Ramsey Lewis's Finest Hour

Ramsey Lewis

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 12, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00004WIP4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,779 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the mid-1960s, pianist Ramsey Lewis enjoyed phenomenal pop success with his crossover jazz recordings of "The In Crowd," "Hang On, Sloopy," and other songs, which were usually recorded before audiences. This CD charts Lewis's career from 1956, the year his trio with bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt first recorded. While Gerry Mulligan's "Limelight" is straightforward modern jazz, the CD also finds the group emphasizing church roots and Holt's backbeat and stretching outside the jazz world for instantly familiar tunes, whether from Bizet's Carmen, traditional gospel, or folk songs, like "Little Liza Jane." Pop success came when the group released their live version of the R&B tune "Something You Got," with the song reduced to its funkiest fundamentals and an enthusiastic crowd clapping, talking, and singing along. The final five tracks come from the pianist's 1967 studio session with a horn section added, shifting the formula slightly but getting the same infectious results.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Can You Find Me A Smoke-filled Jazz Club?", June 5, 2001

By	"hrscott" (Cedarburg, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This CD "transports" you to several of the clubs that this virtuoso performed at. It kicks of with a wonderful rendition of "In Crowd" which sweeps you into the remainder of the play list. THERE IS NO ESCAPE, and if there were...who would want to leave! You can imagine yourself leaning back against the bar as the first strains of "Hang On Sloopy" waft through the joint. The patrons get caught up in Lewis' style and so will you.

I invite you to try this CD. You will NOT be disappointed!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic excellence from a great piano man, May 3, 2002

By	Darnell R. Johnson (Duluth, GA United States) - See all my reviews

One of the best....Ramsey Lewis's famous "Wade in the Water" which has been heard in countless film and TV spots truly is one a jazz fan will want in it's entirety.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars where has ramsey lewies been all my musical life?, February 9, 2001

By	stephen davies (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

It's rare that I can find a piece of music that can relax me after a long week and get me grooving at the same time. This CD does it. It also gets my 1 year old son shaking his nappy so strong is the rhythm. Familiar songs given a piano jazz working maybe an ignoramus' view but that's what it is. I am amazed this trio weren't hawked to me as part of a back catalogue release sooner. But this proves there are some musical gems yet to be re-released in the noughties. Ramsay, your public needs you - where are you?