Customer Reviews

You Inspire Me

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

 

 

I admit to not knowing much about Stigers except his vocal duet with Julia Fordham in "Where Does the Time Go?" in the latter's album. Somehow I associated him with those pop singers whose foot are this close to a door marked "sellout artists". Stigers released a jazz album called "Baby Plays Around" and that it was to be the prelude to Stigers' exploration of his jazzy-inventive side. The present album being his third jazz-inflected musical foray. Stigers' voice reminds you of a weary James Naughton and a finer-grained Tom Waits. But if you listen closer, his vocal mannerism will closely remind you of latter-era Billie Holiday. His raspy voice never sounds sand-paper-ish but he can make other people's songs his own, like the songs written by Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson, John Lennon and Randy Newman. Not to mention his extended version of "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and a revisionist "Blue Skies". I can't say I like this album immediately but I can imagine this to grow on me like most albums I have which, like old friends, will make you bask at their warmth and subtle coziness. Stigers is poised to join that pantheon.

Curtis Stigers Has A Way With A Song That Is Wonderful!!! On This New Cd He Brings His Great Voice & Jazz Stylings To Some Different "Standards". His Versions Of "Fools In Love", "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright", "She's Got A Way" & "Tired Of Waiting For You" Are Slammin'. Personal Favorites Are "You Inspire Me", "I'll Be Home" & His Stunning "Blue Skies"!!! Curtis & STACEY KENT Are Becoming Two Of The Best On The Jazz Scene!!! Please Keep The Great Cds Coming!!!

I first heard his rendition of "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" an old Lovin' Spoonfull song and had to hear more. When I purchased and listened to this offering I was blown away. He covers songs from Bob Dylan to Irving Berlin and it all is original and fresh.I then bought Secret Heart and was blown away by that too. Everyone i have given these two CD's to for gifts just loved them. Just buy it and listen. Nuff said.

A great CD from curtis, ive just recently seen him in the accompanying tour and he was truly amazing, absolutely fantastic. He even took the time to sign CDs after the concert.The first time i went to see curtis was on his first tour here, way back now, i think he just gets better, i loved his early stuff but i think his jazz is great too, its a very modern jazz, great to listen to in the car. Bring on your next tour, cant wait to be there again. Looking forward to the new CD in june (uk) From Nicola Robinson

This is the third cd to be released on the Concord Label, and it is clear to see that artistic freedom is alive and well!!

"You Inspire Me" crosses all boundaries, from standards that will always be covered through country to pop, and Curtis blends them into one amazing melting pot of great songs. Performed live is even better : catch a show if you ever have opportunity, you will not be disappointed.

Material by Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard and Irving Berlin all being performed on a jazz cd - where else could you find a singer brave enough to do this, and succeed ?

From 1960's pop songs given a jazz groove to the much-loved Chet Baker's "I Fall In Love Too Easily" being turned on its head and still sounding amazing.

Larry Goldings - is a genuis! This was the one track I had concerns about (as I love the original) but this one gets my vote too. I love what has been done here with the B-3 organ.

Mr. Stigers : you've done it again. Long may you continue to perform such wonderful material.

This CD is amazing! Once again Curtis has put his personal touch into an exciting revival of some great classics! I saw him at Joe's Pub in NYC and he awesome.

I bought this album at the same time as Cheryl Bentyne's "Talk of the Town." Both hit me at gut level as a "4 and 1/2" level; but since that rating isn't availing here, I've decided to go 4 stars with both (contrary to my usual inclinations)--for completely different reasons.

Here, I love the concept of the album and I love the arrangements. Most of the arrangements are '60's and 70's tunes, either famous ("I Feel Fine", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind", "She's Got a Way", and "Tired of Waiting for You") or not so famous by famous people (John Lennon's "Love" and Randy Newman's "I'll Be Home"). As good as they are, my favorites here are the arrangements done from "The Great American Songbook", or Sammy Cahn's "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and the highlight, a wistful, wonderful duet with Larry Goldings (piano), Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies." (Curtis explains in the liner notes, in justifying the wistful, almost melancholy feel to this, that Irving Berlin could be ironic. I disagree; I always thought that Berlin meant exactly what he wrote. I don't see any room for irony in songs such as "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "When I Lost You," "Always", or "The Girl That I Marry", to name but four. So, the fact that he could create effective irony where it really doesn't exist is tre cool, in my opinion.)

The reason I settled on 4 stars, then, is his voice. Curtis Stigers has a raspy, rough sound in his lower register; it's reminiscent of a cross between Dr. John, Willie Nelson and the "Nashville Skyline" Bob Dylan. But he's a better singer than those 3, because he has a very powerful, clean upper register, which shines through in tunes such as "Fools in Love" and "She's Got a Way." I think he'd be better off if he'd rely on his upper register in his arrangements. I also note some intonation and diction problems at the end of his phrases, and I think he's too good of a singer to have those. Similarly, at times his tenor sax sounds like Lester Young, at other times like Eddie Harris; I'd like to hear him settle on one voice. But, to my ears, these are things he can fix the next time around, and I really hope he does. In any case, recommended.

I love Curtis Stigers' jazz CDs but YOU INSPIRE ME has left me feeling that something is missing. Just look at the pictures--he looks half dead. The music is OK, except, in my opinion, for the pieces with organ--Larry is an excellent piano/organ player but, for some reason, the organ just doesn't fit here. I hope you're more inspired next time, Curtis--maybe take 2 years before the next album. PS: Your idea about an album with just you and Larry is excellent!