Monday, December 31, 2007

Various - GREMLINS (OST) (1984) for Kostik










































Genre:
Electronic, Funk
Style:
Synth-pop

Tracklist:

01 Michael Sembello - Gremlins Mega Madness
02 Quarterflash - Make It Shine
03 Peter Gabriel - Out Out
04 Jerry Goldsmith - Gift
05 Jerry Goldsmith - Gizmo
06 Jerry Goldsmith - Mrs Deagle
07 Jerry Goldsmith - Gremlin Rag

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80170162/gremlso.rar.html

Product Description
Rare 7-Cut Mini Album featuring Michael Sembello (Gremlins... Mega Madness), Peter Gabriel (Out Out), Quarterflash (Make it Shine), and Jerry Goldsmith (The Gift / Gizmo / Mrs. Deagle / The Gremlin Rag).

"Geffen's official soundtrack to the 1984 smash Gremlins remains a legendary abomination, jettisoning the vast majority of Jerry Goldsmith's deliciously dark score in favor of tepid pop songs from Michael Sembello and Quarterflash. It's taken 16 years and a bootleg label to set the record straight, but at long last, here it is: Goldsmith's original Gremlins score in its entirety, and time hasn't dimmed its energy or creativity. Suspenseful but wry, the music perfectly captures the manic black comedy of Joe Dante's film. "Mrs. Deagle" and "The Gremlin Rag" rank among Goldsmith's finest individual themes, but Gremlins is far more than the sum of its parts, and ranks among the composer's finest hours. [The Mogwai edition appends Goldsmith's musical contributions to Dante's segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie.] ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

"Gremlins is one of those fantastic Christmas films which can be watched anytime - but has an added magic when watched during the Christmas season. It's a film that nearly everyone has seen and so unites the land in the knowledge that a gremlin can only survive for so long in a microwave. The film is playful and fun, so as a child I loved it. It courted controversy when it first came out as it was deemed too violent to warrant a PG rating, but it is essentially a family comedy and the violence is basically cartoon style and adds to the general naughtiness of the film. As I get older I can recognise the more sad aspects to this film, such as the death of Kate's dad one previous Christmas making it a time of great unease for her. I'm not going to mention any of the plot as it is so well known, and for those who don't know it - they have the good fortune of being able to experience it for the first time. The film was a marketing success with the cute Gizmo and a few Gremlins with distinct individuality (such as Stripe), I always wondered when you could safely feed a Mogwai to ensure it didn't turn into a gremlin, after all any time of day is after midnight! The humour and the frenetic pace of the film was typical of the emerging comedy-horror genre of the `80s, with other blockbusters such as Beetlejuice, Critters and Ghostbusters. The film was always going to be a success and a family favourite, but a key factor in ensuring this went down so well is the fantastic award winning score by Jerry Goldsmith, the main theme remains one of my all time favourite pieces of film music."

"gremlins is a classic,of that there can be little debate,its legacy is unchallenged and the merchandise born from this is still in demand to this day,some 22 years after its release. The film tells the tale of a mogwai called gizmo who ends up in the hands of billy,a geeky teenager with the strict instuctions of dont feed gizmo after midnight,dont let daylight touch gizmo and dont let water near him or the results could be destructive,as it happens all of the above happen in one way or another and demon mogwais called gremlins are spawned who bring chaos and death to the sleepy town. The film has a dark humour to it but can more likely be deemed a light horror that is widely accepted as an 80s classic,if you aint seen this then you should."

"Even today you can still purchase toys and other items based on the film, which only goes to prove the popularity and success of it. And I'm not surprised. Gremlins is simply great, and I think that Gizmo must be the most adorable and most emotionally realistic creature ever created in motion picture history. Gremlins is a horror comedy - less horror and more comedy by todays standards - in which a young man called Billy Peltzer takes possesion of a new pet (Gizmo) and gets more than what he bargained for when he doesn't follow the 'rules.' One of my favourite scenes is when one of the gremlins meets his demise in the microwave. But without a doubt my favourite scene from the entire film is when Gizmo is playing the trumpet on christmas day. The music to Gremlins is catchy and very film style eighties. Gremlins would be a brillient purchase to make as it is just fantastic."

"Gremlins is nothing less than a fantastic movie with a fun and very original plot. Many of the film's characters are not given a lot of room to be expanded upon and diversions are created around the major characters and their lives simply to clear the path for the real stars of the movie. The stunning use of puppetry and animatronic creatures remains flawless even today. Creature features thses days are made with all the break through technology in computer CGI and yet somehow, can fail to be convincing enough. But Gremlins never ceases to amaze with its fantastic special effects and devious story. Surely a prime example of exactly how modern day movie making should be. You must buy this product."

posted by saltyka at 4:00 AM 5 comments

Sunday, December 30, 2007

JIMMY SCOTT



"Jimmy Scott has the most unique swinging soul in the universe."




"Jimmy Scott's singing shines a warm light into the lonelinest spaces of the heart."


"Absolutely no one sounds like Jimmy Scott. His penetrating, almost feminine tenor, with its wide vibrato and behind-the-beat phrasing, absorbs every nuance of a lyric."

Country:
USA
Genre:
Jazz
Style:
Smooth Jazz, Easy Listening

VIDEO
"All Of Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9G7b1LlFr4



EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY'S FOOL (Compilation) (1999)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott( vocals )1-4 / Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra5-7 / unknown8-11 / Billy Taylor and His Orchestra 12-15 / Lucky Thompson and His Orchestra

Recording date :
4 / January 5, 1950
1 / January 25, 1950
2-3 / January 26, 1950
5-7 / January 10, 1952
8-11 / March 5, 1952
12-15 / August 1, 1952

Tracklist:

01 Everybody's Somebody's Fool
02 I Wish I Knew
03 Please Give Me A Chance
04 I've Been A Fool (Thinking You Cared)
05 Wheel Of Fortune
06 Come What May
07 They Say You Cry
08 When You Surrender
09 Alone With A Memory
10 Do You Mind If I Hang Around?
11 Something From A Fool
12 Why Was I Born?
13 The Bluest Blues
14 You Never Miss The Water ('Til The Well Runs Dry)
15 Solitude

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79865518/somebody_fool.rar.html

This is a compilation album of 15 songs which were recorded for Decca, Coral and Brunswick labels in 1950 and 1952. Includes Little Jimmy Scott's incredible first recordings, with Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra, Billy Taylor and His His Orchestra and Lucky Thompson and His Orchestra.Three tracks(No.9,10,13) were never-before released. "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," recorded at his second session with Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra, gave him the first and only chart hit, placing at No. 6 on Billboard's list of R&B jukebox platters. Jimmy Scott has sung this song every so often as encore at live performaces.

"Unfortunately I just learned about 'Little' Jimmy Scott within' the last few years. Or perhaps it's better to say i've only come to appreciate him in the last few years. When I first heard him I was rather put off by the feminine quality of his voice. But as i've matured and learned to just listen without prejudice and bring much more experience and maturity to his phenomenal recordings I have to rank him as one of the great artists of our time.His voice has that quality of what I like to call irony. He can convey both pleasure and pain at the same time with a single note. Beauty and sadness. Joy and sorrow. There's a depth of understanding and conveyance that I can only equate to one other singer. Billie Holiday.The songs on this album are quite simple but they are delivered with so much feeling and clarity that they are elevated by Jimmy's performance.I have also purchased the Bravo Profiles cd which is not listed here on Amazon but contains some absolutely marvelous renditions of some rather poignant songs. My personal favorite has to be his rendition of the Unchained Melody. I have to say that I think that this may be the most beautiful rendition of ANY song that i've ever heard. The arrangements are beyond belief and I can only describe his singing by relating a story. While driving from the northeast to Florida I was playing that cd. When that song came on and Jimmy started singing it brought tears to my eyes. It was like I had never heard that song before although i've heard it performed by many other numerous times. But I have to say that I heard something in his delivery that I have never heard before. If I ever get married that's the song that i'll play for the first dance.Jimmy is probably the best artist that very few people have ever heard of and probably even fewer can really appreciate."

"Anyone familiar with Jimmy Scott since he was re-embraced by fans in the early 90s knows that he is an artist on the same caliber with the greatest talents in the history of jazz -- Bille Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman.While he is still a great talent, he may have been in even finer voice on these Lionel Hampton and other recordings. His voice truly soars here.Much of what an audience hears in Scott's performances today is a reflection of his age. His clear enunciations, his evocation of the simple yet profound lyrics of the standards he favors, his performative flair, are all achievements of a man and an artist who has tasted life and learned from it.The young Jimmy Scott is a different animal -- young, vibrant, and devil may care, his zest and passion are unmistakeable and infectious."


FALLING LOVE IS WONDERFUL (1962) (Re-issue 2003)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals )A-1, 5, B-4 / Marty Paich ( arrange )A-2-4, B-1-3, 5 / Gerald Wilson ( arrange )
There is no credit of players, but Ray Charles was on piano.

Produced by Joe Adams Supervised by Ray Charles

Recorded at United Recordings Studios, Hollywood, California in 1962

Tracklist:

01 They Say Its Wonderful
02 I Wish I Didnt Love You So
03 There Is No Greater Love
04 If I Should Lose You
05 Why Try To Change Me Now
06 Im Getting Sentiental Over You
07 Someone To Watch Over Me
08 How Deep Is The Ocean
09 I Didnt Know What Time It Was
10 Sunday Monday Or Always

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80176020/falling_.rar.html

The original 1962 recording of the remarkable singer (as featured in a PBS/Independent Lens documentary) that was produced by (and features performances by) Ray Charles.

"Finally, this great lost LP is now on CD, and everyone can hear the artistry that is Jimmy Scott. It's a tragedy that due to tangled legal issues, "Falling In Love Is Wonderful" was quickly pulled in 1963 shortly after it's initial release. ... Jimmy's career was frustrated by this, and so one of the greatest jazz vocal LPs became something of a Holy Grail for those discriminating listeners determined to find a rare copy in music stores or online. But now all the legal issues are resolved and everyone can enjoy this remarkable record on CD. To think of the lost opportunities to Scott's career could make one weep. And to listen to Scott's mesmerizing vocals could bring a tear to one's eye on classic tracks like "They Say It's Wonderful" and "Someone To Watch Over Me". I can't recommend this CD enough!"

"This album has the best back-story of all of Jimmy Scott's albums: Ray Charles plucks Scott from a downward career slide and gives him a first-class orchestral pop treatment--only to see the evil Herman Lubinsky (Savoy Records' owner) ruin the whole thing with a threatened lawsuit (the record was pulled from the racks).
(Context: In the 1950s, Jimmy Scott evidently carelessly signed all manner of contracts put before him by Lubinsky; Joel Dorn has called Lubinsky "a hemorrhoid of a human...whom even the worst record business golems of the era shunned.")
Okay, so all of that is interesting, and the album does hold up. But does it surpass his first two Warner Bros. records, or his Atlantic sessions from 1969 and 1972 (scattered over "Lost and Found" and "The Source")? In my opinion, no, it doesn't surpass those works. Scott isn't allowed to stretch out quite as fully here (most of the tracks clock in at 3:30-4:00), and the orchestral arrangements aren't quite as tasty as the sonic divans created for his subsequent pop masterpieces. This record is one of his best, make no mistake, but not the holy grail of legend, the greatest thing he ever did.
So start with the first two on Warner Bros. and the Atlantic Records stuff, and then get this record, the Savoy stuff, his recent series on Milestone, and the Decca sides. Then choose very carefully among what's left--there are a couple of sessions that aren't worth purchasing.
BTW, the liner notes hint that Ray Charles (who, to be fair, put out a lot of cash and time to make this record happen in the first place) was acting a little Lubinsky-like after Scott's ship finally came in in the early 1990s:
"Only one question remains: Why did the producer [Charles] wait so long to finally release the record? After all, when Lubinsky died in 1985, the threat of lawsuits died along with him.
"Timing is everything," says Brother Ray. "And right now, it's Jimmy Scott's time."
Ray allowed Rhino handmade a limited domestic release which carried premium price around the time that David Ritz's authorized biography came out. Now one must pay import prices to get this album. The indignities never end..."

"Ray Charles wanted to highlight Jimmy Scott's ballad ability, and he does here. What keeps this CD from being rated 5 stars is that there is not much variation in tempi. Otherwise, Scott's ability to get inside a ballad and make it his own is exemplary. The title cut, for example, is the most moving version of this song I have ever heard and I think is the strongest cut. Charles' piano complements and, in fact, comments a bit on the lyrics and there is some great byplay between the vocalist and pianist. The stereo mix is a bit extreme (The mono mix might present a more coherent image, but you might lose Charles' piano, by himself, out in the left channel).This is thoroughly enjoyable and it's great to see it re-released."



THE SOURCE (1969) (Re-issue 2001)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott( vocals )
1-8 / Junior Mance ( piano ), Eric Gale or Billy Butler ( guitar ), Ron Carter ( bass ) Bruno Carr ( drums ), David Newman( flute, tenor sax )
3 / Joe Gentle ( tenor sax )
2 / Cissy Houston ( vocal obligato )
1, 2, 4, 7, 8 / Arif Mardin ( arrange )
3, 5, 6 / William Fischer ( arrange )
1 - 8 / String orchestra under direction of Gene Orloff & Selwart Clarke

Produced by Joel Dorn

Recorded by Adrian Barber & William Arlt : March 3-5, 1969

Tracklist:

01 Exodus
02 On Broadway
03 Our Day Will Come
04 I Wish I Knew
05 Unchained Melody
06 Day by Day
07 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
08 This Love of Mine

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80181988/the_source.rar.html

"This album was recorded in 1969 and it truly captures Scott's mastery of melody. His high tenor voice gently floats through each melody with delicate phrasing. If you know his life story, "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" will send shivers down your spine. His phrasing and use of space puts his signature on each song. Thank you Jimmy Scott!"

"It is very rare: an album that contains ONLY verrrry good songs! This is certainly a deserted island must. At least for those who are touched by Jimmy Scott's voice and how he uses it masterfully as an instrument of art. This is the master of jazz ballad singing, or call it torch song if you want, but no-bo-dy interprets them like Jimmy does! The key word is INTENSITY.
Countless great artists adore him, respect him, (just check his official website), yet he seems to remain a cult figure.
Often on the edge of exaggeration, Jimmy Scott does remain credible with his passionate and powerful high singing. His exceptional (slow) phrasing accentuates each word, each syllable, each note. This man doesn't sing a song, he lives it (he does know what it is to be a "motherless child"). Pure artistry is this respect, or even better: LOVE, for rythm, melody and lyrics. The choice of songs is superb. Too many favourites to name any, although ON BROADWAY stands apart as different in tone (a groove!), yet delicious too. The opener, EXODUS, has a fascinating grandeur and something mysterious. DAY BY DAY is generally considered as one of his most exceptional and unforgettable interpretations (and I agree). But, ALL is great; in fact, this album is really TOO special a collection of masterpieces to listen to in one time; one should only listen to one song a day!
I'm not sure if this is the best album to get to know Jimmy Scott, but it is surely his most intense album, the top of his work. Keep in mind that, back in 1969, it was the first album this man could finally do all as he wanted, without any commercial rules or restrictions.
Timeless art. Breaks your heart. Feeds your soul.
The final note leaves you breathless and emotionally exhausted as if Jimmy used your own energy too... Try it!
** [For those who like it a bit more sweet and smooth, I recommend his other masterpiece, the hauntingly romantic "Falling in love is wonderful" (1962), arranged with beautiful strings, where Jimmy Scott renders a new quality to jazz crooning. Ray Charles was there and bowed his head in respect]."






















ALL THE WAY (1992)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals )1-9 / Kenny Barron ( piano ), Ron Carter ( bass ), Grady Tate ( drums ) John Pisano( guitar ), David "Fathead" Newman ( sax )Arranged by Dale Oehler ( 1, 2 ), Johnny Mandel ( 3, 5, 7, 9), John Clayton( 4, 6, 8 )10 / Angelo Badalamenti, Kinny Landrum ( keyboards ) Vinnie Bell ( electric & bass guitars ), Ron Carter ( acoustic bass ), Alvin Flythe, Jr. ( sax ), Ken-Ichi Shimazu ( piano ), Brian Kirk ( drums )

Produced by Tomy LiPuma

Notes:
Recorded by Al Schmitt : at Power Station; Capitol Studios 1992 (except No.10)

Tracklist:

01 All the Way
02 Embraceable You
03 Angel Eyes
04 At Last
05 Someone to Watch over Me
06 Every Time We Say Goodbye
07 I'll Be Around
08 My Foolish Heart
09 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80169616/all_the_way_.rar.html

"The recording history of Little Jimmy Scott is peppered with long hiatuses from the recording studio. He was absent for a period of seven years from 1962 to 1969 and then for more than 15 years from 1975 to 1990. Bordering on singing in the range of a counter tenor, Scott brings a distinctive, immediately recognizable sound and sensitivity to material he sings. It is hard to find any other vocalist, other than Billie Holiday, who matches Scott's depth of emotion that he applies to the classic standards he favors. All the Way was recorded more than 40 years after Scott made his first album for Roost. Over those years, even with his long absences, he has been able to command the services of top of the line musicians. He is one of those rare vocalists that jazz musicians like to be on the stage or in the studio with. And this album is no exception, featuring an all-star lineup that includes Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and Grady Tate on rhythm. David "Fathead" Newman's soulful sax on such cuts as "All the Way" compliments Scott's delivery perfectly. Like Scott, Newman leaves abundant room between the measures to allow the song to breathe, the listeners to gain the full flavor of what he has played and to anticipate what's to follow in a second or two. On such tunes as "Angel Eyes" and "At Last," Scott's delivery goes beyond mere poignancy, and moves close to reverence, such respect he has for the classics he has put in the song list. This is good stuff. Strings magically appear on some tracks. But they are done tastefully and don't get in the way. Jimmy McDonough's knowledgeable highlights of Scott's career are a welcome added attraction."

Jimmy Scott is beyond category, an interpreter of ballads at tempos so languorous they seem practically motionless, hovering atmospherically in the air like the smoke in a barroom. All but forgotten when he recorded this album in 1992 at the age of 66, it stands as his finest achievement, the capstone of a career marked by extraordinary promise and devastating disappointment--including a legendary Ray Charles-produced album in 1962 that had to be withdrawn because of a contractual dispute. Scott's voice is uniquely androgynous and capable of marvelous subtlety; the closer you listen, the more it seems to blur (and transcend) characteristics of sex and age. That quality has made him a favorite of folks like director David Lynch, but his musicianship makes all other concerns superfluous. Here he's accompanied by first-class jazz musicians: Kenny Barron (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Grady Tate (drums), John Pisano (guitar), and David "Fathead" Newman (sax). And the songs are world-class as well: "Embraceable You," "Angel Eyes," "Every Time We Say Goodbye," and of course the title tune. But perhaps the greatest of all is "My Foolish Heart." Never was there a voice more suited sing these words: "There's a fine line between love and infatuation/That's hard to see on a night such as this." Like I said: beyond category. --Jim Emerson

"We saw Jimmy Scott at Yoshi's Dec 99 in a guest appearance with Jimmy Mcgriff and Hank Crawford. I never heard of Jimmy Scott, and to tell the truth, was slightly uncomfortable during the performance. This was not like anything I had ever heard before, and its not often that you see an artist so totally involved with the presentation - not just going through the motions or putting on a show. But I kept hearing the singing. We purchased ALL THE WAY on the way out of Yoshi's , and have listened to it often. Sinatra does a classic ALL THE WAY, and it took me a couple of listenings to fully appreciate Scott's version. Its totally unique and affecting. Get the CD and listen to it through at least 3 times ... you'll keep coming back for more."

"If you like your music with heartache, intensity, and tempos that feel like a bubblebath at 100 degrees, buy this album. I knock off one star, only because that mood is pervasive throughout; it's a "one mood" album. With that limitation, it's quite an album. Jimmy Scott has done probably the most heartfelt interpretation ever of the extremely oft-covered Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye", possibly Porter's most heartfelt song. That one sticks out in my mind as the highlight of this set, but I could say the same things about the title track. Great album for getting your "significant other" in the mood for "sack time.""

"This CD is simply AMAZING. Jimmy's voice is truly unique and his phrasing is just impeccable. As other writers have noted, Jimmy's style of singing is very slow & deliberate, as though he wants you to feel every note & breath that he takes. Every song on this cd will take you on an emotional journey, reach into your soul & when the song is over, all you will be able to say is "Wow". I have played this cd during many intimate gatherings and let me tell you, there are many new Jimmy Scott fans in Seattle. CD's may come & go, but this one continues to be in my cd player."

More review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2007/Jimmy_Scott_8122-77655-2.htm



DREAM (1994)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals )1-9 / Junior Mance ( piano ), Peyton Crossley ( drums ), Milt Jackson ( vibraphone )2 / Claston Patience Higgins ( sax )5 / Rick Zunigar( guitar ), Mitchell Froom ( organ )7 / James W. "Red" Holloway ( sax ), Rick Zunigar( guitar )

Produced by Mitchell Froom

Notes:
Recorded by Tchad Blake : at RPM Studios / Feb.14-16, 1994

Tracklist:

01 Don't Take Your Love from Me
02 It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream
03 I Cried for You
04 So Long
05 You Never Miss the Water (Till the Well Runs Dry)
06 It's the Talk of the Town
07 I'm Through With Love
08 Laughing on the Outside
09 Dream

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79860630/dream.rar.html

"One of the great late-night albums" is a phrase that could be applied very easily to any of Jimmy Scott's works. This one is simple and understated, just lovely and melancholy at the same time. He always sounds like a little boy crying, but its that vulnerability, that quavering voice that just grabs you."

"If I were going to be stranded on a desert island and could only take 2 CD's, this would be one. (The other would be Kind of Blue). This is quintessential late nite jazz. A classic. "

"Jimmy Scott's voice should be a national treasure. Its androgynous quality may confuse those who like to categorize what they're listening to. (Is it a woman? A man? An angel?) This album is torch music at its most dramatic. All the tempos are slow; the alto voice wavers until you think it will break. Instead of trying to peg his precursors or his students, just listen and appreciate Mr. Scott as one-of-a-kind."

"I have never heard a voice as good as this come from a male singer. He makes everything seem easy and calm. The only real review I can give is that he is now in the top three of my favorite singers. This is truly a great album."



HEAVEN (1996)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals ),Jacky Terrasson ( piano, arrange ), Joseph Bonadio ( percussin ), Hilliard Greene ( bass )

Produced by Craig Street

Notes:
Recorded by Danny Kopelson : at Sear Sound March & April, 1996

Tracklist:

01 Heaven
02 All My Tears
03 Wayfarin' Stranger
04 People Get Ready
05 He Looks Beyond My Faults
06 When He Returns
07 What Are They Doing In Heaven Today
08 Just As I Am
09 There's No Disappointment In Heaven

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79885363/heaven.rar.html

"The voice is stunning, of course, and pianist Jacky Terrasson provides lovely accompaniment, but the hook for neophytes is the repertoire--"People Get Ready," "Heaven" by the Talking Heads, and Bob Dylan's "When He Returns" included." --Jeff Bateman

"If you have acquired a taste for Jimmy Scott's unusual, and brilliant, singing then this is an album you can't miss. I particularly appreciate this album for it's sincere and moving gospel material. It is an album that is both spiritual and musically sophisticated... I wish I could find more like this! The thing that catches your interest is the unusual mix of material: classic gospel tunes with material of a more recent vintage, (like a Bob Dylan tune). But the quality of the album I have ended up appreciating in the end is the sensitivity of Jacky Terrasson's arrangements and Jimmy Scott's singing. They make the material their own. They also introduced me to "All My Tears" by Julie Miller, one of the most wonderful gospel songs I've ever heard. That one track is worth the price of admission alone. A small flaw is the selection of "Heaven" by the anti-religious David Byrne (of Talking Heads). The song is performed wonderfully, but the cynical lyrics are jarring next to the rest of the material. If you enjoy this, be sure to check out Jacky Terrasson's album with Cassandra Wilson which is also excellent. Thanks Mr. Terrasson & Mr. Scott and God bless you!"

"An excellent album. Jacky Terrasson on piano presented the perfect foil to Mr. Scott's vocals. Something that you can listen to anytime of the day but especially when you're alone at home in the middle of the night. The spiritual theme might not be to everybody's liking but if you are a jazz fan, it is one album you certainly would like to have."

"Finally Jimmy Scott is getting recorded often, with musicians sensitive to his style and singing, and with the freedom to stretch out on ballads. Compare his version of Imagination recorded for Savoy back in the 50s and the one on this CD. The earlier recording was timed at less than 3 minutes while the song recorded this year took almost 7 minutes. (Some of that time is given to the instrumentalists for solos but Scott takes the song at a slower pace too.) The earlier version seemed too fast, especially for a singer like Jimmy Scott who is legendary for his phrasing, extending individual words, pronouncing every syllable and pausing for full effect. The two and three minute songs released in the 50s really do not do him justice simply because he was forced to sing faster than he normally would have sung in a nightclub date for instance. Although many of those songs are great too, I can always imagine what he would have done if free to sing as he wanted to sing. On this recording of Imagination I no longer have to imagine. The musicians on this album seem well suited to Scott's music. On three tracks he works with his own road band, the Jazz Expressions, while on most of the other tracks we hear Hank Crawford on alto sax, Cyrus Chestnut on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Grady Tate on drums. Gregoire Maret adds his Toots Thielemans-like harmonica effectively to Imagination, Without A Song, How Deep Is the Ocean?, and Blue Skies. Also Joe Beck's guitar, featured on There Will Never Be Another You and one of two renditions of the title cut Mood Indigo is particularly impressive. The guitar that he uses, called an alto guitar, is tuned a fifth lower than a usual guitar and has a haunting, full, almost ringing quality on the two ballads. Jimmy Scott's vocals make the songs doubly haunting, especially on Mood Indigo. The whole CD is extremely good but check out the 2 quite different versions of Mood Indigo, Time After Time with Scott and piano accompaniment alone, Without A Song,How Deep Is The Ocean?, Imagination, and There Will Never Be Another You. Overall this is an album to be compared with the singer's recent successes, All The Way, Dream and Holding Back The Years. As Lou Reed put it: "I hope he keeps singing until there isn't another song to sing." "


HOLDING BACK THE YEARS (1998)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals )Pamela Fleming (trumpet), Bruce Kirby (sax), Matt Muniseri (guitar), Michael Kanan (piano),Hilliard Greene (bass), Victor Jones (drums), Gregorie Maret (harmonica), Charles Coleman (string arrangement),Susan Aquila, Hye Kyung Seo, Wayne Graham & David Gotay (string quartet)

Produced by Gerry McCarthy & Dale Ashley

Notes:
Recorded by Dave Kowalski at Hillside Studio and Dale Ashley at Grace Note Studios

Tracklist:

01 What I Wouldn't Give
02 The Crying Game
03 Jealous Guy
04 Holding Back The Years
05 How Can I Go On
06 Almost Blue
07 Slave To Love
08 Nothing Compares 2 U
09 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
10 Don't Cry Baby

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80177972/holding_.rar.html

This is an album of covers that featured almost the pop hit songs in 1970s-1990s. Jimmy Scott has sung them in his inimitable, jazz-informed style. It sounds like that those songs would be Jimmy's original ones by his unique singing, speaking behind the beat and changing the phrasings.Including Boy George's "The Crying Game", John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years", Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue", Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love", Sinead O'Conner's "Nothing Compares 2 U" (Prince composed this song and covered it by himself), and Elton John's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word".

