Customer Reviews

Singin & Swingin: Best of

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Earl Grant is now a faded memory in the music scene. For several decades, his music had been out of print. When this cd was released in 1997, I shelled out premium bucks for it. It was worth it. I was hoping for more Grant material in the near future, but alas, none has surfaced. So, Grant fans must purchase this one. But, one Earl Grant cd is better than nothing, which was what we had for years. This is a compilations of his material he recorded in the 50's and 60's. This release has outstanding liner notes by Joesph Laredo, which tells of his beginnings, up to his tragic death in a car accident in 1970 at age 39. All the big hits are here, The End, Ebb Tide, Spanish Eyes, Stand By Me and many others. It's utterly amazing how Earl navigates his way through the music singing and playing both the organ and piano all at the same time. Singing and playing was something that even the great Nat King Cole couldn't do! Yes! Many people don't notice it, but you only hear Nat's piano when he's NOT singing. He adds little fills at the end of his phrases, but he doesn't do full blown accompaniment the way Grant does! If you are unfamiliar with this musician, get to know him by buying this release.

"THE BEST OF EARL GRANT" I purchased the CD last October when it first came out, played it and filed it away, being overwhelmed at the time by too many incoming Bear Family box sets. Well, I finally got around to the CD this week, and I find it to be, not only a pleasant surprise, and not only a gem, but perhaps the best new "best of" that I've heard in a long time! First the CD covers the requirement of any "best of" collection by including all the hits, and they all speak eloquently and positively for themselves. And in terms of the hits, with Earl Grant everything starts and ends with the most wonderful of recordings, "THE END" (7-October 58), but I was surprised and delighted the he also included in this CD his unreleased Italian language version. After all this time, almost 41 years, to hear this new, but original version, is a real music highlight of this year. His Italian version of "The End" was appropriate for the time period, the fall of 1958, because "Volare" (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) (1(6)-Aug/Sept. 58) another Italian language song by Dominico Modugno was dominating the pop charts. In this CD he also records "VOLARE", and his version is a little faster, more irreverent and more swinging, but a decidedly welcome rendition. After getting The McGuire Sisters version of "Volare" just last week, in their new double anthology CD, this now gives me a fourth version, along with Dean Martin's secondary hit., and it is very much appreciated! His November 1956 recording of "GODNIGHT MY LOVE (PLEASANT DREAMS)" is a solid version of the McGuire Sisters and Jesse Belvin hit (23-January 57) and is typical of the sounds of that time period. It has such a great original, but dated, rock 'n roll sound with the pronounced big beat, the piano triplets, and the do-wah-wah background singers. "The End" was such a pop masterpiece that I thought it was impossible for him to ever approach matching it with a follow-up recording, impossible until now, until I heard for the first time his exquisite version of Della Reeses' hit "NOT ONE MINUTE MORE" (16-January 60). I just don't have adequate words to describe the wonderful poetry of the lyrics, the orchestration and vocal styling. Another new highlight for the year or any period! I also loved a great deal, the flip-side of "SWEET SIXTEEN BARS" (55-Oct. 62), his recording of Frank Sinatra's "LEARNIN' THE BLUES" (2(5)-July/Aug. 55). His swinging, big voice, big band version of the song is reminiscent of how Sammy Davis would have performed it. Another gem and another surprise! His up-beat jazz-vocal of "UNDER PARIS SKIES" reminded me of a 1940's Nat King Cole, and his pop version of the DeCastro Sisters' "TEACH ME TONIGHT (2(1)-December 54) reminded me of early 50's vocal stylists. His piano, sax, organ instrumental of "THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU" and his piano intro, double sax solos, Ben E. King-kind-of-rhythm of "STAND BY ME" , and his Ray Charles-piano-style of Ray Charles' "Sweet Sixteen Bars" were highlights. Also his instrumental recordings of Frank Chacksfield's "EBB TIDE" (3-November 53) and Errol Garner's 1954 classic "MISTY" were very good. His 1967 and 1968 versions of contemporary hits "SPANISH EYES" (15-January 66 by Al Martino) and "THE LOOK OF LOVE" (4-July 68 by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66) were solid efforts to remain relevant into the late 1960's. In conclusion, I think that the total range and depth of Earl Grant's displayed talent on this disk is remarkable and unparalleled, and deserves only the highest of ratings (5 of 5 stars).

Earl Grant was a regular guest on The Ed Sullivan Show. That was long ago. The first time I heard him I was hooked. The smooth melodic voice combined with his mastery of the organ was haunting and wonderful. Mr. Grant had a style all his own. Original and never duplicated. This album has it all. His signature cut "House of Bamboo". A simply lovely rendition of the Sarah Vaughn hit "Sermonette". A comic "Volare". And more. All Grant. All great.
It's a shame that Mr. Grant was taken away from us at the age of 37 in a tragic accident. But we have this album.
Truly "Singin' & Swingin'".

Having lived back in the 60's and playing the HAMMOND Organ myself... this is a must have !! The selections are true to Earl Grant's style as I remember him before his death when the world lost one of it's most talented performers ever !
You will not regret your pruchase of this selection !!!
Walt Roberts www.freewebs.com/waltrobertsmusic

Yes: I also have been looking all around for some Earl Grant's CDs! I used to search hard on the Web for a long time, until something really came up! Now, I'm a Brazilian fan of Earl's, but it was my privilege being one of the first to get his record through online sales. Of course there are so many songs missing on the list, - but let me tell you: there's no better record of "Sweet Sixteen Bars" in the world, not even by Ray Charles (composer). Hope something new will keep coming next! Yes!

Always would hear "The End", it's such a beautiful soulful song.
However this CD is a revelation, Grant has such great vocal chops with Learning The Blues, he hits it out of the park. Nobody but Grant could make Ol Man River swing. As for the
reviewer that mistakes the organ for a lack of quality, sorry
you are likely used to the over use of production techniques typically found on modern recordings. The organ is very hip
& unique. Earl Grant is an unforgettable talent

Music the way it should be. Mr.Grants ability to transend time is best expressed in this album.The magic of ebb tide or the wide range of the voicals will have you playing the CD time and time again.

This song is a forever beautiful classic ballad !!

This is a compilation of 21 of Grant's best numbers. Those of us who can remember seeing his performances before his untimely death in an auto accident in 1970, at the peak of his career, remember him as one of the most outstanding jazz-pop-soul organists, a master of the power, many voices, and subtlety of the Hammond B-3 organ, as well as an accomplished vocalist and dancer. I had collected most of his Decca LP records (his original recordings all preceded the advent of cd's), but it is great to have so many of his most memorable numbers reproduced on this cd.

This is one of my favorite records, the vocals and organ arrangements are superb, some of the finest I've ever heard. I could easily put this CD on my top twenty list. If you are in the mood to sing and swing, this is where it's at...