Shiny & New

Jonathan Rayson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lml Music
• ASIN: B000EPFD76
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,350 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making old faves shiny and new!, April 13, 2006

By 

P. Mathews (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shiny & New (Audio CD)

I love the way Jonathan has taken some favorite songs from when we were growing up and given them a new life, a new interpretation, making them even more wonderful. Hearing "Raindrops" as a ballad lets you really hear the lyrics and gives the song new meaning...the gospel rendition of "Beautiful" gives my day a kick start. The up-tempo songs are a great addition to my workout mix and the ballads are touching and soulful. I love listening to his voice. Definitely tops my list of best buys!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally delightful!, May 5, 2006

By 

HS (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shiny & New (Audio CD)

If you grew up (or drove a car with a radio) in the 70s, this album should have a special place in your collection. Jonathan Rayson interprets classics with thoughtful introspection, exuberant energy, and a beautiful voice. Some of the arrangements are faithful renditions of the original recordings, while others take on whole new life with a change of tempo and spot-on backup vocals. Rayson's voice ties it all together with emotion, originality, and openheartedness. 'Listen to the Music' is fantastic!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Artist Captures the Essence of Great Songs, April 16, 2006

By 

Kevin D. Washburn "a discerning ear" (B'ham, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shiny & New (Audio CD)

When great arranging merges with great performances and is refined through great production, a truly notable recording results. Such is the case with Jonathan Rayson's Shiny and New. Rayson's voice is a subtle tenor, and his delivery is even, never forced, as if he prefers to caress a lyric rather than attack it. Shiny and New features covers of singer/songwriters classics from the 70's, including Billy Joel's "Summer, Highland Falls," the Carpenters' "I Need to Be in Love," Dan Fogelberg's "Part of the Plan," and Cat Stevens' "Oh Very Young." The best tracks feature a mesmerizing interweaving of Rayson's vocals and Dan Chouinard's perfectly arranged keyboards. Joni Mitchell's "River" and Bachrach and David's "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" get such treatment and captivate the listener's ears. But not all the tracks are ballads. The Doobie Brothers' "Listen to the Music" gets the upbeat, energetic treatment it deserves, as does Carol King's "Beautiful." All in all, the album is an example of great artists capturing the essence of great songs. Highly recommended!