2 comments about Nothing But the Blues.

1. I ordered this set and waited four months. Amazon sent me an email saying "Sorry, it's no longer available." Why is it still advertised?



2. that's what i'm talkin about ... take with heart and soul til you can't let it go... feel the music thru your body, mind & let it spiritually fill your inner soul

No comments about Jazz Divas.

2 comments about Corazón Latino.

1. Dear friends,

   Julio Iglesias,

   Appealing to his own Latin people with a very Latin timbre of voice and attitude that were losing ground to modernity. Seducing all others with what they miss most: Passion expressed with elegance. And yet, though to many he stands for an essesnce Anchored in tradition, our Julio Iglesias, in this recording more than any other, is poised toward what is yet to come.

   Not long ago he said he was barely begining to learn to sing. It was no false modesty. In spite of his unmistakable talent as a vocal stylist and his unpresedented success, Julio Iglesias has never stopped living his vocation, that of apprentice. In NOCHE DE CUATRO LUNAS, (NIGHT OF THE FOUR MOONS) there are few remmants of the sumptous style that propelled him to fame- except for his voice, which is full of energy and yet torn asunder by feeling.

   His voice. Here more mediterranean, more gypsy than ever. More possessed. There is salsa and merengues, funky riff and hot times. For years now, Julio Iglesias has lived with his Latin brothers and sisters, taken in the breeze of the tropics, and he has picked up those party grooves. but his pleasure now is not frivolous. It's deep and artistically bold. Julio Iglesias has taken by storm all of the world's markets, all the continents , with multimillionaire sales in multiple languages. But instead of hanging on to successful formulas, Julio Iglesias charts new courses in this recording.

   At once young and seasoned , Julio Iglesias vigorously joins the Redefinition of Latin pop that has been crafted by recent figures like Alejandro Sanz, whose hit "Corazon Partio" (broken heart) Julio Iglesias sings here, as well as his new "Seremos Libres" (we shall be free). Julio interprets two songs, "Dia a Dia" (day by day)and "Vida" (Life) by Panamanian genius Ruben Blades, another restless innovator. "Dos Corazones, Dos Historias" (Two Hearts, Two Stories) a hit song of duo Zeze di Camargo & Luciano, as well as Arakeru's "Mal Acostumbrado" (Spoiled), and "Mamacita" (Little Mama).

   He makes all this songs his. Although the arrangements and rhythms vary, they all seem to have been written by him or for him. which is literally the case of Estefano's "Gozar La Vida" (Enjoy Life) and "Me siento de aqui" ( I feel like I'm from here) and Noche De Cuatro Lunas" (American Lady) with English lyrics sung by one of its authors, Robi Rosa, while the Spanish version was Penned by Stefano and julio Iglesias himself.

   all this work can be read as an autobiography and a philosophy of life: a Struggle for survival and triumph, a stoical acceptance of mistakes and suffering, a romantic melancholic that does not get in the way, however, of a total enjoyment of life - as fulfilling in the mature present as it was in the first flush of youth.

   "Between heaven and heall".... is how Julio Iglesias has lived, as he sings in "Te voy a contar mi vida" (I'm going to tell you my life). Let's let him tell us, because, as always, it is Julio Iglesias who can say it best. "I lost , i won, i suffered, i fell and i got myself up again...."

   There is so much more I can say about this great artist and his great new album, unfortunatley I only have 1,000 words. So all i can say is... this is a must have album for all Julio Iglesias fans.

   Regards, MD




2. If you like Julio's older songs this is the only CD you'll need. All songs have been digitely remasterd to give a great sound. Well produced.

1 comments about Mercury Blues 'n' Rhythm Story 1945-1955.

1. This INCREDIBLE 8-CD set covers all of the Mercury blues, R&B and jump music from post-WWII -- the music that laid the foundation for the rock 'n roll revolution of the late '50's. The set is divided by geographic styles; West Coast, Southwest, East Coast and Midwest. There are many artists featured who are all but unknown today, but were popular in the club sub-culture and with returning GI's. I love the small orchestral arrangements of fast, jumpin' blues, boogie, and R&B tunes. The lyrics in many songs are hilarious, and demonstrate the subconscious relief of ending the world wars. Anyone who is remotely interested in R&B and the foundations of rock HAS to get this set. It's expensive, but worth every single penny. I've been listening non-stop since the set arrived, and I walk around all day with the jumpin' and jivin' tunes in my head!

2 comments about Stardust: The Complete Capitol Recordings 1955-1959.

1. I usually think folks go overboard when they give a product 5 stars, but in this case, it deserves every one! The mastering of the CDs is excellent (I'm guessing, but CDs 1-4 appear to be all mono and CDs 5-11 are a mix of mono and binaural). However, in this time period, mono recording was at its peak and most people wouldn't even know that they aren't binaural recordings unless you brought it to their attention.
   
   Nat was a world-wide singer/performer, unlike some of his peers who only had a fan base in the United States and/or Europe. There's quite a bit of Spanish language material in this set which gives the box an "international" flavor.
   
   The large, thick book that comes with the set is well-written and has many, many excellent color and b&w photos of Nat from the period.
   