There's always something unearthly about hearing Jimmy Scott, the jazz ballad singer whose startlingly high voice stands in marked contrast to the deep baritones, like Billy Eckstine and Johnny Hartman, who largely defined the art. The material here may come as a surprise, too, drawing on the rock era for songs by John Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Prince, and Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, whose work has rarely, if ever, appeared in a jazz context. It's a refreshing change to hear a senior jazz singer breaking with the standard repertoire and to hear these tunes accompanied by an acoustic rhythm section, with occasional touches of strings and muted trumpet. Scott's eerily plaintive voice brings a different poignancy to the gospel-tinged "Jealous Guy" and "Nothing Compares 2 U." This may be novel, but it's also substantial. --Stuart Broomer

"I first stumbled across "Little" Jimmy Scott thanks to a friend who sent me a copy of All The Way, one of the most beautiful albums I own. I was immediately taken in by Scott's voice, a high, lonesome, silky instrument that can wring tears out of the most cold-hearted cad. I then bought the equally superb Lost & Found, a great album filled with stuff Jimmy had recorded in the early seventies which saw very limited release. Again, that album blew me away thanks to a sumptuous reading of "Unchained Melody" that made me completely forget The Righteous Borthers' version. Dream was another winner with broody production and gritty edges that suited Jimmy's voice to a tee. Heaven was a little more problematic, the songs a trifle unsure, the production a shade clinical. Holding Back The Years is a fine album of great modern-day (for the most part) covers. It's astounding to hear Jimmy emote his way through Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" and Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" And, after the shock of hearing him sing "Jealous Guy" wears off, you listen to the album again. And again. And again. You think: "How effortless, how passionate. How sad, how beautiful." That's the power of Jimmy Scott. Aren't a fan? Never heard of him? Think of what you're missing! Gorgeous."

"Oh man!!! It's like Jimmy Scott stepped out of the wings, tapped Bryan Ferry on the shoulder and politely wrenched the microphone from his hand. I can imagine him saying something like "Take five my man, let a true veteran show you how this song is supposed to sound..."

















MOOD INDIGO (2000)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott ( vocals )1-4, 9 / Cyrus Chestnut (piano), George Mraz (bass), Grady Tate (drums)1-3, 5 / Hank Crawford (alto saxophone) 3-4, 6, 8 / Gregoire Maret (harmonica)6-8 / Michael Kanan (piano) 6, 8 / Hilliard Greene (bass), Victor Jones (drums)5, 9, 10 / Joe Beck (5,10 alto guitar / 9 guitar)

Produced by Todd Barkan

Notes:
Recorded by Katherine Miller : March 15-17, 2000 at Current Sounds, New York City

Tracklist:

01 Smile
02 Mood Indigo
03 Imagination
04 Without A Song
05 There Will Never Be Another You
06 How Deep Is The Ocean?
07 Time After Time
08 Blue Skies
09 Day By Day
10 Mood Indigo

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79882103/indigo.rar.html

Do not pass go, go directly to the Grammy awards. This is one of the most emotionally gripping, deeply satisfying vocal recitals in a month of Sundays. Jimmy Scott's roots in classic jazz and R&B give him a lifetime of experience to call upon, and now with Mood Indigo, producer Todd Barkan has placed Little Jimmy in the type of context his talent deserves. Barkan has surrounded the vocalist with a prime selection of mature modern jazzmen, self-assured in their own mastery and dedicated to the goal of creating an open, swinging canvas on which Scott can portray his genius for storytelling and emotional inflection. On "Imagination," Scott evokes a chilling sense of longing and resignation, as saxophone legend Hank Crawford and harmonica player Grégorie Maret offer spare, impeccably crafted solo ripostes, which only deepen the impact of Scott's fragile, lived-in instrument. Even more engrossing is Scott's convocation with pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Grady Tate on the title tune, one of the most harrowing readings of the standard on record. Each tune is a little gem, bejeweled with elegant details only master jazzmen can provide, as with Joe Beck's sinuous alto guitar on "Without a Song." Scott's ability to immerse listeners in the emotional subtext of a song, with nothing more than that eggshell falsetto, broad vibrato, and halting phrasing, is miraculous. He is the closest thing extant to the Billie Holiday of Lady in Satin, and that's saying a mouthful. --Chip Stern

"This is Scott's most satisfying album since "All the Way," thanks to the judicious selection of material (not a weak song in the collection) and the supporting cast. Seeing Scott perform at a Milwaukee club not long ago, I experienced visually the quality that I had sensed on his recordings. He seemed on the verge of falling off the stand at any instant, lending added drama to the performance of each song and a sense of shared triumph at its completion. The combination of risk and vulnerability is reminiscent of late Holiday and Garland, except that Jimmy manages to hang on. One caveat: He's no up-tempo singer, and with less-than-ample breath reserves and with ballads taken this slowly, there are numerous open spaces (imagine Billie's "Lady in Satin" or Shirley Horne's "Here's to Life" without strings). I hope he's paired up with an arranger such as Johnny Mandel for his next recording."

"I would never have imagined that Jimmy Scott could have bettered the performances he gave on his last album "Holding Back the Years," but he's done exactly that. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous album, but I think what may have moved Jimmy to surpass it are the very fine jazz instrumentalists that he's singing with. This is an album that you want to put on, and then lie down on the couch and really listen too. This is a very satisfying jazz performance, and considering Jimmy's age it is an even greater accomplishment. If you like Jimmy Scott, you'll surely be very pleased with "Mood Indigo," and if you're not familiar with his work this album is a very special introduction."





















OVER THE RAINBOW (2001)

Credits:
Jimmy Scott(vo) 1,2-5,7,8,11,13 Joe Beck ( 2,8 alto guitar / 4 acoustic guitar / others guitar )1,3-5,7,9,11,13 / George Mraz ( bass ) 1,3,5,7,9,11,13 / Grady Tate ( drums )2,5,8,11,13 / Joe Locke ( vibes ) 3,9,10,12 / Michael Kanan ( piano )1,4,6 / Larry Willis ( piano ) 6,9,11 / Gregoire Maret ( harmonica )1,7 / Bob Kindred ( tenor saxophone ) 3 / Justin Robinson ( alto saxophone )4 / David "Fathead" Newman ( tenor saxophone ) 4 / Clarence Penn ( drums )
Arranged by Joe Beck ( 1,2,5,7,8,11 ), Jimmy Scott ( 1,3,9 ) , Michael Kanan ( 3 ) , Robert Sadin ( 4 ) , Larry Willis ( 6 )

Produced by Todd Barkan

Notes:
Recorded by Katherine Miller : October and November, 2000 at The Studio, New York City

Tracklist:

01 Pennies From Heaven
02 Over The Rainbow
03 All Or Nothing At All
04 Strange Fruit
05 Don't Take Your Love From Me
06 Just Friends
07 P.S. I Love You
08 Everybody's Somebody's Fool
09 If You Only Knew
10 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
11 I'll Close My Eyes
12 When Did You Leave Heaven?

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79877409/rainbow.rar.html

What remains of singer Jimmy Scott's voice after more than four decades plying the jazz waters is profound, what with its broken eggshell timbre, keening falsetto, and lived-in vibrato. That combination of elements brings the listener back again and again to Over the Rainbow, where the depth of emotion that Scott conveys is boundless. On his epic rendition of the title song, against the tolling, celestial airs of Joe Beck's alto guitar and Joe Locke's vibes, Scott sounds the longing of dreams deferred, and one is left with a deep feeling for the singer's grace. Since teaming up with producer Todd Barkan, Scott has upped the ante for every contemporary jazz singer, proving conclusively that it ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. Scott's vocal stylings are the closest thing extant to the high drama of late Billie Holiday, circa Lady in Satin, and that point's relevant here with his reading of "Strange Fruit." Against the fattening thunder of George Mraz's bass and Clarence Penn's drums, the Coletrane-ish lament of David "Fathead" Newman's tenor and Larry Willis's piano, plus the taut bluesy cries of Beck's guitar, Scott redefines Lady Day's masterpiece with the stunned wonder of someone entirely new to the art of song and the vagaries of racism. Throughout the album, spirited, deeply felt jazz accompaniments win the day beside Scott's inimitable voice. All is not heaviness, though. The opening "Pennies from Heaven" swings in a graceful, bluesy manner, while "P.S. I Love You" and "I'll Close My Eyes" are gently ingratiating, tender ballads, all after-hours smoke and nostalgia. Jimmy Scott is the real deal. --Chip Stern

"This new album from Jimmy Scott is one of the finest he has produced since resuming his recording career in 1990. The musicianship and production is superb, Dave Newman's sax and Michael Kanan's piano work being highlights for me. Every song carries Jimmy's originality and unique interpretetive skills, but it is the honesty and emotion that are most affecting. Jimmy's recording of "Strange Fruit" is a worthy sucsessor to those of Billie Holliday and Nina Simone, and in Jimmy's hands, the song's power is amplified so that it is shocking, emotionally brutal, yet simultaneously sad and so beautiful. "Pennies from Heaven" has long featured in Mr Scott's live set, and this version is excellent, and his take on "Just Friends" is extremely moving. I found "I got it bad and that aint good" to be perhaps the most emotive track. How anyone can produce as much longing as Mr Scott when he sings "She doesnt love me like I love her, nobody could...." is just beyond me. A fantastic album, true to jazz and to Jimmy's style, and radiating with the quiet confidence of an artist who is, at last, receiving the wide scale admiration he so richly deserves."

"Mr. Jimmy Scott in his latest recording, "Over the Rainbow" has completed a superb vocal piece of work. His voice is creative, strong, smooth, and in control throughout the entire CD. For me, Scott's rendition of "All or Nothing at All" is spectacular! He delivers the jazz standard at an unmatched level. Just listen to it and flow along with the melodic journey that Scott & the musicians take you on. However, I must make mention of two other songs. The first is the title song "Over the Rainbow" (a classic by Judy Garland) and secondly, "Don't Take Your Love from Me." Each song has a different approach and definitely sets a patient tone. In particular I'm struck by the performances of George Mraz (bass) and Grady Tate (drums) and the arrangements by Joe Beck. Finally, Scott at 75 years of age is self-possessed and a lyrical genius. This CD is graceful and exhibits a bold and new approach to jazz artistry. Yes, simply put it is "SWEET." Jimmy Scott has endured the test of time and has distinctly established a fresh benchmark for others to measure their work. Unquestionably, this CD places him in a long awaited standing equal to his peers."



















BUT BEAUTIFUL (2002)

Credits:
Renee Rosnes-piano, Joe Beck-guitar (tracks 01,03,05,06,08), George Mraz-bass, Lewis Nash-drums, Wynton Marsalis-trumpet (track 02), Lew Soloff-(trumpet (track 08), Eric Alexander-tenor sax (tracks 03,05,06), Bob Kindred-tenor sax (tracks 04,09), Robert Sadin, Dwayne Broadnax-drums (track 09)
Special Guest : Freddy Cole-vocals in track 07

Tracklist:

01 You Don't Know What Love Is
02 Darn That Dream
03 It Had To Be You
04 This Bitter Earth
05 Please Send Me Someone To Love
06 But Beautiful
07 When You Wish Upon A Star
08 Bye Bye Blackbird
09 I'll Be Seeing You
10 Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79398606/jc--beautiful.rar.html

"On But Beautiful, whether through choice or necessity, Jimmy Scott uses his trademark vibrato sparingly. This is a good thing, since age has widened its pitch to a dangerous degree. Instead, his still distinctive voice floats over tried and true standards like "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Darn That Dream," and the title tune. What makes it all work are the singer's unshakable soul and his impeccable time. With each truncated syllable, you feel all the feelings accrued in his 76 years. Renee Rosnes's playing and arranging create the perfect modern--but not postmodern--accompaniment, allowing the singer to pause, confident that the space he leaves will be well filled but not cluttered. And as for time, Scott says it best: "The genius of jazz is how it frees time so we can forget time. Jazz lets us enjoy time." Scott's sense of time provides a master class for budding jazz singers everywhere, and enjoyment for everyone." --Michael Ross

"I just pointed and clicked on this one...and ended up with a peaceful, soulful, melifluous, wonder in Jimmy Scott. His voice transcends times and trends. I've never heard him before but his masterful blending of blues and contemporary music just stunned me and left me with my mouth hanging open. His light voice was a surprise too--very easy on the ears any time of day."

"Take my hand precious Lord gave me chill bumps,it really moved me.I used to listen to good quality music like this with my parents when I was a child."

"Few artists feel music like Jimmy Scott. A very unique and compelling sound. Heartfelt. Worth every penny. Purchase his album "All the Way" as well. Really good"


MOONGLOW (2003)

Credits:
1-10 / Jimmy Scott ( vocals )1 / Eric Alexander ( tenor saxophone ) 2 / David "Fathead" Newman ( tenor saxophone )5 / Hank Crawford ( alto saxophone ) 7 / Bob Kindred ( tenor saxophone )2,3,9 / Larry Willis ( piano ) 4,5,8 / Cyrus Chestnut ( piano )6 / Renee Rosnes ( piano ) 7,10 / Michael Kanan ( piano )1,2,5,6 / Joe Beck ( guitar ) 6 / Lew Soloff ( trumpet )1,2,4-6,8 / George Mraz ( bass ) 10 / Hilliard Greene ( bass )2 / Clarence Penn ( drums ) 4,5,8 / Grady Tate ( drums )6 / Lewis Nash ( drums ) 10 / Victor Jones ( drums )2 / Joe Locke ( vibraphone ) 9,10 / Gregoire Maret ( harmonica )

Produced by Todd Barkan

Notes:
Recorded by Katherine Miller : at The Studio, New York CityMarch and November 2000, and August 2001

Tracklist:

01 Moonglow
02 Since I Fell For You
03 Those Who Were
04 Yesterday
05 How Long Has This Been Going On ?
06 I Thought About You
07 Time On My Hands (You In My Arms)
08 If I Should Lose You
09 Solitude
10 We'll be Together Again

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79868387/moon_glow.rar.html

"No matter how you define it, a real “jazz singer” is exactly what Jimmy Scott is. His phrasing and delivery are simply impeccable, and – though at age 78 his voice may be a bit rough around the edges – he sings straight from the heart. Scott's newest release offers up ten ballads sung in his typical unpredictable and captivating style. This is prime Scott luring the listener into each song with his subtle nuances and revealing hidden meanings behind every lyric, communicating the longing, the sadness, and the pain of lost love better than any singer on the scene today. You get the feeling he has lived every word of what he sings. As his recent biography Faith in Time reveals, he has been through it all, and survived. Scott is the real McCoy.
All the arrangements have a loose, uncluttered feel that allows us to focus on the leader. And while all the arrangements on this album employ small group accompaniment (no more than six musicians), with Jimmy Scott, less is better. The most compelling number is the Scott duo with pianist Larry Willis entitled "Those Who Were," written by bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen with lyrics by Liza Freeman. Alongside bassist George Mraz, the supporting musicians vary from track to track and include some of the best – saxophonists David "Fathead" Newman, Eric Alexander, Hank Crawford, and Bob Kindred; pianists Cyrus Chestnut and Renee Rosnes; and drummers Grady Tate and Lewis Nash.
This album lives up to the high standard of Scott's previous three Milestones, and perhaps even surpasses them without a weak moment. Listeners can choose amongst their favorite standards from the ten tracks: "Time on My Hands," "Solitude," "Since I Fell for You," Lennon and McCartney's "Yesterday," and the title track.
Here we have a singer who started singing professionally in the '40s, was embraced in the '50s, then nearly forgotten for decades, and is now finally receiving renewed acceptance. It's amazing what integrity can accomplish!"
(http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=11865)





























ALL OF ME - LIVE (2004)

Credits:
2-8,10,12 / Jimmy Scott( vocals )2-8,10,12 / Jon Regen ( piano ),Hilliard "Hill" Greene ( bass )Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax ( drums )T.K. Blue ( alto saxophone, flute )

Produced by Tetsuo Hara

Notes:
Recorded on July 27, 2003 at the jazz club "B flat", Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan

Tracklist:

01 Straight No Chaser (instrumental)
02 All Of Me
03 You Don't Know What Love Is
04 I'll Close My Eyes
05 Pennies From Heaven
06 Time After Time
07 Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
08 I Cried For You
09 Encore
10 Why Was I Born?
11 Encore 2.
12 Everybody's Somebody's Fool

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79850045/all_of_me_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79859752/all_of_me_b.rar.html

These are the live recordings and the SACD & CD, by Hyper Magnum Sound and 24 bit Mastering, include 9 songs from the second set and encores. Very excellent live show it was.

"After seeing Jimmy Smith perform "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" at Antony and the Johnson's show at Carnegie Hall, I started shopping around for his best recorded version.
This is by far one of the best album's he's got out right now, and nearer in sound to his live performance than anything else I could find.
Sad, slow, and down-tempo, I can't get enough. And even though the arrangement of "Sometimes..." doesn't have the deep, funeral dirge sound of his Carnegie performance, it's still an awesome arrangement."


Biography:
Jimmy Scott (July 17, 1925 in Cleveland) is an American jazz vocalist.Scott has Kallmann's syndrome, a genetic condition which stunted his growth at five feet and prevented him reaching puberty, leaving him with a high, undeveloped soprano voice, hence his nickname "Little" Jimmy Scott.However, it was his extraordinary phrasing and romantic feeling that made him a favorite singer of fellow artists like Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson.Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Authur and Justine Stanard Scott, third in a family of ten. As a child he got his first singing experience by his mother's side at the family piano, and later, in church choir. His father was absent most of the time as he was taken with drink, gambling, and other women. Jimmy worshipped his mother, and whatever money he could make doing odd-jobs, went to her to help the family. At thirteen, he was orphaned when his mother was killed by a drunk driver. Witnesses say that she pushed one of Jimmy's siblings out of the way of the car, but in the process of saving her child's life, she lost her own.Scott first rose to national prominence as "Little Jimmy Scott" in the Lionel Hampton Band when he sang lead on the late 1940s hit "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". Credit on the label, however, went to 'male vocalist', a slight to his talent and a blow to his career. A blow which would reoccur several years later, when his vocal on "Embraceable You" with Charlie Parker on the album, "One Night in Birdland" was credited to female vocalist, Chubby Newsome.In 1963, it looked as though Scott's luck had changed for the good. Signed to Ray Charles's Tangerine label, he recorded under the supervision of the great man himself, one of the great jazz vocal albums of all time, "Falling in Love is Wonderful". The record was yanked from the shelves in a matter of days while Jimmy was honeymooning due to a contract he had signed earlier with Herman Lubinsky.Scott's career faded by the late 1960s and he returned to his native Cleveland to work in a hospital and as an elevator operator in a hotel.He resurfaced in 1991 when he sang at the funeral of his long-time friend Doc Pomus. Afterwards Lou Reed recruited him to sing back-up on the track "Power and Glory" on his 1992 album Magic and Loss, partially inspired by Pomus' death. Afterwards, Scott was seen on the series finale of David Lynch's show Twin Peaks, singing "Sycamore Trees." He was featured on the soundtrack of the follow-up film Fire Walk With Me. This brought him to the attention of the music industry and he has enjoyed significant success since then, singing and recording.His comeback took off in earnest with the 1992 release of the album "All The Way" on Sire Records, produced by Tommy Lipuma and featuring artists such as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and David "Fathead" Newman. Jimmy Scott was nominated for a grammy for this album. He followed this up with the album "Dream" in 1994, and the jazz-gospel album "Heaven" in 1996. He also recorded an album of mostly pop and rock covers, "Holding Back the Years" in 1998. In 1999, his early recordings on the Decca label were re-released on CD, as were all of his recordings with the Savoy Label between 1952 and 1975 in a 3 disc Box Set. In 2000, Jimmy Scott was signed to the Milestone jazz label, and recorded four critically acclaimed albums, each produced by Todd Barkan, and featuring a variety of jazz artists, including as Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, and many more, as well as Jimmy's own touring and recording band "The Jazz Expressions". He also released two live albums, both recorded in Japan, and featuring the Jazz Expressions.Jimmy Scott's career has spanned nearly sixty years, and in that time he has performed with a list of artists that read like a history of jazz music in that time, including Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughn, Lester Young, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Cincotti. He has also performed with a host of musicians from other genres of music, such as David Byrne, Lou Reed, Flea, Michael Stipe, and Anthony & The Johnsons.Most recently he has appeared in live performances with Pink Martini, and continues to perform to audiences internationally at music festivals and at his own concerts.Mr Scott lives in New Jersey, with his wife Jeannie.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Scott)

The world is finally catching up to Jimmy Scott. After more than five decades of being admired by fellow vocalists and a select claque of hipsters, the man whom Joseph Hooper, in a New York Times Magazine profile, called "perhaps the most unjustly ignored American singer of the 20th century" is finding a dedicated international audience for his unique, emotionally penetrating art. And the 75-year-old singer is presently working on his autobiography with David Ritz, the award-winning author noted for previous collaborations with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Etta James, B.B. King, and Smokey Robinson; Faith in Time: The Jazz Life of Jimmy Scott is scheduled for fall 2002 publication by Da Capo Press.The life story of Jimmy Scott is filled with heartbreak and hope, qualities he expresses most directly in his gripping, highly personalized readings of material from the Great American Songbook. Over the Rainbow, the singer's second CD for Milestone Records, follows the pattern of last year's acclaimed Mood Indigo: producer Todd Barkan surrounds him with world-class jazz instrumentalists, including guitarist Joe Beck, bassist George Mraz, drummer Grady Tate, vibraharpist Joe Locke, and saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, in a set of songs that Scott has known- and in most cases performed-throughout his life.Scott was 14 when he first heard Judy Garland sing "Over the Rainbow" in The Wizard of Oz. His mother had recently been killed in a traffic accident, and he and his brothers and sisters were sent off to different foster homes. The song, he says, "spoke to my soul." It "became a symbol of hope, an escape from misery, the promise of lasting love." "Pennies from Heaven" carries a similar meaning. "Just keep trying to make it some way," he explains. "Pennies will be there for you."The freedom with which Scott's voice floats so effortlessly over rhythm sections has been likened to that of the legendary tenor saxophonist Lester Young. Scott recalls that "Don't Take Your Love from Me," which he performs on Over the Rainbow, was one of two tunes he sang the first time he sat in with Young, during the mid-1940s at a club in Meadville, Pennsylvania."Billie Holiday loved him, and I could dig why," Scott says of Young. "Listening to him helped me so much in the expression of singing. It was such a comfortable thing to have him play between your vocal lines and to have solos played by him."Holiday, when once asked by a reporter which singers she liked, named only Scott. He returns the compliment by applying his distinctive style to one of her signature songs, "Strange Fruit," poet Lewis Allan's haunting tale of a lynching. Scott also reprises a couple of his own signature songs on Over the Rainbow: "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," the ballad that first brought him fame in 1950 as featured vocalist with the Lionel Hampton big band, and "When Did You Leave Heaven?," the old Bing Crosby favorite that Scott made all his own with a 1955 single that became something of a jukebox hit.Scott's unique way with songs, which cuts to the emotional core of lyrics with its subtly delayed timing, carefully clipped syllables, and ringing sustains, has inspired numerous other singers for half a century. Nancy Wilson and Frankie Valli borrowed elements of Scott's style in the Sixties, while Lou Reed and Madonna have championed his singing in recent times. "He is without a doubt the master of the ballad form," Wilson once stated. Ray Charles, another Scott fan, has said that "he defined what 'soul' is all about in singing long before anyone was using the word."James Victor Scott was born on July 17, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, where he still lives. He was one of ten siblings, all of whom sang in church to their mother's piano accompaniment. Like one of his brothers, he never experienced puberty, the result of Kallmann's Syndrome, a hereditary hormonal deficiency that stunted his growth and kept his voice from developing beyond boyhood. "I fought through it," Scott says of the condition. "It didn't matter. I was accepted into show business back in the early Forties. That helped a lot, and it never bothered me like it might some others."The singer's big break came in 1949, when Lionel Hampton hired him on the recommendation of Paul Gayten and billed him as "Little Jimmy Scott." "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," recorded at Scott's second session with Hampton, gave the singer his first and only chart hit, placing at No. 6 on Billboard's list of R&B jukebox platters. The labels of some Decca 78s mistakenly credited Irma Curry, Hampton's female vocalist at the time, but many fans knew better, especially women, who swooned at Scott's every deliciously split syllable during his year on the road with Hampton.Scott's hit and three other songs recorded with the Hampton orchestra, along with early Fifties solo sides for the Coral and Brunswick labels, were reissued in 1999 on the GRP CD Everybody's Somebody's Fool. Also released that year was the three-CD The Savoy Years and More containing his 1952 recordings for Roost Records and his 1955-75 output for Savoy. Scott also made a magnificent album for Ray Charles's Tangerine label and another for Atlantic, but Savoy threatened suit and had both suppressed.The singer spent long periods away from the microphone. He worked for a time as a hotel shipping clerk and as a caretaker for his ailing father. Scott returned to performing in 1990, and his career took off again two years later when Seymour Stein heard him singing at songwriter Doc Pomus's funeral and signed him to the Warner Bros.-distributed Sire label. Scott recorded two albums for Sire, one for Warner Bros. proper, and one for Artists Only! before joining Milestone Records last year.The past couple of years have seen Scott making triumphant tours of Europe and Japan, as well as being the subject of a Bravo Profiles television special in which he was saluted by such admirers as Alec Baldwin, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, David Lynch, Joe Pesci, Lou Reed, and Frankie Valli. And Scott has become a fashion model in an Italian advertising campaign for a new line of cashmere sweaters by celebrated Milan designer Saverio Palatella.The wisdom that Jimmy Scott has acquired during his often-difficult life oozes from every track of Over the Rainbow. As David Ritz observes so eloquently in his booklet notes for the Milestone CD: "In the fragility of his voice, there is enormous strength. His songs say that we can live with our inconsistencies; we can be fools but still survive; we can still hope for those pennies from heaven. We look to him for lessons in how to live our lives with patience, dignity, and a sense of wondrous beauty."


Lou Reed on Jimmy Scott:

"I first met Jimmy Scott through the remarkable songwriter Doc Pomus. I'd heard about him for many years. At the gathering after Doc's passing Jimmy sang. He has the voice of an angel and can break your heart. He did that day and many others.I've heard and even sung with Jimmy many times since then. Here is the singer's singer if labels mean any thing. Listening to Jimmy is like having a performing heart. The experience of life and the art of expression sing through Jimmy and make us partners in his incredible passion. I love him and I never want to say goodbye. When the song stops with Jimmy's last note we're back in the world as it was. Not quite so pretty, not quite so passionate. And we can only wait for Jimmy to sing again and take us that little bit higher."












So i hope you enjoyed this year and the music i sent to you and hope your next year will be similar good or even better! Let's meet in 2008 !:)
I wish you HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH LOT OF GOOD MUSIC!!

ps:
some jazz still coming!

posted by saltyka at 2:04 PM 12 comments

Saturday, December 29, 2007

SARAH JANE MORRIS


"Nina Simone meets Janis Joplin"


"A female Tom Waits !"



"WATCH OUT FOR SARAH JANE!"

Genre:
Funk / Soul, Jazz, Pop
Style:
Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk,Soul-Jazz, Downtempo, Synth-pop, Acoustic

VIDEO
"Into My Arms"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcOOP2Fjafg













SARAH JANE MORRIS (1989)

Tracklist:

01 Loving A Dream
02 Me And Mrs Jones
03 I'll Be Your Angel
04 Sunny
05 She's Leaving Home
06 Can't Get To Sleep Without You
07 This Ain't Livin'
08 This Will Be
09 Alone Again Naturally
10 The Rains Have Failed Again
11 Hello Like Before
12 Me And Mrs Jones (Minneapolis Version)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79843445/sjm_1._192_kbs.rar.html
























HEAVEN (1992)

Credits:
Alastair Gavin-Keyboards, Organ (Hammond)
Andy Houston-Assistant
Chuck Sabo-Drums
David Coulter-Didjeridu
Gavyn Wright-String Conductor
Graham Bonnet-Engineer
Helen Terry-Vocals (Background)
Ian Shaw-Vocals (Background), Choir, Chorus
Jeff Scantlebury-Percussion
Kick Horns-Arranger, Brass

Tracklist:

01 Heart To Heart
02 You'll Never Know
03 I Am A Woman
04 Cry
05 Heaven
06 Never Gonna Give You Up
07 Tomorrow
08 I'm Missing You
09 The Right Track
10 Heaven (Reprise)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79836137/heaven.rar.html

"I just bought "Fallen Angel", which I will also reveiw, but nothing beats "Heaven". I bought the CD in 1992 in Tokyo. Had I purchased a tape or LP, it would have been worn out years ago. The material is wonderful, and Ms. Morris' voice is amazing. I would agree with the other reviewer that her voice is like Lisa Stansfield's, but much lusher. I also have "Blue Valentine", which was recorded live. It too is wonderful with a very blues/ jazz feel to it. Just buy them all."

"I heard her perform in London, was blown away and immediately went out and bought all of her CDs. She reminds me of Lisa Stansfield (but with a much stronger and richer voice)."






















