Water

Gregory Porter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motema Music
• ASIN: B003D5X3VM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,391 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

2010 Grammy Finalist: Jazz Category -
Best Jazz Vocal Album --Grammy.com/nominees

Product Description

With his rich baritone sound and intelligent, sensual lyrics, Gregory Porter's star is rising fast. This highly anticipated debut recording, which features seven compelling originals and four standards, captures the intensity of his live performances and establishes an important new voice in jazz, gospel, and soul. Iconic Blue Note jazzman James Spaulding - noted for his classic recordings with Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson - plays a featured role in "Wisdom" and "Black Nile."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Music! November 29, 2010

By Pedro

Format:MP3 Music

I have seen Mr. Porter perform three different times. The last time at Smoke, last Wednesday. This most recent time, he had a smokin' band and he was up to the challenge. When the band and the singer challenge each other, and both step-up, it's a magical journey into the musical kingdom.

I bought the CD and I recommend it with unbridled enthusiasm. His voice reminds me a lot of Joe Williams, one of my favorite jazz/blues singers. He can interpret other people's songs- "Skylark", for instance- and does a beautiful job. But his own songs are the centerpiece of this CD. "Water," "Illusion," "Black Nile" and "1960 What?" are fine examples of the beauty, feeling, soul and social awareness that Mr. Porter puts into everyone of the songs he writes and/or sings.

As I was leaving Smoke, I told the owner that this man, in a fair world, should be filling up Giant Stadium. He should also be selling 100,000's of CD's. Buy one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Depute CD - A Major Talent to Watch & Listen December 19, 2011

By Victor Rocine

Format:Audio CD

I've seen Gregory Porter twice at Jazz at Lincoln Center -- Powerful. The second time I purchased his CD -- Outstanding. He's written most of the music -- Amazing. Includes a great combination of jazz ballads, R&B, even a protest song. A significant depute CD. An artist to watch.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Rare recording by a new male vocalist January 1, 2011

By Samuel Chell HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

If you haven't noticed, female jazz vocalists have fallen upon tough times since the days of Ella, Sarah, Carmen and Shirley Horn. But unlike male vocalists, they aren't all but extinct. The scarcity of male jazz singers has less to do with the talent out there than with finding listeners who have any interest in it. Since Sinatra, Torme, and the occasional release by the iconic Tony Bennett, the only male vocalist to receive much attention is the gifted Kurt Elling.

Porter has a voice that is frequently reminiscent of Elling's, even if his scatting and vocalese are not quite up to that level as yet. Its full, slightly rough baritone quality has an "edge" that could easily overwhelm the spare accompaniment on a recording like this were the instruments--especially the piano--not miked exceptionally close and placed far forward in the mix.

It's a long program--over an hour--that would challenge any vocalist to sustain interest without the help of a full orchestra arranged by Riddle or Mandel. Porter fares better, perhaps, than Tom Vopat, whose recent Harold Arlen tribute album, despite the undeniable talents and appealing voice of the featured artist, becomes strangely wearing about half way through.

This is one of those albums that hearkens back to the '70s in its refusal to provide any relevant information (such as identifying the musicians). Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that Porter has worked closely with this rhythm section, which is unusually free and empathetic without seeming overly organized or merely "tight." (There were times I had to concentrate especially hard to find "one," even though the beat itself was clear and pronounced....)

The songs are appealing enough, but as with most original material these days, there's excessive emphasis on the Dorian, or minor, modality. Also, the vocal power has a tendency to overwhelm some of the sensitivities implied by lyrics expressing the tenderness of love, or the wonder and feelings provoked by nature. Only in "1960s What?" did some of that angry rhetoric seem entirely appropriate to the power of the words (suggestive of the 1960s notorious "Algiers Motel" incident in Detroit.)

Alto, flugel, and trombone are all used sparingly and tastefully. The altoist employs the virtually generic, tightly wound, "squeezed" sound that has been in vogue ever since fusion and New Age music became ubiquitous (where have the individual instrumental voices gone? the inimitable, "full-throated," embodied sound of Cannonball, Stitt, Desmond, Pepper, Woods, Bird--or Hodges?).

A highlight is the minimalist but highly effective accompaniment supplied by the pianist. He pulls off an especially beautiful and surprising key modulation in the introduction to Hoagy's/Mercer's "Skylark" and contributes a very simple yet daring solo on Van Heusen's "But Beautiful," in which his playing of the melody in the lower register with his left hand is reminiscent of the arranging of Gordon Jenkins, Sinatra's most frequent arranger after Nelson Riddle. On these two songs, as well as the last three vocal-piano duets, Porter is at his very best, elevating the lyrics to poetry, playing freely with the time, phrasing without regard to meter or occasionally singing way behind the beat without "losing" it.

In short, a frequently rewarding album by a highly promising new male voice. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant August 14, 2011

By Cemil Gandur

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this CD after hearing 1960 What? on the (internet) radio. I was not disappointed. This is is a superb Jazz CD, great vocals, great tunes, great solos, great band - highly recommended. I can't wait to have the pleasure to hear him live and can't wait for his next CD. The real thing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This artist is Hot May 28, 2013

By GGT Productions

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Can play this cd for hours. The song '1960 What' is the Bomb! The other grooves are as smooth as butter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!! May 15, 2013

By C. B. King

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Gregory Porter is my new favorite jazz singer. His voice is melodic and his manners are very mature. He makes absolutely beautiful music!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great all night music. March 24, 2013

By ExPatriot Martian

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

GP's voice and meter complement the lyrics perfectly. I had wanted some good jazzy blue songs to listen to and heard Mr. Porter on a podcast. I am so glad I purchased!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome surprise! January 17, 2013

By Fabulous

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I heard this song on a local jazz station one evening. I'd never heard of Gregory Porter but liked his voice (deep, smooth and mellow). His music is nice to listen to on a lazy day or to wind-down from a busy work week. This cut is slightly up beat....in the same vane as Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful Day". I've downloaded other cuts from GP and they are just a nice!