Customer Reviews

Reflect On The Hits Of Burt Bacharach & Hal David / Velvet Voices And Bold Brass

5 star:		(7)
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3 star:		(1)
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Anita Kerr was a gifted arranger, composer, conductor, and songstress. This CD captures two of her better known and widely admired albums. This first is a soft and sentimental reflection on many of the works of the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The second is a livelier, more vivid interpretation of works made famous by The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and others. And that's what Anita Kerr and her singers do best...provide their own fresh and original interpretation of contemporary pop classics of their era.

Their warm, mellow, vocal harmonies are accented by sharp, clear brass; soaring strings; rich, deep bass; and rhythmic percussion. The vocal and instrumental treatments combine to form music ringing with subtlety, clarity, and matchless beauty. Their music evokes a rainbow of emotions from whimsy, to reflection, to romance, and even rapture. This is a CD to soothe the soul and inspire the heart...

IMHO, "Reflect..." was arguably the best AK album recorded with her classic line up. After her tenure with Decca, as part of the famous "Nashville Sound" Machine of the 60s, AK went on to record a series of concept albums featuring her restrained yet sexy jazz-pop voice, her sensitively capable singers, and her voluptuous orchestral arrangements.

Until recently, these masters have been locked away in record vaults all over the world, held hostage by late-60s label failures/takeovers and studio/marketing politics. I'm very glad, however, to see them slowly return to the catalogue through semi-independent companies like COLLECTOR'S CHOICE and ONE WAY RECORDS (and at an affordable price as well).

With "Reflect" remastered, released and in my possession, I now await "Its AK Country," "We Dig Mancini" and "The Sea" to reappear so I can also add these classics to my collection.

So, how about it, guys?

This is it. Stop shopping. Any lover of 70s tunes, especially Bacharach, will love this double album set of Anita Kerr singers. The quartet's harmony and arranging is superb and the talented foursome provides its own introspection on some of Bacharach's more meaningful songs, i.e Alfie, Windows of the World, etc. This is not Ray Conniff by any means. Sublime vocals and a disc you'll never tire of listening to.

I remember the album the Anita Kerr Singers Reflect on the Music of Bacharach and David. I'd forgotten the wonderful smooth voices and terrific arrangements. I've since learned that this group sang backup on literally hundreds of Nashville hits during the 60's. A wonderful group run by a woman, in a time when women got little respect.

I'm still amused by her beautiful touch of any kinds of songs.....her "velvet voice" makes me so relax and peaceful, and brings me to another world! I started to fall in love with her voice 20 years ago, and she still makes me the same way.....thank you, Anita Kerr!

Plain and simple if you like good music , then you cannot go wrong with this double CD. I appreciate good music, but I usually prefer alternative music from the 1980's through today. However I decided to buy this as a gift for my wife. We listened to it and wow, some of these songs, especially the Burt Bacharach stuff is so 60's cool. I am not familiar with other interpretations, but Anita does a fine job here. She has a strong smooth voice. I thought she would be a bit more sultry in her singing some of these, but maybe that is the point. The song is so good, she doesn't need to add more sensuality. I will say her male back-up singers get in the way at times.
Put it on as you are working around the house and you'll find yourself huming these songs in no time!

Composer, arranger, conductor, singer: No female does it better than Anita Kerr. Velvet Voices and Bold Brass is as fresh today as when I first heard it in the late 60's. Her arrangement of "God Bless the Child" defines her mastery of music. I have been an Anita Kerr fan since she collaborated with Rod McKuen on the album "The Sea." No matter what type of music, Anita Kerr is at the leading edge. This double album which also pairs Anita Kerr with Bacharach and David will provide many enjoyable hours of listening pleasure. I'm waiting for Antia Kerr Country to come out on CD. I've worn out my reel to reel tape of this masterpiece. Am I an Anita Kerr fan? You Bet!!

Anita Kerr is one of the great underrated vocal arrangers (and instrumental arrangers, for that matter) in harmony history. She looks like Betty Crocker, and she arranges like her as well--simple and delicious. Pick out the parts, it's a blast. Her quartet is so professional, and has such great blend that it's hard to believe that what they're doing is exceedingly difficult. Buy it.