BLUE VALENTINE (1996)

Credits:
John Marshall - Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals (Background)
Sarah Jane Morris- Vocals, Producer, Main Performer, Mixing
Kwaku "Reg" Dzidzornu - Percussion, Vocals (Background)
Ray Staff - Mastering
Scott Firth - Guitar (Acoustic), Bass (Electric), Vocals (Background)
Mornington Lockett - Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Martyn Barker - Drums
Chris Lewis- Producer, Mixing, Engineer

Notes:
Recorded live at Ronnie Scott's Club, London on 15th September 1994.

Tracklist:

01 Closest Thing to Heaven
02 TKO
03 My Day Will Come
04 Leaves Around the Door
05 Me and Mrs. Jones
06 Too Close for Comfort
07 Haunt Me
08 Butterfly
09 Wake Up Everybody
10 Love Me Like You Used To
11 Sweet Little Sister
12 Afraid of Dark
13 Fragile
14 Up from the Skies
15 Blue Valentine

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79388357/sjm-_part_1.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79396338/sjm_part_2.rar.html

"As I said in my Fallen Angel review, the lady is dynamite and album after album keeps amazing me. She's definitely my favorite singer. When I'm happy, I listen to her. When I'm down, I listen to her. I never seem to tire of her incredible voice, which is kind of a jazz-soul-bluesy-funk, three-and-a-half octave range thing she's got going on. Believe me, she's for real. I saw her at Ronnie Scott's in London last December and she rocked the house. On stage, she's like a Janis Joplin - you can't help but be moved and fall in love. Word has it that she's appearing in New York in September 2001. For now, if you live in or are going to England, check out her website: sarahjanemorris.com. She performs in the UK a lot, and also in Europe. Talk about England's best-kept secret! Time to share her."

"Sarah Jane Morris has the most incredible voice and this CD is her best. Everyone who I take to see her in concert becomes an instant fan."

"Sarah Jane Morris's voice has a fantastic haunting quality and all the songs on this album are sung in a way that is beyond perfect. Sarah's voice has pathos, longing and heart breaking sincerity. Buy this album for listening to on cold winter nights as a storm brews outside."

"Nice laidback album of jazzy vocals with a sort of tight modern sound. Recorder Live by British singer Sarah jane Morris at London’s club night Ronnie Scott’s in 1994. She’s backed by a band that has nice electric keys and a good mellow jazz feel. The set includes some originals plus some excellent covers such as “T.K.O.” and “Wake up everybody” or the most popular Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones” from Philly sound!!"



FALLEN ANGEL (2000)

Credits:
Adaesi Ukairo-Vocals (Background)
David Coulter-Mandolin, Theremin, Violectra, Bullroar
Henry Thomas-BassIan Shaw-Vocals (Background)
Kate St. John (from Dream Academy!)-Oboe, String Arrangements, Cello Arrangement
Marc Ribot-Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Soloist
Martyn Barker-Guitar (Acoustic), Programming, Darbouka, Drums (Snare), Bodhran
Matt Backer-Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Talk Box, Soloist
Mornington Lockett-Saxophone
Paul Hirsh-Piano, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Piano (Grand)
Rod Beale-Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Rhythm), Programming, Producer, Engineer, Mastering
Sarah Jane MorrisArranger, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Noise, Producer, Main Performer

Tracklist:

01 Dream On Baby
02 I Don't Believe
03 Miracles Don't Come Easy
04 Right Now
05 Living For The Flame
06 Remember Me
07 Somewhere
08 Ever Gonna Make it
09 Ta Ta Ya Baby
10 I Don't Wanna Know About Evil
11 Am I Dreaming?
12 Only To Be With You

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79832843/fallen_angel.rar.html

"This lady is brilliant. What a delivery! her unique phrasing is so magnificient. Cliches are often used (as this line is), to attempt to portray those persons so original as Ms. Morris. This album is one of my favorites: it is not boring. It is sultry and mean, delicate yet raw. Sensual and powerful. Soulful and earthy. No words can portray my emotions as I listen to this recording. A well produced (yet not overly so), CD. Well recorded as well.I bought Fallen Angel after garnering her "Live at Ronnie Scotts" CD and what a dramatic change. This CD (Fallen Angel) is not 'pop' in the classic sense and it isn't jazz so please listen to the sound bytes on here (if any). These tidbits will grab you and pull you in. A must have for any discerning yet avid music lover. After you buy this CD it will be a recommended title to your friends and Ms. Morris will be on [rightfully] the map."
"Sarah Jane Morris, with her three-and-a-half octave range fired with jazz-soul-blues-funk fuel, continues to be my favorite singer (be sure to check out her latest CD, I Am A Woman). Her voice could blister tar on a frozen winter night. Her turn of a musical phrase is so emotionally potent that it's almost scary - I don't know how the heck she does it, and to top it off she's got incredible musicians working with her. What many of her fans might not realize is that she writes most of her own material, too. I saw her perform at Ronnie Scott's in London last December (it was completely sold out the two nights I was there), and no kidding, the lady took my breath way. She had the whole club on it's feet dancing until 2 am. She may be England's best-kept secret but her website, sarahjanemorris.com, indicates that she'll be playing New York in September 2001. I can't wait!!"

"She's a Brit based in Italy. Sarah's voice is smoky and powerful. The songs are grown-up-R&B/jazz-funky. Bought the album after catching her act at Ronnie Scott's in London. Great album. It is unfortunate that she is not well known outside of Europe for we are all missing an enormous talent."

"Another excellent album from Sarah Jane. This album is more angry than previous albums with many tracks on the theme of relationships breaking up.It seems that many of the track in this album are close to home for her and are sung with great feeling.Excellent album "


























I AM A WOMAN - THE BEST OF (2000)

Tracklist:

01 Never Gonna Give You Up
02 I'm Missing You
03 Me And Mrs Jones
04 Leaves Around The Door
05 Ta Ta Ya Baby
06 Love Me Like You Used To
07 Cry
08 Sweet Little Sister
09 Remember Me
10 Never Gonna Give You Up
11 Living For The Flame
12 Rains Have Failed Again
13 Fragile
14 I Am A Woman

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79824979/bo1.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79829470/bo_2.rar.html

"Probably the most underated British female vocalist, Sarah Jane Morris deserves a whole lot more recognition. With a set of vocal chords that wipe the floor with likes of Sade, the woman has soul. Not only that she has the guts to take on covers from the likes of Barry White & Johnny Guitar Johnson and carries the songs beautifully without overdoing the schmaltz. A joy. "



















AUGUST (2001)

Credits:
Marc Ribot-guitars,bass,drum programming
David Coulter-reco reco (track 02) / violectra/snare (track 04)
Guily Briern-percussions (track 06)
Martin Barker-loops (track 07)
Kwaku Dzidzornu-bongos (track 08)
Mornington Lockett-sax (track 09)

Tracklist:

01 Don't Leave Me This Way (4:24)
02 I Can't Stand The Rain (4:07)
03 Into My Arms (4:28)
04 Chelsea Hotel (3:05)
05 You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory (3:16)
06 Piece Of My Heart (4:20)
07 Blind Old Friends (4:47)
08 Move On Up (4:37)
09 Mercy Mercy Me (5:01)
10 Try A Little Tenderness (5:16)
11 Don't Explain (3:58)
12 Whatever Get's You Through The Night (4:19)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79405995/august_192_kbs.rar.html

"... can this lady sing. Smoky, haunting, soulful, sultry, uplifting, pretty darn breathtaking and terrific all the way around. The album's songs, ranging from Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye to Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, have been reinvented acoustically with American master guitarist Marc Ribot, and her voice and phrasing are powerful matches to his strings. I've loved her voice and music for a long time, and this album, while very different from her earlier ones, packs the same punch."


















LOVE AND PAIN (2003)

Credits:
Martyn Barker - Drums, Programming, Tambourine, Vocals (bckgr), Multi Instruments, Producer, Shaker David Coulter - Jew's-Harp, Didjeridu, Saw, Omnichord
Simon Edwards - Bass, Double Bass, Sentir
Calum MacColl - Programming, Vocals (bckgr), Multi Instruments, Producer, Engineer
Paul Madden - Engineer
Annie Whitehead - Trombone
Sarah Jane Morris - Vocals, Producer
Duncan Cowell - Mastering
Elena Fiumi - Art Direction
Mornington Lockett - Saxophone
James Halliwell - Piano, Organ (Hammond)
Heather Ackroyd - Artwork
Lorenzo "Moka" Tommasini - Engineer

Tracklist:

01 Mad Woman Blues
02 Once in Every While
03 Love and Pain
04 'It's Jesus I Love'
05 Blind Old Friends
06 Arms of an Angel
07 Innocence
08 Nothing Comes from Nothing
09 Cowboy Junkies
10 A Horse Named Janis Joplin
11 I Get High
12 Fields of Wheat

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79406306/love_and_pain_192_kbs.rar.html

"To underpin her classic blue-eyed soul voice with electronic swoops and programmed drums is a very clever entrance into Sarah Jane Morris' Love and Pain. The swirling organ and sparse bass do their jobs as well to further bolster the acoustic guitar-driven opening track, "Mad Woman Blues." It serves as the signature, cornerstone piece setting the tone and kicking off a terrifically intriguing series of 12 tunes. These juxtaposed instrumental choices and themes weave in and out of the sonic landscape, making room for other just as titillating production elements such as world-tinged percussion grooves, guitars on the brink of distortion, way-hip sampled bits and beats, processed vocal parts, and more. Morris' smoky voice is the common thread holding it all together. Her performances dance from sultry to sassy in the blink of an eye (or the change of a track, as the case may be). From moment to moment, you might think of Garbage, Moby, Alison Moyet, or Primitive Radio Gods, or even reach as far as Erykah Badu. But while those works might seem similar, Love and Pain is something else altogether, and it's pretty darn cool."
























AFTER ALL THESE YEARS (2006)

CD 1

01 Me And Mrs Jones (Bossa Version)
02 Do It The Hard Way
03 Never Gonna Give You Up
04 Don't Leave Me This Way
05 Ever Gonna Make It
06 Piece Of My Heart (Live In Rome)
07 Sunny
08 I'm Missing You
09 River Man
10 Butterfly
11 Mercy Mercy Me
12 Only To Be With You
13 Mad Woman Blues
14 Move On Up (Live In Montreal)
15 I Don't Wanna Know About Evil (Live In Rome)
16 The Right Track
17 Cowboys Junkies
18 Don't Smoke In Bed

CD 2.

01 Get High (Live In Rome)
02 The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face (Live In Montreal)
03 Fragile (Live In Rome)
04 A Horse Named Janis Joplin
05 Heaven
06 Chelsea Hotel
07 Innocence
08 Tomorrow
09 She's Leaving Home
10 Fields Of Wheat
11 It's Jesus I Love
12 Nothing Comes From Nothing
13 Visions Of You
14 Don't Believe
15 Don't Go To Strangers
16 On Suicide

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79816754/after_all_these_cd_1_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79814841/after_all_these_cd1_b.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79824338/after_all_these_cd2_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79819701/after_all_these_cd2_b.rar.html

"A double album celebrating the 25th anniversary of sarah jane morris's career. Including tracks taken from her 7 solo albums and collaborations she made with other artists (the single "don't leave me this way" where she sung in duet with jimmy sommerville", the song "i'm missing you", english version of a track by cocciante)"

"If anyone understands anthems it's flame-haired, mahogany-voiced Morris. With the Communards she rebooted Thelma Houston's disco hymn 'Don't Leave Me This Way' to a global number one in 1986, and scored a BBC ban for her lesbian-kissed 'Me and Mrs Jones' three years later. This 2-CD retrospective offers a bossa version of the latter (with Marc Ribot on guitar), but is mainly a showcase of Morris's talents as jazz diva, as she explores Nick Drake, Chet Baker and Brecht with tenderness and grit. Her 'Mad Woman Blues', a tale of tragic cross-dressing, adds a shiver of modern pathos."

"Intense, passionate and sensual, singer Sarah Jane Morris has built her fame without compromise, thanks to a love for music that comes from her heart and crosses jazz, blues and funk. The critics refer to Sarah's voice as reminding of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday, but her own description is 'Nina Simone meets Janis Joplin', two of her main inspirations. To celebrate her 25 years of career Irma Records have put together a double CD titled 'After All These Years' that covers her seven solo albums plus a selection of her main collaborations throughout the years. Like the hit 'Don't Leave Me This Way' by The Communards (where Sarah sang together with Jimmy Somerville) which went to no.1 in the European charts in 1986 or the winning song at the 1992 Italian Sanremo Festival (with Riccardo Cocciante) 'I'm Missing You'. The songs included in this collection are from Sarah's repertoire that goes from pop hits to jazz-soul standards, all revisited with the four octave range of her voice. Intimate acoustic productions (often together with top guitarist and producer Marc Ribot) along with live and studio recordings made with her band of experienced rock and soul musicians. Sarah Jane's first Italian hit, back in 1988, was her extremely personal reinterpretation of Billy Paul's 'Me And Mrs. Jones' and a new, unreleased 'bossa' version of this classic, re-recorded with Marc Ribot, is the opening tune of 'After All These Years'."


Albums
Sarah Jane Morris (1989)
Heaven (1992)
Blue Valentine (1995)
Fallen Angel (1998)
I Am Woman-The Best Of (2000)
August (2001)
Love And Pain (2003)
Live In Montreal (2004)
After All These Years (2CD) (2006)
Angels At Christmas (2007)




Biography:
Sarah Jane Morris (born in England), is a popular jazz, rock and R&B singer and songwriter. She found fame initially with the Communards ("Sarah Jane Morris is a controversial vocalist who does not care what anyone thinks about her politics, though her music is not usually political itself. Her biggest international hit remains as a guest vocalist on The Communards’ remake of the Thelma Houston classic Don’t Leave Me This Way in late 1986, where she was a duet partner with Jimmy Somerville, who had made a name for himself as the lead singer for Bronski Beat. Somerville and Richard Coles crated Communards and that song remains the biggest in the career of all involved.),who are best known for their hit Don't Leave Me This Way. She has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing seven albums. These have enjoyed most popularity in Italy and Greece .Morris also contributed to the opera The Fall of the House of Usher (1991) by Peter Hammill and Judge Smith, singing the part of the chorus.

What the press say:

`Soaring, swooping, sensual and sophisticated, this voice is more than a style, it’s a force of nature’ – The Observer

`Her voice sounds so deep as to be almost scandalous. More than a great voice, she is several great voices’ – Harpers & Queen

`A young, hip, deep voiced version of Sarah Vaughn’ – Q magazine

`River deep, mountain high, Sarah Jane Morris has a magnificent, enormous voice’ – Sunday Times

`She joins a club of vocalists that admits only the best’ – The Guardian

`If you could hear voluptuousness, it would sound like Sarah Jane Morris’ – Evening Standard

`Her excellent voice soars and swoops with the agony and ecstasy of the delta, and smokey Chicago clubs’ – Daily Telegraph
The "Blue Valentine" live album is highly recommended,some songs are very close to the style of Sade!!!
Don't miss it if you want a very good jazz pop album!
I will continue tomorrow or after tomorrow with more jazz..

posted by saltyka at 11:46 AM 3 comments

Thursday, December 27, 2007

MICHAEL FRANKS part 1.


"Michael Franks the singer is gifted with a gentle, deliciously expressive voice"

"Warm vocals, jazzy keyboards, and a wonderfully laidback set"
Country:
USA
Genre:
Jazz, Pop
Style:
Ballad, Easy Listening, Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Jazz-Rock


VIDEO:
"Your Secret's Safe With Me (1985)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IytymyhQxLk&feature=related

"I Really Hope It's You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM7_7zoQnLg&feature=related

"Mr. Blue"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DeJKU38tuk&feature=related


MICHAEL FRANKS (1973)
Credits:
Michael Franks, Tom Scott, Paul Humphrey, Wendy Waldman, Louie Shelton, Max Bennett, Bobby Bruce, Larry Bunker, Gene Cipriano, Ed Greene, Carol Kaye, Steve La Fever, Richard Markowitz, Jerry McGee, Ollie Mitchell, Larry Muhoberac, David Paich, Michael Price, Maurice Rodgers, Kenny Shroyer, Tommy Tedesco, Tony Terran, Lloyd Ulyate & Chauncey Welsch.

Tracklist:

01 King Of Oklahoma
02 Dobro Ladies
03 Three Today
04 Little Sparrow
05 Born With The Moon In Virgo
06 Just Like Key Largo
07 Can't Seem To Shake This Rock 'n Roll
08 When Blackbirds Fly
09 Lovesick Lizzie
10 Life's Little Highway

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79296500/1_.rar.html

"This album was released in 1973 and promptly forgotton. This album has no theme or style to speak of, all the songs were recorded as individual tracks each totally seperate from the other, then compiled to create this release. "Can't Seem To Shake This Rock And Roll" was a hit single, it talks about a budding jazz musician not willing to let go of his first love, rock music. What I love about this song is the "Superfly" style wah wah guitar solo. "Three Today" is in the folk styling of Cat Stevens, it discusses a young father reaffirming himself all the while dealing with crisis of faith. "Dobro Lady" features, well, a dobro played by Michael and the song features background vocalists, female, that Michael would later employ on his later albums with Warner Brothers. "King Of Oklahoma" is a country tale of an Oklahoma boy trying to make it big as a c/w singer in LA. "Lovesick Lizzie" is a naughty tale of a prostitute. This album is a highlight of what was to come from Michael as far as his writing skills. The folk and country styles he would never return to, the rock music gave way to a more fusion style. His voice is higher here and somewhat untrained. The spartian artwork suggests the content of the rawness of this music. Michael's music of today makes us believe he was always the Brazilian inspired perfectionist we've come to know and love. Hard to believe he actually had to develop his sound, he wasn't born the way he is, this album is proof that we all must start somewhere."

"If there are any objections sustained on the standing up for the truth guidelines of Funk law and order, please be the first to fulfill the ignominy of such. Chief Sun Star Ali hears and feels the very essence of the far east coast connection, and some reel reel Mean Mugging. Prepare once again the sound system, for the "Deeper Prophecy is Clear!" Flick the lights, for the 'Last Dance' is near. In it's day this album must not be overlooked!"

"As others have pointed out, Franks' debut is not the cool Brazilian-inspired jazz his fans have come to expect. However, I've been listening to Franks for a LONG time, and this was actually the second of his records I ever heard. I bought it in a cutout bin for a buck and it wasn't even that old at the time; the cover was different (the handsome photo of a young, long-haired Michael was partly what caught my attention, and it should have been used for the reissue, with the picture used here on the back; as a designer, that would have been my choice). Anyway, because of songs like "The Lady Wants to Know," "Down In Brazil," "The Eye Of The Storm," and "Antonio's Song (The Rainbow)" from SLEEPING GYPSY, I was already a committed Franks fan when I heard this. Okay, so this album is very different from any of his others, but it is not only fascinating for the varied styles he was trying out, it's clear that his witty writing style was already well developed. In fact there is more risqué humor and daring philosophical commentary in these songs than on many of his later efforts, and this set is still one of my favorite MF albums. "Lovesick Lizzie" always makes me smile, and it, along with "Born With The Moon In Virgo," might raise eyebrows even now, given the ubiquitousness of an increasingly powerful conservative Christian movement (luckily, so far, we still live in free country, and few of those yahoos are likely to ever hear this CD). A singer who has recently resurfaced on a long overdue series of first-time-on-CD albums, Wendy Waldman, plays dulcimer and sings backup on a couple of tracks here, and there are also several well known sidemen from both the rock and jazz worlds helping out. Fans of the Michael Franks we all know and love today will notice that "Just Like Key Largo" proves that his present style had its beginnings here."




























THE ART OF TEA (1975)

Credits:
Bass - Wilton Felder /Congas - Jerry Steinholtz/ Drums, Percussion - John Guerin /Guitar - Larry Carlton/ Keyboards - Joe Sample /Producer - Tommy LiPuma /Vibraphone - Larry Bunker /Saxophone [Tenor] - Michael Brecker (track 06)/Saxophone [Alto] - David Sanborn (tracks 03,09)/Written-By - Michael Franks (tracks: 02 to 09)/ Written-by [Music] - Michael Small (track 01)Written-by [Words] - Michael Franks (track 01)

Tracklist:

01 Nightmoves (4:03)
02 Eggplant (3:34)
03 Monkey See-Monkey Do (3:33)
04 St. Elmo's Fire (3:58)
05 I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad (4:16)
06 Jive (3:16)
07 Popsicle Toes (4:35)
08 Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile (3:45)
09 Mr. Blue (4:03)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79296199/2.rar.html

"After his debut on the tiny Brut Records (a short-lived record label of the famous cologne company), Michael Franks established both his unique sound and a recording process he has continued throughout his career. Primarily a jazz artist, Franks crossed over to pop and rock fans through heavy FM airplay beginning with The Art of Tea. Sensually suggestive and playful tracks, such as "Popsicle Toes" and "Eggplant" contain sly wordplay and almost Henry Mancini-like, breezy jazz-pop. Employing a similar approach as Steely Dan did with its music, Franks' singing and songwriting formed the basis of a sound rooted in the support of top-notch musicians, many of whom were the hottest studio jazz players on the scene. Here, the killer rhythm section of drummer John Guerin and bassist Wilton Felder is augmented by horn pros Michael Brecker and David Sanborn, with Franks and Larry Carlton handling all the guitar work. This winning combination of players, styles, singing, and songwriting would be reshuffled and refined over the years, but perhaps with no finer results than on this official major label debut."

"A seminal classic from Michael Franks -- one of those records that's almost a whole genre unto itself, and which set a whole new tone for the male voice in American music! The style here is light and jazzy -- almost an evolution of modes first begun by Kenny Rankin, and served up here with a similarly compressed production style that really brings out the jazz in the instrumentation. Players include Michael Brecker, Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, and David Sanborn -- all sounding great with a bit of added strings from Nick DeCaro. But the real star of the set is clearly Franks -- whose light vocals and creative lyrics sound wonderful next to the electric piano on the set."

"A friend introduced me to this album when it was first issued and I've been a Michael Franks fan through thick and thin ever since. His appearance on the jazz scene was a welcome change from the jazz-fusion and disco that was in vogue at the time. Looking back over Franks' successful career, this auspicious debut propelled him toward the pantheon of great jazz musicians in which he resides today..Now, my musical tastes are pretty eclectic. I listen to lots of music and I own lots of music, and I can tell you that Michael Franks is one of the most literate, articulate song stylists on the musical scene, and that goes for any genre. But if you are already a Franks fan you know that.Sure, Franks' lyrics are sometimes cringingly cute and playful, witness Eggplant and Popsicle Toes. But they are nearly always clever.I prefer his more wistful and romantic songs. Art of Tea offers a good sampling of both types. To me, Nightmoves and Mr Blue are a couple of the finest songs written by anyone at any time.On Art of Tea, producer Tommy LiPuma brought in a great team of session musicians like Joe Sample and Larry Carlton to work with Franks. The result was a blockbuster album with an upper-crust appeal which established him firmly as a sophisticated writer and jazz vocalist. "

"Michael Franks was first introduced to me in 1986 by my girlfriend at the time. I immediately took to his style; cool, hip, understated, and yet incredibly powerful...just the way "true jazz" should be. When I broke up with that girl, I felt as though my world was split in two. I would look at the things she left in my possession; a hairpin, a bracelet, and a copy of Michael Franks, "The Art of Tea". I'd look at the cover of that record (yes, vinyl) and it would almost mock me. I couldn't bring myself to listen to it because everytime I heard it, I thought of "that beautiful girl in my throw-away world"...such are the dramatics of a 21 year old without much life experience under his belt. I have learned the "art of forgiveness" through the "Art of Tea". Yeah, there were times where I'd just to "forget to smile" but the more I listened to it, the more I began to realize what the true gift of my relationship was with that girl. She came into my life at just the right time to learn how to appreciate all of life...not just the good moments...not just the beautiful moments...but the sad and tragic moments, as well. And that's what I really hear Michael Franks singing about. Yeah, life is dramatic but it doesn't mean we have to be involved with "cheap drama". We can learn to embrace the highs as well as the lows and you can if you make this recording one of the soundtracks to your life. Know that you are a beautiful blessing."

"There are only a handful of albums I always listen to straight through. To me, that's the mark of a great album. The Art of Tea falls into this category. Every song is well-crafted and superbly played. This is definitely his best album (I would also highly recommend Sleeping Gypsy). Michael Franks is not for everyone, though. His music is thoughtful and sensitive, so if you like loud, edgy music, avoid this artist. Fans of Steely Dan, Sting, Pat Metheny, and bossa nova will probably enjoy Michael Franks"


























SLEEPING GYPSY (1977)

Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor - Claus Ogerman/ Drums, Percussion - John Guerin /Engineer, Arranged By - Al Schmitt /Featuring - Helio Delmiro* , Joao Palma*/ Guitar - Larry Carlton/ Keyboards - Joe Sample /Percussion - Joao Donato* , Larry Bunker , Ray Armando/ Producer - Tommy Lipuma/ Saxophone - David Sanborn , Michael Brecker , Wilton Felder /Written-By - Michael Franks

Tracklist:

01 The Lady Wants To Know (4:45)
02 I Really Hope It's You (4:54)
03 In The Eye Of The Storm (5:55)
04 B'wana - He No Home (4:57)
05 Don't Be Blue (3:28)
06 Antonio's Song (The Rainbow) (5:03)
07 Chain Reaction (5:14)
08 Down In Brazil (4:33)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79228106/3_.rar.html

"After the success of The Art of Tea, Michael Franks was able to more confidently move closer to the kind of music he wanted to make. Employing a more exotic Brazilian feel on Sleeping Gypsy, with lush orchestration (courtesy of veteran jazz arranger and conductor Claus Ogerman), Franks moved his acoustic guitar work to the background to create a romantic sound with no sappiness. With "Down in Brazil" and, particularly, "Antonio's Song," his ode to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Franks was doing with Brazilian music for the rock crowd in the '70s what Stan Getz did for the jazz crowd in the '60s. He again employed his witty wordplay and evocative storytelling ability on "B'wana-He No Home," a song about a time when Dan Hicks was staying at his house while Franks was away. A romantic, elegant and important album in bringing Brazilian music to a wider audience."

"A really brilliant little record -- one of those gems that you've probably passed by so many times because it's ubiquitous, but which never fails to please over the years! Forget any pre-conceived notions you might have about Michael Franks, because at this early point in his career the man is a genre unto himself -- working in a unique blend of jazz, pop, and a bit of soul -- always served up sparely and with a great deal of understatement, but still filled with plenty of personal spirit on the lyrics. Franks' voice is beautifully compressed into the rest of the instrumentation by Tommy LiPuma -- in a style that still holds up wonderfully over the years, and which is set to Claus Ogerman arrangements that make plenty great use of keyboards from Joe Sample of The Crusaders! Tunes are all originals by Franks -- and there's some especially great Brazilian touches on the numbers "Antonio's Song" and "Down In Brazil"."

"This superb groove was recorded more than a quarter of a century ago and a young Michael Franks was already on his way to becoming the hippest kid on the block.On this, his third album, we see the fusion of musical influences that would create the trademark Franks "sound" - a highly sophisticated soft rock, heavily laced with cool jazz and Latin nuance.Downbeat jazz rears its beautiful head in the opening track "Lady Wants to Know" - musically and lyrically - "Daddy he's like Coltrane, baby's just like Miles, lady she's in heaven when she smiles..."."Antonio's Song" and "Down in Brasil" both have the sound, feel and potential to become classics of the Latin American genre. The former was written as a tribute to his hero (later friend and mentor) Antonio Carlos Jobim.Michael Franks is an exceptional talent - a writer, musician and singer of the first order.His compositions are beautifully crafted and draw upon the finest musical influences of our time."Sleeping Gypsy" remains a treat for the ears these many years after its initial release date.It's hip and cool - five stars, at least!"

"In 1977, I heard "The Lady wants to know" and was blown away! Later, I went on to buy the album and was floored! The standout tracks for me are, of course, "The Lady wants to know" and "I really hope it's you." Don't get me wrong, the whole album is very, very good. We are talking about someone who was financing his graduate education by writing (and singing) songs (he has his PHD in songwriting). He is a definite talent...go Michael Franks...Five Stars!"

