1 comments about Songs of Noel Coward.

1. This CD contains 22 comtemporary recordings, some as old as 1924, and most featuring the Master himself. Although the quality on some tracks was scratchy, it is a wonder that they have survived at all. Most facinating to hear the style of the times compared to modern interpretations you may know. It's a real tease to want to hear more from the shows!

5 comments about Shades.

1. I love her songs and her voice it brings music to my heart i love her song "No man" causei think that many woman think that and i love the way her voice goes so high i love it!...And i love yes'n no but that is not on a cd yet i guess but i cant wait untill i listen to her sing again it is like a angel in the heavens! K-Pig is a great place to listen to her sing the yplay her quite a bit thats 107.5 and on sunday she has a show called stand by and Nina has been on there quite a bit she lOves it here in Santa cruz but loves to come back to her home town Well Thanks and i hope this was helpful to you SHoregal11



2. I was captivated by Nina's voice. I received a sample CD of Shades and have never let it go. I've let colleagues and friends groove to her music before letting them know her age and race. Yes, race has something to do with it... I thought she was a mature African American songstress but to my surprise she was... you know and barely a teenager. Tracks 4,5,7,12 are my favorites, yet the entire CD is worth my weight in gold. Nina is here to stay!



3. I give this album 3 stars because I was shocked and amazed at what a beautiful voice Nina Storey has, however, the music just falls flat behind her. With her kind of energy I can only imagine her live. If you buy this CD you may be disappointed in the music and production, but you will never regret hearing Nina Storey's voice.



4. This woman's voice is amazing, and her composition and lyrics talents are quite remarkable, too. She deserves a much larger following than she currently has. Is Colorado trying to keep her a secret? Several of the songs on here would be great for radio, if programmers weren't so determined to play only what's safe, and tried and true, for their target demographic. The songs "If I Were an Angel" and "False Ideas" are worth the price of the CD, and everything else seems like a great bonus.



5. Someone who had read a review I did for a Tori Amos album wrote me a while back to recommend Nina Storey. Regrettably, I never paid attention to it until I got bored recently and decided to look for her on Napster. I originally only intended to download the title track "Shades", but I quickly ended up downloading about 10 more of her songs!

   That anonymous recommender was on the money in suggesting Nina's album to a Tori-lover. Not to say that Nina's album is stylistically identical. The songs are not as blatantly intense, not nearly as obtuse, and they possess an almost-gospel sounding quality. But I think Tori fans may find Nina to be a (and I hate to use this word) more "pop" version of Tori. Her voice is beautiful, and it compliments great tracks bluesy tracks like "Crown" and attitude-intense tracks like "False Ideas" perfectly.

   To sum it all up, I've ordered "Shades" and I can't wait to pop it in my car CD player and sing along the praises of Nina Storey!

2 comments about Peter Allen.

1. The songs here are done in a singer-songwriter style. Peter Allen came from a background that involved Al Jolson (to whom he pays tribute to in the song Dixie), Judy Garland (who helped make him famous) and cabaret.
   He was part of the duo "Chris and Peter Allen" "(Chris Bell and Peter Allen Woolnough though)
   I hope someday his followup disc TENTERFIELD SADDLER is released. Of course his best albums are the ones he did for A&M Records...



2. I love this CD, especially the last song, that's funny.
   BRILLIANT Pianist, Wonderful Singer, and Phenominal song writer.
   I love you Peter Allen!!!

1 comments about Classics & Collectibles.

1. For those listeners who have been struck with PEGMANIA, here's more super-rare treats to whet the appetite! The "Lady & The Tramp" studio recordings, and duets with Bing, the Mills Bros., and the legendary Jimmie Rowles. An absolute must for completists! (My favorite on this set is the wistful "The Tavern", a teary ballad about lovers who must meet in secret.)

3 comments about Louise.

1. I searched for a long time to find out who sang the famous "Louise." A friend had told me that she had sung this song to her son when he was growing up. She and I sang it all the time at work. Finally I found it. Maurice Chevalier! What charisma! What charm! This recording has many, many recognizable and lovely little ditties. Most of them are sung in French. Unfortunately it is an absolutely terrible recording! Oh well.



2. Maurice Chevalier was one of the great 20th century singers. His career spanned 4 decades, first and foremost as a singer, then as a film star. His songs ran the gamut from upbeat and fun to sweet and sensitive to bawdy. His biggest hit in the U.S. was "Louise" although many will be familiar with "Oh, that Mitzi!".
   This CD, I felt did not do him justice. First, most of the songs are his re-recorded English versions rather than the original French. Although very good, he is much stronger in his native tongue and the English versions lack a certain 'oomph'.
   Second, the sound quality is poor. The arrangements on his songs were so beautiful and you really have to strain to hear. It's just too scratchy and noisy.
   It's a shame that such a beautiful and legendary singing voice can't somehow be enjoyed today not through any weakness of his own work but lack of technological effort. If you are looking for one CD of his finest to enjoy again and again, I do not recommend this.



3. Enjoyed CD,especially song " Louise" - would really like to find the sheet music with words with Maurice Chevalier's picture on the front. Can anyone help me??

