Customer Reviews

Playing It Cool [Enhanced CD]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every track on the CD is worth listening over and over again. Too bad it didn't last longer. Smooth Jazz fans especially those who like George Benson will not be disappointed. Joyce has a winner here!

Having always been a classic rocker, I am a new fan of smooth jazz. I recently started listening to it at work because I work in a basement office and the local smooth jazz station is really the only thing we can pick up with decent reception. After listening for a few weeks, it was Joyce Cooling's stuff that really started to stand out to me. There was just something unique there and it's not any of the cookie cutter stuff you hear a lot with the eventual sax solo. I recently bought "Playing It Cool" and I'm having a hard time taking it out of my CD player. Each song is well written and the musicianship is second to none. Joyce recently appeared at the local jazz fest and I've been sick over the fact that I didn't go. If you're ready to try smooth jazz, Joyce Cooling is a great place to start.

Joyce Cooling is a superb guitarist. "Playing It Cool" is, in my
subjective opinion, not only Joyce's best CD, but an incredible
sampling of one of smooth jazz's finest guitarists. I personally
could pass on the vocals. THis CD is a must for all smooth jazz fans. "Sleight Of Hand" is fiery and amazing. "Savannah" and "South Of Market" are favorites. While Joyce's other CD's have some great tracks(Third Wish in particular), this disc is first rate from start to finish.

I love this CD.It is so good in many ways.I consider this Joyce Coolings best CD yet.She will have a tough time trying to make a better cd than this one.Some standouts are "South Of Market" , "After hours", "Imagine That", oh and my favorite Joyce Cooling song and favorite song from this CD is "Sleight Of Hand".Give this CD a listen, youll be hooked.

What a fantastic first major release. Joyce and her partner Jay Wagner have created a great mix of cuts that shows great range as songwriters and demonstrates their strong skills as musicians. Check out the stylistic guitar on Firefly - a cut with a Brazilian flare. My personal favorite, "Almost Home," no wait, "After Hours," no wait - oh you get the picture.

Every year I consider it a good year if I'm able to find a new jazz artist. After listening to some of Joyce's music on The Wave, I decided to buy three of her CD's. (Third Wish, Playing it Cool, & Keeping Cool) Although I liked them all, this one was by far my favorite. So today I just bought "Cameo". Looking forward to its arrival. I also enjoy George Benson and have for thirty years now. There are some style similarities, but Joyce is unique. I just saw George live last November, he's as good as ever. Now I look forward to going to see Joyce live at the Newport Jazz Festival next week. Bottom line this is my new artist for 2002.What a treat!!!!!!

Smooth jazz is a new frontier for me, but this is the first time I've ever purchased a CD where I not only liked every cut, I LOVED every cut. "Another Time" is my favorite. The only way to describe it is that listening to the song simply makes me happy. A definite 5-star CD.

I was reared on bebop and big band music. Sure, styles change and maybe I do lament the movement away from "the good old days". The long and short is that the preponderance of Joyce Cooling's music doesn't make me sad. To the contrary, it makes me happy. So technical and elitist critiques be damned. This album makes this old guy want to get up and, well, attempt to dance!

I love this CD. From the opening track "Imagine That" to the Brazilian tinged "Firefly" this CD doesn't have one poor track.This is her only CD to date and I can't wait for the next one!!

I cannot for the life of me understand how some reviewers have allowed themselves the audacity to compare Joyce Cooling to George Benson. They are two very different musicians with different backgrounds. George has never been afraid of expressing himself freely through his music. He is a true soul artist whose music comes from the bottom of his heart.
Joyce Cooling, on the other hand, has a long way to go if Keeping Cool typifies her style. Make no mistake, I am not for a moment putting her down. She's a capable guitarist and I admire her naturally laid back approach to the music. However, I still feel that she has yet to reach the point which Benson an other men and women in his class reached long ago. It is only a matter of time and Keeping Cool, in my view, demonstrates shes on the right path.
on the whole, I reckon the album is worth having even if it is only for Callie and Coasting. Personally, it reminds me of a cool grey Autumnal day in the Bay area.