Customer Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
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My first Nancy album was her first Capitol album "Like in Love." I listened through the years as she evolved from a young, striking artist clearly influenced by Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday (what better influences?) to an experienced, one-of-a-kind artist whose performances grew deeper and wider. Many critics complained she became too mannered (Morgan Ames once wrote in High Fidelity Magazine that Nancy's affectations were gathering like hangers in a closet), too twisty, too far out. I always felt that was a reflection of her own temperament. Here is a lady who chose her material oh so carefully, who was forever pushing the boundaries, who kept evolving and evolving from jazz into soul into r & b into no label turf. She wouldn't stand still, she wouldn't be bored and she wouldn't be classified. Now she has come full circle back to the simple, heartfelt singer she was in the beginning. She cleaned her musical closet! This album is so brilliant, so high level and so overflowing with integrity.. Each song is performed with deep insight and deep feeling and as for Miss Nancy's voice--it's just absolutely gorgeous. So is she
and if you want to hear really great, timeless music which still somehow is very today, make this album part of your life.

After listening to this latest Nancy Wilson offering a few more times, I'm revising my rating from 4 to 5 stars. Initially I was probably disappointed that on none of the tunes does she body slam me to the floor (I'm still shaking from her incredible performance of "Hello, Like Before" from the late 90s). But with the exceptions of the two vocals she shares with Kenny Lattimore (an androgynous duet that goes nowhere) and Ivan Lins (who sounds like a rank amateur compared to Ms. Wilson), this is no less than a perfect collection by inarguably the world's greatest living jazz singer.

"Day In, Day Out" is the only up-tempo tune on the album and Nancy naturally kicks butt on it. But the control she exhibits on the ballads is no less impressive. No one but she could do justice these days to Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye." With that uncanny sense of pitch that is hers alone (she must think exclusively in terms of micro-tonality), she requires no more than a phrase to take us from a plaintive lament to a sense of comforting reassurance.

As for "Blame It On My Youth," she's probably the first singer since Sinatra to get the song's tempo (it's usually taken way too slow) along with its sense of self-mocking irony right. And she risks the high note at the end, hanging on despite a trace of waver that would not have been there 5-10 years ago.

While the guests include a number of venerable all-stars--ranging from the comparatively "youthful" Gary Burton to those ageless wonders, George Shearing and Toots Thielemans, Nancy doesn't give them an inch. This is her session, and her supportive musicians, no less than we the listeners, are privileged to be along for the ride.

She's been my favorite singer for years and years -- I've seen dozens of her live shows over the years -- and she's still going strong with RSVP. The wide range of songs shows to distinction her ability to shift moods and tempos, all the while retaining her unique style, casting her own mood. No one else sounds like Miss Wilson, and that's a good and great thing. On this CD, her version of "I Wish I'd Met You" shows her in full bloom, full of experience. "Blame It On My Youth" is a perfect ending. You'll get a grand musical tour from this CD.
On a related note, Miss Wilson's A LADY WITH A SONG, from the early '90s, remains my all-time favorite CD. I've heard it hundreds of times. To this day, it's my standard go-to gift when I want to treat a friend or colleague to something truly special. You can't go wrong with LADY!

I can not remember my first kiss, but I do remember the first time I heard the voice of Nancy Wilson. After listening to Nancy it reminded me how to love again. See Nancy's voice tells a story. A story of love lost, love found and love nutured and then given to you as a gift.

R.S.V.P. is that beautiful epic of love. With this added gem to Nancy's vast catalogue it is apparent why she is the legend with the golden voice, not to mention a true lady!

The album starts with, "An older man is like an elegant wine", A wonderful song about the sophistication and maturity of what an older man brings to a relationship. Nancy's lush approach to this lyric paints the picture of actually having dinner with the older genteleman she is singing about.