"Released at the height of Disco, this album served as a refuge to those who wanted music to caress, the lyric to actually mean something, the singer to converse, the Brazilian backbeat to serve as a catalyst to our escapist fantasies. I love this album. It has the same electric piano as "Art Of Tea," but this album has a more finished sound to it overall, the strings suggest a bigger budget in the studio, and that's alright. Artists used this album, as they do "Art Of Tea" as a reference to Michael's compositions. "The Lady Wants To Know" is referred to by some as "Jazzy Soul" and is featured on Rhino Records "Jazzy Soul, Volume One." "B'wana He No Home" was covered by the Carpenters and featured as the opening track of their 1977 album "Passage." Their version is a little more "rock" than Michael's and they incorporated backing vocals. The one track that suggests "outtake" from the previous "Art Of Tea" is the bouncy "Don't Be Blue." The song is good in it's own right, it stands out from the others due to lack of strings. This album was recorded as a homage to Michael's hero Antonio Jobim, who passed away a few years ago and who's death inspired Michael to return to straight-forward Brazilian influenced music to produce "Abandoned Garden," the album dedicated to Jobim's memory."
























BURCHFIELD NINES (1978)

Credits:
Arranged By [Orchestra] - Eumir Deodato/ Bass - Will Lee /Concertmaster - Israel Baker /Drums - Steve Gadd /Guitar - John Tropea/ Mixed By - Al Schmitt /Percussion - Ralph MacDonald /Piano - Leon Pendarvis/ Saxophone - Ernie Watts (track 02,05)/Trumpet - Oscar Brashear (track 04)/Guitar [Acoustic] - Michael Franks (track 08)/Flute - Bud Shank (track 08)/Bass - Chuck Domanico (track 08)/Cello - Ed Lustgarten (track 08)/Producer - Tommy LiPuma /Written By - Michael Franks

Tracklist:

01 When The Cookie Jar Is Empty (5:09)
02 A Robinsong (3:48)
03 Wrestle A Live Nude Girl (4:30)
04 Burchfield Nines (4:38)
05 Meet Me In The Deerpark (5:59)
06 Dear Little Nightingale (5:00)
07 In Search Of The Perfect Shampoo (4:04)
08 Vivaldi's Song (4:13)

Link to doanload:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79232623/4__.rar.html

"Recruiting an entire new lineup of jazz pros, Michael Franks came up with an album with a West Coast jazz base but a New York sensibility. Lyrically a natural follow-up to the slyly suggestive The Art of Tea and featuring less pronounced orchestration than his previous effort, thanks to producer Eumir Deodato, Franks took full advantage of rhythm players Will Lee, Ralph McDonald and Steve Gadd, to make an even funkier record than in the past. Songs like "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty," "Wrestle a Live Nude Girl" and "In Search of the Perfect Shampoo" are all sensually playful songs that fully captured the erotic yet innocent '70s-era of free love with a romantic sense of humor. Not as ambitious as his previous Sleeping Gypsy, but a continuation of his ongoing experimentation with different players and a consolidation of his unique songwriting style."

"Great songs, great vocals, great instrumentation, and another late 70s classic from Michael Franks -- one of the few mainstream masters of understatement in his generation! As on all his best albums, the style here is a subtle blend of jazz and pop with a bit of a Brazilian inspiration -- kind of a more mainstream take on styles that Bob Dorough and Blossom Dearie had first put forth, with all the sort of hip songwriting that sort of reference might imply. Deodato's at the helm of the arrangements here -- keeping things lean and clean, and using key contributions from players like Leon Pendarvis, John Tropea, Steve Gadd, and Bud Shank to flesh out the jazzier side of Franks' sound."

""Burchfield Nines" was released in 1978, Michael's third album for Warner Brothers. The first two releases, "Art Of Tea" and "Sleeping Gypsy" featured jazz ensembles backing Michael; the use of electric piano was heavy on those two albums, "Sleeping Gypsy" featured heavy orchestral backing. "Burchfied Nines" finds Michael in a more rock setting utilizing fuzz guitar; but not loudly. Michael's voice seems to be a bit thinner, almost fragile on the title track. As usual, word play and brilliant poetry abound, give a listen to the sleepy but masterful "Vilvadi's Song" and the playful "In Search Of The Perfect Shampoo." The opening track "When The Cookie Jar Is Empty" is comical and "A Robinsong" is one of the more upbeat tunes. At this point in his career, Michael continues to shift toward other musical directions, he never returns to the theme of this album which makes "Burchfield Nines" stand out on it's own."

"Burchfield Nines has the jazziest feel, the sassiest touch, the funniest and most tender lyrics.It is Michael Franks at the top of his art (and many of his albums are up there bringing us ultimate musical pleasure).Thank you MF."

"This is one of those rainy-Sunday-afternoon albums: crank up the volume and listen to it over and over. All of Michael Franks' work is superb, but this is quite possibly my favorite album. Every song is spectacular - the music is soothing but sexy and the lyrics intelligent."
























TIGER IN THE RAIN (1979)

Credits:
Kenny Barron Piano / Rubens Bassini Percussion / Crusher Bennett Conga/ Glenn Berger Engineer, Mixing/ Randy Brecker Horn / Herb Bushler Bass / Joe Caro Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) / Ron Carter Bass, Bass (Acoustic) / John Clark Horn / Harold Coletta Strings, Viola /Dom Cortese Percussion, Concertina/ Lew DelGatto Horn / Louis del Gatto Horn / Lewis Eley Strings / Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals / Paul Griffin Organ / Hilda Harris Vocals (bckgr) / Bob Leinbach Organ / Howard Leshaw Flute/ Jesse Levy Strings / Charles Libove Strings, Violin / Dave Liebman Flute / Harry Lookofsky Violin, Concert Master / Guy Lumia Strings / Mike Mainieri Vocals (bckgr), Vibraphone / Joseph Malin Strings / Tom "Bones" Malone Horn / Lou Marini Horn / Rick Marotta Drums / Richard Maximoff Strings / Charles McCracken Strings / Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) / Anthony Posk Strings / Seldon Powell Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor) / Flora Purim Vocals (bckgr) / Ben Riley Drums / Claudio Roditi Horn/ David Sanborn Alto, Horn / Alan Shulman Strings / John Simon Percussion, Arranger, Producer / Lew Soloff Piccolo Trumpet / Richard Sortomme Strings / Maretha Stewart Vocals (bckgr) / Harry Urbont Strings / Emanuel Vardi Strings / Abdul Wadud Cello / Buddy Williams Drums / George Young Flute, Horn, Sax (Tenor)

Tracklist:

01 Sanpaku (4:10)
02 When It's Over (3:03)
03 Living On The Inside (5:36)
04 Hideway (4:09)
05 Jardin Botanico (3:32)
06 Underneath The Apple Tree (5:52)
07 Tiger In The Rain (4:17)
08 Satisfaction Guaranteed (3:39)
09 Lifeline (6:10)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79234098/5__.rar.html

"Strangely enough, Tiger in the Rain would have been a smoother transition from Sleeping Gypsy, just as Burchfield Nines would have been a more natural follow-up to The Art of Tea. For the first time, Michael Franks made an album completely without the production team of Tommy LiPuma, Al Schmitt and Lee Hershberg, employing instead John Simon (the Band, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen). The recording boasts a large number of celebrated horn and string players, as well as jazz luminaries Ron Carter, Bucky Pizzarelli, Kenny Barron, Mike Mainieri and Flora Purim. Lush, romantic and more experimental than previous efforts, Tiger in the Rain has a seriousness of purpose that faithfully echoes that of Sleeping Gypsy, with less of a Brazilian feel and overall a more somber tone of lost love. While none of its songs has the instant appeal of some of his earlier writing, the album as a whole is as refreshing and meditative as a stroll through a rain forest."

"Another slice of late 70s genius from the amazing Michael Franks -- one of the few mainstream artists who was able to hold onto his own voice and course amidst the overwhelming force of the music industry! There's a beautifully mellow feel to the record -- jazzy, warm, personal, and heartfelt without sounding cloying at all. Arrangements this time around are by John Simon, and the session features plenty of jazzy work by Ben Riley, Seldon Powell, Bucky Pizzarelli, Flora Purim, Kenny Barron, and many others."

"I have been a fan of Michael Franks almost since he appeared on the scene in my hometown of San Diego. It has always been difficult to get rougher-edged friends to give him a chance as his voice is not particularly masculine (though, oddly enough, totally suited to the material) and his style is so suave and sensual that it must threaten their manhood. Amongst those unwilling to listen, "elevator music" is the kindest evaluation and "he sounds gay" the harshest. Neither is true. Occasionally Franks comes up with a really silly song but much of what he writes is really deep, sensitive, sensual, and clever. You just have to be willing to listen. I choose Tiger in the Rain as my first review of Franks' music as it is the most widely known if not the best of his earlier works. Sanpaku is a song that a co-worker described as something you might hear in K-Mart. That's accurate on a superficial level but just listen to the words. He's singing about love rescuing him from the quicksands of drug abuse. Sanpaku is his name for a drug-shrouded fantasy world. Franks' skill with words is evident throughout the album. I like every song with the exception of the title cut. Living on the Inside and Hideaway are sly slaps at the yuppie lifestyle that Franks surely lived. Jardin Botanico is an almost obligatory nod to Brazil where his idol Antonio Carlos Jobim was in residence. Franks deftly gives it a warm samba touch. Underneath the Apple Tree is a very sophisticated and sexy song with understated musical tension, some luscious flute solos and horn interludes, and lyrics that smolder with sensuality. Think Franks sounds gay? Then listen to Satisfaction Guaranteed. Anything more explicit would be crass. Want romantic? Then listen to Lifeline, in which Franks couches his rescue from a life adrift in nautical terms. Michael Franks' music is obviously not for everyone but if you are musically openminded and appreciate lyrical as well as musical virtuosuity, then you should give him a try if you have not already done so. Listening to Tiger in the Rain is an incredibly relaxing experience. By the way, that co-worker I mentioned earlier, a big, rough, coarse country boy from Arkansas eventually came to like a number of songs on the album so much that he forgot his "K-Mart" remark about Sanpaku and acquired his own copy of Tiger in the Rain."

"This was the album that I...uhhhh...lost something to. How's that for being vague? Like I mentioned in my 'Art of Tea' review, I was introduced to Michael Franks by my girlfriend at the time. She was my sleepy-eyed girl in my throw away world...she was someone who unknowingly taught me the gifts of compassion, grace, and beauty and she did it not only through the things she was and did, but in the things she wasn't and didn't do and in between the seen and the unseen, the doors of love always seemed to be open even if I, just a kid at the time, didn't always realize it. I listen to this collection of songs now and I finally "get it". I finally get what she was trying to say to me. I finally get the wisdom that laid quietly behind the veil of appearances. I finally get that beauty always stands and waits for us to notice it. This album is such a jewel in my collection. I keep it close. Literally as well as figuratively. Not because now I'm just a nostalgic old fool, but because it gently reminds me that true beauty is not flash and glitz, true beauty is simple, understated, often overlooked and for those of you who feel overlooked and passed by, do not give up because Love has not given up on you. If you are looking for something to soothe the wounds that we encounter along this journey, I suggest this CD. Its healing balm will soak deep into your soul and truly make you understand that Love is forever no matter what the appearances may look like."

"Forget the esoteric reviews. If you're listening to this album with a woman and she doesn't melt in your arms before the end, then there is something wrong with her...or you. It's also the perfect album for slowly sailing or cruising on the water."
























ONE BAD HABIT (1980)

Credits:
Ray Armando Percussion, Conga/ Dennis Belfield Bass/ Lenny Castro Percussion/ André Fischer Percussion, Drums, Tambourine, Producer/ Clare Fischer Conductor, String Arrangements/ Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals/ Eric Gale Guitar/ Eddie Gómez Bass/ Don Grolnick Piano, Keyboards, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes/ Larry Hall Horn/Jerry Hey Conductor, Flugelhorn, Horn, Horn Arrangements/ Yolanda Howard Vocals (bckgr)/ Kim Hutchcroft Horn/ Neil Jason Bass/ Tommy LiPuma Producer/Rick Marotta Drums/ Hugh McCracken Guitar/ Petsye Powell Vocals (bckgr)/ Bill Reichenbach Jr. Conductor, Horn, Horn Arrangements/ Al Schmitt Engineer/ Sylvia Shemwell Vocals (bckgr)/ George Sopuch Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm)/ David Spinozza Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm)/ Tennyson Stephens Piano, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes/ Larry Williams Synthesizer, Conductor, Horn, Horn Arrangements, Synthesizer Arrangements/ Rick Zunigar Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar

Tracklist:

01 Baseball
02 Inside You
03 All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go
04 Lotus Blossom
05 On My Way Home To You
06 One Bad Habit
07 Loving You More And More
08 Still Life
09 He tells Himself He's Happy

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79238289/6.rar.html

"With Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt back producing, Michael Franks again moves in a different direction on One Bad Habit, with mixed results. Easily considered his commercial breakthrough, the album often lacks the lyrical and imaginative songwriting of previous efforts and sounds at times like two different albums. The contributions of Clare and Andre Fischer help bolster some of the more ambitious music, while players like Eddie Gómez, Eric Gale and David Spinozza at times appear underutilized. The title cut is another example of Franks' wry, observant takes on love and lust, yet musically it is a little lightweight. Still, considering the players, the occasionally adventurous musical ideas, and the basic jazz sound, Franks was able to go where very few jazz artists ever go in terms of attracting a larger audience and considerable airplay."

"Warm vocals, jazzy keyboards, and a wonderfully laidback set from Michael Franks -- a perfect illustration of the kind of music he could make better than anyone else! Although recorded at the end of the 70s, the set's got a simplicity that few other records of the time could match -- a stripped-down and honest quality that really sparkles, even amidst the top-shelf production and studio work supplied by Warner Brothers Records. Arrangements here are by Larry Williams, Clare Fischer, and others -- but as before, the main focus is usually on the sweet vocals and keyboards -- gliding out warmly over Michael Franks' well-penned and unique compositions.

"Of All the Michael Franks, this is by far one of his best. Even though I have been a fan for years, this cd is still my favorite. The title track One Bad Habit is so smooth and so catchy, here I am still humming it more than 20 years after I first heard it. This will be a favorite on mellow evenings to listen to. If you're ready to kick back and relax, slip this cd on, dim the lights and enjoy!"

"This one is one my favourite albums. Superb songs in all the tracks ! Buy this for "On my way home to you" where he sings so effortlessly over some lovely chord progressions. It reminded me of Joao Gilberto's floating style over equally fiendish Bossa Nova chord changes. I think that these two singers have much in common in their unaffected style of fragile intimacy. (You feel as if you've always KNOWN their voices as you know your lover's whisper or your cat's purr.. ). Pure magic !!"

"I only recently discovered Michael Franks but now I have virtually every album . In my view this is his very finest and ranks among the best rock / jazz albums ever. I won't go into all the colorful adjectives here but I think you get the idea. Forget also the age of the recording because this is not simpy an album but rather a complete experience and the recording quality (yes it was analogue) surpases that of any digit recording I have yet heard. An absolute must."


MICHAEL FRANKS with CROSSFIRE - LIVE (1980)
Credits:
Michael Franks, Jim Kelly, Michael J. Kenny, Tony Buchanan, Phil Scorgie, Ian Bloxsom & Steve Hopes
Tracklist:

01 Don't Be Blue
02 When the Cookie Jar is Empty
03 The Lady Wants to Know
04 B'Wana-He No Home
05 Chain Reaction
06 Antonio's Song
07 Monkey See, Monkey Do
08 Popsicle Toes

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79240786/7__.rar.html

"A long time ago I lived with my then boyfriend . he had a lot of tapes. No cd's back then ;-)We were always listening to a live concert of someone I did not know, but I always remembered that they said here is Michael franks with crossfire.Years later (I broke up with the guy) i discovered Michael franks had a lot of albums, so I bought one and it was great, but i still wanted the one with crossfire. The atmosphere the timing, those together.it sounded so good, and given the fact that i have very nice memories with this music.It had a big impact on me. so i give it 5 stars."

"I used to own this album on vinyl, and was delighted to find that it has been released on CD. The Crossfire band is a perfect fit for Franks, creating a warm and smooth atmosphere around this collection of his top songs. This is smooth jazz from long before the term came into regular use, and a very recommendable experience for Michael Franks fans and others who like smooth, high quality jazz in a live setting."

"A very smooth Jazzy album with probably the best songs of Michael Franks, very hard to get hold of but definitely one one should have, if one likes Franks"
























OBJECTS OF DESIRE (1982)

Credits:
Tawatha Agee Vocals (bckgr)/ Phillip Ballou Vocals (bckgr)/ Ray Bardani Tambourine, Producer, Engineer, Mixing/ Rubens Bassini Percussion, Conga/ Michael Brecker Sax (Tenor)/ Randy Brecker Trumpet, Flugelhorn/ Larry Carlton Guitar (Electric)/ Joe Caro Guitar (Electric)/ Francisco Centeno Bass/ Kacey Cisyk Vocals (bckgr)/ Michael Colina Arranger, Cymbals, Producer, Arp, Oberheim, String Arrangements, Rhythm Arrangements, Moog Bass/ Rick Cutler Drums/ Renee Diggs Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/ Mark Egan Bass/ Lawrence Feldman Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)/ Victor Feldman Percussion, Conga/ Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Liner Notes, Rhythm Arrangements/ Paul Gauguin Artwork, Paintings/ Tim Holland Assistant Producer/ Jill Jaffe Strings/ Neil Jason Bass/ Katherine Jewell Production Coordination/ Steve Khan Guitar (Classical)/Simon Levy Art Direction, Design/ Yvonne Lewis Vocals (bckgr)/ Ted Lo Fender Rhodes/ George Marino Mastering/ Harvey Mason, Sr. Drums/ Hugh McCracken Guitar (Electric)/ Yolanda McCullough Vocals (bckgr)/ Barry McKinley Photography/ Leslie Miller Vocals (bckgr)/ Nick Moroch Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)/ Rob Mounsey Synthesizer, Piano, Piano (Electric), Fender Rhodes, Oberheim, Brass Arrangement/ Noel Newbolt Production Coordination/ Andy Newmark Drums/ Bonnie Raitt Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/ David Sanborn Sax (Alto)/ Lew Soloff Trumpet, Flugelhorn/ Bette Sussman / Luther Vandross Vocals (bckgr)/ Randy VanWarmer Vocals (bckgr)/ Buddy Williams Drums

Tracklist:

01 Jealousy
02 Ladies' Nite
03 No-Deposit Love
04 Laughing Gas
05 Wonderland
06 Tahitian Moon
07 Flirtation
08 Love Duet
09 No One But You

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79244535/8.rar.html

"Again, Michael Franks switches gears, this time back to a more romantic, thoughtful approach. The result is Objects of Desire, a natural follow-up to Tiger in the Rain. Steve Khan adds a distinctive touch with his guitar work as does Rob Mounsey with his keyboards; yet neither takes away from the orchestrated grandeur of some tracks. Primarily produced by Franks, the album was his most personal statement musically up to that point. In his attempt to create a musical portrait in a style reminiscent of the art of Paul Gauguin, Franks comes closest with "Tahitian Moon." His clever love song style is evident on "Laughing Gas"; yet in setting out to come up with something ambitious within the jazz-pop arena, Franks is again less successful at creating songs with the wide appeal of his earlier works. Musically throughout, though, Franks shows off his multi-sensory artistic influences as well as his continuing ability to try new things, with excellent results."

"I've owned this recording in some form or another since it was issued and have always liked it. But somehow, I just never got around to writing about it.Objects of Desire was recorded toward the merciful end of the disco era. Franks never followed that fad but here takes a couple of cracks at some aspects of disco culture using tunes faintly redolent of that form to press his point. Ladies Night and No Deposit Love are the chief examples of this. Jealousy and Flirtation are horn-driven tunes that tastefully give off a teasing whiff of disco while remaining firmly rooted in jazz. All-star sidemen Randy Brecker and Lew Soloff provide the brass pyrotechnics that give these two a funky edge.No Franks album would be complete without some reference to the tropics. Here this is given two places, on the dreamy Tahitian Moon and in the cover art that reproduces a Gaugin painting.Jealousy, Laughing Gas, and Wonderland are my favorite cuts but the whole CD is testimony to Franks' status as one of the finest composers and wordsmiths in modern music. I highly recommend this overlooked gem which still sounds great nearly 20 years after its release."

""Objects Of Desire" I feel is one of Michael's breeziest albums. Coming off the disco craze, this recording features upbeat melodies with electronic keyboards and horn arrangements. "No Deposit Love" is a track with Michael doing multi-vocal overdubbing, something he rarely does. Bonnie Raitt was an already established Warner Brothers star when she was featured on the duet "Ladies Night." This style of song is clearly a departure for her, yet here she sounds relaxed; as if she's been doing this kind of material for years. The opening track "Jealousy" in it's lyric, refers to "Othello" interestingly enough. Further proof of Michael's never ending supply of reference for his subject matter. The mastering of this disc, or for that matter the album itself, is a bit quiet. This little bit aside, this is a fun album."

"This is classic Michael Franks. This is the album that started it all for me. Check out the track Ladies' Nite - he sings a duet with Bonnie Rait. This album also contains Tahitian Moon - a soulful song that always makes me wish I could crawl into a bungelow on the beach of Tahiti with the island girl he meets in this song. If you want a mellow collection of some of Mr. Franks greatest, this is it!"
























PASSIONFRUIT (1983)

Credits:
Randy Brecker/ Hiram Bullock/ Kacey Cisyk/ Edie Daciels/Sue Evans Jon Faddis/ Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals/ Arthur Friedman Engineer/ Steve Gadd/ Astrud Gilberto/ Neil Jason/ Will Lee/Hugh McCracken/ Jeff Mironov/ Rob Mounsey Producer/David Nadien/ Chris Parker/ Kenny Rankin/ Pat Rebillot Hamish Stuart/ Toots Thielemans/David Tofani/John Tropea/ Naná Vasconcelos

Tracklist:

01 Alone At Night
02 Never Satisfied
03 Amazon
04 Now That Your Joystick's Broke
05 Sunday Morning Here With You
06 Never Say Die
07 Rainy Night In Tokyo
08 Tell Me All About It
09 When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)
10 How The Garden Grows

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79247418/9__.rar.html

"While on first listen Michael Franks' Passionfruit appears to convey a jazz fusion approach, the inclusion of such contributors as Naná Vasconcelos, Astrud Gilberto and Toots Thielemans actually shows it to be a further continuation of Franks' championing of Brazilian music, with a light and deft touch. As on his previous outing, for which he brought in guest vocalists (Bonnie Raitt, Luther Vandross and Randy VanWarmer), on this album he enlists vocalist Kenny Rankin as well as Gilberto. This time, though, the vocalists appear to be a more natural fit. "Amazon," "Rainy Night in Tokyo" and "How the Garden Grows" reveals some of his best writing in some time, while "Now That Your Joystick's Broke" wouldn't be out of place lyrically alongside some of his clever, earlier songs."

"This album was my very first introduction to Michael Franks. He became - accidentally and until today - one of the very few, personal five-star rated performers. It's true, in my mind Passionfruit marks the paramount artistry of Franks', produced by keyboard wiz Rob Mounsey (who had previously already played with the likes of Steely Dan, James Taylor, etc.). The result is awesome! The release starts off with the atmospheric "Alone at Night", and introduces one of the moodiest and most soulful blues harp lines I've ever heard. Or take the more up-tempo "Never Satisfied". I also sympathize with every word sung, every line written for this composition. Extremely touchy for anyone who effer suffered from true loneliness. "Now That Your Joystick's Broke" is a pure keyboard-track, almost danceable, a reminiscence to modern technology. The contrast, "Never Say Die", gives you the feeling of completely getting lost in a romantic situation. "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" is still up-to-date, depicting Michael's desire to be away from the stressful and fast-lane life of today's big cities: "I am not here, I'm making my escape, the me you hear is magnetized on tape..." The entire album holds an innate atmosphere I've seldom heard with any other release. The most superb musicians gathered achieve an unique background soundtrack which perfectly embeds one of the most underrated artists of today's jazz scene, Michael Franks. For me, without a doubt: A full five-star rating!"

"Michael was busy in the early eighties, he released two albums, toured and somehow found inspiration into creating this album, "Passionfruit," released in 1983. Each song stands out in it's own right yet it all comes together here in a marvelous cohesion. The album was Michael's commercial and artistic triumph. "Alone At Night" has such a great opening, it's used as the theme for a late night music program for a radio station in Cincinnati. "Never Satisfied" is an upbeat number with catchy hooks you'll be humming hours after you hear it, "Now That Your Joystick's Broke" finds Michael playing with electronic voice manipulation. After this release, Michael gets very contemporary and electronics savvy. "Never Say Die" was an Adult Contemporary radio staple, "Rainy Night In Toyko" is smooth with a tale to tell. "Tell Me All About It" is very sensual, it was recently covered by Natale Cole, who didn't miss a beat when it came to this song's sensuality, she explored this aspect of the tune and the result is a mindblower. "When Sly Calls" is a lament about Michael being stalked by a shifty fellow, it's funny and the girl chorus adds to the comedy. Like all of Michael's albums, his word choice for lyric is unparalled, the music arrangements timeless."

"This is the most fantastic musical poetry I've ever heard. Only MF could have the great Astrud Gilberto sing backing vocals (Amazon.com)and pull it off without a hitch. Every track is a standout. My personal favorite is Alone At Night. However, my strongest recommendation is this. For those who are able, go out and find Passionfruit on LP. Do whatever you have to. I have 2 copys on CD and a copy on minidisc. I bought the vinyl on a whim. I was blown away. Completely. This is the ONLY way Michael Frank's music should be heard. On vinyl, the music actually involves you. I rarely listen to the CD now. I listen to the LP almost everyday! If you're looking to get into MF's music, this is the album to do it."

More review:
http://www.rudyscorner.com/archives/106



























SKIN DIVE (1985)

Credits:
Manolo Badrena Percussion /Dave Bargeron Euphonium/Warren Bernhardt Piano/Michael Brecker Sax (Tenor)/ Hiram Bullock Guitar/Joe Caro Vocals (bckgr)/Clifford Carter Piano/Cliff Carter Piano/Ron Carter Bass/ Vivian Cherry Vocals (bckgr)/Kacey Cisyk Vocals (bckgr)/John Clark French Horn/Blaine Cone Assistant Engineer/ Ronnie Cuber Sax (Baritone)/Debbie DeMeo Production Coordination/Mark Egan Bass/Bill Evans Flute/ Sue Evans Percussion/Jon Faddis Flugelhorn/Lawrence Feldman Flute (Alto)/Babi Floyd Vocals (bckgr)/Bobby Floyd Vocals (bckgr)/ Frank Floyd Vocals (bckgr)/Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/Steve Gadd Drums/Peter Gordon French Horn/Danny Gottlieb Cymbals, Drums/Kevin Halpin Engineer, Remixing/Lee Herschberg Remastering/Neil Jason Bass/Steve Khan Guitar/Will Lee Bass, Vocals (bckgr)/Laura LiPuma Art Direction, Design/George Marino Mastering/ Hugh McCracken Guitar/Barry McKinley Photography/Leslie Miller Vocals (bckgr)/Marcus Miller Bass/Jeff Mironov Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric)/Rob Mounsey Synthesizer, Arranger, Programming, Vocals (bckgr), Producer/ Andy Newmark Drums/Chris Parker Drums, Programming/Ed Rak Engineer, Remixing/Brenda Russell Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/ David Sanborn Sax (Alto)/ Ben Wisch Engineer/David Young Assistant Engineer/George Young Flute (Alto)

Tracklist:

01 Read My Lips (3:38)
02 Let Me Count The Ways (4:33)
03 Your Secret's Safe With Me (4:38)
04 Don't Be Shy (5:06)
05 When I Give My Love To You (4:31)
06 Queen Of The Underground (4:25)
07 Now I Know Why (They Call It Falling) (4:53)
08 Please Don't Say Goodnight (4:50)
09 When She Is Mine (5:25)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79251874/10_.rar.html

"Skin Dive marked the first time that Michael Franks appeared to be alternately running out of steam, repeating himself, and moving far afield from his unique jazz-pop hybrid. While this self-produced effort includes some fine playing from the usual cast of jazz pros, and the song "Your Secret's Safe with Me" has the perfect melding of jazz and pop, much of the rest of the music comes across as a bit too sparse and musically, many of the songs are not sufficiently fleshed out. Franks' musical personality still shines, but the wonderful musicians gathered together never really get to contribute in any way that makes for musical sparks."

