Gardenias for Lady Day [HYBRID SACD]

James Carter

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000TG9QA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,968 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carter moves onwards and upwards, March 2, 2004

By	Dr.D.Treharne (Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As James Carter's career has progressed he's always attempted something new, never just producing an album without building on the previous one. On this album of Billy Holiday tracks he not only places himself within the confines of what could seen as an album of covers,(relatively well known tunes as well) but also chooses to add strings to the mix, as well as three tracks with vocalist Miche Braden. That it works so well and so effectively is a tribute to both Carter and his arrangers Greg Cohen and Cassius Richmond.
Stand out track for me is "I'm in a low down groove", where Carter not only plays an outstanding Baritone Sax arrangement, but also drops in the mix tenor and F Mezzo saxophones.As on all the tracks he's helped out with a basic quartet of John Hicks (piano), Peter Washington on Bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. The string arrangements augment, rather than detract from the outcome. Other outstanding tracks are "More than you know" and Billy Strayhorn's "A flower is a lovesome thing.". On both of these tracks Carter features the Baritone, which really suits the kind of fluid approach that he tries to take with all the tracks.Of the other vocal tracks, the other one that works best for me was the arrangement of Sammy Cahn and Saul Chapman's "You're a lucky guy."
This is an onward step in Carter's career, and if you doubt that the chosen tunes have any more to give up, be assured that this is an album that will delight, not only through the take that he gives every track, but also through the togetherness of the ensemble playing. Highly recommended!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Gorgeous!, January 24, 2004

By	Vic Warren (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is the first recording in three years for James Carter, and judging by the way he plays, he must have been saving up a lot of emotion. This is a brilliant work, and the arrangements for the string section that backs him up actually add to the quality, rather than flattening it down. But Carter's playing dominates. He plays all the saxes, and wonderfully! Listen to the luscious baritone sax playing on Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing," one of the most beautiful things I've heard in years.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking!, November 18, 2003

By	Gordon Inkeles "author of The Art of Sensual ... (Northern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thoughtful, brilliantly conceived and soulful, this is a great performance. Carter's passionate rendition of "Strange Fruit" will shock you. Jazz fans--especially those who lament the passing of The Giants--will be thrilled.

James Carter has produced an unforgettable CD.