Summer Music [Import]

Jim Ferguson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Challenge
• ASIN: B00004YR9D
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,798 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bullseye!, December 13, 2000

By 

John MacLeod "observer" (Guelph, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summer Music (Audio CD)

What a pleasure to finally have Jim Ferguson back! His debut album "Not Just Another Pretty Bass" was recorded nearly three years earlier, so "Deep Summer Music" is long-awaited and most welcome.

Ferguson's vocal and bass performances are even more impressive this time around -- and, quite honestly, if he only did one he'd be noteworthy. Being this good at both is sorta too much talent... not to mention his standout songwriting on a few of the tracks here, as well.

I risk incurring the wrath of the faithful here, but on this album it finally struck me how to characterize Jim's wistful, vulnerable vocals: he hits the target Chet Baker was aiming at. But to this he also brings some vocalese, a sly humor and a bit of technical dazzle -- on "What's A Guy" there's a section of bass and scat-vocal unison work which never fails to make me grin at its coolness...

The general tone of this album is romantic and melancholy, so Chris Potter contributes tenor solos and fills that are suitably lush and languid. Some of his most beautiful work on record, and very much in keeping with the tone of the songs. Chris's sense of rightness as far as what he chooses to play never seems to fail him. However, there are a few uptempo numbers here as well [most notably a double-time "When Your Lover Has Gone"] which give him a chance to cut loose and get spiky...

However, while I can scarcely believe my own sacrilege here [since I'm a devout Potterphile], my favorite moment on this album doesn't even include Chris. "Walkin' The Dog" is not the old blues chestnut, but a Ferguson original that deserves to be a classic in its own right. A spare tableau of only the Jims on bass and bongos, it features a witheringly cool bass riff to introduce the verse, a classic "Percy Heath à la 'Django' " line in the chorus, and lyrics of dry understated wit which remind me of no one so much as Dave Frishberg [the highest praise I know, BTW!] I eagerly await more originals from Jim in the near future.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Summer Music -Great For Any Season!, May 26, 2001

By 

Dawn Johnson (Windsor, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summer Music (Audio CD)

I found out about Jim Ferguson while driving home one Saturday evening, listening to Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" program on NPR. Jim was her special guest and I was soon mesmerized by his unique, smooth delivery of a ballad, his own delightfully humorous and well-penned uptunes, and his talent as an acoustic bass player. I was amazed to find that Jim had not been performing solo for very long...he seems like such a natural.

I originally purchased this CD, because I fell in love with Jim's "Walkin' The Dog," a witty tribute to man's best friend...sometimes the only creatures who truly understand us! The listener is also treated to 13 additional songs including great standards that are seldom heard on today's releases. Jim wrote "What's A Guy Supposed To Do?" which so aptly describes the baby-boomer's lament. Collaborations such as "Come Home To Red" and "When the Night is Done" make me eager to hear more "Jim Originals."

Possessing a very pleasing voice that I've heard described as tenor (but also handling baritone just fine!), Jim knows how to caress the right word or phrase to get your attention. He can emotionally sell a song, and certainly does every track justice. I've ordered his first CD, "Not Just Another Pretty Bass," and can't wait to hear more. Good Luck to Jim on his solo career. I'm so glad I happened on that radio program on a lonely drive home!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heir to Chet Baker, November 11, 2000

By 

Winson C. Hinkle (Germantown MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summer Music (Audio CD)

Wow! Putting on Jim Ferguson's' latest CD was really a moving experience for me this afternoon. I was instantly rescued from a rather humdrum afternoon of writing some really boring javascript by Jim's absolutely transcendental voice. When I heard his first CD I wasn't sure just how to put Jim in perspective. Hearing the third cut cleared that up for me immediately. Jim is the one true heir to Chet baker, able to take us with him on wonderful excursions to out of the mundane, in to that special world of fell good jazz and celebrating the best of American Popular Song. There is no pretense her. Everything comes out as natural and as pure as the way Chet's voice transported us to a place far away from his drug-induced stupor. This pureness of heart and simple uncluttered approach is to be expected of a good bass player. Jim does this and adds another dimension to rendering the lyrics of great songs.

Jim Ferguson, resident of Nashville, Tennessee. He is a busy, working bassist, who also gives a wonderful proclamation and staging to a unique but often neglected American art form. You won't find the occasional crassness or harshness of a Frank Sinatra here. Jim's gift is just as valuable as the late chairman's, even more so since it in unfettered by use of alcohol, overuse, or in anyway complicated, just the purest distilled essence of the art.

Pianist Stefan Karlsson offer very special support to Jim's style. His leanness is just what is needed here.

If you liked Chet, you will love Jim. If you have ever listened to Mose Allison you will also love Jim's originals on the great CD. "Walkin' the Dog" and "What's a Guy Supposed to Do" will provoke some very warm and happy thoughts. The version of "Slow Hot Wind" could stand alone as the definitive recorded version. It and the other great, seldom heard standards in this set are all masterpieces of interpretation. If you are into the essence of what musical poetry is all about, better put this CD in your shopping cart.