The Best of the Concord Years

Amazon.com
This 22-track retrospective represents well the 20 albums Gene Harris made for Concord Records over 14 years. The barrelhouse rocking pianist was obviously getting better with age, as one of his best discs was his last, Alley Cats (1999), made shortly before his death and represented here by a cover of the Crusaders' classic "Put It Where You Want It." The track is very indicative of the rest of this two-CD set, as it was recorded live, like nearly half of this compilation. Harris played always as if each tune were as familiar as "Put It," with tantalizing arrangement and distinctive soloists (sax men Red Holloway and Ernie Watts). Other standout guests throughout this well-paced set include bassist Ray Brown, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and saxophonist Scott Hamilton. It's up to the very big tenor sax of the late Stanley Turrentine to kick the whole thing off with the funky blues number "Uptown Sop." Harris's successful big band takes on a pair of tracks and a number of slower tunes that drip with gutsy emotion, particularly Fats Waller's "Black and Blue" and Erroll Garner's smooth "Crème de Menthe." Other finger-snapping, toe-tapping highlights include one of the most entertaining arrangements ever of the nearly century-old "Sweet Georgia Brown," and Harris's daughter Nikki's duet with organist Jack McDuff on Z.Z. Hill's blues classic "Down Home Blues." --Mark A. Ruffin

The Best of the Concord Years,Gene Harris,Concord Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Soul-Jazz

Average customer rating: As good as jazz gets Great CD The BEST CD SET of ALL !!! Best of The Best Couldn't resist it and really pleased.

The Best of the Concord Years Gene Harris Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Black and Blue Ballad Essentials Down Home Blues Listen Here! Soular Energy ASIN: B00004XN1C Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Uptown Sop
2. Captain Bill
3. Blues For Sam Nassi
4. Summertime
5. Don't Be That Way
6. Listen Here
7. Creme De Menthe
8. You Are My Sunshine
9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
10. Will You Still Be Mine
11. Black And Blue
12. Like A Lover

Tracks:

1. Blues For Rhonda
2. This Little Light Of Mine
3. Take The 'A' Train
4. Sweet Georgia Brown
5. Old Funky Gene's
6. That's All
7. Cottontail
8. Lean On Me
9. Down Home Blues
10. Put It Where You Want It

Amazon.com

This 22-track retrospective represents well the 20 albums Gene Harris made for Concord Records over 14 years. The barrelhouse rocking pianist was obviously getting better with age, as one of his best discs was his last, Alley Cats (1999), made shortly before his death and represented here by a cover of the Crusaders' classic "Put It Where You Want It." The track is very indicative of the rest of this two-CD set, as it was recorded live, like nearly half of this compilation. Harris played always as if each tune were as familiar as "Put It," with tantalizing arrangement and distinctive soloists (sax men Red Holloway and Ernie Watts). Other standout guests throughout this well-paced set include bassist Ray Brown, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and saxophonist Scott Hamilton. It's up to the very big tenor sax of the late Stanley Turrentine to kick the whole thing off with the funky blues number "Uptown Sop." Harris's successful big band takes on a pair of tracks and a number of slower tunes that drip with gutsy emotion, particularly Fats Waller's "Black and Blue" and Erroll Garner's smooth "Crème de Menthe." Other finger-snapping, toe-tapping highlights include one of the most entertaining arrangements ever of the nearly century-old "Sweet Georgia Brown," and Harris's daughter Nikki's duet with organist Jack McDuff on Z.Z. Hill's blues classic "Down Home Blues." --Mark A. Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

As good as jazz gets.......2007-06-16

This is the real stuff, not the watered-down "smooth jazz" they play on the radio. But don't fret about the improvisation if you're a casual listener. There are plenty of catchy melodies and toe-tapping rhythms to nod your head to. The solos are all first-rate without being showy and the recording quality is superb. And what about that incredible "Uptown Sop." It's easily one of the ten best jazz songs recorded after 1960 and possibly since WWII. It ranks up there with Brubeck's "Take 5", Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island", and Miles' "All Blues". If you don't like this stuff, there's a hole in your soul.

