Customer Reviews

Playboy Jazz After Dark

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This set deserves 7 out of 5 stars. I really couldn't praise this two disk collection enough. It has been described as a sampler, and that's accurate enough. If you like (lounge) jazz enough to start a collection, but don't know WHO you like, this is an excellent place to start. As a musical genre, jazz is as diverse, if not more, than any other type. It contains Blues, Swing, Dixieland, Lounge, Ragtime, and a throng of others. These disks are primarily what I would call Lounge Jazz - the type you'd hear played on an ebony baby grand piano, from across a dark room, sewn with swirls of grey-blue smoke and perfume, as the redhead in the sparkling rhinestone gown, sitting next to you at the bar, orders a dry martini, and winks at you playfully. Got the picture? The first CD is all instrumental. Deep base, sultry horns / reeds, and a tickling of the ivories. I was almost afraid to put the second CD in, for fear that I'd be disappointed. Number two blew me away. I couldn't believe I liked it better than the first. My favorite track was 13. Solitude - Billie Holiday. I would recommend this set to anyone who wants to start a jazz collection, but doesn't know where to begin.

There is something about compilations, especially the ones that grab you from the very beginning. Playboy/Concord Jazz has just done the impossible ~ put every classic track on a 2-CD-Set that is sure to please every "Jazz Junkie" out there.

Some of the best in the business today and yesterday covering all bases. The result is a smooth operation on the table of Jazz, serving each selection in a blue-ribbon fashion. Musicians and soloist play out this smoky after dark reunion of what they love doing ~ we the listeners reap the winnings every time.

Favorites come to mind ~ "EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME", featuring Gene Harris with his funky blues style that is delightfully unmistakable ~ "YOU MUST BELIEVE IN SPRING", sung beautifully by Mr. Tony Bennett and accompanied by the legendary Bill Evans, what a great combination ~ "MORE THAN YOU KNOW", can't recall this being performed any better than this, Mel Torme singing the verse which isn't always included and Pete Jolly on piano with a great arrangement by conductor Marty Paich.

Entire album is a five or more star performance sharing the legacy of America's original music called "Jazz" ~ each track is stunning with head turning solos as sidemen take up the slack. Concord has outdone themselves sharing these little gems with old and new fans alike.

Total: 2-CD-Set ~ Playboy/Concord 2-7507-2 ~ (4/08/2003)

Weather you want to relax after a long day at work, and get into your cumfy chair and read, or you want to romance that special someone with great jazz and a roaring fire, and a bottle of pink champaigne, this is the 2 cd set to do it with(sure there are cd's like "John Coltrane+Johnny Hartman" and "Charlie Parker With Strings", but this gives you a variety). This cd is not like msot hophodged cd jazz compilations(which I normally despise), this is not a sampler for your average bozo who doesn't know the difference between Kenny G & Eric Dolphy, this cd gives a difinitive overview of good jazz singers and solosits, and the songs flow and create a beautiful and at times exotic mood. Such great yet obscure singer like Ernestine Anderson and Miss Mary Stallings are featured here as well as great intrumentalists like Joe Pass and Gene Harris, and the newer but great Ken Keplowski. This 2 cd set will introduce you to not only yhe popular singers and soloitst but the greater obscure ones too. A great set of jazz, for any occasion waether in be a sophistocated cocktail party or a romantic date for two, or just you, a great cd, buy one for yourself and get one for a friend... A truly wonderful buy.

I was at first extremely skeptical about this whole Playboy cd, 'cause well... it's PLAYBOY, I mean, c'mon. I was kind of expecting some tasteless ..., but my assumptions were WAY off. I am an extremely avid jazz fan, and I was so impressed with what this cd had to offer! Definitely sets you in the mood! Go get it and try it yourself!

I have both CDs loaded in my car along with other discs. I never get tired of listening to them. They're tasteful and well performed and recorded. Even with passengers who aren't jazz buffs the tracks never fail to receive positive comments. I don't care for the Playboy commercial empire, but this set is tops for serious listening as well as backgound. Give Hugh his due.

I'm no expert on jazz, but I know enough to say that this is an excellent beginning to my budding jazz collection...I highly recommend.

For anyone who enjoys jazz as much as I do (and I really, really do), this has definately got to be part of your collection! There isn't a bad song on here for me - I love 'em all. All the songs flow along so well. Finding this introduced me to Karin Allyson whom I'd never heard of before. And of course all the other greats are all here: Nneena Freelon, Sonny Rollins, Duke, Mel Torme, Cannonball, Sarah, etc., etc. I've been listening to this since I picked it up yesterday. Why listen to anything else right now?

This is a great complimation, but that is exactly what it is. If you are a real jazz katt, go out and find these original recordings on there record release. Never ever say jazz junkie again, that's irregular. Best Listening!

I needed another copy since mine from years ago finally wore out and was glad to find it on amazon. The seller was wonderful!

Not to be nitpicky, but isn't the pianist's name Bill Evans?

Other than that, this is a great CD for those quiet moments at dinner or with your special someone. Trust me on this.