Simple Pleasures

Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson (Jazz) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note
• ASIN: B0000A0WKU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,896 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #72 in Music > Jazz > Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo

Editorial Reviews

Simple Pleasures by Ramsey & Nancy Wilson Lewis

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THEY'RE BACK!!!!, July 30, 2003

By 

Harry N. Cohen (New Haven, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simple Pleasures (Audio CD)

Fairly quickly on the heels of last year's Meant To Be, Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson are back with this splendid new release. On Meant to Be, Nancy seemed like a guest on a Ramsey Lewis cd.On this new cd, there is definitely more of a teamwork feel. There are horns on this album and at times you may think you are listening to Tower Of Power in a mellow mood. Four of Nancy's five vocals are superb. The one misstep is a cover of Debarge's All This Love. Nancy rushes through this one , apparently as much in a hurry to be done singing it as we are to be done listening to it. However, all of Nancy's other cuts are outstanding. Kenny Rankin's Lost Up in Loving You is given a thoughtful, loving rendition. In the Name Of Love, a Ralph McDonald tune from the early'70's(I believe) features Nancy at her icy yet sexy best. The two absolute KILLER cuts are Give Me Something Real and God Bless the Child. Give Me... has Nancy growlin'and just a hollerin' up a storm. Subtle no, but leap out of your seat while shouting"Go Nancy" is a probable reaction to this blistering cut. I approached God Bless the Child with a little fear. Would Nancy over embilish? No, this is a lovely take on this most famous Billie Holiday classic. Ramsey's playing is equally sensitive, this cut really is a duet. It is great to hear Nancy sounding terrific, taking chances and being the ultimate diva once again. Ramsey' selections with his trio are equally effective, a mix of late '60's classics, In My Life and Ooh Child and lesser known tunes. The final cut Gentle Persuasion is a Ramsey original and is the perfect way to end this sumptuous set. I really am giving this 4 1/2 stars, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ashanti could only hope to have a career HALF as long!, October 26, 2003

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simple Pleasures (Audio CD)

134 years. That's the combined ages of Lewis (68) and Wilson (66). Each has been a jazz force for over forty years; thus, it's a no-brainer that when they come together for this, their third collaboration, it could be nothing short of perfection.

Backed by a sextet of Henry Johnson (guitar), Alejo Poveda (percussion), Llew Mathews (electric keyboards), Orbert Davis (trumpet), Tracy Kirk (trombone), and Steve Eisen (tenor sax and flute), Lewis and Wilson shine on covers of tunes made popular by others.

War's "Slippin' Into Darkness", DeBarge's "All This Love", Lennon and McCartney's "In My Life", and Billie Holiday's signature classic "God Bless the Child" all get the treatment that only real musicians like Lewis and Wilson can give.

This is 54:35 of such a "simple pleasure" that it can become addictive.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Legendary Duo~Bravo Nancy & Ramsey!!!, April 19, 2004

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simple Pleasures (Audio CD)

Had the absolute pleasure of experiencing these classic performers in concert together at Cerritos in 2003 with both legends in peak form and Diva Supreme Nancy in her form fitting plum and red gowns rocked the sold-out crowd and looked sensational and sounded very soulful! This great collection was featured in this thrilling concert and for anyone who enjoys the ultimate, do not miss this wondrous release. With any luck this magical musical team will release more but for now, thank you Nancy and Ramsey for making such beautiful music together and you both are the greatest...Nancy Wilson you look gorgeous and sound incredible!!!