Great CD .......2007-01-19

If you like Gene Harris you will like this CD set. If you do not know him, this set is a very good introduction.


The Magic of Gene Harris will easily engulf you will listening to his great style of playing jazz.

The BEST CD SET of ALL !!!.......2006-03-23

This is BY FAR the BEST CD set I've EVER heard topping EVERYTHING in my collection. When I first played Gene Harris' "TRIBUTE TO COUNT BASIE" CD (which I can't recommend strongly enough) I thought this was the ultimate but something told me if I liked this I'd love "THE BEST OF THE CONCORD YEARS" and thank God I heeded my inner voice.

Harris' "That's All" really blew me away as it gradually built to an awesome, up-tempo, chanting climax like I've NEVER heard before or expect to again. "Like A Lover", "You Are My Sunshine" and "Down Home Blues" are equally breathtaking as Harris brilliantly blends standards, boogie, funk and blues into the kind of melodic perfection you'll want to experience over and over again.

In fact, all 22 tracks are masterpieces in their own right ranging from "Don't Be That Way" to a totally unique rendition of "Summertime" - and trust me if you like Basie, Garner and truly GREAT jazz, you'll treasure this CD. It's NUMBER ONE in my collection and it will be in yours too.

Best of The Best.......2005-08-30

Piano playin' doesn't get any better than Gene Harris. This is a classic that you'll never tire of hearing.

Couldn't resist it and really pleased........2004-02-02

Well, I already have 2 Gene Harris cd's("Listen Here" and "Gene Harris plus one") but when I saw this one listed, I just couldn't resist trying another one and I certainly was NOT disappointed. I often let this cd repeat for most of the day and it never fails when I get a visitor, they will eventually say "Who's that on piano?" Well, that's Gene Harris. I mentioned in another review that I have been around music all of my life, but only discovered Gene last year when I caught one of his tracks on a jazz station out of Philly.He was truly remarkable. This particular cd is a great value with 22 tracks (2 discs) and, as far as I'm concerned, extremely listenable. Of course I have my favorites just like anyone else. "Don't Be That Way", "Take the A Train", "Cottontail", & "Blues For Sam" all rate high on my list, but the entire album is a real treat for jazz fans everywhere. It's a mixture of big bands and small groups. I only hope it doesn't take you as long as it did me to discover him.

Average customer rating: It doesn't get any better than this. A retrospective of a force A Vocal Master in his Prime This is the best of Mel's best Velvet Perfection

The Best of the Concord Years Mel Tormé Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jazz 'Round Midnight: Mel Tormé That's All The Great American Songbook: Live at Michael's Pub Mel Tormé at the Red Hill/Live at the Maisonette Songs of New York ASIN: B00001SI9C Release Date: 1999-10-12

Tracks:

1. Hi-Fly
2. Born To Be Blue
3. Lullaby Of Birdland
4. Stardust
5. Love Is Just Around The Corner
6. This Time The Dream's On Me
7. Just Friends
8. Don'cha Go 'Way Mad
9. Spoken Intro
10. New York, New York Medley: For Me And My Gal/Mack The Knife/Birth Of The Blues/Send A Little Love...
11. Sweet Georgia Brown
12. The Carioca
13. Too Close For Comfort
14. (This Is) A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Tracks:

1. Day In - Day Out
2. You're Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?)
3. Ellington Medley: Cotton Tail/I Didn't Know About You/Don't Get Around Much Anymore/I'm Beginning...
4. The Christmas Song/Autumn Leaves
5. Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today
6. I'm Nothing Without You (You're Nothing Without Me)
7. After You've Gone
8. These Foolish Things
9. Three Little Words
10. Pennies From Heaven
11. I Get A Kick Out Of You
12. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
13. Spoken Intro
14. Stairway To The Stars

Customer Reviews:

It doesn't get any better than this........2006-01-31

For the last fourteen years of his career, Mel Torme recorded for Concord Records, the first studio to give him total creative control. In this two-CD set, issued in 1999 as a tribute and retrospective, Torme is at his peak, the selections here showing that he was perhaps the most musically talented male jazz singer of the century. Composer, arranger, gifted performer on many instruments, pop star, jazz icon, and cerebral musician who connected and performed with the greatest of jazz stars, Torme shows here why he was so highly respected by the best of the best in jazz.