"Recorded after a two year break, Michael went head first into electric music. This album is wholly electronic, "Passionfruit." the album before this one, experimented with synths and the like lightly. Michael also experiments with multi-track vocal overdubbing and vocal doubling effects. "Now I Know Why They Call It Falling" is a prime example of Michael's vocal arrangement in the overdubbing vein. Moving away from electric, "When She Is Mine" is a moving jazz ballad surrounding Michael in a full horn section. "You Secret's Safe With Me" was a radio hit, this is the song that helped me discover Michael. Remember the video? It was in heavy rotation on the infant channel VH1. Michael was walking down a rainy street wearing a black trench coat. Not really creative, but it was his first attempt. I'm a huge Brenda Russell fan as well as Michael's, the duet "When I Give My Love To You" is sweet, I've often wondered whose idea it was for Brenda to do all the background vocals. I feel the song would be a bit warmer if Michael had a helping hand harmonizing with her backgrounds, it worked for the Carpenters. "Queen Of The Underground" displays Michael's interesting word choice for lyric, his vocal is run through a vocoder for added effect; the track is almost danceable. The opening track "Read My Lips" is an upbeat tale about secret love..."Don't be Shy" is a song actually built around a synth drum riff. This album overall is more upbeat than anything Michael had recorded to this point. It may mark time as eighties music but it's still thoroughly enjoyable."

"I was blown away by Passionfruit (Rob Mounsey produced all 3: Passionfruit, Skin Dive & The Camera Never Lies) there was no way he could possibly top that one and I was wrong. Skin Dive (1985) was amazingly different but as perfect as Passionfruit. I waited for this one to come out and bought it and taped it and went to Europe for six weeks. I was just getting acclimated to the songs when I took my walks in Berlin and Paris. What an excellent summer and Franks was there with me. What can I say, I fell in love with Skin Dive. I listened to it over and over for years and now have it on CD. Franks has always been there during the great moments in my life with outstanding new music. Thank you Michael Franks, thanks again for being there!"

"your heart will begin to admire the sensitivity of this breathy singer. you may laugh at the almost cool, half wet, mussed hair, in michael's attempt at fitting in with the hot 80's crowd, displayed through upbeat inclusions of 'let me count the ways', 'don't be shy', and 'queen of the underground'. 'when i give my love to you' is a male/female duet that will make you 'surrender to the fantasy', a pretty, flowing, touching dedication. my favorite is 'now i know why', that sounds like it belongs in a romantic 80's movie, with the line, 'why is your heart resurrected, just when you least expect it', and a tick - tock rhythm like a heartbeat. 'when she is mine' ends the cd with slow, classic romantic jazz: bass, sax, piano, and drum brushes (charming). overall i was impressed with the poetic verbalizations, selection diversity, and sensitive personality of this cd."

More review:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/software/cd-reviews/michael-franks-skin-dive-1985/?searchterm=Michael%20Franks




























THE CAMERA NEVER LIES (1987)

Credits:
Richard Alderson Engineer/Patti Austin Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/Michael Brecker Sax (Tenor), EWI/Randy Brecker Trumpet/Hiram Bullock Guitar/Cliff Carter/Clifford Carter Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger/Kacey Cisyk Vocals (bckgr)/ Jeff Cox Assistant Engineer/Debbie DeMeo Production Coordination/Neil Dignon Remix Assistant/ Cornell Dupree Guitar/Mark Egan 8-String Bass/Bill Evans Sax (Tenor)/Lawrence Feldman Sax (Alto)/ Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals/Art Garfunkel Vocals (bckgr)/Robin Gould Drums/Lani Groves Vocals (bckgr)/ Kevin Halpin Engineer, Remixing/Neil Jason Bass/Steve Jordan Drums/Steve Khan Guitar/Earl Klugh Guitar (Acoustic)/ Mike Krowiak Assistant Engineer/Will Lee Bass, Vocals (bckgr)/ Ralph MacDonald Percussion, Conga/Marcus Miller Bas/ Jeff Mironov Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric)/Mike Morgan Assistant Engineer/Rob Mounsey Organ, Synthesizer, Flute, Piano, Arranger, Bass (Vocal), Keyboards, Programming, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Keyboard Bass/ Chris Parker Cymbals, Drums, Hi Hat/Gabrielle Raumberger Art Direction, Design/Lew Soloff Trumpet/Roger Squitero Caxixi, Shekere/ Richard Tee Piano/Michal Urbaniak Violin/George Wadenius Guitar/Dave Weckl Drums/Larry Williams Photography/ Jon Wolfson Engineer

Tracklist:

01 Face To Face
02 I Surrender
03 The Camera Never Lies
04 Lip Service
05 When I Think Of Us
06 Island Life
07 Now You're In My Dreams
08 Doctor Sax
09 Innuendo

Linkto downlaod:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79253796/11__.rar.html

"After the disappointing Skin Dive (i dont agree at all !! -saltyka), this album signaled a move back, at least partially, to the winning Franks formula. The title cut, "Island Life," and "Doctor Sax," although all occasionally missing the mark, reflected a strong recommitment to the kind of songs that Franks was capable of writing. With Rob Mounsey producing, which gave the album the right balance of a modern sound with no gimmicks, and players like Mark Egan, Dave Weckl, and Richard Tee adding some much-needed jazz muscle, Franks was making exciting music again. Additionally, Earl Klugh was the perfect guitar foil for Franks' music. Lani Groves and Art Garfunkel also fit just right, demonstrating that the right vocalists on a Franks album enhance the possibilities for genre crossover."

""The Camera Never Lies" is full on synth pop. The title track features a harmony vocal by Art Garfunkel, "Face To Face" is a nice upbeat opener, I had trouble convincing a dear freind of mine "I Surrender" is really a good song, "just listen to it a couple times, it'll grow on you." She never got it. "Island Life" was a video subject, it got some airplay on VH1. "Now You're In My Dreams" was played on radio and Patti Austin is a great partner for Michael on this song, it really deserved more attention than it ultimately recieved. "Lip Service" is Michael at his wordplay best, "Doctor Sax" has a similar arrangement as "Queen Of The Underground" from the previous release "Skin Dive," which was two years prior to this album's release. "Doctor Sax" centers around a blistering sax solo, it tells a tale of a grease monkey by day, sax player at night. What is Michael if not fantasy? The final track, "Innuendo," is a beautiful song featuring accoustic guitar, a departure from the rest of this album. Some believe this is a routine release, a floater album. Michael does sound very at ease here, but I feel this album, as with all Michael's albums, are far from routine, it's a great body of work."

"Michael Franks' soothing voice and jazzy rhythms makes for the type of music you want to keep in your car and play after a hard day's work or cleaning in the house. In this day and age of overprocessed pop and the quasi-barely talented, Michael Franks is a welcome change."

"This CD is filled with terrific songs and great productions - Michael at his seductive, sensuous best! He may too sophisticated for wide pop appeal, but he sure satisfies the musically and lyrically educated taste!"


MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL (1989)

Credits:
Michael Franks (voc)/Gil Goldstein (kbds)/Chuck Loeb (g)/Alex Foster (reeds)/Mark Egan (b)/Robin Gould (dr)/Monolo Badrena (perc)

CD 1.

01 Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile (04:25)
02 Chain Reaction (07:38)
03 Eggplant (04:33)
04 Island LIfe (04:12)
05 When I Think Of Us (04:39)
06 Leading Me Back To You (05:24)
07 Sunday Morning Here With You (09:00)

CD 2.

08 Monkey See - Monkey Do (16:04)
09 Antonio (05:43)
10 Robin Song (04:38)
11 Baseball (05:34)
12 Tokyo (04:54)
13 Popsicle Toes (04:53)

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79258289/12_cd1.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/79259343/12_cd2.rar.html

posted by saltyka at 10:17 AM 5 comments

MICHAEL FRANKS Part 2.



































BLUE PACIFIC (1990)

Credits:
Sonny Abelardo Production Coordination/Alex Acuna Percussion/Ken Alalrdyce Assistant Engineer/John Beasley Keyboards/Walter Becker Producer/Larry Carlton Guitar/Vinnie Colaiuta Drums/Luis Conte Percussion/Peter Erskine Drums/Howard "Buzz" Feiten Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar/Michael Fisher Percussion/Michael Franks Banjo, Guitar, Vocals/Sean Franks Cymbals/John Guerin Drums/Tom Hardisty Assistant Engineer/Jeri Heiden Art Direction, Design/Bunny Hull Vocals (bckgr)/Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar/Tommy LiPuma Producer/Jeff Lorber Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Producer, Engineer/Kip Lott Photography/Alan Meyerson Mixing/Gabriel Moffat Assistant Engineer/Roger Nichols Engineer, Mixing/Clif Norrell Assistant Engineer/Carole Parks Production Coordination /Dean Parks Guitar (Electric)/John Patitucci Bass/Neal Pogues Assistant Engineer/Scott Ralston Assistant Engineer/Eric Rudd Assistant Engineer/Brenda Russell Vocals (bckgr)/Marc Russo Sax (Alto)/Joe Sample Piano/Doug Sax Mastering/Al Schmitt Engineer/Bill Schnee Mixing/Bob Shepard Sax (Tenor)/Neil Stubenhaus Bass/Livingston Taylor Vocals (bckgr)/Michael Thompson Guitar/Ed Togerson Assistant Engineer/Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington Bass/Kirk Whalum Sax (Tenor)/Larry Williams Arranger, Programming/Joey Wolpert Engineer

Tracklist:

01 The Art Of Love (4:10)
02 Woman In The Waves (5:58)
03 All I Need (4:46)
04 Long Slow Distance (5:09)
05 Vincent's Ear (6:21)
06 Speak To Me (5:01)
07 On The Inside (5:12)
08 Chez Nous (4:29)
09 Blue Pacific (4:58)
10 Crayon Sun (Safe At Home) (6:20)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79267009/13_.rar.html

"Michael Franks' first album of the '90s and his first in three years was a complete return to form and his best album since 1979's Tiger in the Rain. Meditative, lush and clearly the work of an artist intent on making personal music regardless of trends or airplay, Blue Pacific is as open and beautiful as the ocean for which it is named. The return of the production team of Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt doesn't hurt either, and with such veteran pros as Dean Parks, John Guerin, John Patitucci and Peter Erskine on board, how could Franks miss? With additional production and engineering support by Walter Becker and Roger Nichols, the Steely Dan connection, previously hinted at, was finally made, with great results. It's pointless to single out individual songs, since this is very much a complete, unified work. The album marked a total rebirth for Franks."

"This review is being written to currently right an egregious wrong. Which is simply that Michael Franks "Blue Pacific" is quite possibly, when listened to in it's entirety ( as opposed to evaluating each song seperately ) his best work as of this date. Don't misunderstand me, Michael Franks back catalogue is nothing short of amazing, having written some tunes that will forever be on my list of favorites, as I'm sure they will be on many other listener's lists as well. But, that being the case, when judged as a complete disc "Blue Pacific", with it's picturesque songs of oceans, sand and unrequited love ( what other kind is there? ) simply does not require me to search for the 'skip' button on my cd player. And the strength that comes from each song so wonderfully complementing the last is what makes it an extrodinary listening experience. Starting off with the funky, uptempo "Art Of Love", which really sets the tone of the disc extremely well, the album is off and running. To put it mildly this song has a groove you can 'take to the bank'! Followed by the leisurely "Woman In The Waves" which reminds me of Antonio Jobim's "Girl From Ipanema", the song is amazingly descriptive, seductive and sinfully playfull! There really are so many highlights to this disc.... including "Long Slow Distance" which, for me, is easily the standout track. Performed at mid-tempo, while Michael sings coyingly about pacing yourself for the "long distance" when entering a relationship and attempting to keep things nice and slow to make it last, is a work of true lyrical art! Plus, with a piano solo by Joe Sample that flows so well I almost started to laugh! The other true highlight would have to be "Vincent's Ear", obviously a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh's tortured life and the price some artist's pay for their talent's. The song is at once sympathetic of this true artist yet at the same time still in awe of the man himself. Finishing off the disc is a wonderful 'lullaby' called " Crayon Sun ( Safe At Home )a simple and elegant selection that finds Michael 'safe at home' and ultimately happy and satisfied with his journey. A fitting end to a cd that is at once imaginative, playful and yet strangely innocent in a child like wonder of the world. Overall, this album has much to offer the listener who is looking for a style of music that conjure's up a setting that is graphically set on any beach front where the lure of the ocean is still a powerful magnet to many of us. And one where the artist is still able to marvel at life's small pleasures and the beauty of what is all around him. A cd that, I find, is richly textured, immenently more mature than his previous work and shows Michael Franks at the top of his game. For me, personally, I'm going to sit back, reach for my pina colada and relax! It may be the middle of December but I've indeed found my place in the sun! Thanks!"

" A friend turned me on to Michael Franks back in the early 80's. His unusual voice and musical style, along with his adeptness with lyrics, really resonate with me. I'm not a fanatical fan by any means, but there are certain moods for which his music is absolutely the best choice. I've owned Blue Pacific since it was first released, and if anything I enjoy and appreciate it more now than when I first purchased it. All of his other albums I've heard have songs I love, like, and don't much like. But Blue Pacific is that very rare thing, a perfect album. It's not that I absolutely love every single song on the album. It's that even my less favorite songs still obviously belong here. All the songs seamlessly flow together into one beautifully cohesive whole. The entire album strikes a tone and mood that is consistent throughout, and as others mentioned, it really does transport you mentally to the ocean. My favorite on the album by far is "Woman in the Waves". It's a combination of the lyrics and how the song sounds, along with it bringing back memories of swimming in the ocean with my friend who introduced me to Michael Franks. "Blue Pacific" ranks next. I can't really put into words what the song evokes in me, but it's magical. The rest of the songs are all really solid and which ones I like more than others depends on what day I'm listening to the album. I highly recommend Blue Pacific as THE Michael Franks album to own. All others are icing on the proverbial cake, but this is the one that it would be a tragedy to not have in your music collection."

More:


































DRAGONFLY SUMMER (1993)

Credits:
Michael Franks (vocals); Toninho Horta, John Pisano, Steve Khan (guitar); Bob Mintzer (soprano & tenor saxophones); Dave Koz, Chris Hunter (alto saxophone); Marvin Stamm (trumpet, flugelhorn); Warren Bernhardt (piano); Jeff Lorber, Gil Goldstein (keyboards); Alec Milstein, Jimmy Haslip, John Patitucci, Steve Rodby (bass); Alex Acuna (drums, percussion); John Robinson, William Kennedy (drums); Mino Cinelu (percussion).Producers: Jeff Lorber, The Yellowjackets, Gil Goldstein, Ben Sidran.Engineers include: Jeff Lorber, James Farber, Thomas Mark

Tracklist:

01 Coming To Life
02 Soul Mate
03 Dragonfly Summer
04 Monk's New Tune
05 Learning What Love Means
06 I Love Lucy
07 Practice Makes Perfect
08 String Of Pearls
09 Keeping My Eye On You
10 The Dream
11 You Were Meant For Me
12 How I Remember You

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79268238/15_.rar.html

"Influenced by such greats as Mose Allison and Bob Dorough, the sly and subtle Michael Franks lacks their chops, but has been quite clever and inventive at times. Dragonfly Summer isn't one of the pop/jazz singer's better albums, but it has its moments. Though Franks does most of the songwriting himself, he's often at the mercy of various producers. The CD's strongest material (including the haunting "String of Pearls" and the inspired ode to Thelonious Monk, "Monk's New Tune") was produced by the Yellowjackets, while the songs produced by the ever-contrived Jeff Lorber are forgettable and pedestrian. On the Brazilian-influenced, Ben Sidran-produced "You Were Meant for Me," Franks forms an unsuccessful duet with a 70-something Peggy Lee — who had long since lost her voice, and sounds truly awful."

"Michael released "Dragonfly Summer after a three year hiatus. What a wonderful return. The opener "Coming To Life" is an upbeat tune where Michael seems like he's singing about the start of this album itself. All of the songs are winners, I sometimes wonder what the outtakes are like, given the overall quality of the songs here. "Soul Mate" not only turned me on to Jeff Lorber, but also introduced me to Eric Benet, he's singing the harmony vocal. Not only is Michael talented, but the people he surrounds himself with, wow! The title track is fun, "Monk's New Tune" is about as late night jazz as Michael gets. "I Love Lucy" is that "I Love Lucy," the only cover Michael has recorded, save for a couple Christmas songs. The song is transformed from a Cuban lounge style to a romantic Brazilian influenced love song, the orchestration is glorious. "Practice Makes Perfect" is fun, "String Of Pearls" is a beautiful song, moving at a nice tempo featuring accoustic guitar and a woodwind solo. "Keeping My Eye On You" is a duet with Dan Hicks, it tells a story about two friends who are a bit wary of each other, they want the same girl. " The Dream" is a huge production number produced by the Yellowjackets. Michael would later record this song live, with Brenda Russell and Marilyn Scott handling background duty. "You Were Meant For Me" is a duet with Michael's muse, Peggy Lee, whose voice is tragically gone. This song is so gentle, it caresses what's left of Peggy's voice and Michael restrains himself, the end result is sweet. "How I Remember You" is a Michael formula jazz song, a great way to close this richly arranged and totally enjoyble album."

"Dragonfly Summer is my favorite MF album. The key thing to consider is everything that happened previously. The first five albums (Art of Tea - One Bad Habit) were mostly smooth jazz with great arrangements played by the Crusaders, etc. Then for the next several albums (Objects of Desire - The Camera Never Lies) Michael became more (not totally, just more) electronic and synthesized using producer Rob Mounsey. Good material because it was Michael but a severe dropoff for those desiring the more acoustic sound of the previous projects. Then after a break came Blue Pacific which combined the acoustic with the electronic. A wonderful project...but only a setup for the true masterpiece: Dragonfly Summer. Dragonfly Summer was in the same vein as Pacific except Michael's method of compiling multiple styles was more polished and consistent. The result was an album that showed Franks coming full circle and showering us with the cumulative knowledge of his experiences on both sides of the fence. Without going into a blow by blow of each individual song I'll just leave you with this challenge. By the time you get to "I Love Lucy" you'll be blown away, and that's just the first half. When you get to "How I Remember You" which ends the last half you'll be in love with love and all else that's special to you. For anyone who liked Michael Franks but was wary of his new directions: Don't be afraid...it's okay, come on into this CD...the water's warm again. For those who know MF a little: It's okay. Come inside and relax to the warmth and shelter of Dragonfly Summer. As for the rest of you: there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth once you go through life and find out what you missed out on."
More review:

































ABANDONED GARDEN (1995)

Credits:
Bass - Jimmy Haslip (track 01,02,07)/Christian McBride (track 03,05)/Marc Johnson (track 0,06,10,11)/Steve Swallow (track 09)Drums - Chris Parker (track 01,02,07)/Lewis Nash (track 03,05)/Peter Erskine (track 04,06,08-11)/Mark Egan (track 08)Guitar - Chuck Loeb (track 01,02,07,09,11)/Jeff Mironov (track 0,06,08,09,10,11)Guitar [Steel String], Guitar [Electric] - John Leventhal (track 08)Percussion - Manolo Badrena (track 01,02,07,10)/Don Alias (track 03,04,05,06,08,10,11)/Bashiri Johnson (track 04,06,08)Piano, Arranged By - Russell Ferrante (track 01,02,07)/Carla Bley (track 09)Flugelhorn - Randy Brecker (track 03)Flute [Alto], Arranged By [Horns] - Bob Mintzer (track 03)Piano - Eliane Elias (track 03,05)/Gil Goldstein (track 04,06,10,11)/Piano - Bob James (track 08)Saxophone [Tenor] - Michael Brecker (track 03,05)/Joshua Redman (track 06)/Saxophone [Alto] - Andy Snitzer (track 07)/Saxophone [Alto] - David Sanborn (track 10)Trombone - Keith O'Quinn (track 03)Flumpet - Art Farmer (track 09)Vocals - Brian Mitchell (track 09)

Notes: Liner notes: "In memoriam, Antonio Carlos Jobim, with endless admiration, affection, and love."

Tracklist:

01 This Must Be Paradise (6:10)
02 Like Water, Like Wind (5:19)
03 A Fool's Errand (4:35)
04 Hourglass (4:45)
05 Cinema (4:52)
06 Eighteen Aprils (4:35)
07 Somehow Our Love Survives (5:00)
08 Without Your Love (5:22)
09 In The Yellow House (5:21)
10 Bird Of Paradise (5:39)
11 Abandoned Garden (5:24)

Link to doanload:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79277662/16_.rar.html

"Michael Franks dedicated this album to the memory of Antonio Carlos Jobim, but it's neither Franks' best effort nor particularly evocative of the great Brazilian composer. There is not an especially strong Brazilian influence on the disc, despite the presence of Eliane Elias. In fact, there's a host of heavy hitters on board, including the Yellowjackets, Peter Erskine, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Art Farmer, Marc Johnson, Bob Mintzer, Michael Brecker, and many, many others. But while the revolving door of stars has served Franks well on other recordings, here they don't seem to add up to much."

"After listening to this album, no one will doubt that Michael Franks has a love and admiration for his idol and mentor Antonio Carlos Jobim that is about as deep as one man can feel about another on a non-sexual level. The title cut and Like Water, Like Wind are utterly unambiguous on that score. Franks has made many lyrical references to Jobim in the past, but now that Jobim has gone to Jesus, he allows his feelings to gush forth, figuratively genuflecting to him, resulting in some rather remarkable songs. When playing this album for friends, some of the less perceptive ones made comments about Franks sounding "gay" for Jobim. Now I don't pretend to know a thing about Franks' private life but I don't think he sounds that way. I think some are uncomfortable and perhaps jealous that Franks has a talent for expressing romantic feeling and physical longing in the most exquisite, picturesque phrasings.I detect nothing but pure admiration in his songs about Jobim. Abandoned Garden starts with an incredibly sensual bossa nova, no doubt as a nod to Jobim. Listen to the lyrics. How many of us wish we could express our desire and our fondness for our lovers so poetically? "Tenderly now, let me demonstrate, you need only undulate, keeping time with the samba like this while the stars rise..." Get Franks' drift? In addition to the aforementioned songs, I think Cinema, written together by Jobim and Franks, is a high point on the album. Jobim wrote the music and it simply sways. The romantic lyrics are highlighted by the smooth tenor sax of Michael Brecker and accented by the fine piano work of Elaine Elias. I could listen to this one ten times in a row! Other songs I like are Somehow Our Love Survives, co-written with Joe Sample, Without Your Love (From the musical Noa Noa), and the romantic yet enigmatic Bird of Paradise. In the Yellow House (also from Noa Noa) is an interesting departure for Franks featuring a vocal duet with Brian Mitchell. If you hadn't read the lyrics you might at first be perplexed by the story line. Then you hear a couple of references that make you realise that the duo is supposed to be Van Gogh and Gaugin singing their regrets and apologies to one another. My epiphany was the reference to "a wheatfield with crows and those cypresses in starry night". On this album, more than on any other Franks album, one of the keys to enjoyment is knowing to what his lyrical allusions refer. Abandoned Garden contains a couple of songs I consider rather plodding and/or lyrically lame which keep its rating a shade under 5 stars. Fool's Errand, Hourglass and Eighteen Aprils just don't fit with the spirit of the rest of the album. That being said, I think Abandoned Garden is Franks' best all-round album since Tiger in the Rain, and that Jobim has been a most beneficial musical influence. In addition, an incredible stable of well-known session musicians helps to make this an album worth owning."

"Abandoned Garden is Michael Franks' most poignant, emotional and mystical CD. He utilizes his boundless talents to remember and revere an inspiring musical friend. The vocals, arrangements and instrumentation are flawless. This CD is Michael Frank's most melancholic and spiritual recording. Every song is laden with both pathos and hope. Franks' vocals are compelling and resonate with a sublime austerity. An irrefutable masterpiece ! Abandoned Garden is Michael Franks with a major touch of vintage John Lennon ! As usual, Michael Franks is musically eclectic and impeccable."

"Full of delicate melodies, intricate lyrics, mellow singing and nostalgia, this album is a must. Being a Michael Franks fan for many years, I haven't heard any of his other projects that satisfies me more than this.Unlike the usual blend of uptempo stuff and slower, more relaxed tracks (of which 'Dragonfly Summer' is certainly the best example), this collection of songs displays a rare unity of sound and purpose, with the ghost of Antonio Carlos ("Tom") Jobim (his recently-lost friend to whom he dedicated the opus), haunting the whole album.Don't get me wrong though, this album is everything but sad and morbid; just like bossa, I'd describe it as 'joyous sadness'. Michael and Tom's co-penned song "Cinema" is an instant classic; "Hourglass" is a beautiful personification of time as a woman, while "Abandoned Garden", the closing tribute song to the friend and master, will easily bring tears to your eyes if you let yourself be touched by its words and atmosphere.I often regret that some of my prefered artists are not very well known by the general public, but in the case of Michael Franks, I'm glad, because he can go on enchanting us by just being himself: the coolest poet of jazz."
Saltyka added:
Abadoned Garden was the first album ever i've heard from Michael and since then this remains my favourite too!


























BAREFOOT ON THE BEACH (1999)

Credits:
Backing Vocals - Carmen Cuesta* , Lani Groves , Tawatha Agee* /Bass - Will Lee/ Bass, Keyboards - Jimmy Haslip /Double Bass [Acoustic Bass] - John Patitucci /Drums - Brian Dunne , Shawn Pelton , Steve Gadd/ Drums, Percussion - Wolfgang Haffner /Flugelhorn - James Hynes*/ Flute - David Mann /Flute, Saxophone - Chris Hunter /Guitar - Chuck Loeb , Jay Azzolina , Jeff Mironov , Steve Khan /Keyboards - Charles Blenzig , Chris Palmaro , Mike Ricchiuti/ Percussion - Bashiri Johnson , David Charles /Piano - Bob James/ Saxophone - Andy Snitzer , Bob Mintzer /Strings - Jim Beard/ Trombone - Birch Johnson /Trumpet - Larry Lunetta , Randy Brecker/ Vibraphone - Dave Samuels /Vocals - Michael Franks , Valerie Simpson

Tracklist:

01 Barefoot On The Beach (5:03)
02 The Fountain Of Youth (5:51)
03 Every Time She Whispers (7:23)
04 Like Moon Behind The Cloud (6:24)
05 Why Spring Ain't Here (4:27)
06 Mr. Smooth (4:40)
07 Heart Like An Open Book (4:46)
08 When You Smiled At Me (5:04)
09 Now Love Has No End (6:11)
10 Double Talk (6:10)
11 A Walk In The Rain (6:21)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79278443/17_.rar.html

"Countless musical trends have steamrolled by since this wry singer songwriter with the cool and collected, wistful onionskin voice first graced the adult music world in the mid-'70s with The Art of Tea and its cryptic hit, "Popsicle Toes." Yet Franks has stood his ground, growing as an observational lyricist while his relaxed demeanor stays pretty much the same, and charmingly so. While varying his backing instrumental tracks to fall somewhere between classic, subtle brassy Steely Dan ("The Fountain of Youth" features Yellowjacket saxman Bob Mintzer kicking it up with trumpeter Larry Lunetta) and colorful smooth jazz vibes (Bob James, Dave Samuels, and Chuck Loeb crackle behind the bemused frustration story "Double Talk"), the joy of his writing approach is found in his song structure. Franks just doesn't buy into the Top 40 school of "hook or forget it" songwriting. He's more interested in weaving quirky, even esoteric images over solid grooves. "You could jump a DC-8 and probably be here by eight" sets the tone for the frolic of the title track. Everything is fair game from references to Ingrid Bergman and Rhett Butler looks on "Heart Like an Open Book" to congratulating Ponce De Leon for the youthful drive of his lover on "The Fountain of Youth." He's quite the humorist, too, telling a cheating mate on "Double Talk" that "each time you lie your profile grows/it looks just like Pinocchio's." "Mr. Smooth" is a crisp commentary on a stuck-up man who thinks he's a god somehow. So that even when Franks is expressing displeasure, his heart is light. He covers all the aspects of love from the supreme joy of "Now Love Has No End" to "Why Spring Ain't here" but the minute he starts to boil over, he's back to the beach, having a blast. It's the kind of spring in your step music Franks fashioned his career out of."

