My American Songbook, Vol. 1

Amazon.com
This recording by alto/soprano saxophonist Nelson Rangell features his unique take on the great American standards. With bassist Jimmy Haslip and keyboardist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets and other sideman, Rangell's tart and tight sax tones and pithy flute solos take straight-ahead jazz, Broadway tunes, folk ditties, and soul numbers, and translates them for smooth jazz radio. On "Introduction to America and..." the wordless vocal and the handclaps are reminiscent of Pat Metheny's "First Circle." Stevie Wonder's Latin-tinged number, "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," retains its Spanish Harlem swing, while Earth, Wind and Fire's "That the Way of the World," keeps its soulful message. Jazz pianist Hampton Hawes's "Sonora" may seem out of joint here, but Rangell's fans know it as the "Whistle Tune," because he whistled the melody when he played in a noisy club. Rangell has been compared to David Sanborn. This effort may change that. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

My American Songbook, Vol. 1,Nelson Rangell,Koch Records,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Instrumental Pop,Jazz,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Smooth Jazz

Average customer rating: Awesome! YOU OUT DID YOURSELF

My American Songbook, Vol. 1 Nelson Rangell Manufacturer: Koch Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Soul to Souls The Very Best of Nelson Rangell Look Again Always All I Hope for Christmas ASIN: B0007DBJFA Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

1. Introduction To America
2. America
3. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing4. Cast Your Fate To The Wind
4. Billy Boy
5. Interlude
6. That's The Way Of The World
7. Sonora
8. Freda
9. In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning / Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
10. Cherokee
11. Don't Forget Those Forgotten

Amazon.com

This recording by alto/soprano saxophonist Nelson Rangell features his unique take on the great American standards. With bassist Jimmy Haslip and keyboardist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets and other sideman, Rangell's tart and tight sax tones and pithy flute solos take straight-ahead jazz, Broadway tunes, folk ditties, and soul numbers, and translates them for smooth jazz radio. On "Introduction to America and..." the wordless vocal and the handclaps are reminiscent of Pat Metheny's "First Circle." Stevie Wonder's Latin-tinged number, "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," retains its Spanish Harlem swing, while Earth, Wind and Fire's "That the Way of the World," keeps its soulful message. Jazz pianist Hampton Hawes's "Sonora" may seem out of joint here, but Rangell's fans know it as the "Whistle Tune," because he whistled the melody when he played in a noisy club. Rangell has been compared to David Sanborn. This effort may change that. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome!.......2006-03-15

I love this cd! I have all of Nels cds except the christmas cd. He keeps getting better and better! I've seen him several times whistle " Sonora" and it amazes me. I become transfixed! I love that song. It's one of my favorites and my new fave is " Don't you worry..." Any jazz fan of Nels has to add this one to their collection.

YOU OUT DID YOURSELF.......2005-04-04

THIS CD IS WHAT JAZZ IS ALL ABOUT. I HAVE SEVERAL OF NELSON'S CDS INCLUDING "DESTINY". ON THE "DESTINY" CD IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST JAZZ SONGS EVER RECORDED. THE SONG IS ENTITLED "SONORA". ON THIS NEW CD, NELSON HAS RERECORDED "SONORA" UTILIZING THE WHISTLING PICCOLO. HE IS TRULY A MULITALENTED MUSICIAN. HE OUT DID HIMSELF ON THIS NEW CD. THIS IS DEFINATELY ONE TO HAVE. YOU WILL ENJOY EVEY TRACK. HAPPY LISTENING..