His mellow sound, enormous range, and perfect pitch allow him use his voice as jazz instrumentalists do their instruments, and with George Shearing, who appears here on nine tracks, he was, perhaps, at his peak. Shearing himself refers to their "two bodies, of one musical mind," and on "Born to be Blue," which Torme wrote, Shearing's piano "tinkles" in the background and then breaks into a blues, jazz, and swing solo, perfectly attuned to Torme's style. "Lullaby of Birdland," which Torme sings, surprisingly, as a ballad for half its length, gives Torme the chance to solo on one of Shearing's songs, and when he sings a quick scat in a 1:1 relation to Shearing's piano, it's a rare jazz moment.

Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass appear on several tracks, and Torme's scat is so close to one of the soft trumpets on "Don' Cha Go 'Way Mad" that it sounds as if there is a second vocal soloist for part of the song. Torme and Cleo Laine share two songs, "I'm Nothing Without You," and "After You've Gone," their voices blending perfectly. A master at combining several songs into medleys, Torme pays separate medley tributes here to Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald. One of the highlights, however, is the "New York, New York Medley," in which Shearing begins with the familiar 5-note piano intro to "New York, New York" and Torme enters singing totally different songs, as the 5-note piano phrase continues through "For Me and My Gal," "Mack the Knife," "Birth of the Blues," and several other songs.

With tracks chosen to showcase Torme's variety and jazz skill, this set has been compiled from both his studio and live recordings--ranging from slow ballads with simple accompaniments by John Campbell to triple-time showpieces with full orchestra. With exquisite timing, a relaxed demeanor, and a palpable joy in performing, Torme does it all, even better at seventy than he was at twenty-five. Mary Whipple

A retrospective of a force.......2005-06-24

Mel Torme was one of the most amazing singers who ever lived, and this album accentuates the point.

Torme was a senior citizen when he recorded for Concord, 1982-1996. The norm is for senior citizens to lose it somewhat by that age, as the voice becomes weaker and more wobbly and the singer has to reach deep down into his "bag of tricks" to compensate.

Until Torme had his major stroke that ended his career (and ultimately, his life), he never got there. He was as strong as a senior citizen as he was when he first hit national prominence as "the Velvet Fog."

I have some of the Concord albums from which this compilation is taken. While one might quibble over the choices of the particular selections, what cannot be quibbled over is the greatness of his catalogue.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that during these years, 1982-1996, Mel Torme and Bobby McFerrin were the finest male jazz singers on the planet. Other contenders during this period were either underrecorded (Mark Murphy and Andy Bey, e.g.), barely getting started (Kurt Elling and Kevin Mahogany, e.g.) or truly past their prime (Sinatra and Bennett, e.g.).

And what a jazz singer he was! Listen to "Autumn Leaves", just for example. Who else would mix "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Yesterday When I Was Young", and a Bach fugue with this old chestnut? Torme was famous for doing this kind of thing all of the time.

Or listen to what Torme and his favorite and best accompanist, George Shearing (and author of the most insightful liner notes) do to "New York, New York"! I've never been a big fan of Torme's patter, but these two old pros had me laughing out loud at their wittiness and sheer genius.

Or listen to what Torme does to such songs as "Liza", "You're Driving Me Crazy" and "This Is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." Most jazz singers can sing a certain kind of style, or certain kind of song, but clearly not others. Torme could do it all. He even doesn't sound too bad on the old Jimmy Rushing blues, "Sent For You yesterday and Here You Come Today."

