Customer Reviews

Singing Songs Everyone Knows

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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Wow this cd is an amazing reissue of the original lp, with cover artwork and everything. What a thrill it is to hear such a beautiful voice soaring over wonderfully arranged jazz orchestrations. This is one of my favorite Lorez Alexandria recordings{also check out Lorez Sings Prez and Band Swings}, she truly is a master of her art, jazz vocalizing. Listen to her the way she effortlessly scats thoughout the opening number "Just One Of Those Things", and the way she really makes you think she's a hopeless lush on a difinitive version of "Lush Life", and "Angel Eyes" is just haunting. If you enjoy 50's recordings by Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Ernestine Anderson, you will surely enjoy this exciting cd, no complete jazz vocal colelction should be without it. Essential music.

Lorez Alexandria recorded very few sessions in the 50's and sixties, and it's a shame since she was one of the best swinging jazz singers of the period. A fine jazz and swing singer, Alexandria is backed here by a big band, which she does a wondeful job ineracting with. Alexandra swings right along and scats her way thru an amazing set, making this one of her finest all around sets. A few of the highlights include Better Luck Next Time, a haunting Lush Life, and But Beautiful. It is nice to hear alexandria backed by a swinging big band, instead of the usual small group setting. A wonderful re-issue

This is the highlight of Miss Lorez alexandria's career, that sweet horn like voice, swinging with the orchestra. One of the high points here is when she gently and ever so smoothly scats along with the band on the opening track It Was Just One Of Those Things. She also creatively improvises on But Beautiful, and sounds wonderful on Lush Life. If you like Sarah Vaughan's Roulette sessions with Basie, you should really get this. This is some of the finest work by this much forgotten jazz legend. Don't pass this one up.

I thought I new all the great female vocalists, from popular, like Ella to less renown, like June Christy. Lorez Alexandria is a revalation, so talented and I missed out on her until I bought a compilation CD from a radio station in Philly and there she was-fantastic. I ordered this CD, "Singing Songs Everyone Knows", with some model on the cover. Lorez was no Lena Horne in the looks department but, she was doubly blessed with a beautiful voice and wonderful phrasing. If you like standards and those who bring them to life, do yourself a favor and have Lorez show you how a song like, "I'll Be Tired Of You," should be sung. A great overlooked talent is Lorez Alexandria.

This is the highlight of Miss Lorez alexandria's career, that sweet horn like voice, swinging with the orchestra. One of the high points here is when she gently and ever so smoothly scats along with the band on the opening track It Was Just One Of Those Things. She also creatively improvises on But Beautiful, and sounds wonderful on Lush Life. If you like Sarah Vaughan's Roulette sessions with Basie, you should really get this. This is some of the finest work by this much forgotten jazz legend. Don't pass this one up.

A true find from a voice that needs to be heard. Lorez has a voice that allowsou to relax and enjoy the natural gift that God gave her. Smooth and mellow

I must agree with an earlier review, that this CD is, sadly an unfortunate mismatch indeed. Not to take away anything from the exciting voice of Lorez Alexandria, but this is a poorly produced and orchestrated collection.

This reissue of a 1960 King label recording contains no liner notes, personnel listings or credits. So we'll never know who the producer was, or why he or she thought it necessary to bury the voice of a talented jazz singer under an avalanche of shmaltzy horns and overbearing arrangements.

The cover copy tells us that the album contains "standards with a slight touch of jazz." The title itself--"Lorez Alexandria Singing Songs Everyone Knows"--suggests that the buyer
needn't worry; there's nothing unfamiliar, exotic or challenging inside.

What's inside--at least for those who know the work of this talented singer--is an annoying hybrid. It's the sound of a confident jazz artist trying to be heard through arrangements that obscure and obstruct but seldom enhance.

There's nothing wrong with the songs, which include "Lush Life," "But Beautiful," and "Spring Is Here." But nearly every arrangement follows the melody slavishly, so Alexandria is forced to lag behind the accompaniment, in order to make the performance something more than a sing-along. It's very frustrating to listen to.

I get no joy out of reporting that, like "The Bang Swings, Lorez Sings"--another unfortunate mismatch of singer, accompaniment and arrangements--this CD is for diehard fans only.