years pouring her heart and soul into refining her art. Patricia is truly a master of her craft, but that does not go far enough. She is in that elite group of jazz originals who add dimensions to songs that one never suspected, who have their own unique signature. Whether Patricia is singing, or playing the piano, or choosing her band, or selecting her recording engineer, or crafting the sound, there is simply the quality of genius. Part of this genius is her paradoxical style. By being "cool" rather than aggressive, she disarms you, relaxes you, and opens you up. The next thing you know you have walked into her world. Or has she reached into your heart?

The recording itself deserves special attention. Jim Anderson did the engineering on this CD as he has on Patricia's most recent efforts. Just like the music itself, his contribution is integral. On a car stereo this CD sounds like nothing really special. But put it on a fine audio system and a depth of intimacy is revealed that is astounding. One is brought face to face with the music, with the soul propelling the music. It is magnetic. The sound doesn't bowl you over with being spectacular, it gracefully draws you in like a magnet. And the further one goes in, the more subtlety there is to hear. I find myself riveted by each new song, becoming completely absorbed in the spell that is woven, compelled to give it my full attention.

I have had the privilege of listening to Patricia work her magic at the Green Mill Lounge in Chicago. On one occasion I leaned over to my friend and said, "Patricia doesn't just play music, she IS music."

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Title, June 9, 2002

By 

jpmpls "dougles1" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Club (Audio CD)

The title alone says it: "Nightclub." From the first chord, to the last stunning chord, Barber demonstrates her great talent. While she definitely dominates as a pianist, her voice is nothing to laugh at either. True, she comes in under pitch now and then, but from what I can tell, it's more of a stylistic choice than an "amateur" quality. If you're in the mood for some dark, sultry, and cool jazz, this is an excellent choice.