Customer Reviews

Ray Brown: Some Of My Best Friends Are ... Singers

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

 

 

Ever since his Oscar Peterson days, Ray has delivered a solid swing below any balad or fast piece, instrumental or vocal. And I bought this album just for the Diana Krall songs... keep your eye on her!

Whether you're 40 or 80, this is cream of the crop. The best of
arrangements, a minimum of orchestration- usually piano and bass, so as not to clutter the vocals. This all makes for a timeless collection. One can almost see the smoke in the bar!
Great scat, too.

Sometimes, you happen on a Jazz Vocal album that knocks you off your feet and this is such an album! The selection of singers (all female except for Kevin Mahogany) are off the CHAIN! We have Diana Krall (who proves to be QUITE the adroit scattress)on "Little Boy" and who turns in a stellar version of "I Thought About You." Also featured are Nancy King, Marlena Shaw, Dee Dee Bridgwater and Etta James. The melodies are timeless and the arrangements, spectacular! I only wish that Shirley Horn, Kimiko Itoh, Chaka Khan, Abbey Lincoln or Nancy Wilson could have been parts of this awesome project. Aside of the aforementioned regrets, this CD is Jazz perfection through and through!

A great idea, Ray Brown! Love your choice of singers! Hearing Diana Krall scat on Little Boy is a pleasant surprise...very talented!!!