No comments about When I Fall in Love.

5 comments about Wild for You.

1. I heard this recording in the background while dining outside in a lovely wine bar setting. Wow, I thought, good stuff. After downloading this via Amazon, I can now say, it's only "so, so, material". Nothing orginal or creative. I love covers; however, expect the covers to reflect the performing artist's own personality and style. Ms. Allyson just doesn't do it for me, and hey, I live in Kansas City. Overall, I find her vocal work as nothing special and the arrangements to be less than out of the ordinary. I say, if you wish the standards, the classics to be "today" try Holly Cole. Perhaps, Ms. Allyson should also take a listen.



2. ...when I feel like making love. Always a challenge to sing these wellknown songs. But Karin and her band give there own touch and they do it well. Listening to the CD I was pleasantly surprised about "Sorry seems to be the hardest word", but "The Moon is a harsh mistress". I never heard a better and more appropriate way of performing of this song. Love you, Karrin! Karrin shows nog only to be a good singer, but gives something extra to it that cannot be put into words. 'Feel like making love' is a beauty and 'The first time I saw your face' dweeps with the heavens. There is really something to get here! A band that understands her and a singer who sometimes touches the beauty of eternity! Love, Joop



3. No, this isn't serious jazz for serious jazz officionados, but I love this CD! It could be that I was a teen in the 70's, so the songs themselves make me smile. It could be that Karrin Allyson's voice is just so incredibly warm and lush and pure. It could be that sometimes I'm just in the mood for something this kinda' silly yet somehow soulful.
   
   I love a good twist on an old song, and in that I think there are a few successes for Karrin in this collection. DON'T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT is simple, sweet and wistful, as is SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD. I love the jivey jazzy beat attached to FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE. Most of all, a melancholy THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS really reaches right in and grabs me.
   
   Sappy to some, I'm sure, but I love this sweet CD! OH! And have some fun with a funky, flowing IT'S TOO LATE!
   
   This is my first introduction to Karrin Allyson... and I'm going back for more!



4. I have only heard one tune from this CD; good voicings from the arranger in the way the tunes are altered. This style of reworking old tunes seems to be in vogue these days, as I am familiar with Ilona Knopfler's efforts in doing this as well. Yet, I would direct listeners to the work of Kenny Rankin from the mid-70's (check out Silver Morning), when this type of arranging began, and realize it was going on throughout the 80's and 90's, not something smooth jazz recently created for the causally uninformed. I do appreciate this concept, however I wish more chances were taken with choice of material, more adventurous, something that hasn't happened much when smooth is added to jazz.



5. I came across Karrin Allyson by a mistake on my part. It all started when someone asked me about a recent cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World" done by a woman, and it was kinda jazzy. A quick search yielded Ms. Allyson, who did this on her covers album Wild For You. She does it set to standard lounge jazz, which is the format most of the songs are in. Throughout, her pianist and arranger, Gil Goldstein proves to be most prominent and competent of her musicians. All the songs here are from artists of the 1970's, and from some of her favourite artists.
   
   Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon get the honour of having two of their songs covered here. "All I Want" and "Help Me" are the two Mitchell songs. Both have a smidge of pop, but not enough so that the style compares to Swing Out Sister. The latter has a Spanish-type guitar from Danny Embrey and a decent piano solo by Goldstein. The Carly songs are "Mind On My Man" and the supportive "The Right Thing To Do."
   
   A trace of samba tinges her cover of the Elton John classic "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word." Though no one can top the emotional depth Elton does in the "It's sad, so sad" lines, save perhaps Joe Cocker, she gives a good try. The accordion solo here also gives it a French street flavour as well. Melissa Manchester's "I Got Eyes" is given a pronounced samba flavour. Her version of "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress," could've passed off in the 70's, given the haunting and sad feel to it. I'm a bit split over the version of Carole King's "It's Too Late," as it's one of those tracks that for the most part should be left alone. True, she ratchets the tempo up a bit so it's a tad more bouncy, but that kind of ruins the original intentions of the song.
   
   However, the best track is the graceful and bouncy version of Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love" and the following track "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" has a wistful reflective quality to it, thanks to the piano (by Karrin this time) and guitar accompaniment.
   
   Most of the stuff is simply by the numbers smooth jazz, with the talents of Gil Goldstein and guitarists Danny Embrey and Rod Freeman to recommend it. And yes, Karrin sings all right-it's just nothing overly exciting.
   
   The opening story has a bit of an irony. After further research, I learned that it may have been Beth Orton's version of "Wild World" on the How To Deal soundtrack that someone might have heard. Still, maybe I'll come across some of Karrin's better albums should there be a next time.

5 comments about Chicago [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD].

1. The movie was sensational, it seems almost impossible to capture all of it in a soundtrack, but they did a wonderful job of it. Every sngle song captured the spirit of the movie, it was almost like going to a broadway musical because of the quality of this music. Catherine Zeta- Jones did a amaizing job of singing the songs "All That Jazz", "Cell Block Tango", "I cant Do it Alone",and so many more. This music is almost magical, I would recammend this soundtrack for anyone!



