Customer Reviews

A Song for You

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a musician, and long time Kenny Rankin fan, I was thrilled to listen to "A Song for You." I'll cut to the chase - Buy this album, bring it home, dim the lights, open a bottle of Merlot, light a fire in the fireplace, and share each of these musical masterpieces with someone you love. "I've Just Seen a Face" is pure genius. The only criticism here is that I could have used about 10 more cuts.

I have listened to Kenny for about 30 years and he has always been that unique talent and voice that was a cut above the rest. This compilation is the best that he has ever put together. I have seen him in concert several times and have tickets to see him in Albany, NY in April. He mesmerizes his audience and his voice is as fresh as it was all of those years ago. He is honest and open about himself and shares that with his listeners. Where Do You Start,I've Just Seen a Face,Spanish Harlem and Then I'll Be Tired of You are as good as it gets in touching the soul and setting a mood. They take you to another place. Kenny and his voice and guitar are pure genius and he understands that it is a gift and shares it with us. This is the best at his best. Thank you Kenny.

This is one of the most outstanding CD's I've heard in a long time. The music is spontaneous and refreshing, and Kenny's voice gets better with every recording he does. His renditions of "I've just seen a face," and "A song for you" are hauntingly beautiful. They will stay with you long after the music has ended. If you want real talent, buy this CD, I guarantee you won't be disappointed........

THE VETERAN CONSUMMATE ARTIST HAS ONCE AGAIN PLACED HIS OPEN HEART AND SOUL OUT THERE FOR THE WORLD TO BECOME ENRICHED BY... AND BABY DID IT EVER WORK! KENNY JUST KEEPS PRODUCING PERFECT RECORDINGS. AFTER 25 YEARS OF LISTENING I FINALLY GET WHERE KENNY RANKIN FITS IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS: THERE ARE THOSE WHO SCORE THE SUPERSTAR DEALS AND ARE MADE THE ICON OF THE DAY...AND THAT'S JUST ABOUT HOW LONG THEY LAST... A DAY! THEN THERE ARE A VERY FEW MUSICIANS WHO CONTINUE TO BUILD A BODY OF WORK THAT ENDURES FOR GENERATIONS TO ENJOY. AND THEN THERE COMES AN ARTISTIC GENIUS THAT DOES WHAT HE MUST DO TO EXIST (I KNOW THE WORD GENIUS IS THROWN AROUND AND CHEAPENED BY OVER USE-- BUT LISTEN TO KENNY RANKIN'S "A SONG FOR YOU" THEN TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE DEFINITION OF "GENIUS"-- THIS REVIEWER DOES NOT USE IT WITH POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, KENNY RANKIN IS ONE OF THE RARE ORGINAL CREATORS OF THE ART FORM WHO TRULY DESERVES THE TITLE: "GENIUS" ASSOCIATED WITH HIS NAME) ONCE AGAIN HE HAS WORKED HIS WONDERFUL MAGIC AND THE BY-PRODUCT IS STUNNING, BRILLIANT, UNFORGETABLE AND UNQUESTIONABLY SETS THE STANDARD FOR WHAT "ART" IS. THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN GIVEN IN GIFTED SOUL AND SINGULAR VOICE OF KENNY RANKIN. LONG AFTER THIS GENERATION HAS PASSED AWAY AND WE ARE ALL DISTANT MEMORIES, KENNY'S WORK WILL STAND AS A BECON OF WHAT JAZZ IN THIS ERA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE-- NO MADISON AVENUE HYPE-- JUST THE PURE ART FORM. THAT IS WHERE KENNY RANKIN FITS IN...AT THE TOP...THE VOICE THAT DEFINES THE MUSIC AND THE MUSIC THAT DEFINES AN ERA. "SONG FOR YOU" IS ANOTHER GREATLY WELCOMED CHAPTER IN THE BOOK THAT IS KENNY RANKIN'S GIFT AND PASSION TO THOSE OF US FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE FELLOW TRAVLERS. BE GOOD TO YOURSELF--BUY THIS RECORDING NOW.

Before listening to "Song for You", my favorite Kenny cd was "After the Roses". This one surpasses even it. I can't tell you how relaxed and effortlessly he performs each song, and each one left me wanting more just like it. The title song "A Song for You" is an updated, haunting version of The Carpenter's popular rendition years ago. I will never understand why Kenny Rankin hasn't attained the popularity that James Taylor has . . . he has a much better voice than James. Buy this cd, sit back, relax, and listen to some fantasy-inspiring music.

I can't stop listening to this album. His rendition of She Was Too Good To Me surpasses that of the late Chet Baker. Where Do You Start is haunting and powerful. I hope that Kenny records more of the old classics.

After catching Kenny's unforgettable show last week at the Plush Room in SF, I purchased "A Song for You". I also pulled out my old LP's of his and had a Kenny Rankin Revival festival for days. Not only is he graced with a beautiful voice and great musicianship, but he's so charismatic on stage as well. Treat yourself to this artist's latest CD, and I'm certain you will be more than pleased with what you hear/feel from Kenny's interpretation of these particular songs.

Want something for a quiet evening, this is it. Long before Diana Krall, Kenny put out music for those quiet times. This is my favorite since his self titled LP. Just amazing.

Rankin is one of the rarest of singers: someone who sounds almost the same today as he did 20 or 25 years ago. This is an album of impeccably performed standards, the standout being his gentle bossa-nova-style rendering of Harold Arlen's "When The Sun Comes Out." A gem.

It's hard to believe that Kenny Rankin is no longer with us to record more remarkable music for his fans to enjoy. This review comes with my heartfelt sympathy to his family. My heart goes out to them and my prayers as well as I join the music world in mourning the loss of such an incredible talent.

"To everything there is a season
And a time for every purpose under the Heaven
A time to be born, and a time to die" ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 ~

When I've read the news about his death, I pulled out some of my Kenny Rankin CDs and started listening. Once again, I marvel at his distinctively amazing singing style that is full of ingenious improvisations. He had an innate ability to interpret music in his own special flair that makes it quite impressive. And this inviting album, "A Song For You" is a perfect testament of his unparalleled creativity. He was one of the most underrated musicians, but to his appreciative fans, he was a picture of a brilliant artist who can sing, write songs, compose music and play musical instruments -- a true indication of a cultured, artistic and talented person. His music has inspired me, touched my heart and moved my musical sensibilities.

I have enjoyed this album time and again as well as his other beautiful recordings: "The Kenny Rankin Album," "After The Roses," "Because of You," "Professional Dreamer," "Bottom Line Encore Collection" and "Haven't We Met?"

Backing him to make the material on this disc worthy to music lovers' listening pleasure include musicians who are among the finest in the industry -- names such as Alan Broadbent (arranger), Christian McBride (bass), Russell Malone (guitar), Lewis Nash (drums), David Spinozza (acoustic/electric guitar), Chris Potter (tenor sax), Roy Hargrove, Rick Baptiste and Warren Luening (trumpet), John Beasley (arranger/orchestrator) from among many others.

The most fascinating tracks from this set that truly bring out the best in him are the songs that moved me with their eternal charms - "Then I'll Be Tired Of You," "The Way You Look Tonight," "When The Sun Comes Out" and "Love Walked In."

At the end of the disc, Kenny Rankin allows the listeners to savor the mellower side of his vocal chords by singing the title track in his very own unique style. It is just the right song to wrap up your lovely and inspiring listening journey.

"Heaven is a place nearby
So there's no need to say goodbye" ~ Lene Marlin ~