Customer Reviews

Slow Hot Wind

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Janis Siegel, best known for her work with Manhattan Transfer sings an outstanding array of songs. Everyone will find a cut or two with which they are familiar, and will be pleasantly surprised by the songs that are unfamiliar. Siegel repeats a song she recorded with Manhattan Transfer, Agua, and does a good job of making it sound new. The cut of Sting's Sister Moon is worth the album. Hersch's piano is beautiful and graceful, and compliment's the vocals perfectly. If you like strong vocals, a well chosen mix of material, and simple, strong musicianship backing it, this cd is a good choice.

I just love Janis. This acoustic album is her best yet. Her new interpretation of "Agua" which was in the Manhattan Transfer album Brazil is my favorite.

without a doubt, this is Janis Siegel's best solo album project. great selection, moving execution and performance.

I love this collection. Janis Seigel sings gorgeously, and Hersch plays masterfully. The songs are unexpected--the Beatles "For No One" is not a cover, but a solid interpretation. A piece by a composer previously unknown to me, "Agua," captures the longing and thirst for fulfillment that is always just under the surface. The images of the desert and water, with all their symbolism, is soul-stirring. Sting's "Sister Moon" takes you into the mystery of the night and all its promises. Bittersweet memories, the ones that occur when you think of a lost love, are here.

Fred Hersch is one of the most talented, sensitive, and sincere pianists I've ever heard play, and he does not disappoint here underneath the lovely and heartfelt singing of Ms. Siegel. I heard them do some of these tunes live at Jazz Alley in Seattle around the mid-90's, and it is an evening I will never forget. I truly consider this recording a joint effort between the two, and the sum of the parts makes for a complete recording. "For All We Know" has one of the most beautiful, poignant, and bittersweet lyrics of all the standards, and it is a joy to hear the piece in its entirety. Fred's touch on the keys is simply magical on these tunes. It's something intangible, and something that can't be put into words. Same for the wonderful renditions of "Who are You" into "I Remember You." This is simply one of the most romantic recordings in my library, and if I am in the mood for music of any kind, this will do the job 90% of the time. Well-done, Janis and Fred!

This is an incredible piece of art. Each song generates a certain emotion. It is probably one of her best! I do not think there is a tune on here that I dislike. She sounds amazing.