Customer Reviews

Surrender

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My small addendum. Monheit has the best voice in jazz today. I'm a 5 year fan.
On stage 3 weeks ago in Boston with her band she was great. But she badly needs a statement album - one that defines her and her talent. She has been with at least 3 labels and I think that they have been pulling this immensely talented singer in too many directions. Her vocal breadth is so extraordinary and she can do so much vocally that she ends up doing a little of everything well but her albums are not cohesive sounding. They sound watered down and undefined. You never know what you are going to get from song to song and it's been getting worse on the newer albums. I was hoping with the change to a Jazz label like Concord that this would be behind her but not yet. What are those A&R types doing? I even congratulated here on her new label after the show and there was an unstated acknowledgment that her and Sony were not a good fit. Like RC I hope the next CD is great, because I'm running out of patience after 7 CD's and several other tracks on various artists albums and 6 live shows. She is t o o good t o o waste. So how about it producers? - Give us some jazz, give us some swing. Give us the real Jane and get rid of the strings.

Surrender, Jane Monheit's seventh release and her first with Concord Records finds the velvet-voiced chanteuse in top vocal form, interpreting a selection of pop songs and standards woven together with dreamy bossa nova rhythms. I was a little concerned about what direction Monheit's recording career would take after she departed Sony, where she released Taking a Chance on Love and The Season. The former is an absolutely sublime collection of standards from MGM musicals, while the latter, a Christmas disc, contains moments of brilliance but stylistically is somewhat disjointed and quite frankly a bit of a mess style-wise. She's a great singer who seems to struggle with finding her musical "niche." With Surrender, Monheit moves away from the straight pop-jazz style of Taking a Chance on Love, and returns to the Brazilian-influenced, bossa nova style pop that was often evident on her first three albums for the N-Coded label. It's a shrewd move and a successful one given the resulting album. Surrender is so utterly lovely, lush and romantic and seamlessly constructed, it reminds me of the classic Brazilian-style concept album Frank Sinatra recorded with the inimitable Antonio Carlos Jobim forty years ago. Given that it is fitting that on Surrender Monheit puts her own spin on two of Jobim's compositions -- "So Tinha De Ser Come Voce" and "Caminhos Cruzados" (the latter featuring Toots Thielemans accompanying her on the harmonica). She turns in an absolutely stunning version of "Moon River" -- Monheit at once makes the song both a tribute to the original version and entirely her own with her pitch-perfect, wistful interpretation. There is a gorgeous duet with Ivan Lins on his composition "Rio De Maio." Monheit's also accompanied by composer Sergio Mendes on "So Many Stars," one of my favorite tracks. Other standouts include the beautiful, lyrical "If You Went Away," "Surrender," which shows off Monheit's vocal range, her re-invention of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," and the elegant simplicity of Johnny Mandel's "A Time for Love." Target is selling Surrender with a bonus track, "The Shining Sea."

R & R Bossa Nova is a musical phrase I coined to classify some of the CDs from my collection ... it stands for Refreshing and Relaxing Bossa Nova music. This CD, "Surrender" is a fitting example for it contains quite a lot of Brazilian-infused numbers that are absolutely enchanting and very pleasing to the ears.

Sergio Mendes, Ivan Lins, Toots Thielemans, Vince Mendoza and Jorge Calandrelli are some of the most trusted names when it comes to exquisite music - their presence in this recording adds beauty, brilliance and timeless appeal that most listeners often look for in an album.

What makes this disc so special? Jane Monheit's impeccably refreshing, relaxing and soothing renditions; tasteful choice of material from the pens of Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Sergio Mendes, Johnny Mandel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Stevie Wonder, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, among others; sublime musicianship from a fine group of studio musicians that include pianist Michael Kanan, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, drummer Rick Montalbano (Monheit's husband), saxophonist Ari Ambrose, just to name a few; a lush string orchestra; and more importantly, Vince Mendoza's arrangements and Jorge Calandrelli's grand orchestral charts.

The Bossa Nova charmers include "Caminhos Cruzados" featuring Toots Thielemans on a stunning extended harmonica solo, an enthralling duet with Ivan Lins, "Rio De Maio" and "So Tinha De Ser Con Voce." The tasteful repertoire wouldn't be as wonderful as it is without "Moon River," "A Time For Love," "Overjoyed" and "Alfie," the track that spotlights Monheit's impressive vocals accompanied only by the romantic sound of Michael Kanan's piano.

Monheit is at her most gentle and relaxed mood in "Like A Lover" treating the lyrics like the delicate petals of pink roses. "So Many Stars" is breathtakingly beautiful! It features on piano its famed composer and Bossa Nova icon Sergio Mendes, whom I've met at his 40th anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl over a year ago. Its lovely arrangement is based on the original chart recorded by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 entitled Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Greatest Hits.

Who could better interpret "If You Went Away" with heartfelt emotion and tender perfection? She aced it and made it her own. This track is such a beauty from the first note to the last.

"My world is safe and it's worth living for
Even more with you
I've learned to treasure each moment of time
You've even taught me how high love can climb"

If you will listen closely with undivided attention to each track focusing not only on Monheit's vocals, but also the arrangements, instrumentations especially the solos, you'll agree with me that this is by far her best offering.

A gem of a CD. With my heartfelt recommendation.

I have followed Monheit's singing over her first few albums. I enjoyed listening to them but I generally thought her voice was a bit too "white bread." Yawn. But this album really has me impressed. I must confess a recent embracement of latin bossa nova stuff, and her work here in Portugese really got me excited. I think it shows a level of character. Her voice seems to have matured into one heck of an instrument, too. I think Jane could be the next Ella or Billie.

On this CD, I'm particlarly impressed by three Portugese numbers -- Rio De Maio, Só Tinha De Ser Com Você, and Caminhos Cruzados. And, oh boy, that rendition of Overjoyed blows me away.