"Over the years, Michael Franks has developed and polished a style that just screams his name when you hear it. His clever wordplay, his unabashed romanticism, his frequent reference to tropical themes and his love of samba always stand out somewhere on his albums and Barefoot on the Beach is no exception. There is a lot to like here and there are also a couple of numbers with the inevitable cutesy wince-inducing lyrics that he seems to delight in. On this album, The Fountain of Youth takes that prize. The standout song here is the sensuous, romantic duet with Valerie Simpson on Now Love Has No End. Close behind are the samba-infused Every Time She Whispers and the evocative title cut. Mr. Smooth is a slap at commercial radio and arrogant disc jockeys who feed musical pap to the public and refuse to consider playing music outside of a pre-determined format. Though this is not Michael Franks' best album, when you put it on you'll instantly recognize that it is simply and frankly Michael"

"This CD is a relax in a tub of bubbles or on a good feeling memory trip. There are a couple of suprise artist with in duets with Michael that will blow your mind. You can invision yourself walking on the beach with the warm breeze touching your body. Enjoy! "

"This record, like Franks's previous tribute to Jobim (Abandoned Garden) sets further standards of taste in so-called "smooth jazz pop song" genre. Lovely and clever lyrics find a perfect ride in his inimitable voice and the backing musicians groove like mad. Check out the cool rhythms of the "The Fountain of Youth" and the balmy harmonies of the title track. I think it is a bit unfair to judge this recording against his early classics like "The Art of Tea". Styles do change, and each record must be listened for its own merits. I haven't listened to a mediocre song by MF, as yet. "

"If you are a M. F. fan you will definitely want this CD. I think Michael was touched by an angel or something when he composed some of the songs here. This is a five star rating. Too bad for his previous record lable that dropped him, oops"

More review:
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/17503/franksmichael-barefoot/
































WATCHING THE SNOW (2003)

Credits:
Michael Franks (vocals); Veronica Nunn (vocals); Jay Azzolina, Romero Lubambo (guitar); Chris Hunter (flute, saxophone); Alex Sipiagin (trumpet, flugelhorn); John Clark (French horn); Charles Blenzig (piano, keyboards, percussion); Jay Anderson (double bass); Billy Kilson (drums); Cafe (percussion).

Tracklist:

01 The Way We Celebrate New Year's
02 Watching The Snow
03 Christmas In Kyoto
04 My Present
05 I Bought You A Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree)
06 Said The Snowflake
07 The Kiss
08 When The Snowman Sings
09 Island Christmas
10 My Present (Prerise)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79288864/19__.rar.html

"To call Michael Franks schmaltzy is like calling Santa Claus jolly, but what sets him apart from his contemporaries is his ability to deliver each clever yet wince-inducing rhyme with a wink. Watching the Snow is comfort food with all the trimmings, and it's a testimony to Franks' laid-back demeanor and subtle humor that an entire record of original holiday songs can complement a snowy December day rather than accentuate its forced seasonal cheer. Dressed to impress by Franks' conversational vocal style, Chris Hunter's mellow sax attack, and Charles Blenzig's fireplace keyboard meanderings, it requires nothing but the two-bites-from-being-uncomfortably-full sensation of a post-dinner nap to render the listener grinning in half-comatose reverie. Originally released in Japan in 2003, Snow finds Franks musing on everything from decorating the mango tree ("Island Christmas") to snowmen blowing smoke rings ("When the Snowman Sings") with equal parts sentimental melancholy and irreverence. Each track is lovingly crafted, astronomically inoffensive, and wine-drunk silly and sincere. Even at his most biting, on "I Bought You a Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree)," where he croons "Easy credit may not cure your ills/Unless your address is in Beverly Hills/Spend all ye faithful with all your might/We're gonna have ten years of silent night," Franks' delivers the lines more like a teasing uncle than a bitter old grandpa, resulting in a fine addition to the ever-expanding holiday genre. Proceeds from Watching the Snow go to the no-kill shelter, sanctuary, and animal welfare organization Hearts United for Animals."

"Every song on this CD is wonderful. As always Michael's lyrics and music are superb. Clever, festive, fun and romantic...painting a Christmas portrait as only Michael can do. "

"A really nice album. Franks is still one of the most sensitive composer around today"

"I was so delighted when I first heard this disc played in full on the radio and even more so when it was immediately followed by an encore spin. The lyrics are as fresh as the new fallen snow. The groove is jazzy and tropical and makes it feel like Christmas on some deserted isle. No need to listen to the same old carols. Put this one in your player, get yourself some hot cocoa and schnapps and chill out next to the fire."

More review:
http://www.smoothviews.com/cdreviews/franks01.htm



LOVE SONGS (Original Recordings Remastered) (2004)

Tracklist:

01 Lady Wants to Know
02 When I Give My Love to You
03 Tell Me All About It
04 Sunday Morning Here With You
05 Tahitian Moon
06 Now I Know Why (They Call It Falling)
07 On My Way Home to You
08 Popsicle Toes Meet Me in the Deerpark
09 Living on the Inside
10 Rainy Night in Tokyo
11 Vivaldi's Song
12 Mr. Blue
13 When the Cookie Jar Is Empty
14 Somehow Our Love Survives

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79371630/20__ls.rar.html
"Spanning 1975-1995, this artist-produced collection features 15 romantic smooth jazz favorites from Franks' extensive Warner-Reprise catalog. Includes "Popsicle Toes," "The Lady Wants To Know," and "When I Give My Love To You" (featuring Brenda Russell). "

"Those who haven't heard of the music of Michael Franks don't know what they're missing.... they're missing out on a very talented singer/songwriter and most especially, his wonderful music. Try to remember the '70s and '80s and the songs "Mr. Blue," "Tell Me All About It," "Popsicle Toes," "Down In Brazil" and "Lady Wants To Know" to name a few among countless others. That cool and mellow voice behind these hit songs belongs to Mr. Franks who has worked with Kenny Rankin, The Crusaders, David Sanborn, Ron Carter and Toots Thielemans, etc. Some of the artists who has recorded his songs are Natalie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Carpenters and lately Diana Krall. I've collected some of his earliest albums from the very first "Art of Tea" to this recently released CD "Love Songs" which is a superb, tastefully chosen collection of his most famous and remarkable hit songs that would surely warm one's heart! This album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and arranged by Claus Ogerman and Eumir Deodato, and it has an excellent line-up of guests jazz musicians who are my all-time favorites: Joe Sample (piano), David Sanborn (sax), Larry Carlton (electric guitar), Steve Gadd (drums), Brenda Russell (vocals), to mention a few. All the songs are so remarkable but my highlights are "Tell Me All About It," "Lady Wants To Know," "Vivaldi's Song," "When I Give My Love To You," "Tahitian Moon" and of course the very song that got me hooked to his music, "Mr. Blue." I wholeheartedly recommend this CD to those who love mellow pop/jazz music. You'll definitely enjoy listening to it!"

"The song selection and the mastering of this set is excellent. A few of the songs here deserved to be on Michael's Anthology and were missed, now they've found a home and given the remastering they deserve. Unlike the Anthology, which featured cuts from every Warner Brothers albums and a cut from "Barefoot On The Beach" on the defunct Windham Hill Jazz Label, some albums this time were skipped in their entirety. "The Camera Never Lies" could have been represented by "Now You're In My Dreams," a duet with session goddess Patti Austin, "Blue Pacific" with "The Art Of Love," "Dragonfly Summer" with "String Of Pearls," and "Barefoot On The Beach" with "Now Love Has No End" with Valerie Simpson. A lot of Michael fans, myself included, were crying for an overhaul of his catalog up to 1990, his "Looking Back" album fueled the desire even more and his "Anthology" pacified that desire. Now listening to this cd and the potential his catalog represents, we're back to the overhauling idea. The repeats of his well known songs like "Popsicle Toes" and "The Lady Wants To Know" do nothing to detract the enjoyment of this well sequenced disc."

























RENDEZVOUS IN RIO (2006)

Credits:
Alex Al Bass/Jay Anderson/Mark Anderson/Billy Arnold/Dan Beach Computer Editing/Charles Blenzig Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Producer/Sergio Brandao Bass/Rich Breen Engineer, Mixing/Roger Burn Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Vibraphone/David Channing Engineer/ Vinnie Colaiuta Drums/Sean Conly/Mike DeMicco Guitar, Soloist/Megan Denver Art Direction, Design, Photography/Pamela Driggs Vocals/Brian Dunne Drums/Robbie Dupree Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)/Willard Dyson/Wolfgang Haffner Drums/Jimmy Haslip Bass (Electric), Producer/Larry Hoppen Vocals/Chris Hunter Flute, Saxophone/Derek Jones Engineer/Carmen Cuesta Loeb Vocals/Chuck Loeb Guitar, Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Producer, Synthesizer Programming/Jeff Lorber Arranger, Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, Drum Programming, Percussion Programming/Romero Lubambo Guitar/Eric Marienthal Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)/Jerry Marotta Percussion, Drums/Gary Meek Flute, Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)/Veronica Nunn Vocals (bckgr)/Dion Ogust Photography/Scott Petito Bass, Arranger, Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, Mastering, Mixing, Assembly, Vocal Engineer Beth Reineke Vocals (bckgr)/Leslie Ritter Vocals (bckgr)/John Rosenberg Executive Producer/David Sancious Piano, Keyboards, Soloist/Marc Shulman Guitar/Dwight Sills Guitar/Andy Suzuki Woodwind/Dennis Wall Mixing/Michael White Drums/David Wilkes A&R

Tracklist:

01 Under The Sun
02 Rendezvous In Rio
03 The Cool School
04 Samba do Soho
05 The Critics Are Never Kind
06 Scatsville
07 The Chemistry of Love
08 Hearing "Take Five"
09 The Question Is Why
10 Songbirds

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/79288504/21__.rar.html
About his new album, Michael Franks says:

"Rendezvous in Rio, the new record, was released on June 27th. I started this recording late last Fall and finished mixing it mid-February. You've probably seen some of the hand-held (arms length) photographs I took at the various sessions. It's wonderfully energizing to work in the studio with all the different musicians who contribute their unique and always heartfelt talents to the project. When people ask me what I remember most about making a record my answer is always "the experience of working with the players." Though we spend a relatively small amount of time together, in some instances just one or two sessions, the experience of recording together is like a journey down a beautiful, as yet unexplored river. Each river and each landscape is different, but the imagery is always beautiful.
As you know, I always decide on the cover art myself, a practice which has ruffled more than one record company art department. For Rendezvous I chose a painting called "The Yellow Fountain," by a Woodstock artist named Dick Jeffery. For me it conveys the lush tropical mood of the title tune, which I wrote with Charles Blenzig, longtime musical director and previous collaborator ("Barefoot on the Beach")."

"Michael Franks' laid-back vocals have made him the choice of a new generation of cool school attendees. With Rendezvous in Rio, his debut release for Koch Records, Franks continuously shows why he is still at the top of his game with brand-new songs that will soothe, undo your stresses, or put you in a romantic mood. The various musical styles on the CD include two Brazilian sambas, one titled "Under the Sun," pointing you toward the Southern Hemisphere and the warmth of Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. A master of phrasing and elongated notes, Franks tells his great stories in several tempos that literally have you wanted to take this journey with him. "Rendezvous in Rio" starts with Café's percussive whistle and the rhythmic flow of Romero Lubambo's guitar. Chris Hunter's sax and flute solos also heighten the imagery of Franks' sexy vocals. "The Cool School" starts with the beautiful guitar accompaniment of Chuck Loeb and continues under Franks' vocals with a hushed flow of cool/smooth riffs that make this song one of the best on the CD. With the artistry of such respected contemporary jazz artists as Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Chuck Loeb, and Alex Al and the lilt of the carnival whistle, Michael Franks has conspired to entertain you, and has succeeded. You're sure to enjoy this very special Rendezvous in Rio. Recommended."

"This is Michael Franks's best album in years, probably the best since Blue Pasific in 1990. The album opens with Under The Sun, a very nice track which suddenly takes me back to the days of Down in Brazil and Antonio's song. The first two tracks of the album seem to set the mood for the entire album, although some not really so brazillian. One tradition that is still brought along in this album is the musical conversation that relates to Van Gogh, the painter. In the past albums there are Vincent's Ear, On The Inside and In the Yellow House to name some. The tradition continues with "The critics are never kind" which extends the usual conversation between Van Gogh and Gauguin to include Degas. Other great songs in the album like "Scatsville","Chemistry of Love","Songbirds","Samba do Soho","The cool school". In all, this album might as well be considered one of Michael Franks's peaks in his musical artistry. "

"Firstly, if you groove on Michael Franks, then you'll want to add this album to your collection. There....you've got my recommendation. I'm a Los Angelino, married for many years to a beautiful Brasilian. Years ago, when we met, I had just discovered Michael Franks, Michael Ruff, Al Jarreau and other classic jazz vocalists.....and then my wife introduced me to Brasil, and the world of Brasilian Bossa Nova and Samba became one of my new loves. After many wonderful years of travel to Brasil, I have accumulated a large collection of Brasilian Bossa Nova, Brasilian Samba in various forms, American Contemporary Jazz and many albums where American artists have discovered, merged and recordered Brasilian sounds. Michael Franks has merged his talent with what I believe is some of the greatest rhythms this world has to offer in this album. Yes, he's done it in other albums, but for me, his rendition of "Samba do Soho", a true contemporary Brasilian Bossa Nova classic, provides a great musical center for this album. While not all of the cuts are Bossa Nova or Samba, there's enough Bossa Nova and Samba rhythm-percussion to give you what you'd expect when you buy an album that has "RIO" in the title."

"My love of Michael Franks and Brazilian rhythms has never been in jeopardy. The thought of Michael merging his sublime style with this beautiful bossa sound was something that I was seriously looking forward to hearing. This is indeed a marriage made in heaven, and a pairing that I hope will be showcased more often than not in the future. His admiration for the late, great Antonio Carlos Jobim, and his touching 1995 album, "Abandoned Garden" flirted with all things Latin, and it is here where he has definitively rendezvoused in Rio. Michael may be a little greyer in the hair department but his sheer presence diminishes not one jot. Vocally and lyrically Michael has not skipped a beat; he is as sound today as a performer as he was back in the mid-1970s and is equally as important as far as being fully ensconced in the current music scene. To me, Michael is a poet of our time if not also a genius. As has been stated elsewhere, Michael cannot simply say, "I Love You". His philosophy is more ethereal than this as his vocal journey in getting there. It is a lyrical fountain using the most beautiful, whimsical, inspirational and novel of words, phrases and visions. I love this CD : it is a seriously fine album of gentle melodies, lyrical warmth and delivered with the passion and expertise of a master who knows his craft. Any doubters out there will do no better than listen to the opening song, "Under The Sun". Simply glorious and so spot-on if you ever have been sick of cold winters, rain and all the snow. One for those who suffer with SAD syndrome! LOL! The gentle sashaying bossa, the plucking acoustic guitar, and percussive undercurrent serve well as a backdrop to Michael's wistful, thoughtful and gentle vocal. A livelier approach is taken on the excellent titled song, complete with Latin percussion and whistles; this is so typical of a Franks' groove and as such is essential.Echoes of his "Abandoned Garden" album can be heard on the beautiful "The Cool School" which is extremely laid back and jazzy and almost fits into a more lively dinner mode. Chuck Loeb is unmistakable in his performance and excels, as we would only expect. "Samba Do Soho" is a seriously irresistible mover and is helped to sparkle with the support of vocalist Pamela Driggs and flautist Chris Hunter. Perfect accompaniment for the lovely climes this ragged old Isle is experiencing at the moment! If you really want an intelligent tune to get your teeth into, then look no further than the pointed "The Critics Are Never Kind". Do they know, he muses, what it's like to get high on sweet inspiration? I bet the answer to that is a resounding `no' for the majority. I hope Michael finds this particular reviewer kind and understanding at least. Today music is a throwaway commodity aimed at the young. True art, longevity and beauty is missed on a lot of people, but like the old Tabu label creed has it, "the world has music for those who listen". Take a listen to this artist, this album and see where it takes you. It should transport you to warmer climes, poetic places and warmer feelings. From a thinly veiled swipe at those who deem themselves in a position to judge we move onto more traditional territory with the pure whimsy of "Scatsville". Jeff Lorber is evident here on production, and Gary Meek and Michael White eagerly deliver their musical talents to good effect. I could continue my praise for this set ad infinitum but suffice to say that along with all the talented musicians and executive producer John Rozenberg, Michael has delivered one of the best albums for some time. I really and truly hope to hear more like this, and whatever Michael deigns to give us I will be happy to embrace it with open ears and open arms. A must-have CD "

More review:
http://home.nestor.minsk.by/jazz/news/2006/04/2801.html

http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=23083


ALBUMS
1973 - Michael Franks (Brut)
1975 - Art of Tea (Reprise)
1977 - Sleeping Gypsy (Warner Brothers)
1978 - Burchfield Nines (Warner Brothers)
1979 - Tiger in the Rain (Warner Brothers)
1980 - One Bad Habit (Warner Brothers)
1980 - With Crossfire Live (Warner Brothers)
1982 - Objects of Desire (Warner Brothers)
1983 - Passionfruit (Warner Brothers)
1983 - Previously Unavailable (DRG) - reissue of 1973's Michael Franks
1985 - Skin Dive (Warner Brothers)
1987 - The Camera Never Lies (Warner Brothers)
1990 - Blue Pacific (Reprise)
1993 - Dragonfly Summer (Warner Brothers)
1995 - Abandoned Garden (Warner Brothers)
1999 - Barefoot on the Beach (Windham Hill)
2004 - Watching The Snow (Rhino)
2006 - Rendezvous in Rio (KOC)




Biography:
Born in sunny South California, Franks started playing guitar at the age of fourteen. Later he matriculated to the UCLA, studied English literature and commenced writing his own songs. He played with a few high school bands, and part-time performed in local clubs. He, however, did not abandon academia, got several masters, and eventually penned the dissertation "Contemporary Songwriting and How It Relates to Society". He taught a course in the history of popular song at the UCLA and Berkley. A dream of Michael came true when three of his songs were recorded by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, even getting John Mayall to join those two artists for the track "White Boy Lost in the Blues" (for which Franks' accompanied on acoustic guitar as well). 1973 saw the release of his self-titled debut album which unfortunately had only limited distribution (on Brut Productions). One year later he contributed soundtrack music for the Warner Bros. film Zandy's Bride (with Liv Ullman and Gene Hackman). Warner liked his musical works and offered him a recording contract.

Michael's first album for Warner Brothers, produced by the legendary Tommy LiPuma, enjoyed the contribution of Crusaders' members (including guitarist Larry Carlton) and already spawned a few evergreens of what would become a decade-long recording career. Recorded live on three dates only, The Art of Tea already marked at this early stage what would become a unique jazz style for the talented singer/songwriter. In 1977 Sleeping Gypsy hit the market, again recorded using the LiPuma/Crusaders input but also adding Brazilian musicians and including the Franks' classic "The Lady Wants To Know". At that time he also joined sessions with top-jazzists such as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Eddie Gomez, and Bucky Pizzarelli. Since 1978 he published one hit album each year: Burchfield Nines (1978), Tiger in the Rain (1979) and One Bad Habit (1980). Concerts in Sydney/Australia and Auckland/New Zealand together with the Aussie band Crossfire were recorded and saw release as ... with Crossfire / Live (1980). Michael's next studio album Objects of Desire (1982) is evidence for a huge development, adding a tighter instrumentation to the songs, apparently also influenced by producer Michael Colina (who, as a solo artist and keyboard player, seems to have had his impact as well). The session? were again accompanied by a stunning gathering of musical talent: Andy Newmark (drums), Michael Brecker (saxophones), Mark Egan (bass), Victor Feldman (percussion), to name just a few. During these recording sessions Michael also met keyboard player Rob Mounsey, who signed responsible for the production of the 1983 album Passionfruit. Consequently, it showcases Michael's voice embedded in more keyboard sounds and funky arrangements than on any previous release. The cooperation with Mounsey persisted for the next long-player, Skin Dive. For the opener of that album, the funky "Read My Lips", famous bass player Marcus Miller was recruited alongside with other well-known names of the recording-studio scene. With "When I Give My Love To You" the album also contains a beautiful duet on which Michael was joined by Brenda Russell. In 1987 the album The Camera Never Lies ended the trilogy of Mounsey-produced long-players, again using a long string of the finest players available (i.e. saxophonist Bill Evans, Patti Austin on background vocals, guitarist Steve Khan etc.) and contributions such as Art Garfunkel singing background vocals on the title track.

At this point Warner Brothers decided to release a first compilation of Franks' works, which yielded the greatest hits compilation Indispensable: Best of (1988). After his collaborations with producer Rob Mounsey Michael decided to take more time to prepare his well thought out compositions, to compose his peppy lyrical songs and to cooperate more with other artists, among them his contribution to the Joe Sample (an original member of The Crusaders) solo album Spellbound for Warner Brothers. On this album Franks' sang one of the two tracks ("Leading Me Back To You") he had co-composed (for the other song, "Somehow Our Love Survives", Al Jarreau contributed vocals, another Tommy LiPuma protegee for decades). His next studio album after three years, Blue Pacific (1990), was a change in his approach to compile a new album: three different production teams were instrumental in recording Franks' new compositions, led on by Jeff Lorber, again studio veteran Tommy LiPuma, and former Steely Dan member Walter Becker. Nevertheless, Franks' sound hardly changed, but probably became even a little more versatile through the broader talents used this way.

In November 1991 our hero unexpectedly appeared on a live recording of the Yellowjackets, singing the track "The Dream" on the live recording Live Wires. That song is unusually powerful considering Franks' circumstances, but apparently it was also a great success for Michael, because he re-recorded it for his next own album. But Michael never solely focussed on his own typical style. He joined rapper Me Phi Me for the track "Where Are You Going?" on the 1992 album One. After that, he prepared his own next studio album: Dragonfly Summer (1993) again saw him record with different production teams (this time with four different crews) the Yellowjackets amongst them. Additionally, the producer's skills of Jeff Lorber, Gil Goldstein and Ben Sidran were used. Anyhow, the success of his late 70s/80s records seemed to wane and so Abandoned Garden (1995) was his last brand new release after twenty years for Warner Brothers. One more publication for Warner Brother was contained on the Christmas sampler produced by Matt Pierson, Jazz Christmas Party (1997). Hereon Franks contributed his "I Bought You A Plastic Star For Your Aluminum Tree". He also joined Astrud Gilberto in that year, but the pertinent recording never saw release outside of Japan. The record company next used the extensive song catalog of Michael for another compilation release in May 1998, The Best of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance. The end of the decade saw Michael launch his own homepage through which he could get in touch with his fans internationally through the new medium internet.

Michael then got signed by the Winham Hill label where he published Barefoot on the Beach in summer '99. Even though apparently recorded under different circumstances, this album neither saw a change in style nor a change in how Michael used the best talents available for his music: Separately produced by Chuck Loeb and Jimmy Haslip (of the Yellowjackets), Barefoot ... contains some of Michael's best songs for years. Rumor has it that Michael also worked on a musical about French painter Paul Gaugain for years, of whom he already used a motive for the cover art work of Objects of Desire. Michael shares Gaugin's love for Hawaiian motives, but no songs of the supposed musical ever surfaced. Through his homepage fans could follow Michael's touring activities (a lot of which was done in Japan) and eventually the completion of Watching the Snow (2003), the first album which he distributed through his own homepage, co-produced by Michael himself and Charles Blenzig. This long-player contains a new version of "I Bought You Plastic Star ..." and a duet contribution of Veronica Nunn on the song "Island Christmas". It soon gained the "Grand-Prix" Award for 2003 in the Rock/Pop Category with the premier Japanese Music Magazine 'ADLIB'. Michael's talents as a songwriter were also appreciated by British Gordon Haskell who paid tribute to Franks' works with The Lady Wants to Know (2004), an album which entirely consists of Michael Franks' (previously self-recorded) songs. According to his homepage, Michael is currently working on a forthcoming release which he intends to publish in late 2005. More than thirty years of recording has made him one of the most important jazz vocalists, unfortunately still unrecognized by many. Throughout his career he collaborated with the likes of Flora Purim, Kenny Rankin, Ron Carter, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Eric Gale, and others, and has had songs recorded by The Manhattan Transfer, Patti LaBelle, Carmen McRae and Carpenters. No matter who he recorded or played with, the attitude toward his own music never changed: Dim the lights, get out the Chardonnay, cuddle up.



2008 Tour Schedule

January 18 - Austin, TX - One World Theater
January 19 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulder Station
February 14 & 15 - Nashville, TN - Symphony Centerwith the Nashville Symphony

Anyway Mike has some cute cats and dogs:)


This is the first special entry dedicated to jazz/jazz pop here. I will continue in the next days with more jazz. It doesen't mean my blog will be a jazz blog,but i have to show you some of my favourite jazz artists too,because jazz was the first music touched my heart when i was a child ( i was only 6 years old and she was the fantastic singer Esther Phillips- i will show you soon). Later was new wave and sythpop when i was 12/13. And of course they became more important in my life than jazz ,but i think i never
will be able to leave my jazz side , because i got/get many inspirations from it.:)
So in the next few days i will continue with jazz / your requested albums / Twilight update from Moroboshi and a nice series sent Pavelse, in the meantime i will go away (holiday) to come back again around 15 .januar with new wave/synthpop and 80's pop albums :)
Question:
some friends asked me for new italo forums since Capishe dead.If you know a new forum or forums,let us know please!

posted by saltyka at 5:37 AM 4 comments

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

I wish you a Merry Christmas!!





posted by saltyka at 11:50 PM 6 comments

Various - RETURN TO FLEXIPOP




Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Electro,Minimal,Synth-Pop,New-Wave






















VOL 1.

01 SPOON FRAZER - Ballad Of Insectman
02 ENDE SNEAFLIET - Mein Ganschen
03 THE WIBBLEY BROTHERS - Whistling Thru Milk
04 RUINS - Short Wave
05 PLUS INSTRUMENTS - Paradise
06 MINIMAL MAN - To Hold You
07 E VENT - Sequin (remix)
08 RATIONAL YOUTH - In Your Eyes (12 Inch version)
09 DIDI UND DIE HERZCHRITTMACHER - Modern
10 EXKURS - Natur
11 JEANETTE UND DAS LAND Z - Poupee De Circe, Poupee De Con
12 MODERNE - Mercenaire Solitaire
13 2+2=5 - Jacho's Story
14 AK47 - Stop! Dance!
15 VAN KAYE & IGNITE - Opera Of Worms
16 CERAMIC HELLO - Footsteps in the Fog

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78199337/return__1._192_kbs.rar.html

























VOL 2.

01 INTRO - Haunted Cocktails
02 VENUS IN FURS - When I Acquire You
03 CERAMIC HELLO - Ringing In The Sane
04 BODY FALLING DOWNSTAIRS - The Politics Of Ecstacy
05 FELTMAN TROMMELT - Out Of World
06 FLOW AND ANDREW - Japenese Girl
07 ABSOLUTE BODY CONTROL - Lonely This Night
08 SOFT CELL - The Girl With The Painted Leather Face
09 MARTIN DUPONT - I Met the Beast
10 THE ROYAL FAMILY & THE POOR - Feast Of The Supersensualists
11 BITOKS A LA RUSSE - Tu Dois Partir
12 IAN NORTH - Interview With The Vampire
13 XEX - Holland Tunnel
14 THE NEON JUDGEMENT - T.V. Treated
15 V. SOR X - Authors 2
16 OUR DAUGHTER'S WEDDING - Rasucoats & Silverwave
17 STRATIS - I Fotia

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77924889/return_2.rar.html























VOL 3.