How can you go wrong with this? This is my 110th review for Ammy, and I believe I've reviewed more Mel Torme albums than that of any other artist. Why? Because as Frank Sinatra himself once said, "If I'm the 'Chairman of the Board', Torme owns the whole damn company!"

Right on, Blue Eyes. RC

A Vocal Master in his Prime.......2001-11-29

Mel put out some classic West Coast material in the 50s for Bethlehelm like the album "LuLu's back in Town". This is where he displayed some preludes to his trademark scattin'. But During 60s he was shackled by the commercial grips of Verve & Columbia. Therefore, he didn't have the opportunity to do much in the way of improvising like only he could. And man, what a voice.

Concord gave him more freedom during his tenure in the 80s & 90s and it's gloriously documented on this fine collection. Highlights of the first disc include the ballad "Stardust" and some stunning readings of "Just Friends" & "Don'cha Go'Way Mad" off the great Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass LP. "Sweet Georgia Brown" gets its shoes blown off.

There are alot of great live performances in this collection. Disc Two starts off with a smoking live reading of "Day In -Day out" and never lets up. The medley of "The Christmas Song & Autumn Leaves" leaves little doubt who wrote that holiday song. "Three Little Words" even gets a good workout and the set concludes with a very appropriately sequenced reading of "Stairway to the Stars".

Unlike some compilations, this collection flows seamlessly like a single album. Linear notes by George Shearing are honest and to the point. The sound quality is good for mostly circa 80s/early 90s digital recording, although this remastering boosted Mel's voice a little too much and the highs are little too bright. My only major gripe is with the packaging -- the CDs don't stay very well in the open and fold case, and the booklet keeps sliding out every time I open the case.

Mel Torme was not only a singer with a truly amazing sounding voice, he was a musician with impeccable skill & knowledge. You may consider his style and the material he covered too conservative, but there is no denying his talent. Jazz singers today, traditional or progressive, can only dream of combining these traits.

This is the best of Mel's best.......2001-11-27

This is by far my favorite Mel Torme CD. I've always been a Torme fan and this CD spotlights his top songs. His singing is supported by big bands, small groups and many others by George Shearing. The New York medley will really blow you away. If you like Mel, buy this right now.

Velvet Perfection.......2000-05-29

I confess that until I heard this compilation, I thought that the best years of Mel Torme were behind him by the 1980s. But this collection changed my perception entirely. Not only could Mel still croon like nobody's business, but he could still scat like he had been taking lessons from Ella earlier that day. These CDs really do contain definitive versions of Lullaby of Birdland, a killer anything-but New York, New York medley, and a Christmas Song/Autumn Leaves track with the Frank Wess Orchestra. George Shearing is present on about half the tracks, and is just superb throughout. But the best part of all is that there really aren't any duds here. The pacing, in particular, is magnificent; the sound quality is superb; and the live performances are wonderfully intimate. If you are already a Mel Torme fan, you will want this collection because it is a wonderful final chapter to a monumental musical career. On the other hand, if you are just learning about Mel Torme, then you will definitely want to buy this collection because, hey, if this stuff doesn't get you hooked on Mel, nothing will.

Average customer rating: Caliente Latin Jazz

The Best of the Concord Years Tito Puente Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004XN1D Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. On Broadway
2. Ran Kan Kan
3. Lush Life
4. Take Five
5. All Blues
6. Consternation
7. Tokyo Blues
8. Misterioso
9. Sun Goddess
10. Contigo En La Distancia
11. Airegin
12. Oye Como Va

Tracks:

1. Machito Forever
2. Donna Lee
3. Lullaby Of Birdland
4. On Green Dolphin Street
5. Mambo King
6. Sophisticated Lady
7. Spain
8. Picadillo A La Puente
9. Equinox
10. Fiesta A La King
11. Nostalgia On Times Square
12. Alluya

