Something Cool

Cheryl Bentyne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000008DDT
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,314 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Something Cool

2. Les Modernes (Still They Tango)

3. Les Enfants

4. Fever

5. Moonray

6. Invitation

7. Daydream

8. Let's go out tonight

9. Lonely house

10. I didn't know about you

Editorial Reviews

Cd

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 9 out of 5 is not bad, June 2, 2004

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Something Cool (Audio CD)

Yes, that is not a misprint. This recording gets nine starts out of the measly five offered. It does not get the ten that the incredible "Talk of the Town" rates but then what does? I'll put it succinctly and to the point: This is dynamite if you love a professional musicianship, superb artistry vs meowing into a microphone and arrangements that are so creative as to be almost original works of art.

The only thing more agreeable than watching Ms. Bentyne (what a looker!) is listening to her. That sultry, clear, mature, lilting (add more superlatives if you wish) voice tantalizes, teases, guides and soothes the listener. "Something Cool", that much maligned old standard, receives an exquisite, personal interpretation that once again, made the old sound new. Every single selection is a jewel and only gets better upon repeated listenings - If you get a chance, order today, right now!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An overlooked treasure!, February 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Something Cool (Audio CD)

This is one of those discs that is meant to be played when you cuddle up with that special someone. It's mood from beginning to end. Despite the mostly classic tunes (the title track, "Moonray," "Invitation", etc..), and the fact it was released a little over 10 years ago (in 1992), the album remains strikingly modernistic - thanks in part, to producer Mark Ishams' ethereal arrangements. But it is Bentyne who is the star and she sings in a "cries and whispers" fashion that is sensitive yet dramatic. Her cover of Blue Nile's "Let's Go Out Tonight" is hauntingly beautiful.
Purchase this CD and you won't be dissapointed!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great display of Bentyne's drop-dead voice, January 6, 2004

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Something Cool (Audio CD)

The four members of the Manhattan Transfer are each, on their own terms, outstanding singers, which is one of the reasons they sound so terrific together. But the quartet's two female members, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne, have each done some equally memorable solo work. This CD is now about ten years old, and worth revisiting since Bentyne's next one, "Talk of the Town," is just being released in the U.S. (I envy those lucky souls in Japan who have already heard this for about a year.)

Voices are always a very personal thing, but I find it difficult to think of who would not enjoy Bentyne's consummate musicianship and incredible control. The very first track, the dreamy "Something Cool," sets the languid tone for the entire CD, and Bentyne sounds terrific. (You might quibble with the spacey, electronics-filled accompaniment, but never mind.)

Other delights include a piercing "Let's Go Out Tonight" with Bentyne sailing rivetingly high at the end, and Kurt Weill's "Lonely House" done with sweeping emotion. The great thing about Bentyne is that she really *sings*, without overuse of melisma (a technique of singing several notes on a single syllable). Her technique can be powerful when called for, all the way down to an intimate hush that is equally impressive.

Her collaborator here is trumpeter Mark Isham, who also sounds beautiful, and the entire CD has a dreamy, faraway quality that is most engaging. The sound quality is excellent, keeping attention focused on Bentyne's crystal clear voice. If you like good jazz singing, this will surely keep you very happy.