What I think is a really gutsy move is her re-recording of tunes she had recorded earlier (on this album, So Many Stars; a couple others on Live At The Rainbow Room). If you compare the later versions you might be impressed, like me, on how much she has improved as an artist. So Many Start has a much more intricate beat, but even more significant is the added richness and depth of Monheit's voice. Wow.

I love the real balance that the producers have given her -- she's not just a singer with stringer behind her, but more of a jazz vocalist taking turns with her musicians. Now I'd like to see her steer herself in her own direction and establish her own voice through the perfect selection of songs to cover. I look forward to more recordings. If her voice is this amazing after just a couple of years, imagine what she'll be doing in a couple more!

Jane Monheit is a great singer, with one of the loveliest voices in the business. Yet, I get frustrated with her, because she doesn't ever seem to knock out a great c.d.

My disappointment continues.

Well, to be fair about it, if you're into smooth, m.o.r. jazz, you may well find this great. But I'm not.

Take her cover of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed", for example. This sounds like an audition for "American Idol." I'm sure Randy, Paula and Simon would be impressed by this cover. But I for one believe the world would be a better place if Randy, Paula and Simon would be impressed by the next Kurt Elling or the next Cassandra Wilson.

That's not to knock everything on the c.d. Ms. Monheit fares best on the bossa tunes. In particular, her duets with Ivan Lins on "Rio de Maio" and with Toots Thielemans on "Caminhos Cruzados" are gorgeous.

But then there's one of Johnny Mandel's greatest tunes, "A Time for Love." When I think of this tune, I think of how Shirley Horn and Abbey Lincoln did it. Ms Monheit has a much lovelier voice than they; yet, those two great chanteusses did the song with heart, soul, and joie d'vrie. Each made the song memorable. But the arrangement here sounds like a lovely, light-reflecting pond with no waves.

An even better example of my frustration is her cover of "Moon River." With the over-stringed arrangement, this comes off initially as a pale imitation of Streisand. But on the second chorus, she starts playing with and bending the melody. That's the Jane Monheit I wish I could hear more of.

I may be finicky, but I just expect more out of a Manhattan School of Music-trained musician, especially one with as lovely a voice as Jane Monheit and one who started her career with such a roar. I hope the next c.d. is great, because I'm running out of patience. RC

Jane proves again her amazing vocal skills. I saw Jane recently at the Birchmere in Alexandria performing mostly songs from this CD. She made a special point of thanking us at the end of the concert, before her encore, for "really listening." And we did. It's the first concert I've been to in a long time where people were literally sitting at the edge of their chair to hear every note, every breath and every nuance. This jazzy-bossa nova style suits her perfectly and her singing in Portugese is flawless. Superb CD, superb performer. I can't recommend this CD highly enough.

This is easy listening muzac, pure and simple - more at home in a dentists surgery or an elevator. The voice is wonderful, but where's the spark and the passion? It feels like the lights are on, but nobodys home. Jazz? No way!

Jane Monheit is my favorite singer, and I love her other albums, but this one is just one boring song after another. Please Jane, go back to the jazz!!

Jane Monheit reminds one that there's a huge difference between an entertainer and merely a singer (like Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux both of whom I enjoy immensely). Singers were made for CDs; entertainers were made for both CDs and live performances. Go see Jane. Listen to Norah and Madeleine on CD.

For those of you familiar with the vocal and jazz interpretations of Jane Monheit's first six albums, there's no reason to sell you on her fabulous vocal readings of some of the greatest classic songs from the American songbook. On Monheit's seventh release in seven years, she delivers an album that's as lush as the flowers are in springtime, and that's in large part due to her producer Jorge Callandrelli, who is responsible for some of the best work from the crème of the crop that includes Tony Bennett, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand.

With Callandrelli's guidance, Monheit delivers an album that is filled with romantic music, focusing on ballads and bossa nova style interpretations. A touch of Sergio Mendes' piano and his composition "So Many Stars" is one of the album's highlights. The purity of Monheit's vocals is as stunning as the composition itself, which has the gorgeous melody carried by romantic lyrics that Alan & Marilyn Bergman are so famous for.

"Overjoyed" is exactly what I am with Jane's brilliant cover of the Stevie Wonder track. She handles this sentimental favorite with a bossa nova flavor, and is one of the most sensational selections on the album. When you're covering a legend such as Stevie Wonder, you'd best be bringing something fresh to the table and that's exactly what Monheit did with this truly unique interpretation.

There are three Spanish tracks that reek of romanticism, such as "Rio de Maio," a samba styled jewel performed with Ivan Lins, "Só Tinha de ser Com Vocé," a succulent and stylish vocal that's reminiscent of a cross between Astrud Gilberto and Sadé, and a stunning track titled "Caminhos Cruzados," performed beautifully with Toots Thielemans.

The title track is a great vocal workout, as Monheit's upper and lower register are put to the test, and she passes through this luxuriant sonata with the greatest of ease.

One very special track that holds a place in my heart is the Henry Mancini-Johnny Mercer classic "Moon River." Monheit sings it with such distinctive glory, it's almost as if I was enjoying this track for the first time - not just because even this timeless track that was written forty-six years ago still registers chills for nostalgic reasons, but mostly because of the unique production and crystalline vocal accomplishment.

The final track is always meticulously chosen because it's the one that will leave that everlasting effect on you, as does "A Time For Love." Its simplistic beauty sums up the entire album's sensibilities.

I guarantee that when you have this disc playing, people will be asking "who is this?" for all the right reasons. If you don't own a recording of Jane Monheit's (and even if you do) it's time to surrender to this Grammy-nominated woman who possesses one of the most stunning voices of the present day.