Amazon.com

It's redundant to call any Tito Puente collection 'the best of,' because every time the man picked up a drumstick or mallet, he gave the best he had to offer. The daunting and unenviable task of compiling the best among the dozens of tracks El Rey made for Concord was made easier by dividing this collection between Puente's more danceable pieces and his jazzier arrangements. Disc one's 12 tracks serve up the New York-Puerto Rican soul and Afro-Cuban rhythms--with mambos, merengues, cha chas, and more rhythmic bursts hopping about. Puente's most famous composition, "Oye Como Va," appears in a rousing live version that justifies its status as one of National Public Radio's 100 most influential songs of the 20th century. Disc two showcases the strong soloists and arrangers that have always been jewels in Puente's musical crown. The amazing transformation that the legendary percussionist and his arrangers put on the most identifiable music is concentrated here as songs strongly associated with other artists, such as "On Broadway" (George Benson), "Take Five" (Dave Brubeck), and "Sun Goddess" (Ramsey Lewis) get elevated by Puente's Latin-fire, signature handprints. This is an essential disc for any serious collector of Latin jazz. --Mark A. Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

Caliente Latin Jazz.......2007-05-09

Greatest timbalero of all times, we miss Tito so much for his passion he communicated so well and for the unique "savor" of his music. The selection is a real "Best of T.P.", even though a three-CDs Compilation is actually the "Best of T.P.": Ran Kan Kan, Oye Como Va, Take Five, Picadillo a la Puente, just to cite a few, are some of the masterpieces standing high among our latin jazz favorites. All artists collaborating are the best for their instruments, including Aguabella, Maynard Ferguson and great violinist Alfredo de la Fè. Do not miss it if you don't want to buy all the single records/CDs of Tito.

Average customer rating: "Concord Jazz presents awesome selections via Byrd"

The Best of the Concord Years Charlie Byrd Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bossa Nova | Latin Music | Styles | Music Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Blue Byrd The Guitar Artistry of Charlie Byrd Latin Byrd Mr. Guitar The Bossa Nova Years ASIN: B00004YNEK Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
2. As Long As I Live
3. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
4. Cottontail
5. Soft Lights And Sweet Music
6. St. Louis Blues
7. Solitude
8. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
9. Candlelights
10. This Can't Be Love
11. Mood Indigo
12. Django
13. Remembering Louis Armstrong
14. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
15. Don't Explain

Tracks:

1. Saquarema
2. Charlotte's Fancy
3. Desafinada
4. Gitanerias
5. Vou Vivendo
6. Triste
7. Na Praia (At The Seaside)
8. Dindi
9. The Moon Was Yellow
10. El Noy De La Mare
11. O Pato
12. Beyond The Horizon
13. Invocation To Shango
14. Luperce
15. Besame Mucho
16. So Danco Samba

Amazon.com

By the time guitarist Charlie Byrd became one of the charter artists on Concord's roster in 1974, he had more than a decade of major record label pressure demanding more of his 1960s-era bossa nova successes. Concord gave Byrd--who died in November 1999--the freedom to explore the music of Duke Ellington, W.C. Handy, Louis Armstrong, and Bix Beiderbecke however he chose. The tribute-minded Charlie Byrd makes up disc one of this compilation. Disc two reflects how much better Byrd sounded late in his career when playing the South American music that made him famous. That's why the second half of this set is infinitely better than the first, and is alone worth the price. There's an experiment with Argentina's tango music and a Spanish carol played by Byrd's Washington Guitar Quartet, but disc two is mostly made up of Brazilian music. Surprisingly, only three compositions come from Antonio Carlos Jobim, but two are quite noticeable thanks to the wonderful soloists--Ken Peplowski's sax and clarinet on "Dindi," and Maucha Adnet's singing on "So Danco Samba." If it's more late-period Byrd you're after, follow this set with more of the guitarist's work with singer Adnet on My Inspiration, Music of Brazil. --Mark A. Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

"Concord Jazz presents awesome selections via Byrd".......2000-10-28

Concord Jazz is delighted to present some highlights from the last twenty years of Charlie Byrd's extraordinarily prolific, creative and influential recording career. With "Best of Concord Years", you'll appreciate the melodic and tasteful guitar playing by this legend that extends far beyond his obvious ground-breaking contributions to jazz history...which includes pioneering the application of acoustic classical guitar techniques to jazz and bringing the Brazilian "bossa nova" to the North American masses.

