Customer Reviews

Speak Low

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This cd is a real change for Boz. It showcases how great his vocal abilities are. No rock and roll here--just low key jazz vocal songs that are mellow and effective. Fans of Boz will love this cd. Its perfect for being alone with your girlfriend boyfriend or spouse in front of a fireplace to set you in the mood. After two or three listens to this cd, you will be hooked. Boz as we all know, is one hell of a singer. The songs are well chosen and contain emotional lyrics. Here he is in another world and you will love it. Get it now!!!!!

"It started out with the basics - finding the song and choosing a key - and proceeded with experiments in feel, rhythm, and tempo. But it is the stillness we tried to preserve, a transcendent feeling of stopping time - doing nothing - and letting these great songs carry us along." ~ Boz Scaggs ~

It's so nice to listen to Boz Scaggs once again and revisit his striking vocal artistry having been one of my favorite singers in the Seventies. He's not only a great singer, he plays incredible guitar too and not to mention he writes songs as well. I love some of his songs like "Heart of Mine," "Look What You've Done To Me" and "We're All Alone." I'm so glad that he came up with this wonderful album of self-chosen standards with fresh arrangements and totally enchanting interpretations. The chart arrangements by a gifted pianist/arranger, Gil Goldstein, are nothing short of splendid. According to the Grammy-winning-singer-songwriter-guitarist, "Gil has an expression on the piano like Bill Evans - a light touch that suspends notes at a time or in deft clusters like stars in the night sky." This is probably the highest compliment ever given to him. Some of the most remarkable recordings of Chris Botti were also done with the multi-Grammy-winning musician/arranger, Gil Goldstein.

This album is a beautiful collaboration between Boz Scaggs (vocals/guitar), Gil Goldstein (arranger/piano/accordion/Rhodes/Wurlitzer) and a crew of skilled musicians such as Mike Mainieri (vibes/marimba), Alex Acuna (drums/percussion), Bob Sheppard (sax), Joyce Hammann (violin/concertmaster), Laura Seaton (violin), Scott Colley (bass), Lawrence Feldman (flute), among many others. The exceptional musicianship is simply the result of a flawlessly-produced album of time-tested standards from the pens of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Ogden Nash, Kurt Weill, Duke Ellington and Harold Arlen, and a few others.

Boz Scaggs kicks off with his handsome rendition of an all-time favorite song of mine, "Invitation." (Joe Sample recorded the most beautiful instrumental version of this song that can be heard in Invitation). The listeners are invited to a one-of-a-kind musical adventure that promises a dozen of songs rendered in the most enchanting fashion. Every song has its own charms, but the loveliest musical moments include the title track, "Speak Low" which is a real beauty and made more special with Mike Mainieri's articulate and expressive chops on vibraphone, one of my top favorite instruments. My special mention goes to him for his exquisitely brilliant work not only on this track, but on the entire album. "I'll Remember April" is absolutely stunning. I love every little thing about it and if you will listen closely to its breathtaking forty-five seconds bridge, you will know what I mean. "Skylark" is a total charmer. "Dindi" has become my favorite new version with its ear-catching delivery. "I Wish I Knew" is hauntingly lovable. "She Was Too Good To Me" is given the most heartfelt treatment and same with "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me."

If I could whisper in your ear a piece of musical advice...buy this without having second thoughts. You won't regret it. Also, a perfect companion to this album is But Beautiful, Standards: Volume 1. You're in for a lovely musical delight.

After listening to this three times in a row, this is my verdict...

Disenchanted? No. Enchanted? Yes!

Boz Scaggs, with the sole exception of the incomparable Van Morrison, is our greatest singer today. This CD validates his artistic vision and accentuates his relaxed smooth style.

Not a filler nor throwaway cut on this release, each is a genuine treasure. It's all-but guaranteed that you'll start on the first track and listen to the end. Then begin the process once more. You cannot get fatigued. I flew coast-to-coast last week, listening to this CD through noise-canceling headphones non-stop.

The texture of Mr. Scaggs's voice, his immaculate phrasing, the superb band, and the spellbinding song selection proves something: Perfection is why we listen to music.

Buy this today and enjoy it the rest of your life!

i just saw boz on his "speak low" tour this past friday night, november 7 2008.

there are no words to say how wonderful it was and how he sounded :) it was a small intimate jazz club in oklahoma and with that atmosphere it was if he were singing just for you. several of the musicians with him were also with him during the recording of this soundtrack. miss monet was also with him...how great is her voice???

the tickets were very expensive but i do not regret it one bit. i've never been much of jazz fan but i was willing to try anything by boz. believe me...it will not disappoint you.

he just gets better with age. if you have not already purchased this, PLEASE DO. you will not regret it. and if you have a chance to see him on this tour....run and buy those tickets. boz sounds better than he ever has. he just gets better with age :)

At first hearing, I passed this off as an homage to Chet Baker, but after closer listening, I hear elements of the late Gil Evans in the arrangements (Think Gil during the Sketches of Spain period). Boz's vocal delivery, like a fine wine, just gets better with age. Somebody asked me to describe this album, and I said: noire jazz - very much in an older style, but tastefully done and too hip for the room. Passing fans of Boz from his Silk Degrees days may not get this album, and that's too bad, because they're missing out on a very hip facet of Boz's musical persona. I think of this album as the male answer to Diana Krall's album "The Look Of Love"---- very intimate and vulnerable.
And to Mr. Rodgers of NY: I didn't realize that a musical (The Nervous Set) about the beat generation in post-WW2 east St. Louis had anything to do with gay people----your conclusion of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" is way, waaaay off. In the context of the musical, the song is a reflection of the narrative: post-war men trying to find meaning and direction and drowning their sorrows and could-have-been's in a bar. It's poignancy is universal, and many people, not just gays, identify with its themes.

This is one of the best albums of the year. An easy listening classic that you could have playing in the background any time of the day or night. Boz Scaggs has had some real hits in the past and Boz does it again with this album!

Tracks 2-12 were awesome. Track 1 was fair. Id go out & buy his new cd as quick as you can. Hes in rare form. He just keeps getting better with each new release.

Ohhhh, baby baby!! Boz's voice is sexy, sexy, sexy!! This CD is bound to be a long overdue award winner for him. Whether he writes his own songs or records songs by other artists, he's a master at selecting tunes that fit his voice and image. The dude can sing and he really does get better with age. We've gone to every concert of his that we can possible get to since the 1970's and have never been disappointed. The same is true of his CD's, they're great, he's great and you'll have a great time listening to his latest release, and if you don't have his other collection of standards, "But Beautiful", maybe you should get it. After all, there's no such thing as too much of a good thing. That's the lowdown!

Wonderful collection of jazz standards with Boz Scaggs at his finest.
His voice has aged beautifully and the selections are compatibly superb.

Bought Boz Skaggs' CD titled Speak Low. Love it! Love it! Love it! Shipped quickly, no problems.
Thanks.