   According to the publisher, many of the tracks are presented for the first time without the overdubbing on the original releases. Regardless, Nat's voice is pure and sweet and he knows how to play that piano!
   
   Expensive? A bit, but if you are going to ever treat yourself to an extravagance, this is it. If you have the means, I highly suggest you procure this set! By the way, this appears to be the first of a two-box set collection. I can't wait for the second!



2. I just got this yesterday, and since it's an 11 cd set with a more than 200 page coffee-table sized book, I've only just begun to enjoy it. So, this is a very preliminary review, which I'll perhaps update later.
   
   So far, however, I'm glad I spent the money on this set, and I think any Nat King Cole fan out there would feel the same way. It's a lot of money, true, but a lot of the albums and songs on this set are out of print, including such classic albums as St. Louis Blues, where Nat King Cole and the legendary Nelson Riddle recorded what--for me--are some of the definitive versions of these songs. There are 290 songs on this set, among them some of the greatest Nat King Cole ever recorded, including Autumn Leaves, Let's Fall in Love, Just You Just Me, Caravan, Stardust, and on and on. His voice and piano playing are worth this kind of deluxe treatment.
   
   And the book by Will Friedwald is lavishly illustrated and beautifully written.
   
   The sound quality on the first disc is outstanding, and I'm sure the other discs will be the same.
   
   As I said, I just got it, but so far it's nothing short of fantastic for a Nat King Cole fan.
   
   
   
   PS A quick update from early 2008...
   
   I've now owned this set for almost two years and I love it. It has excellent sound quality throughout. The hardcover coffee table book is a treasure. It's so huge that I'm still exploring it and finding new favorite songs. Really expensive, but well worth it for any Nat King Cole fan!

1 comments about The Jazz Collector Edition: Nat King Cole Trio Recordings.

1. this is a must have for any lover of jazz standards. so much of NKC's work is schmaltzy and main stream, this is the real deal. Nat has an incredible gift in interpretation, vocal talent, and the keyboard work is especially tasty. some of the tunes are slow balads, and there is a match in fast tempo swing numbers as well. If you enjoy playing jazz you'll be out looking for the charts for many of these numbers. includes 'only a paper moon', 'don't blame me'; 'sweet loraine'; besame mucho; i can't give you anything but love; boogie a la king; i'min the mood for love; too marvelous for words; laura; blues & swing; this will make you laugh; ain't misbehavin; rosetta; honeysuckle rose; tea for two; pitchin up a boogie; GREAT piano work, fine vocals, inspirational guitar from the 40's. (war time release)

1 comments about The Original Jazz Masters Series, Vol. 3.

1. My son, a Music professor in an out of state college asked for this vol.3 of THE ORIGINAL JAZZ MASTERS SERIES, VOL. 3 by various artists to complete his set. He is very pleased that Amazon had it before Christmas 2007.

1 comments about L-O-V-E: The Complete Capitol Recordings 1960-1964.

1. This is the second of two deluxe sets covering the last ten years of Nat King Cole's career (the first is STARDUST, which covers 1955-1959). They are both outstanding productions, and each has a full-sized hardcover book filled with rare black and white and color illustrations, and an outstanding essays on each album by Nat King Cole expert Will Friedwald. Friedwald writes with insight and with wit, and for a Nat King Cole fan it's priceless to hear what he has to say about each song.
   
   Nat King Cole was in his own way a rather restless artist, who often wanted to try something new. But he also sang classics, and revisited songs that earlier had brought him success.
   
   There are 292 songs on this set, and many of them are excellent, and so keep that in mind if you are deciding whether this set is worth the money. If you are a Nat King Cole fan, you must buy this set, even if it means sacrificing a bit in some other area of your life.
   
   Here are some of the great albums on this set:
   
   First is Nat King Cole at the Sands, an outstanding live set recorded in the wee hours of the morning. Songs like The Continental just have such joy and beauty in them that they really need to be heard. And don't miss the hilarious song Mr. Cole Won't Rock and Roll where he parodies rock and roll and himself at the same time. You will almost certainly laugh out loud while hearing this 8 minute epic.
   
   Second is NKC's experimental album Wild is Love. I've never fully warmed up to this rather strange lp, but I do enjoy that he was stretching himself. And it is interesting!
   
   Third is The Christmas Song, which is obviously a great classic for the holidays.
   
   Fourth is The Touch of Your Lips, a great collection of romantic ballads that just make you feel good.
   
   Fifth is the giant three album collection called The Nat King Cole Story, which features stereo remakes of many of the greatest hits from this star of popular music from earlier in his career, including Mona Lisa, Smile, Unforgettable, etc. There are 36 classics on this album. Outstanding!
   
   Sixth is the jazzy fast-paced Let's Face the Music and Dance...
   
   Seventh album, eighth, 9th, 10th, etc., etc. plus singles. To find out about them you'll just have to buy the set yourself. And don't forget you'll get that great large-format 182 page coffee table hardcover book by Nat King Cole expert Will Friedwald.
   
   Bottom line: buy this set if you are a Nat King Cole fan. You won't regret it! In fact, buy Stardust too while you're at it!

No comments about G.I. Jukebox: Original Hits from Swing Era.

No comments about D'Un Siecle a l'Autre.