Byrd is equally at home in a variety of musical styles and settings, from bebop to Grappeli-Reinhardt "Hot Club" inspired swing, to classical-crossover, to a myriad of Brazilian music styles, putting this in laymen's terms.

Charlie Byrd was simply one of jazz most versatile guitar masters ever to come along, and we're glad he did, as Concord Records has preserved his lagacy...listen to icon Charlie Byrd and see if you don't agree..."THE BEST OF THE CONCORD YEARS"...is Great Jazz in a time-capsule!

Total Time: Disc One 63:32 on 15 Tracks & Disc Two 63:07 on 16 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD2-4932...(2000)

Average customer rating: A superb selection

Best of the Concord Years Ray Brown Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Soular Energy ASIN: B000071JWU Release Date: 2002-11-19

Tracks:

1. Buhaina Buhaina
2. After You've Gone
3. Days of Wine and Roses
4. That's All
5. Blues For Sam Nassi
6. I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over
7. The Real Blues
8. Carioca Hills
9. Exactly Like You
10. Georgia On My Mind
11. Keep On Pumin'

Tracks:

1. Onion Roll
2. Gumbo Hump
3. High Heel Sneakers
4. Put Your Little Foot Right Out
5. Ralph's Boogie
6. Rockin' In Rhythm
7. Lady Be Good
8. Blue Bossa
9. Like Someone In Love
10. The Flintstones Theme
11. Take The 'A' Train
12. Just Friends
13. Captain Bill

Customer Reviews:

A superb selection.......2005-05-25

Spanning "only" Ray Brown's Concord years, this CD gives a great look at the master of the upright bass. I started listening to Ray in the mid-70s when he was in the L. A. Four. As I explored acoustic jazz, Ray Brown continued to be there as a leader, as a member of a group, and as a sideman, on the best jazz albums I could find.

Well, here you get a sampler from a quarter century (or there-abouts) of the best accoustic jazz ever made, on tunes that show Ray Brown's mastery of his instrument.

Average customer rating: A superbly recorded, two-CD set collection "The Girl Singer is still with us ~ Rosie & Concord Years"

The Best of the Concord Years Rosemary Clooney Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sings Ballads Jazz Singer Sentimental Journey Love Last Concert ASIN: B0000C9JDG Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

1. Hey There
2. I've Got A Crush On You
3. Pennies From Heaven
4. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?)
5. I Cover The Waterfront
6. How Long Has This Been Going On?
7. Meditation
8. Will You Still Be Mine?
9. Just One Of Those Things
10. Stormy Weather
11. I'm Beginning To See The Light
12. Cheek To Cheek
13. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
14. I Thought About You
15. Something's Got To Give

Tracks:

1. I Wish I Were In Love Again
2. People Will Say We're In Love
3. Sentimental Journey
4. Straighten Up And Fly Right
5. Nice 'N' Easy
6. Do You Miss New York?
7. As Long As I Live
8. Let's Get Away From It All
9. The Coffee Shop
10. Mambo Italiano
11. A Foggy Day
12. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
13. Old Devil Moon
14. Brazil
15. I'm The Big Band Singer
16. God Bless America/They Can't Take That Away From Me
17. White Christmas