Average customer rating: THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR Artistry beyond measure Perfectly Enjoyable Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence One of the best English-Song CD's available

Ian Bostridge - The English Songbook Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Grainger | Grainger, Percy Aldridge | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bostridge, Ian | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ian Bostridge - Songs of Faure, Debussy & Poulenc Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II Ian Bostridge - J.S. Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Biondi, Europa Galante Ian Bostridge - Liederkreis Op. 24, Dichterliebe Op. 48 & 7 Lieder Perspectives ASIN: B00002CF0T Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

1. La Belle Bame sans Merci
2. Sleep
3. I Will Go With My Father A-Ploughing
4. The Cloths of Heaven
5. To Gratiana Dancing and Singing
6. To Lucasta, On Going To The Wars
7. Twilight Fancies
8. Orpheus With His Lute
9. Jillian of Berry
10. Cradle Song
11. The Dance Continued
12. Linden Lea
13. Silent Noon
14. My Love's An Arbutus
15. The Death of Queen Jane
16. No Longer Mourn For Me
17. Since We Loved
18. The Sally Gardens
19. Rest, Sweet Nymphs
20. Come Away, Death
21. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
22. Bold William Taylor
23. Brigg Fair
24. The Little Turtle Dove

Customer Reviews:

THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR.......2002-10-09

Ian Bostridge has one of the most beautiful voices on record, and he has consistently shown courage and wisdom in selecting material that will extend and develop his gifts. Not all of this material has been a perfect match for his young and soaring tenor voice, notably some of Schubert's more dramatic "lieder". In contrast, nothing could be more perfectly suited to his voice than this generous and beautiful collection of traditional English poetic settings by Britten, Finzi, Grainger, Warlock and others.

Bostridge brings more than just a beautiful tone and a subtle musical phrasing to these songs. The challenge any intepreter of English songs has to face is that, in contrast with the pure syllables of most continental languages, the complex vowels of "Southern British English" are formidably difficult to render attractively in song. It's not just a question of singing them prettily. Think how accurately the pronunciation of a word like "house" or "bath" can betray someone's geographical and social background; our vowels are a caste-mark as well as a means of communication. But somehow Bostridge himself, in his fruitful partnership with Julius Drake, manages to transcend our socio-linguistic divisions and deliver these songs in a way that places no barrier between the listener and the music.

The material is wonderful in its own right - a collection of lilting pastoral airs and occasional boisterous ditties. They are at one and the same time ancient and modern, embracing at once the mutual cross-fertilisation between classical and "pop" sensibilities that has always underpinned the best of English music. Even the most trivial of these songs (e.g. "Jillian of Berry") are memorable, and some of them (notably Sir Charles Stanford's chilling musical setting of the Keats' poem, "La Belle Dame Sans Merci") would not have been beneath Schubert himself.

It has been fashionable over the generations to belittle British classic music. "The land without song" England was dubbed, as the sleeve notes poignantly remind us. This CD is a healthy reminder that the global success of English popular music in the latter four decades of the 20th century did not appear out of nowhere; it was built on a solid foundation of past accomplishment that it was for too long fashionable to dismiss. Highly recommended.

Artistry beyond measure.......2002-09-20

This disk is a wonderful treasure. "To Gratiana Dancing and Singing" is an exquisite song that you should not go another day without hearing. I am speaking literally.

Mr. Bostridge's interpretation of Browne's song is amazingly compelling. His ability to express goes beyond that of most other singers - even some great ones. He notes the problems in singing in English (the "extra" vowels, the English vs. German approach to word painting, etc.) and I have to say he triumphs on this disk.

As he also notes, this is NOT a recording of a recital program nor are the songs "English" in nationality - the songs are just set to texts in the English language. I had not heard of some of these composers, but I am enthusiastic in saying that every song on this disk has something very nice to recommend it - at least at the voice and hands of Ian Bostridge and Julian Drake.

I must say a few words about Mr. Drake's playing. Overall he is simply incredible. He has a beauty of tone and a singing style that is not in anyway mere accompaniment. It really isn't even a partnership. It is a unity of artistry that creates this single entity, a song. There aren't many that can pull this off and Mr. Drake should be treasured for this ability. Just amazing artistry.

Please get every disk that Mr. Bostridge and Mr. Drake have done together. You will thank me for recommending this if you didn't know this already. Feel free to email me with your thoughts on this disk or any comments you have about Bostridge and Drake.