The second track,"Day in Day Out", demonstrates Nancy's can still swing with the best of them! The next song , "Why did I choose you" a Marvin Gaye tune that when orginally released gained little exposure , is a duet with R&B sensation Kenny Lattimore. Nancy and Kenny's voices are such a wonderful blend of elegance, love and sophistication, one might believe that Kenny and Nancy are really in love.

There are host of other beautiful ballads, but pay special attention to the tracks,"Goodbye" and "Minds of their own". If you have ever loved before and wondered why things did not quite turn out the way you expected, Nancy has the answer.

I am honored and humbled to have heard all theses beautiful songs in the last several months in person with the great lady of song and wish for all who have ever appreciated good music to take a page from the Nancy Wilson songbook and enjoy!

Nancy thank you for the answer!

For those of us who loved Nancy's Christmas album but worried that her voice was not all we know it can be, our fears are assuaged with this release. Here's Nancy doing what she does best: subtly exploring every nuance of every lyric, yanking every emotion from every song with the assuredness that can only come from a master.

And a fine collection of songs it is, with great guest vocalists and top-notch musicians. This is a recording that will be remembered as one of her finest, I think because the songs mean so much to her.

Nancy Wilson is an amazing vocalist, truly one of a kind. And if you have never seen her do what she does live, do yourself a favor-she is mesmerizing in concert. (Find live dates at her Web site, missnancywilson.com.)

RSVP is a welcome addition to the Wilson collection, one that assures me that this lady has more to sing and a vocal gift that will continue to impress for years to come.

I'll keep my review brief and simple. I've been a fan of Nancy Wilson since the Fall of 1963. It's as if every song she's ever recorded, every live performance she's ever given and every one of her practice sessions for the past forty plus years have been just warm ups to R.S.V.P. Some reviewers are commenting on technicalities of midrange vibratos, etc. That's not the point of listening to a CD (unless you're a professional reviewer which none of us here should be). Every song on this CD is perfection. Her accompanists (both vocal and especially instrumental) are also incredible. I've lost track of how many times I've listened to it (often with headphones to pick up every nuance of her voice). Buy it. Share it. Love it.

Pop Tart" divas come and go but true queens are eternal.

The oh-so-classy and divinely coiffed Nancy Wilson returns with a beautiful plate of musical delectable on the exquisitely produced "R.S.V.P." After releasing two back-to-back collaborations with Ramsey Lewis, Wilson returns, accompanied on all but two tracks with other equals in the field of jazz, and further solidifies her status as the grand dame of contemporary jazz.

Because of the variety of the songs presented, there is definitely something for every musical palette. However, I was personally moved by "Why Did I Chose You," her duet with Kenny Latimore, Wilson's solo turns on both "Goodbye" and "Little Green Apples", and "How About Me" with Paquito D'Rivera.

But the first cut pays homage to those of us men over fifty: "An Older Man is Like an Elegant Wine." On that song, the singer's delivery matches the lyrics that are truly complimentary of the "vintage" man.

I couldn't help but think that Miss Wilson, too, has improved with age and is indeed worthy of savoring and taking a sip of her musical "wine".

She's like rare Bordeaux, priceless and suitable for only those with discriminating tastes.

Nancy Wilson is my favorite singer of all time. I don't agree with many of the artistic choices she has made in the last 20 years but this album really brings her back to her jazz roots. Her rendition of "Little Green Apples" is breathtaking- nothing like the cheesy 1968 original rendition. Her swinging "Day In Day Out" is one of the best ever and her "Blame it on My Youth" is simply the best rendition ever of that standard. While her vocal range has narrowed with age, her musical instincts on this album are on target. This is album is a must for all lovers of jazz vocals.

Nancy Wilson has always delivered a consistant and dependable great performance. I love the material chosen for this collection as well as most of the collaberations. Bravo to Ms. Wilson again!

Nancy Wilson continues to reign as the queen of smooth, hot, melting jazz. If you love music---you'll love this. Another home run from a legendary artist. A favorite purchase that every collector should have in his/her library--unless you don't like great music!