Amazon.com

At an age when most of her pop vocalist contemporaries of the 1940s and '50s were semi-retired or comfortably ensconced in the nostalgia circuit, Rosemary Clooney was busy reinventing herself as jazz stylist and stellar interpreter of the American songbook. The 31-tracks of this double-disc anthology span the final decades (1970s-'90s) of her career, a period in which the Concord label offered her a compelling forum to redress much the novelty and pop fodder she'd felt burdened with early in her career. Her work here is characterized by an elegant, if distinctly deceiving simplicity, a sense of less as more that imparts her impeccable readings of Gershwin, Porter, Mercer, et. al. a crucial sense that Clooney is living these songs as much as singing them. The singer's languid take on the standard "Brazil" zigs when you expect it to zag, suggesting some steamy tropical torpor and emphasizing that the latter-day Clooney was seldom prisoner to expectations, a restless creative sense she rewardingly imparts to even her revamped versions of previous hits like "Hey There," "White Christmas," and "Mambo Italiano." --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

2003 compilation release from Concord Jazz for the 'girl singer' from Kentucky features 32 tracks showcasing her inimitable way with a lyric, her relaxed, conversational phrasing, her distinctive voice & her impeccable musical taste. Packaged in a double gatefold digipak with booklet.

Customer Reviews:

A superbly recorded, two-CD set collection.......2004-03-06

Rosemary Clooney: The Best Of The Concord Years is a superbly recorded, two-CD set collection showcasing some of the most memorable and beloved works of popular singer Rosemary Clooney as drawn from more than 25 years of her remarkable career. These selections range from her remarkable and attention-getting 50's debut, to music from her grand comeback album in 1977. An audio treat for Rosemary Clooney fans, Disc One has tracks Hey There (2:36), I've Got A Crush On You (3:19), Pennies From Heaven (4:15), Lover Man (4:30), I Cover The Waterfront (3:35), How Long Has This Been Going On? (4:53), Meditation (4:43), Will You Still Be Mine? (3:04), Just One Of Those Things (4:07), Stormy Weather (5:42), I'm Beginning To See The Light (3:37), Cheek To Cheek (5:15), A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (3:10), I Thought About You (5:11), and Something's Got To Give (3:16). Disc Two has tracks I Wish I Were In Love Again (3:03), People Will Say We're In Love (4:51), Sentimental Journey (4:23), Straighten up And Fly Right (4:53), Nice 'N' Easy (3:08), Do You Miss New York? (5:09), As Long As I Live (3:19), Let's Get Away From It All (4:06), The Coffee Song (2:42), Mambo Italiano (2:29), A Foggy Day (3:16), Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (3:16), Old Devil Moon (4:00), Brazil (6:50), I'm The Big Band Singer (2:26), God Bless America/They Can't Take That Away From Me (4:14), and White Christmas (3:32).

"The Girl Singer is still with us ~ Rosie & Concord Years".......2003-12-03

Concord Jazz presents one of the ultimate vocalist of our time, "Girl Singer" (aka) Rosemary Clooney in the essential musical companion special 2-CD set "Best of the Concord Years" ~ her warmth and personality comes through with wonderful performances, only matched by a God given talent ~ what a distinctive voice. Always a pleasure serving up a relaxing and soothing style, so list enable. All thirty-two tracks are beautiful, Rosie puts her heart and soul into the lyrics.

This collection has to be one of her best, the tunes cover many years of recordings with the Concord Label. Many stand outs come to mind "LOVER MAN" (Davis/Ramirez/Sherman), "A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE" (Mashwitz/Sherwin), "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" (Brown/Green/Horner), "I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT" (Ellington/George/Hodges/James), comprised of so many great arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Peter Matz and John Oddo. Rosie's voice is still strong with unwavering interpretations, in my opinion still one of the great interpreters of a song. Given to ballads or swing, she's in complete control and the polish is extraordinary.

Needless to say, I am a "Girl Singer" fan, Rosie performs each song in a straight ahead style (which she is famous for) ~ her approach is still as fresh and you know you're going to hear the best...gotta love it!