01 JYL - Universe
02 SUDETEN CRECHE - Are Kisses Outof Fassion
03 MARK LANE - The Reflection
04 ADN CHRYSTALL - Cocaina Vitamina
05 MEN'S RECOVERY PROJECT - They Found My Body Near the River
06 SEVERED HEADS - Adolf's Carrot?
07 STORUNG - Storung
08 JEUNESSE D'IVOIRE - A Gift of Tears
09 THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS - Direct Lines
10 VISIBLE - Le Jour Se Leve
11 SCIENCE PATROL - Bandit Ducks from Outer Space
12 BELFEGORE - Deutsche Mark'n Bein
13 THE SOUL BROTHERS - Du Bist Kase
14 DEUTSCHE KAISER - Weltenhymne
15 WELTKLANG - Hoffnung
16 VOBURKO & SCHWABE - Romance Adieu, Bienvenue Realite
17 NACHTRAUM - Menschenwirtschaft
18 F.A.R. - Lights In the Deep
19 FLESH AND FELL - The Wind

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77925362/return_3.rar.html























VOL. 4

01 TRANSPARENT ILLUSION - The Age Of Ridicule
02 FACTION - Poussez
03 LOU CHAMPAGNE SYSTEM - Propaganda Frustration
04 THE VYLLIES - Whispers In The Shadow
05 SHORT? TERM? MEMORY? - China Syndrome
06 TONE SET - What Good's a Hit Song?
07 INSTANT MUSIC - Do Not
08 PLUS INSTRUMENTS - Big Man
09 DIE UNBEKANNTEN - Radiowar Live
10 MaATTHIAS SCHUSTER - Ritual IV
11 BANDE BERNE CREMATOIRE - Consume
12 ROY FINCH - Mind Over Matter
13 ZYX - Bad Manners
14 CAMERA OBSCURA - Race In Athens
15 BAL PARE- Venuszepter
16 THE PHONES - Home Of Tippy Two

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77937582/return_4.rar.html

























VOL 5.

01 LE LU LU'S & YOYO- Africa
02 NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS - Rusting Shells / In Our Time
03 REDUCERS - Airways
04 FALL OF SAIGON - Vision
05 FEMME FATALE - Velours
06 BASE OF SUBSOIL - Relation
07 JESUS COULDN'T DRUM - I Am A Train
08 ALU- Bitte Warten Sie09 GORILLA AKTIV - Spiegelbild
10 PIEFKE & PAFKE - Und Est Geht Ab
11 BOTROPER HAMMERCHOR - Jupp Putta
12 GLATZE DES WILKENS - Der Indianer
13 SS SAY - Care
14 METALVOX - Future World
15 ABSOLUTE BODY CONTROL - The Man I Wanna Be
16 VICTOR HUBLOT - Aller Simple
17 CHRISMA - Thank You
18 THE HYPOTHETICAL PROPHETS - Wallenberg

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77944533/return_5_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/77944417/return_5_b.rar.html



























VOL 6.

01 PAUL CELAN MÜNCH-ROSENWINKEL - Nächtlich Geschürzt
02 SOLID SPACE - A Darkness In My Soul
03 EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTS - The Addict
04 ANDRÉ DE SAINT-OBIN - Everytime We Say Goodbye
05 FREIWILLIGE SELBSTKONTROLLE - Im Rhythmus Der Zeit
06 SPLITTER -Ich Freß Dir AusDer Hand
07 EUPHOTRIE -Kälte Treibt
08 PALAIS SCHAUMBURG - Glücklich Wie Nie
09 WIRTSCHAFTSWUNDER - Don't Listen
10 RESCUE 1 - Movie Viewers B-Version
11 COLIN POTTER - I Am Your Shadow
12 VISAGE - Frequency 7 Version
13 CANCER - 00010
14 THE NEON JUDGEMENT - Sweet Surprise
15 THOSE LITTLE ALIENS - Sentimental
16 THE INSTANT AUTOMATIONS - Invertebrates
17 FLASH ZERO - Ciudad Estelar
18 VALERIE DESPERIEZ + ERIC ABITOL - Substancem
19 OPERATING THEATRE - Blue Light And Alpha Waves
20 TONE SET - Out Out!
21 BRUCE GILBERT - You Might Be Called

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77953734/return_6_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/77952301/return_6_b.rar.html

























VOL 7.

01 DOMINION - Syssiphus Leaves the Mountain
02 ARMS OF SOMEONE NEW - The Spiral of Silence
03 3 MEN 2ND - Transition
04 VAN KAYNE & IGNIT - Picassos on the Wall
05 ARTHUR HARRISON & RUPERT CHAPELLE - Real World
06 KEBAB - Life is a Joke (short cut)
07 NASH THE SLASH- Dance After Curfew (12")
08 DEMENTIA PRECOX - Maladie d'esprit
09 HYSTERIA PASSIO- Grey Over Life
10 ADOLPHSON & FALK- Blinkar Bla
11 PLAIN CHARACTERS - O
12 BENE GESSERIT - White Men
13 COLD IN THE HEAD - Corrida Humaine
14 TARA CROSS & SISMOID- Charlie
15 JOHN PAUL YOUNG - Our Time Escapes
16 LAND OF GIANTS - Cannibal Dolls
17 A.W.O.L. - Elusive
18 FRENCH PARK - The Turn of the Card
19 A BLAZE OF COLOUR - The Ultimate Fight

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77959943/return_7_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/77958663/retun_7_b.rar.html


























VOL 8.

01 FLOW - Come to me
02 ROBERT LAWRENCE - Heart finds a home
03 DAJAT INJA - Raging pain
04 NJURMÄNNEN - Chinese junkie's
05 INERTIA - Injuri time
06 CARGO CULTUS - I summer idyl
07 NORMAL BRAIN - M-U-S-I-C
08 KLYSTRON - Your solution
09 VOX POPULII - Sinne die, sane corpore
10 VOMITO NEGRO - Brainwashing
11 FACT 22 - Motivation
12 PORTION CONTROL - Better place
13 MEKANIK KOMMANDO - Door (short-cut)
14 LINEAR MOVEMENT - Synthesize
15 END OF DATA - Follow me and so
16 JOHN BENDER - Decomposition
17 PARTLY CLOUDY - Relic revival
18 RUICHI SAKAMOTO - The end of Europe

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77938096/return_8.rar.html

























VOL 9.

01 CLAIR OBSCUR - Toundra
02 MONTY CANTSIN - Caoutchouc Culture
03 VAN KAYE & IGNIT - The Heat
04 BRIAN BRIAN - The Asthma Game
05 KOLONNE MÜLLER - Schrittmacher
06 DIE IDIOTEN - Der Holzsarg
07 MARTIN DUPONT - Your Passion
08 NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS - Concentration Theme (reprise)
09 STEVE PARKER - Keys And Colleges
10 ENDE SHNEAFLIET - Before Departure
11 NULL & VOID - Un Sedatif Ce Soir
12 ROSE MC. DOWALL - Crystal Days
13 VITA NOCTIS - This Is Not The Life
14 STEPHAN EICHER - Hungriges Afrika
15 HEUTE - Weltuntertan
16 VOX POPULI - Mind
17 DOXA SINISTRA - Portable Electronics
18 TWILIGHT RITUAL - They Are We
19 VOICES IN THE DISTANCE - Mystryonyt
20 BAL PARÉ - Metamorphose
21 K.KUSUFKA - Yellow blood

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77964370/return_9_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/77966206/return_9_b.rar.html


























VOL 10.

01 PORTION CONTROL - He is A Barbarian
02 MONTY CANTSIN - Blood & Gold
03 IAN NORTH - White Gardens
04 GOAT - Zennor
05 CARGO CULTUS - Stick At No Scruples
06 SMALTS - Werktitel No.4
07 THE METRONOMES - Justification
08 ROY FINCH - Buildings
09 DILEMMA - Dracula
10 QUIET LIFE - Schlafen
11 ALEXANDER VON BORSIG - Das Leben Ist Schön
12 DER KÜNFTIGE MUSIKANT - Kain Und Abel
13 TI-THO - Die Liebe Ist Ein Abenteuer
14 ZERO ZERO - Alptraum
15 HILARY - Kinetic Rmx
16 PEPPERMINT LOUNGE - Perfect High
17 CHRIS JONES - S.O.W.

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/77974821/return_10.rar.html


MESSAGES:

Next time : "Tribute To Some Bizarre"
I will create a special jazzy entry with Michael Franks, Sarah Jane Morrison, Roy Ayers, Shirley Horn,Pharoah Sanders, Abdullah Ibrahim etc. around 27.-28. december .If you are interested in ,come back to listen them.:)

In the next few days i will upload some of your reqs too.

posted by saltyka at 11:41 PM 8 comments

Various - NEW WAVE XMAS (1998)



































Genre:
Electronic, Rock
Style:


New Wave, Synth-pop

Tracklist:

01 The Three Wise Men - Thanks For Christmas (3:36)
02 Squeeze - Christmas Day (3:53)
03 The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (4:32)
04 Los Lobos - Rudolph The Manic Reindeer (1:58)
05 Pretenders, The - 2000 Miles (3:37)
06 Throwing Muses - Santa Claus (3:48)
07 Miracle Legion - Little Drummer Boy (3:35)
08 Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band, With The Rootettes - Xmas At K-Mart (2:42)
09 David Bowie / Bing Crosby - Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy (2:39)
10 Captain Sensible - One Christmas Catalogue (3:59)
11 Timbuk 3 - All I Want For Christmas (3:24)
12 Wall Of Voodoo - Shouldn't Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas (4:05)
13 They Might Be Giants - Santa's Beard (1:54)
14 The Buzz Of Delight - Christmas (3:22)
15 Chris Stamey Group - Christmas Time (3:46)
16 Sun 60 - Mary Xmess (4:19)
17 Mono Puff - Careless Santa (2:16)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78190806/nwc_192_kbs.rar.html

This seasonal adjunct to Rhino's 15-volume proto-alternative series of '80s favorites is characterized as much by sweetness as wigginess: check out XTC's "Thanks for Christmas" and Squeeze's "Christmas Day," the latter of which name-checks everything from tree lights to British comedy team Morecambe and Wise. Closest to true new-wave sound and spirit is They Might Be Giants' Farfisa-driven "Santa's Beard," but this eclectic mix's stretches generally succeed. Still, a couple of complaints: why a dreary "Little Drummer Boy" by Miracle Legion instead of the turbocharged one from Joan Jett's I Love Rock n' Roll? But it's churlish to complain about a record so well-meaning that it stacks up a blindingly good "Rudolph" by Los Lobos, a vintage single by Matthew Sweet's early Buzz of Delight, and "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl--what a tearjerker. --Rickey Wright

"This is a good compilation of somewhat rare Christmas songs. It says "New Wave" in the title, but that's stretching it. I certainly wouldn't call Los Lobos, David Bowie or They Might Be Giants "New Wave". But there probably aren't enough Christmas songs by actual New Wave performers to fill a CD, so they had to stretch the definition a bit. Regardless of all that, this is an enjoyable Christmas CD. Any CD that features the great "Fairytale of New York" (my sister's favorite Christmas song) is worth purchasing. There are also great contributions by XTC, the Pretenders, Captain Sensible, They Might Be Giants and others. But not everything is great, alas. "Xmas at K-Mart" is pretty bad, in my opinion. But the good songs far outway the bad songs, so this is a worthwhile Christmas album."

"This is one of my favorite Christmas CDs! I play it over and over every year. Some of the rock n roll Christmas CDs seem to have the same songs, but this one has quite a few I haven't heard anywhere else. Christmas Day by Squeeze is probably my favorite, but I also love Santa's Beard by They Might be Giants, Santa Claus by Throwing Muses, Careless Santa by Mono Puff, and Mary XMess by Sun 60. And thrown in to round it out are some perennial favs like Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, the great Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with the sadly deceased Kirsty MacColl, and 2000 Miles by the Pretenders. If you're looking for an alternative to tradition but only want to buy one or two CDs, this should definitely be one of them!"

"I would rate this X-Mas compilation a 5+ on the strength of track #10 alone. Captain Sensible's 1984 single, "One Christmas Catalogue" is one of the best pop songs I have ever heard. It's synth pop intermingled with overdubs of sound bytes from distant Christmas movies of the past, create a nostalgic overload. I first heard this song on the radio in December of 1995 while attending Brigham Young University. And up until just recently I was finally able to locate this CD and buy it. "One Christmas Catalogue" is a classic 80's hit that deserves much more airplay during the holidays. It isn't every day you stumble onto a song this good! This is a must have single for any 80's alternative pop fan!"

posted by saltyka at 11:39 PM 2 comments

Various - YULETUNE - A COLLECTION OF ALTERNATIVE POP CHRISTMAS SONGS (1991)


Genre:
Rock
Style:
Indie Rock ,Alternative Rock, Power Pop

Tracklist:

01 The Idea - It's About Time
02 Material Issue - Merry Christmas Will Do
03 Leroy - Santa Stole My Baby
04 Shoes - This Christmas
05 Matthew Sweet - Baby Jesus
06 Spooner - The Saddest Time Of The Year
07 The Cavedogs - Three Wise Men And A Baby (Xmas Song)
08 The Spongetones - Christmasland
09 92 Degrees - A God Of My Own
10 Marti Jones And Don Dixon - Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday
11 Bill Lloyd - Underneath The Christmas Tree
12 Kelley Ryan - It's Not Christmas
13 Herb Eimerman - You Gave Me
14 Big People - Piece For Christmas
15 The Critics - She Feels Like Christmas Day
16 The Puddles - The Christmas List

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78198833/yule_192_kbss.rar.html

"I'm not a big fan of holiday or Christmas music and albums. They tend to be sappy affairs full of renditions of "classics" made worse by somebody's latest "improvements". Not this album. The songs are all originals and hold up quite well as songs, not just "holiday" songs. 'Tis a hard album to find though. I first heard Material Issue's "Merry Christmas Will Do" whilst I was working out in the gym and recognized Jim Ellison's vocals and thus my quest began. That one song alone would be worth the price of the CD but you get other great songs. Spooner's "The Saddest Time of the Year" is absolutely gorgeous, full of longing and wistfulness. One word of advice to those who would record Christmas songs: listen to this song and if you can't record something as good as this, do us all a favor and don't bother. It just doesn't get any better than this for Christmas tunes.
Other standouts on this album are Shoes' "This Christmas" which features a very active bass line, "It's About Time" by The Idea, and Kelley Ryan's "It's Not Christmas". Really there's not a bad song on this CD although it may take some time to warm up to the Cavedogs' "Three Wise Men and a Baby (Xmas Song)" - I mean I like it 'cause it's offbeat and all but to each his own.
One other thing - the cuteness factor is kept to a minimum so there's not a lot of kids singing badly just to be cute on this CD. That seems to be limited to one song here - The Puddles' "The Christmas List" and it's not even that annoying like most kid songs are. All in all, this is just an excellent collection of tunes that you'll be listening to even when it's not holiday season, like I have been this week. That makes it the only Christmas album you'll ever need."

"Inspired by The Beatles Fan Club Christmas EPs and Phil Spector's Christmas LP, popmeisters The Shoes put together this compilation of 16 bands, most relatively obscure, and came up with some pure pop delights. This Yule punch bowl is filled with jingly-jangly guitars, Beatlesesque melodies and harmonies, Spector Wall of Sound sleigh bells, and more to brighten your holiday listening. Standouts are many, including The Shoes' "This Christmas," Bill Lloyd's Marshall Crenshaw-ish "Underneath the Christmas Tree," The Idea's Byrdsy "It's About That Time," Matthew Sweet's "Baby Jesus," and The Cavedogs' "Three Wise Men And A Baby," which sounds like an outtake from The Beatles White Album." - Dennis MacDonald, AMG "I searched everywhere for this CD after hearing the Shoes song "This Christmas" in a store. It is so beautiful and non-christmasy as is the rest of the CD. I am a big fan of Christmas music, but as another reviewer mentioned, I can't stand anything with sappy kids choruses or gimmicky tricks.This CD has some of my favorite performers doing interesting songs.As a side note, it is possible to get this CD new from the label. Its on Black Vinyl records out of Zion Illinois." "Maybe it's because it exceeded expectations by so much. "The Christmas List" is quirky, but it's grown on me. The rest are all winners, particularly "This Christmas" and "You Gave Me". The latter is ...well, touching. If you like the following CD's: "Winter, Fire & Snow", "New Wave Xmas" and "The Edge of Christmas", this one is for you. Buy it and your holidays will be happier."

More review:
http://www.christmasreviews.com/wyuletun.shtml

posted by saltyka at 10:20 PM 0 comments

VH1:THE BIG 80'S CHRISTMAS (2001)

Genre:
Rock
Style:
New Wave, Pop Rock

Tracklist:

01 Billy Squier - Christmas Is The Time To Say 'I Love You'
02 Daryl Hall & John Oates - Jingle Bell Rock
03 The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
04 Pat Benatar - Please Come Home For Christmas
05 Queen - Thank God It's Christmas
06 The Pretenders - 2000 Miles
07 David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy
08 Kate Bush - December Will Be Magic Again
09 Squeeze - Christmas Day
10 The Smithereens - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
11 George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Rock And Roll Christmas
12 The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)
13 Los Lobos - Rudolph The Manic Reindeer
14 The Alarm - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
15 Bob & Doug McKenzie - Twelve Days Of Christmas

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78369565/80mas.rar.html

The '80s were a renaissance for popular music, riding a (new?) wave of garage, punk, and early technorock, along with retro pop and stylized funk. While there's no funk or R&B to be found on the 15 tracks of Christmas: The Big '80s, some of the touchstone artists from the era--and a few dinosaurs like Queen--are well represented, among them the Waitresses and their classic "Christmas Wrapping," perhaps the most oft-licensed pop song in memory. Heavy on the Brits, the disc regains its Yankee roots with rocking songs by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, the Ramones, and Los Lobos, who provide an instrumental, polka-Hendrix reading of "Rudolph the Manic Reindeer." While many of these tracks can be found on better collections, it's hard to slam a holiday album that ends with Bob and Doug McKenzie's "Twelve Days of Christmas," eh? --Martin Keller

"This is a collection of Christmas songs by performers who are associated with the 1980s, although a few of them are more associated with the '70s in my mind. Not all of these songs were actually recorded during the '80s. Most of the songs are good, including classics and near classics by Billy Squire, the Waitresses, Queen, the Pretenders, Squeeze and the Ramones. But I don't really care for the song by Kate Bush. Overall, though, this is a pretty good collection."

""VH-1: The Big 80's Christmas" brings together 15 holiday songs, most of which you probably heard at some point during that decade, including the classic David Bowie and Bing Crosby duet of "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy." If you do not have this particular track in your collection then this album is one way of picking it up. The other keepers are the Waitresses doing the ultimate Christmas rap, "Christmas Wrapping," the Ramones ripping through "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)," and the cover of John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by the Alarm. After that it is a question of what speaks to your tastes, which means enjoying a couple of songs by performers I like that I do not remember hearing way back when, Pat Benatar's "Please Come Home for Christmas" and Kate Bush's "December Will Be Magic Again." Then you have to make up your mind about Los Lobos's interesting take on "Rudolph the Manic Reindeer" and it is a good thing that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as rendered by Bob and Doug McKenzie (eh) is the last track on this album because there is just nowhere to go after that one."

"This, in my opinion, is a fabulous Christmas collection. It may be missing a few notables, including, as a few (picky) reviewers have stated, "Do They Know It's Christmas". But don't let that be a deciding factor against buying this. Plenty of quality is available with this album.Those looking for "Do They Know It's Christmas" should keep in mind that "Big 80s Christmas" appears, for the most part, to feature the obscurity, fun and silliness of 80s Christmas music. One could argue that "Merry Christmas, War is Over" by the Alarm or Queen's "Thank God It's Christmas" run contradictory to this intent, but "Do They Know" certainly doesn't fit either. They apparently could only include so many songs here.
Keep in mind as well that producers of these types of CDs often have to get clearance from the appropriate parties to include songs in their collections. If you're so inclined, you can spend the money to buy "Now That's What I Call Christmas", a 2-CD compilation featuring "Do They Know..." and several other classics. I also own and highly recommend it. If that's too inconvenient, well, hey, if you want the song that badly, it's just one of many options you do have to get it. Who knows, maybe VH1 will even release a Volume 2 of this set in the future.
Now then, to get back to this collection, you'll find a number of great cuts including the ever-elusive "Jingle Bell Rock" by Hall & Oates. Billy Squier's "Christmas is the Time to say I Love You" is included, along with music from Squeeze, the Waitresses, Pat Benatar, and David Bowie/Bing Crosby. The final selection is "12 Days of Christmas" by Bob & Doug McKenzie. What more needs to be said? Happy Holidays!"

"Are you guys CRAZY??????, How could you have an 80's christmas album without "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band-Aid?"



Salty:

Ok,Ok, you're right ,here it is !:)



BAND AID - Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984)

Credits:
Producer - Midge Ure , Trevor Horn

Notes:
Charity Release In Aid Of Famine In Ethiopia.

Words by Bob Geldof /Music by Midge Ure

Tracklist:

01 Do They Know It's Christmas? (12" Mix) Remix - Trevor Horn
02 Do They Know It's Christmas?
03 Feed The World
03 Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas? (2004)
04 Do They Know It's Christmas? (Live) (4:29)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78596029/band_aid.rar.html

posted by saltyka at 9:50 PM 0 comments

Various - RED LETTER DAY - A SYNTHPOP CHRISTMAS (2004)



































Genre:
Electronic, Pop
Style:
Synth-pop

Tracklist:

01 Voice Industrie - I Saw Three Ships (7:31)
02 The Echoing Green - Little Drummer Boy (3:32)
03 Pristina - Last Christmas (3:50)
04 Intuition - O Holy Night (4:11)
05 Somegirl - Santa Baby (4:02)
06 Rename - Mary's Boy Child (3:42)
07 Blue October - Silver (5:06)
08 Color Theory - Gabriel's Message (3:33)
09 B! Machine - A Single Malt Christmas (Live) (4:18)
10 Moulin Noir - Gläns Över Sjö Och Strand (3:51)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78191882/red_letter192_kbs.rar.html

"A Different Drum is proud to present this unique collection of synthpop songs celebrating Christmas. Some bands have presented old favorites, while others have contributed their own holiday tunes. Get into the spirit of the holidays with some electronic melodies!"

"This is a fun, unique Christmas music collection featuring both traditional and original holiday songs all performed in an electronic pop style."

posted by saltyka at 9:45 PM 0 comments

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA






Country:
USA
Genre:
Rock
Style:
Symphonic Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

Members:
Jon Oliva - Composer
Paul O'Neill - Composer, lyricist, producer
Robert Kinkel - Keyboards, music director

Peter Shaw - Vocals/Heather Gunn - Vocals/Andrew Ross - Vocals/Steena Hernandez - Vocals/Erin Henry - Vocals/ Jay Pierce - Vocals/Jennifer Cella - Vocals/Steve Broderick - Vocals/Danielle Landherr - Vocals Bryan Hicks - Narrator
Al Pitrelli - Lead guitar/Chris Caffery - Guitar/Alex Skolnick - Guitar/Angus Clark - Guitar
Johnny Lee Middleton - Bass/Chris Altenhoff - Bass
Jeff Plate - Drums/John O. Reilly - Drums Mee
Eun Kim - Keyboards/Jane Mangini - Keyboards/Derek Wieland - Keyboards
Mark Wood - Violin/Anna Phoebe - Violin

Former members
Zachary Stevens - Vocals/Tany Ling - Vocals/James Lewis - Vocals/ David Z - Bass/Daryl Pediford - Vocals/Maxx-Vocals

VIDEO
"Christmas Canon Rock"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9DmSfufSQ





























CHRISTMAS EVE AND OTHER STORIES (1996)

Credits:
Backing Vocals - Danielle Lander , Jeffrey Stackhouse , LaTasha Spencer , Nancy Jackson , Peggy Harley , Peter Valentine , Timothy Carosi , Zak Stevens/ Cello [Solo] - Mary Wooten /Choir [Child] - Adrian Ross , Beth Butler , Cabiria Jacobson , Caroline Ross , Joseph Murray , Nigel Tangredi , Rachel Rosenfield , Warren Wilson/ Co-producer, Engineer [Additional] - Bob Kinkel /Conductor [Child Choir] - Anthony Piccolo/ Engineer [Additional] - Dominick Barbera , John Seymour , Steve Sola /Engineer [Assistant] - Ben Arrindell , James Carabello , Matt Thrasher /French Horn [Solo] - John Clark /Mastered By - Kevin Hodge /Producer - Paul O'Neill/ Recorded By, Mixed By - Dave Wittman /Vocals [Solo] - Babi Floyd , John Margolis , Ken Williams , Marlene Danielle , Michael Fawcette , Thomas Faresse/ Written By [Music] - Bob Kinkel , Jon Oliva/ Written By [Music], Written By [Lyrics] - Paul O'Neill

Tracklist:

01 An Angel Came Down
02 O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night (Instrumental)
03 A Star To Follow
04 First Snow (Instrumental)
05 The Silent Nutcracker (Instrumental)
06 A Mad Russian's Christmas (Instrumental)
07 The Prince Of Peace
08 Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 (Instrumental)
09 Good King Joy
10 Ornament
11 The First Noel (Instrumental)
12 Old City Bar
13 Promises To Keep
14 This Christmas Day
15 An Angel Returned
16 O Holy Night
17 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78352309/tso-__eve_and_other_192_kbs.rar.html

Is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve and Other Stories a holiday rock opera? Or perhaps just a holiday prog-rock disc? Or maybe it's New Age? Whatever the case may be, this isn't your typical Christmas album. Filled with electric guitar solos, plenty of synthesized keyboards, a children's choir, and lively drumming, Christmas Eve can only be compared to one other record, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's other holiday disc, The Christmas Attic. On this CD, angelic vocal solos (on numbers such as "The Prince of Peace") are interspersed with driving instrumentals. Sentimental, occasionally bombastic, but as high-concept as holiday albums can be. --Jason Verlinde

"From the enchanting cover art right through to the last notes of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," the last track, Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a rare delight.In fact, although this is supposed to be a Christmas album, I find I can listen to it year 'round (as I am right now and it's August 31st).
You probably already know this from reading other reviews, but Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is the alter ego of Savatage, a mostly heavy metal/progressive rock band whose albums tend to lean toward the "concept" side of creativity, which is to say they're generally quite a few notches above most music these days...and often contain flashes of brilliance not found anywhere else on the planet.
There's a feeling I get every year around Christmastime, and TSO "director" Paul O'Neill (who produces Savatage's albums) captured it exactly on this CD. As a matter of fact, on TSO's web site, O'Neill writes, "I love writing stories and I've always been staggeringly fascinated with Christmas. It's such a magical time of the year. If you're walking down a New York City street around Christmastime and it starts to snow, the potential for magic can be felt in the air. That's what I tried to capture on this record, while bringing a fresh musical treatment to the holiday."
To capture that "magical" feeling on Christmas Eve and Other Stories, O'Neill took mostly traditional Christmas songs and infused them with electric guitar power and energy to create a majestic, emotional, captivating sound that tends to overwhelm me with emotion or awe (such as on the incredible "A Star To Follow" track or in the dynamic "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" track, which also appeared on Savatage's Dead Winter Dead CD).
"A Star To Follow" is amazing. Savatage occasionally creates counterpoint/chorus arrangements that truly rise above the norm, such as the title track to The Wake of Magellan, for example. Or "Morphine Child" from their latest CD Poets and Madmen. "A Star To Follow" gives me the chills every time I hear it.
This CD isn't just Christmas tunes put to heavy metal. It's so much more than that. There's a softness and innocence, maybe even a reverence, about these arrangements (like on the delicate classical guitar instrumental "The Silent Nutcracker") -- even when such songs are placed back-to-back against tracks like "A Mad Russian's Christmas," which begins with a plaintive piano melody that's soon punctuated by bone-crushing Metallica-esque power chords.
Another example of one style of music placed like bookends against another is "Prince of Peace" immediately followed by Savatage's "Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24," one of the most powerful songs you'll ever hear -- Christmas or otherwise.
I can't say enough about this CD. It's the kind of album that comes along truly once in a lifetime. Even if TSO never tops this performance (The Christmas Attic and Beethoven's Last Night are noble efforts, but they don't hold a candle to this album), they will have served us well by creating Christmas Eve and Other Stories -- one of my favorite CDs of all time."