Perfectly Enjoyable.......2002-02-09

I already liked Ian Bostridge, but I thought "English songs" would be rather light and without substance. But I have fallen in love with this CD and never tire of it! I was already an admirer of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Warlock and Delius, and I'm glad for this introduction to other composers as well. Also, much beautiful poetry is chosen, from Shakespeare, Yeats, Rossetti, Keats, and others, and each is treated with careful consideration by the composer, *partnering* music with poetry rather than simply enhancing or overshadowing the lyric. Bostridge seems to have the perfect voice for this music, light and charming when appropriate, heart-breaking at other times, always an engaging storyteller. He obviously understands intimately each word and note that he sings. The listener can hear his facial expressions and body language! The English Songbook is a beautiful collection of excellent craftsmanship, and one of the best CDs I have.

Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence.......2001-10-14

Just look at Ian on the cover photo of this CD. He's sitting there looking coy, playing with his finger, hair a little mussed, with a very cute boyish smile, as if to say, "I didn't do anything wrong mommy, honest." Well he has done it this time.

This CD was my first exposure to Ian Bostridge. I bought it because I was very surprised to know that one of my favorite poems, the Cloths of Heaven by Yeats, was set to music. I spent 17 bucks for one song, and ended up cashing in on 23 others.

To Gratiana Dancing and Singing quickly became a favorite, as did Bold William Taylor. This last one was my first realization of Ian's gift of storytelling. Somehow he is able to make his voice sound like a woman, namely Sally Gray, and the narrator, and the macho Captain, all in the same song. The multiple personalities come out to play similarly in The Death of Queen Jane. I am lulled into quiet reflection and relaxation when Ian sings the Cradle Song.

Check out his CDs of Schubert Lieder, also accompanied by Julius Drake. Ian may be even more at home in German than he is in his native English! Julius is at home with Schubert, especially the water songs, and we are at home listening to this wonderfully weird, warm voice paired with masterful piano playing.

One of the best English-Song CD's available.......2001-09-12

Unlike the reviewer "A music fan from California, USA" I realize that this is not a recital program of music (as even noted in the liner). This is though, an unequaled collection of some of the most beautiful English Songs ever. Ian is on top of his game and J Drake plays, well, I don't have the words. He never fails to impress with his skills. Each key under each finger sings! Back to Ian. As a professional tenor, I am in awe of his voice. It is tender, moving, all the things you want in a good recitalist, and (unlike any of the opera tenors I can think of) it is note perfect. Yes, there are times when his voice seems a little light for the song he may be performing, but it is passionate and caries the pathos of each note/word he sings. BUY THIS CD - you will love it for ever!

Average customer rating:

American Songbook - The American Music Collection, Vol. III Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beach | Beach, Amy Marcy Cheney | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Blitzstein | Blitzstein, Marc | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bolcom, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Larsen, Libby | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Minnesota Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001SJ9 Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

1. A Little Bit In Love - Steven Blier
2. Yankee Doodle Rhythm - William Sharp
3. I Wish It So - Steven Blier
4. Nurse's Song - Joan Morris
5. My Ship - Angelina Reaux
6. Never Give Anything Away - Cole Porter
7. Sonnets From The Portuguese (I Thought Once How Theocritus Had Sung) - Arleen Auger
8. Boatmen's Dance - National Gallery Vocal Arts Assembly
9. Singing Joyfully - Susanne Mentzer
10. Cavalry - Vivian Taylor
11. Oh, De Lawd Shake De Heavens/Leavin' Fo' De Promis' Lan' - Steven Blier
12. Storyette - William Sharp
13. Monday Morning Blues - William Sharp
14. He Loves And She Loves - Steven Blier
15. Mists - Karen Lykes
16. At Dieppe (Requies) - Susan Narucki
17. The Side Show - National Gallary Of Art Vocal Ensemble
18. There Is A Lane - National Gallary Of Art Vocal Ensemble
19. Dream With Me - Steven Blier

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