Total Time: Two Disc Set ~ Concord Jazz 2163 ~ (10/07/2003)

Average customer rating: "master of the Hammond B-3 organ ~ Jack McDuff" Subtle Soul

The Best of the Concord Years Jack McDuff Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008KIYU Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

1. Cold Duck Time
2. Blooze in G
3. Pork Chops & Pasta
4. Killer Joe
5. Georgia
6. Theme from Mission Impossible
7. Sundown
8. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
9. Pettin' the Cat

Tracks:

1. Hot Barbeque
2. J & G Blues
3. Pump It Up
4. From the Pulpit
5. Yesterdays
6. Down Home Blues
7. Playoff
8. After Hours
9. Rock Candy

Customer Reviews:

"master of the Hammond B-3 organ ~ Jack McDuff".......2003-06-07

We love Jazz and Blues in St. Louis, and we love Concord Jazz with the latest release "The Best of the Concord Years", featuring Captain Jack McDuff on the sumptuous Hammond B-3 organ demonstrating his head turning grooves on the keyboard. McDuff can play it all from the bluesy to swinging sessions with all the soulful influence that weaves a fabric of pure jazz.

Difficult to select stand outs, but here goes ~ "GEORGIA", the classic Hoagy Carmichael gets the full treatment and then some ~ "BLOOZE IN G" and "PORK COPS & PASTA", both Jack McDuff compositions hit you smack dab between the eyes and you're loving every moment of it ~ "HOT BARBECUE", another McDuff tune, can almost see Bill Cosby standing around the Weber BBQ waiting for his serving, love both Cosby and the Captain ~ "J & G BLUES", must stand for Jack & Gene Blues, real low-low down blues just the way we like 'em.

And for the highlight of the collection we have "DOWN HOME BLUES", the beat goes on with Gene Harris' classic tune, featuring Ron Eschete (guitar), Luther Hughes (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums), Niki Harris (vocals), Jack McDuff (Hammond B-3 Organ) and Gene Harris (piano) with some hard pounding funky blues that only this man can compose and perform, they'll never be another like these two.

Concord Jazz has once again put together the best of the best. A prize collection of over a decade of Jazz ~ composed and performed by one of the leading musicians in the field of jazz yesterday, today and tomorrow ~ CAP'N JACK MCDUFF!

Total: 2-CD-Set ~ Concord Jazz 2-2171-2

Subtle Soul.......2003-05-27

This is a good headphones album to hear the subtle differences in texture Cap'n Jack gets out of the '3. And for the tunes that he "spars" with Joey D on. This set shows he was an artist that "had it" up until the end. And Ron Eschte on guitar will make your eyes bug out.

Average customer rating:

The Best of the Concord Years Cal Tjader Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stan Getz with Cal Tjader Cal Tjader - Greatest Hits Ultimate Cal Tjader ASIN: B0001LYH1G Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

1. Serengeti
2. Linda Chicana
3. Aleluia
4. Evil Ways
5. Close Enough For Love (Theme From Agatha)
6. Roger's Samba
7. Quietly There
8. Besame Mucho
9. Mambo Mindoro
10. Don't Look Back
11. Bye Bye Blues

Tracks:

1. Speak Low
2. Will You Still Be Mine?
3. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
4. Cuban Fantasy
5. Guachi Guaro (Soul Sauce)
6. Naima
7. Shoshana
8. The Continental
9. Santo Domingo
10. Mindano

Average customer rating: One of the best Big Band CD's

Best of Woody Herman & His Big Band: The Concord Years Woody Herman Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000006LZ Release Date: 1993-05-25

Tracks:

1. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
2. Four Brothers
3. 'Round Midnight
4. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
5. Dolphin
6. Woody 'N You
7. Blues for Red
8. Perdido
9. Central Park West
10. Lemon Drop
11. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life
12. Battle Royal

Customer Reviews:

One of the best Big Band CD's.......1998-09-15

This CD is packed with energy. If you like the big band style of Woody Herman this CD is a must! The quality of the live recordings surpasses many of the original studio recordings. It includes several of his best including Things Ain't What They Used to Be, Four Brothers, Blues for Red and Lemon Drop

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