2. If you loved the movie Chicago I'll garenty that you'll fall in love with the soundtrack. You can never get to bored of "all that jazz" with Catherine Zelta Jones singing it, you can tell that she's the real star of the soundtrack. Don't be surprised if you run across "The cell block tango remix" and all that junk, it just didn't blend in with all the other songs, I always avoid it.



3. the movie had great songs and great music and this soundtrack captures all of it.



4. I'm surprised by the enormous volume of glowing, 5-star reviews here. This soundtrack isn't THAT great. Maybe I'm biased. I was fortunate enough to see "Chicago" on Broadway in early 1997 (the matinee right before the cast walked over to Radio City for the Tonys, of which it won 3 or 4). That was a few months after it opened, with the original revival cast: Bebe Neuwirth as Velma, Ann Reinking as Roxie, James Naughton as Billy, Joel Grey as Amos, Marcia Lewis as Mama Morton, and D. Sabella as Mary Sunshine. Right afterwards I bought the CD and have listened to it many times since. So I can't help but be stuck on it. (I even have the 1975 Broadway recording, which I like though not as much as 1997.)

   This soundtrack simply does not feature the vocal chops to be found on the Broadway recordings. The music itself is comparable, but certainly not an improvement. And the rap version of "Cell Block Tango" is a too-obvious attempt to take modern pop "stylings" (if you can call it that) into consideration when they are NOT at all relevant here. (Okay, more bias, since I despise rap.) Plus that last track with Anastacia, or whatever her name is, is awful. She tries so hard to sound like a modern R&B singer, but she can't do it. (And, again, I hate modern R&B, so yet another pre-disposed strike for me).

   I liked the movie, but it (and the soundtrack) don't hold a candle to the Broadway "original revival" cast. I highly suggest getting that recording instead. You'll hear Bebe Neuwirth wail even better than Chita Rivera did, and James Naughton blows away Jerry Orbach (and certainly Richard Gere, by FAR).

   And the DVD version isn't worth it. It really only has a 10-minute featurette that I'm willing to bet is on the DVD that's about to come out. And I can see that some people here have taken Richard Gere too seriously when he mentioned that Renee Z has a Billie Holiday quality to her voice. I laughed when I heard it then, and I laughed again when I see people repeat it here (as if it's their own words--yet they spell her name Billy). Not that Renee is bad (nor is Catherine ZJ), but by no means is she anywhere near the ballpark Billie Holiday is still in 45 years after her death. (And before anyone else takes Richard Gere too seriously: no, Catherine Zeta-Jones isn't really like Dusty Springfield, either).




5. Wonderful sound track! Anyone, who enjoyed the movie, will certainly relive the experience listening to the CD. I cannot wait for the DVD to be released in August.

No comments about Bobby Short Is Mad About Noel Coward.

5 comments about Living Room.

1. This wonderful album should be considered by all kinds of music lovers - from Classical music lovers to Jazz buffs to those who have started to become a little bored with Pop/Rock music!
   Paris Combo, on this album, features wonderful and stylish vocals [from Belle, the sing/songwriter], very attractive and never bland instrumental accompaniments and the songs themselves are full of style and characer.
   
   Along with the self-titled "Paris Combo" album, this is clearly my favourite so far! However, ALL of the Paris Combo albums are excellent and I enjoy hearing them at any time of the day or night.
   
   I am a fan.



2. I really enjoy this CD for a fun loungy sound when I'm not in the mood for mainstream music. I would say if you like Pink Martini, you could well like this one.



3. Adult music! That's what Paris Combo is. It's music for adults. It's sophisticated, it's refined, it has history, it has mystery. It's good, it's interesting. there's absolutely nothing juvenile about it and that's why I like it! Although I would love it if it had a good, strong base beat that made it easy to dance to.



4. This is definately the best Paris Combo cd out there that I've heard. Sure "attraction" is a great cd, but it is just not as good as "Living-Room". The cd is in French and how can you go wrong?



5. This is an excellent CD to have, but before you click to add this item to your shopping cart, I must, to keep my conscience, warn you that this CD is not only horrendously addictive, but may cause acute hallucinations that you're sipping wine in an intimate yet incredibly chic, tucked-away Parisian nightclub.

   Take my case, for example. I have played these 12 tracks continuously for the past 2 weeks, and I have kept #6 (Pas a Pas) on repeat for 1/4 of that time (and imagined I possessed the talent to think of singing that never-failingly cool intro.) The lyrics are irrelevantly relevant, slyly clever, but I do not believe that not understanding French would detract from one's enjoyment. It is, afterall, rhythm that is built into the human subconscious, and the soul of Paris Combo lies in the quintet's talent of smooth, well-timed beats. My particular favorites include the quirkily cautionary "Living Room," the upbeat yet sad "Senor," the softly haunting "Sous la Lune," the drily humorous, swinging "Ubiquite," and of course, "Pas a Pas." I do have a professed weakness for all things French, but especially with this CD, I think I can display good reason for being such a Francophile.