Customer Reviews

Time for Two

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was initially reserved about listening her music anymore (another case of too much information influencing otherwise nice opinion).No matter how difficult a woman may be in person,her albums are simply wonderful to listen.I fell in love with her music every time I find her "Verve" albums (1952-63) and this one is my new all-time-favourite... Not just that her whole I-dont-care attitude fits perfectly with latin music,arrangments are intelligent and not killing with overdose of drumms (besides dancing rhytms,there are some lovely ballads).I am listening this album for a week now and still can't find one false step,its simply masterpiece.Just as Billie made art from novelty songs in 30-es,Anita did wonders with "Mr.Sandman".If you listen carefully,you can hear traces of arrogance and detachment in her voice,but I find it very appealing as a opposite of numerous sacharine voices of her time.Anita may be playing second fiddle to Ella Fitzgerald in Norman Granz "Verve" company,but to me she was first.If you give this album one listening,you would be really surprised!

Both Anita O'Day and Cal Tjader are strong believers in improvising, together they swing through some excellent material including an afro-cuban swing version of Mr Sandman which actually sounds hip. O'Day with her completley black phrasing is perfect with Tjader's afro-cubam rhythms, also includes swing, blues, standards, all with a touch of hot jazz. Highlights include "That's Your Red Wagon" "Peel Me A Grape" and an absolutly hot version of "MR Sandman". Highly recommended as are all of Miss O"Day's Verves. Consumer Guidism: If Anita O'Day's name is on the cover buy it.

No need to drag things out with superlatives. Simply stated, this is one of the best albums (of any genre) I've heard in many years. Not to be missed.

O'Day sounds delighted in this sensious session, Anita never sounded as sensual as she does on this very jazz oriented set. Highly recommended as are all of her Verves. If you like Anita O'Day you might also try her latest CD on Pablo "Rules Of The Road" and if you want to see her live she performs regukarly at The Atlas Bar & Grill in Los Angeles.

THis CD re-issues her wonderful Verve session with Cal Tjader, this is latin O'Day which is fun, exciting, romantic, and beautiful. O'Day's voice sounds full and moody throughout... This CD like all of her verve re-issues is essential. Next time you're in LA go see Anita perform live at The Atlas Supper Club on most Tuesday nights on Western and Wilshire.

She sings and swings beautifully. With great improvisation of melody. Cal Tjader plays great vibes and his foursome adds a suberb latin rhythm to the jazzy melodies. So smooth and fun.

Very hip album from Anita, including of all things "Mr. Sandman." She does ballads, blues, uptempo numbers, everything with melodic inspiration. Tjader is great.

Ever notice how when a new performer comes along they are like "The next..." like any bass player could be the "New Mingus"It's ridiculous.But I spent 6 years slinging jazz just as Diana Krall was staring her career.Now I liked her "Nat Cole" CD.But then it just more of same slower tempo's to make her more husky and sexy etc.And she's a cute white chick.I'd say "If you want a singer who accompanies herself then try Shirley Horn.And a dozen or two singers other than Billie,Ella,and Sassy when you don't have any but want the 6th Krall CD the day it comes out.Politics.But what got me was on one CD a blockhead critic say's Diana Krall "Now Own's (a la Sinatra and "Luck Be A Lady")Peel Me Grape".What idiots most critics are (including me.I had a friend who owned a used CD shop and he had logo on front of T-Shirt and on back "I Like Good Muisc You Like Crap" which sums it up).

Anyway what made this assertion absurd is the killer is Cal Tjader the straight ahead and Latin band master and Ms.O'Day's who IMHO do the definitive version.Full of killer cuts like "Peel","Under A Blanket Of Blue",Thanks For The Memory","Mr.Sandman" etc it is full of uber hip songs and ballads the best of which has to be the superbly swinging "An Occasional Man".Plus the sound of Tjader on vibes or drums with only a pianist or bassist to accompany him he get's this hypnotic sound near the mythic larger ensemble LP of his "Soul Sauce"and ,If somebody asked me for 50 top female jazz Lp's of all time this would DEFINTELY be high on the list.It is the equal of at least half a dozen other 5+ O'Day LP's.
Keep Scwingging
Chazz
[...]

After reading a VERY bad description of Anita O Day personality, I was initially reserved about listening her music anymore (another case of too much information influencing otherwise nice opinion).No matter how difficult a woman may be in person,her albums are simply wonderful to listen.I fell in love with her music every time I find her "Verve" albums (1952-63) and this one is my new all-time-favourite... Not just that her whole I-dont-give-a-damn attitude fits perfectly with latin music,arrangments are intelligent and not killing with overdose of drumms (besides dancing rhytms,there are some lovely ballads).I am listening this album for a week now and still can't find one false step,its simply masterpiece.Just as Billie made art from novelty songs in 30-es,Anita did wonders with "Mr.Sandman".If you listen carefully,you can hear traces of arrogance and detachment in her voice,but I find it very appealing as a opposite of numerous sacharine voices of her time.Anita may be playing second fiddle to Ella Fitzgerald in Norman Granz "Verve" company,but to me she was first.If you give this album one listening,you would be really surprised!

It's a personal thing. I consider a vibraphone as one of the most redundant instruments, at least in jazz combo's. One needs a bass, a drum, a piano, a sax and a guitar, but vibes? Vibraphones sound as instruments for kids, they annoy me,they force themselves to the foreground and one can easily do without them. Most of the time their players don't know when to stop their tingling.
Well happily, on this CD Cal Tjader isn't half as intrusive as Milt Jackson usually is. He plays quite modest and lets Anita come forward with gems like An Occasional Man, It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream, Peel me a grape, and Anita even makes someting special from Mr. Sandman.
I know, this should be a 5 star item. But the vibraphone....
It's a personal thing...