"Well, usually around December sometime this album and its worthy successor become my two favorites to listen to - not to say you won't find me listening to it throughout the rest of the year, either. The album's 17 tracks, every single one of them excellent, are divided nearly equally between instrumental and non-instrumental tracks. The songs tell the story of an angel's quest and a runaway returned home for the holidays in an implied rock opera style. In doing so, Paul O'Neill and company are able to somehow capture the magic and spirit of the season with incredible accuracy. The style of the music varies greatly, from light to heavy and everything in between. Here you'll find piano / vocal driven Broadway moments, string filled symphonic moments, solo-guitar laden heavy metal moments, not to mention the tasteful inclusion of a children's choir and a song each to touch on folk and blues. Many of the album's melodies are borrowed from Christmas favorites, meaning plenty of the tunes will be very familiar to even the first time listener, and the original material on the album is just as spectacular as the reworkings of the classics. With at least six different lead singers, the album is both a musical and vocal treat. A definite essential."























THE CHRISTMAS ATTICK (1998)

Tracklist:

01 The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve
02 Boughs Of Holly
03 The World That She Sees
04 Midnight Christmas Eve
05 The March Of The Kings/Hark The Herald Angel
06 The Three Kings And I (What Really Happened)
07 Christmas Canon
08 Joy/Angels We Have Heard On High
09 Find Our Way Home
10 Appalachian Snowfall
11 The Music Box
12 The Snow Came Down
13 Christmas In The Air
14 Dream Child (A Christmas Dream)
15 An Angel's Share
16 Music Box Blues

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78354192/tso-_attic_192_kbs.rar.html

Fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber will discover he has a soul mate in one Paul O'Neill, the "conductor" of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A dyed-in-the-wool sentimentalist, O'Neill presents this pop-rock tale from 1998 with all the glitz and glory of a Lloyd Webber Broadway show. Playing to the common themes of the season through a tale about a little angel sent to Earth to leave behind a gift, O'Neill creates a big-sounding production heavy on lead guitars and orchestral filigree. There are pieces of familiar Christmas carols and hymns and a handful of unembellished acoustic numbers to offset the brighter parts of the musical melodrama. While his singers and players are all professional sounding, O'Neill often mistakes sentiment as a grand gesture when it needs to be something less ambitious or noticeable. Nonetheless, there's a TV special or Broadway show wrapped up in this attic and it won't go away until it gets done. --Martin Keller

"One of the things I love so much about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is that they give you a complete experience that encompasses a full range of emotions. There are the "purely fun" songs, the tearjerkers, the thought-provokers, the nostalgia-inducers, etc, etc. Some people here have complained about the mix of genres included on this album. It's true, if you like albums that sound exactly the same from one song to the next, forget this one. On the other hand, if you like great variety, then click "ADD TO SHOPPING CART" right now. Almost every song is in a different style, and sung by different singers, and yet it all gels together extremely well to feel like one coherent performance. The musicianship is first-rate throughout (though I'll admit some of the vocalists feel the need to "act" their parts a little too... um... "operatically"?)
Others have complained that it's too sugar-coated. Well, duh, it's a Christmas album-- sugar is pretty much mandated-- and if you're the sort of person who would even consider buying a Christmas album, then you're obviously not opposed to sentimentality. If you want to hear this band doing some music with more of an edge, go out and buy any of the albums they released under the name "Savatage." The fact that they're able to release TSO albums AND the hard-rock/metal albums of Savatage is a true testament to this band's versatility.
Unfortunately, this album is not quite as strong as TSO's first Christmas album, "Christmas Eve And Other Stories," mostly because it feels a bit too much like it's trying to redo that one. Certain songs are almost direct equivalents, and I often found myself thinking, "Ah, this songs is this album's version of that other song from their first album." Still, it's a great album, and well worth having for anyone who enjoys holiday music. With the vast variety of music styles, there's something for everybody on this CD."

"I'm definitely a fan of the "rock opera"....whether it be The Who's "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia"...or "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Hair" ! So...although I discovered the "Trans Siberian Orchestra" only this holiday season...I immediately became comfortable and hooked when I bought and listened to "Christmas Eve And Other Stories".As a result...I promptly ordered "The Christmas Attic" and "The Lost Christmas Eve" ! I haven't listened to "Lost" yet....but "The Christmas Attic" is absolutely INCREDIBLE ! I LOVE traditional holiday music...but TSO's work is a Christmas adventure...musically and lyrically...it's Christmas music...but it's fresh and different ! If you like metal AND broadway musicals without the "corniness" some had...order any or all of TSO's Christmas CD's...you'll feel a new kind of holiday spirit and they'll become a part of your holiday enjoyment Christmas after Christmas. Turn on the Christmas lights...mix a holiday drink and enjoy "The Christmas Attic" ! Happy Holidays everyone !"
























BEETHOVEN'S LAST NIGHT (2000)

Credits:
Bass - Johnny Lee Middleton/ Co-producer - Robert Kinkel /Drums - Jeff Plate/ Guitar - Al Pitrelli , Chris Caffery , Paul O'Neill /Piano - Jon Oliva , Robert Kinkel/ Producer - Paul O'Neill /Vocals - Dave Diamond (tracks: 13) , Doug Thoms (tracks: 13) , Guy Lemonnier (tracks: 8) , Jamie Torcellini (tracks: 2, 4) , Jody Ashworth (tracks: 4, 6, 7, 17, 19, 21) , Jon Oliva (tracks: 5, 20) , Patti Russo (tracks: 10, 12, 15) , Sylvia Tosun (tracks: 22) , Zak Stevens (tracks: 13)

Tracklist:

01 Overture (2:56)
02 Midnight (2:10)
03 Fate (1:14)
04 What Good This Deafness (1:46)
05 Mephistopheles (3:43)
06 What Is Eternal (4:39)
07 The Moment (2:47)
08 Vienna (3:32)
09 Mozart / Figaro (3:18)
10 The Dreams Of Candlelight (4:05)
11 Requiem (The Fifth) (2:58)
12 I'll Keep Your Secrets (4:15)
13 The Dark (4:23)
14 Für Elise (0:41)
15 After The Fall (4:34)
16 A Last Illusion (5:26)
17 This Is Who You Are (3:58)
18 Beethoven (2:56)
19 Mephistopheles' Return (4:25)
20 Misery (2:44)
21 Who Is This Child (4:33)
22 A Final Dream (1:56)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78363386/tso-_last_night_192_kbs.rar.html

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's first two recordings, a pair of late-'90s Christmas albums, hinted that some day TSO might evolve into a latter-day ELO or even an ELP. Instead, this overwrought concept album shares more common ground with ALW (Andrew Lloyd Webber) or Meat Loaf. TSO, in fact, aims to retrace a path once traveled by producer Jim Steinman, the mastermind behind the theatrical, over-the-top rock opuses that briefly transformed Mr. Loaf and Bonnie Tyler ("Total Eclipse of the Heart") into mass-audience favorites. TSO ringmaster Paul O'Neill (once a guitarist in Broadway productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair) here ditches the holiday themes and instead scores a simple-minded fairy tale (whose text spans a 32-page CD booklet) that involves Beethoven's soul, the devil, and an imaginary Symphony No. 10. Too often, the music is the servant of the project's thin plot, and the rock-classical instrumental bravura that initially attracted public attention to TSO (at times, the group sounds like a symphonic Boston) is obscured by overheated vocal rantings. Meanwhile, the guitar-driven rendering of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony ("Requiem") is mundane. Yet, one vocal track, "After the Fall" with singer Patti Russo, jumps off the record as a Tyler-esque knockout, raging with emotion and melodic luster. It doesn't save the album, but it helps. --Terry Wood

"To my great relief, TSO returns to form (and better) with Beethoven's Last Night. Their 1998 release, The Christmas Attic, was enjoyable but a let-down: it seemed like a rehash of their first album instead of a new idea.But Beethoven's Last Night is something else altogether. Across 22 tracks (73 minutes of music), TSO unfolds the harrowing story of Beethoven's last night on earth, including remembrances of his love and life, deals with the devil, and the saving grace of Fate. Like most of O'Neil's writing for TSO and Savatage, it's a tear-jerker and bound to leave you with a smile on your face.
The songwriting is volcanic, bombastic but widely varied; the pounding heavy metal that introduces Requiem (The Fifth) is interrupted by a ghostly children's choir, creating a goosebump-inducing shock. I got chills up my spine at least five times during the course of the album. The musical asides - little bits of the Moonlight Sonata and countless others by Beethoven and Mozart, polyharmonic choral sections, a children's choir (only very briefly, don't worry) -- make for a rich, multilayered repeat listen.
The vocal performances are stunning in their perfection. Beethoven sings like an operatic baritone, Theresa veers between rock siren and delicate soprano, Mephistopheles sneers and rasps, Twist (Fate's deformed son) mocks and leers, and in the end Fate sings us to sleep with a simple, beautiful lullaby.
Paul O'Neil's songwriting can be uneven -- you wince a bit when he rhymes "dismembered/remembered" and "minute/in it," and intros a song with an 80's-power-ballad drum fill -- but he hits much more often than he misses, and the music and vocals are good enough to gloss over the rough patches.
Who is the market for this album? A heavy metal fan with a weakness for musical theater. A classical music fan who likes Andrew Lloyd Weber and can stand an electric guitar or two. Someone who isn't put off by serious emotion and high drama. And someone with a good attention span -- the album demands to be listened to all the way through reading along in the (20+ page)liner notes, at least once. Think of it as the soundtrack to the best Broadway musical/rock opera that never was. If you like the genre, you'll love this."

"If you don't end up crying by the end of this album, you have no heart! This CD is simply amazing! I love rock operas and concept albums, whether they be done by Savatage (who are pretty much the same guys that are in Trans-Siberian Orchestra but with one (and sometimes two) singers) Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Queensryche, Iced Earth, or the many other bands who have caught on to the idea. This has got to be The Rock Opera of all rock operas! I don't really feel like taking the time to tell you all what it's about, so I'll just say that it's about Beethoven's Last Night! The band intigrates a lot of Beethoven's music into the album wonderfully, though most of the music is original. Paul O'Neill is an extremely gifted lyricist and his lyrics shine on this album. This album is extremely moving and intelligent (which most music today lacks). There are very slow, emotional songs and some more upbeat ones, but this is a pretty steady album and really needs to be listened to from start to finish without interuptions. Highlights are: Mephistopheles, What Is Eternal, The Moment, The Dreams of Candlelight, Requiem (the Fifth), I'll Keep Your Secrets (my personal favorite on the album), Who Is This Child, and A Final Dream. This album is loaded with emotion, intelligence, and extreme talent. If you're into rock operas, progressive rock, or just thought-provoking music in general, I highly recommend this!"



































THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE (2004)

Credits:
Bass - David Z. , Jeff Allegue , Johnny Lee Middleton /Co-producer - Robert Kinkel /Drums - Jeff Plate , John O. Reilly , Takanori Niida /Engineer - Dave Wittman /Guitar - Alex Skolnick , Angus Clark , Chris Caffery , Tristan Avakian/ Guitar [Rythm] - Paul O'Neill /Guitar, Keyboards - Al Pitrelli /Horns - John Clark / Keyboards - Carmine Giglio , Mee Eun Kim /Piano - Jane Mangini /Piano, Keyboards - Jon Oliva , Robert Kinkel /Producer - Paul O'Neill /Whistle - Amy Helm

Tracklist:

01 Faith Noel (4:32)
02 The Lost Christmas Eve (5:33)
03 Christmas Dreams (3:54)
04 Wizards In Winter (3:05)
05 Remember (3:25)
06 Anno Domine (2:13)
07 Christmas Concerto (0:42)
08 Queen Of The Winter Night (3:11)
09 Christmas Nights In Blue (4:18)
10 Christmas Jazz (2:16)
11 Christmas Jam (3:47)
12 Siberian Sleigh Ride (3:08)
13 What Is Christmas? (2:51)
14 For The Sake Of Our Brother (3:09)
15 The Wisdom Of Snow (2:01)
16 Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness) (3:42)
17 Back To A Reason (Part II) (4:52)
18 Christmas Bells, Carousels & Time (1:04)
19 What Child Is This? (5:57)
20 O' Come All Ye Faithful (1:26)
21 Christmas Canon Rock (5:02)
22 Different Wings (2:44)
23 Midnight Clear (1:38)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78361991/tso_-_eve_part_1.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/78366051/tso-_eve_part_2.rar.html

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary for the season, The Lost Christmas Eve is for you. This final entry in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rock opera trilogy is perhaps their most ambitious and complex in the series. Like its predecessors, The Lost Christmas Eve tells the story of heaven's youngest angel called back to earth to continue Jesus' unfinished work. This time he lands in New York City to help redeem not only Christmas, but the soul of humankind itself with a story line that rivals anything Frank Capra ever dreamt up for the big screen. Conceived and composed by Aerosmith and Savatage producer Paul O'Neill, most of the song were penned O'Neill, Robert Kinkle, and Savatage founder and keyboardist Jon Oliva, and features the rest of the seminal Florida metal band on the record. While not as bombastic as Savatage's fourteen rock epics which touch on topics as diverse as the Russian Revolution, the 15th century explorer Ferdinand Magellan's descendants, and Beethoven's last night, the record still has a grandiose, almost over-arching baroque feel, with its prog-rock organ swells and electronic alchemy. The best moments are during the soaring instrumentals, on tracks like the "Wisdom of Snow," "Wish Litz," "Christmas Bells, Carousels & Time," and the majestic rendering of "O Come All Ye Faithful." --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is back with third and final volume of their Christmas trilogy, The Lost Christmas. The long awaited follow up to the double platinum "The Christmas Attic," features their trademark symphonic rock," which fuses elements of hard rock, Broadway, R&B, and classical music into a unique and distinctive blend of original compositions, symphony excerpts and holiday standards.

"Humbug. Even before Halloween treats can be digested the endless Christmas tunes come calling. Thanksgiving feasts give way to carols and jingles and sing-a-longs that saturate the airwaves and muzak systems from sea to shining sea. Each Holiday Season becomes so musically maniacal that I tell myself if I hear one more rendition of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" I am absolutely going to go Scroogal.
Thankfully, I learned about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The brainchild of gifted musicians/composers Paul O'Neill and Robert Kinkel, TSO takes traditional Christmas music and transforms it into clean, enthusiastic, hard-driving rock 'n roll guaranteed to make the listener strum his or her air guitar. TSO's latest installment, THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE, contains some first-class tracks that make Alvin & The Chipmunks a delightful distant memory.
Granted, some of the 23 tracks on this CD fall short of the mark: either the singing is lacking or the lyrics too sappy--or both. But the brilliant stuff overshadows the shallow cuts--hard-driving tracks like "Faith Noel" and "Christmas Jam" are worth this CD's purchase price alone. The best cut, by far: "Christmas Canon Rock," a haunting, stunning, incredibly impressive menagerie of beautiful harmony and lead guitar wizardry. In fact, lead guitarist Al Pitrelli can come jam at my house anytime.
THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE is must-listen music for those tired of the typical Holiday grind. Even Santa himself would enjoy this band--and he's got the long hair and beard to fit right in."--D. Mikels

"Good news for all TSO fans-- the finale to their Christmas trilogy easily lives up to the previous two albums, and actually surpasses "The Christmas Attic" in many ways.
It starts in typical TSO style, with a hard-edged guitar rendition of "The First Noel/O Come All Ye Faithful." You'll be in familiar territory as soon as the track gets going, with its descending piano runs backed by power-chords, much like the first instrumental tracks on the previous two albums. Speaking of instrumental tracks, the ones on this album may well be the best of the trilogy. It just feels like the guitarists were allowed to let loose and have more fun with the playing, rather than being told to play strictly by the notes. This ramps up the energy level considerably. From a purely technical standpoint, the muscianship on the instrumental tracks such as "Wizards In Winter" and "Wish Liszt" is simply astounding. It's obvious these people were classically trained, and yet they clearly know how to rock too (I never thought I'd feel the urge to mosh to music by Franz Liszt, but the rendition of Hungarian Rhapsody featured here convinced me otherwise!)
Like all TSO albums, there is a broad range of styles present. Songs like "The Lost Christmas Eve" and "What Is Christmas" are Broadway-esque (no, that's NOT an insult.) Then, songs like "Christmas Nights in Blue" and "Christmas Jazz" have a jazzy flavor. "Remember" and "Anno Dominae" are choral pieces. Most bands would find it impossible to pull off such variety with any conviction, but a simple look at the album credits will make it obvious that TSO is nothing like most bands-- they have four guitarists, four keyboardists, four bassists, three drummers, multiple vocalists (men and women), choirs, and an orchestra. So, they have people who truly know and understand each genre of music that they play. And a ton of credit must go to composer/producer Paul O'Niell, who wrote and cowrote all of the tracks.
"What Child Is This" is perhaps the most unusual arrangement of this song I've ever heard (backed by a driving beat), but it's uplifting (similar in some respects to "This Christmas Day" from the first album), and a fitting conclusion to the main storyline of the album.
Another song that deserves mention is "Back To A Reason." Savatage fans will recognize this one, as it was the closing ballad/rocker on "Poets and Madmen." Here, it gets the TSO treatment, and the middle section has been reworked entirely, so it never quite reaches the "rocker" category. I have to say, I preferred the original rendition. I know original singer Jon Olivia may not be as pitch perfect as the Broadway singer featured here, but he brought a certain honesty to it that's lacking in this version. Still, it's a great song, and it's fun to hear how they rewrote it to fit the tone of this album.
There is one downside to the album. Near the beginning, it goes into a bit of a slump with a few skippable songs all placed close together. "Remember" is sung by a children's choir, and while it's pleasant enough, it doesn't hold a candle to "Promises To Keep" (the children's choir piece featured on the first Christmas album.) "Anno Dominae" is the adult choir song, and I could take it or leave it. Again, it's not bad, but it doesn't add much. "Christmas Concerto" is short and rather pointless (picture a sidewalk brass ensemble, and you know what to expect.) Still, it's only about a minute long, which is a good thing. "Christmas Jazz" is okay as an acoustic jazz piece, but I don't really care for that style of music, so it wasn't my thing. You may like it if you like jazz.
So, with all these less-than-perfect tracks, why five stars? Because there's a total of 75 minutes of music (23 songs), and even if you strip out all of the tracks I just mentioned, you still have more great music than many other bands release on a single album. I can't penalize TSO for adding material. And, as I said, the songs I listed are not BAD songs, they're just not quite up to par with what I'd expect.
If you enjoyed the previous two albums, I see no reason at all why you won't enjoy this one. I think "Christmas Eve And Other Stories" holds a special place in the hearts of most fans, and it's unlikely that many people will allow themselves to see ANY album as superior to that one, so I'll say you can at least expect this one to come very close to it, and you can expect it to surpass "The Christmas Attic." If you're new to TSO, and haven't built up any emotional attachment to their first Christmas album, you may even find that this is the best album in the series."



Biography:
The band's musical style is often described in different terms, incorporating progressive rock, symphonic metal, and heavy metal, with influences from classical music. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is well known for its renditions of traditional Christmas songs.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was founded in 1996 in New York City by composers Paul O'Neill and Robert Kinkel, and Savatage lead singer Jon Oliva. The group's name is inspired by the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia which Kinkel says connects many cultures otherwise isolated, much like music.O'Neill had managed and produced rock bands including Aerosmith, Humble Pie, and Scorpions, later writing for and producing Savatage, where he began working with Kinkel and Oliva. The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people.In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir. As of 2004, their touring band included fourteen vocalists, fourteen musicians, and two narrators.Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first (and to date only) non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night, a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Fate, her son Twist, and Mephistopheles.After several years of touring, they returned to the studio and subsequently released another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
TSO in concert, December 8, 2006.The band is, as of early 2005, working on a new non-Christmas album, Night Castle. It is projected to be released sometime in 2008 and is expected to feature the band's rendition of "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, performed as a preview by the band during their 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 tours.Their 2005 tour placed twenty-first on the list of the most successful concert tours of the year, earning just over US$21 million. [1]. The string section comprises local musicians. Live shows are known for their extensive use of pyrotechnics, lasers & lights synchronized with the performance, all of which takes 15 hours to set up. [2].Shows are divided into two halves: the first consisting of the story and songs of Christmas Eve and Other Stories, the second a mix of songs from The Christmas Attic, Beethoven's Last Night, The Lost Christmas Eve, and a couple of miscellaneous covers (including Layla, Immigrant Song, and Proud Mary), finishing with a reprise of Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Siberian_Orchestra)


ALBUMS
1996 Christmas Eve and Other Stories #89 2x platinum
1998 The Christmas Attic #103 Platinum
2000 Beethoven's Last Night #165 Gold
2004 The Lost Christmas Eve #26 Platinum
2008 Night Castle

More info:
http://www.trans-siberian.com/

http://www.myspace.com/tsoofficial

http://www.livedaily.com/news/10925.html

http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2003/tso-1203.html

http://www.metal-metropolis.com/tso.htm

http://www.jonoliva.net/

http://www.jonoliva.com/

posted by saltyka at 8:55 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

THE UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND - Disco Christmas (12") (1977)

























Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Disco
Members:
Greg Carmichael, Leroy Burgess, Norman Durham, Patrick Adams, Woody Cunningham

Credits:
Artwork By [Cover Design & Art Work] - Syndee Yarmoff
Engineer - Pat Jaques , Phil Prevete
Producer - Ed Fox , Greg Carmichael , Ronnie D'Addario
Written-By - Ed Fox , Ronnie D'Addario

Tracklist:

01 Disco Christmas (6:25)
02 Disco Christmas (Instrumental) (3:00)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78597785/universal_robot_192_kbs.rar.html

"Most Christmas disco records seem to be rehashes of old songs and Christmas Carols, such as the Salsoul Orchestra's Christmas Jollies. However, the Universal Robot Band's one Christmas record was an original piece of music.
The song features a chorus "Disco Christmas, we're gonna hustle 'round the tree...", and the verses feature a spoken dialogue between Santa and Rudolph.
The conversation between them becomes bitter when Santa implies Rudolph is ugly.Santa: "Hey, do you still think I'm a jive turkey?"Rudolph: "No, but you're fat like a turkey, and I'll be damned if you can fit down that chimney!"
By the end of the record, Santa fires Rudolph."
(http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/3598_0_2_0_C/)

Some about them:
The Greg Carmichael-Patrick Adams-Leroy Burgess connection produced many magical recordings, including those by Carmichael's infrequently recorded Universal Robot Band. "Barely Breakin' Even" is a legendary boogie track and the inspiration behind the name of the great British reissue label. Consisted of the members of Kleeer - Woody Cunningham (vocals/drums), Richard Lee (vocals/guitar), Paul Crutchfield (vocals/percussion) and Norman Durham (vocals/bass/keyboards) - when they accepted an offer to effectively become the studio group in 1976 whilst they transformed themselves from rock band Pipeline. They toured and recorded as the Universal Robot Band for two years before deciding to set out on their own again, as Kleeer.

I will upload next year more from this group with info/bio.

posted by saltyka at 10:19 PM 0 comments

MECO - CHRISTMAS IN THE STARS: STAR WARS CHRISTMAS ALBUM (1980)











































Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop, Disco

Real Name:
Dominick J. Monardo

Credits:
Arranged By - Harold Wheeler , Meco Monardo
Backing Vocals - Annette Saunders , Arlene Martell , Bill Marine , Fred Stark , Janet Burnham , Lennie Roberts , Marlene VerPlanck , Phil McAlpine , Rod McBrien , Ron Marshall And The Bridgewater Raritan High School West
Advanced Choir Bass - Jay Leonhart /Cello - Avron Coleman , Homer Mensch , Jesse Levy , John Beal , Seymour Barab /Drums - Alan Schwartzberg* , Jimmy Young
Engineer - Clay Hutchinson , Jason Corsaro , Piers Plaskett , Scott Litt /French Horn - Jim Buffington , John Clark , Peter Gordon /Guitar - Don Arnone /Harp - Margaret Ross /Keyboards - Derek Smith , Harold Wheeler , Pat Rebillot/
Lead Vocals - C-3PO , John Bongiovi* , Maury Yeston , Rod McBrien
Mastered By - Greg Calbi/ Mixed By - Scott Litt /Other [Sound Effects] - Ben Burtt /Percussion - Dave Carey , George Devins , Maury Yeston , Tony Bingo
Producer - Meco Monardo /Producer, Arranged By, Guitar - Lance Quinn/ Producer, Mixed By - Tony Bongiovi
Reeds - Al Regni , Anne Sheedy , Eddie Daniels , George Marge , John Campo , Phil Bodner , Romeo Penque Trombone - Dave Taylor* , Paul Faulise , Tony Studd , Wayne Andre/ Trumpet - Bob Millikin , Danny Cahn , John Gatchell /Viola - Harold Coletta , Harry Zaratzian , Olivia Koppell , Richard Maximoff /Violin - Aaron Rosand , Gerald Tarack , Guy Lumia , Harry Cykman , Joseph Malignaggi , Lewis Eley , Marvin Morgenstern , Matthew Raimondi , Paul Gershman , Sanford Allen , Tony Posk /
Vocals (track 05) - Arthur Boller , Donald Oriolo, Jr.* , Dori Greenberg , Ivy Alexenburg , Jake Yeston , Jessica Taylor , Marney Alexenburg , Ricky Haayen , Roddy McBrien , Russell Poses , Scot Randell , Stacy Greenberg

Tracklist:

01 Christmas In The Stars (3:19)
02 Bells, Bells, Bells (3:13)
03 The Odds Against Christmas (3:03)
04 What Can You Get A Wookiee For Christmas (When He Already Owns A Comb?) (3:23)
05 R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas (3:14)
06 Sleigh Ride (3:36)
07 Merry, Merry Christmas (2:38)
08 A Christmas Sighting ('Twas The Night Before Christmas) (4:07)
09 The Meaning Of Christmas

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78212794/meco.rar.html

This is just one album from the "Galactic Funker"'s discography,later i will upload more with info and bio.(salty)

Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album was an album produced originally in 1980 by the former RSO records. The album featured Star Wars themed Christmas songs, with members of the original cast of the first released Star Wars film, A New Hope.The album was produced by Meco Monardo ("Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band"), with Anthony Daniels voicing C-3PO and Ben Burtt providing the sounds for R2-D2 and Chewbacca. Christmas in the Stars was recorded in 1980, two years after The Star Wars Holiday Special aired. Though they share the same themes, they have no connection other than the fact that they were both marketed in conjunction with the holiday season.

"What do droids, Chewbacca, legendary disco producer Meco and rocker Jon Bon Jovi have in common? They all celebrate the holidays on Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album. With memorable tunes such as "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)" and C-3PO's retelling ofa sci-fi infused "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," the album is a quirky addition to any holiday music collection. In fact, the record was so sought after by collectors, that in 1996 Rhino records and Lucasfilm, Ltd. decided to re-release Christmas in the Stars for eager fans.
The album's story takes place in a droid factory where robots trudge away at building toys year round for S. Claus. However they don't understand the meaning of Christmas until C-3PO and R2-D2 show them how to appreciate the holiday spirit. Even Artoo adds to the season festivities by learning how to whistle the catchy Christmas ditty, "Sleigh Ride." Later we learn who gets what from their wish list: a scarf for Luke Skywalker, perfume for Princess Leia and earmuffs for Han Solo. Recorded in 1980, many of the album's songs were written by Maury Yeston, a Yale University music professor and composer. Producer Meco Monardo, who already topped the charts with his best-selling disco albumsStar Wars And Other Galactic Funk and Encounters of Every Kind, envisioned and supervised the unusual project. British actor Anthony Daniels lent his voice to reprise his role as C-3PO and Lucasfilm's sound artist Ben Burtt provided the sound effects of R2-D2 and Chewbacca. However, the most trivia-worthy album liner note is the debut of a then 18-year-old Jon Bon Jovi, who ends up singing with a high school choir on "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas." At the time the album was in production, Jon Bon Jovi , then known as John Bongiovi, swept floors and did odd jobs at the famous New York City recording studio Power Station, ran by Jon's cousin Tony Bongiovi. As Meco auditioned singers for Christmas in the Stars, Tony suggested Jon for one of the lead vocal parts, and the rest is caroling history. Soon after Jon's singing debut, he recorded his own demo at the Power Station which included a hit song called "Runaway." The single eventually lead to a deal with Mercury in 1983. Even though Christmas in the Stars did not lead to a series of additional Star Wars holiday-themed albums as Meco initially had planned, the album still remains a favorite among movie and music collectors alike."

"This album's story line takes place in a droid factory where the robots make toys year-round for S. Claus. But they don't quite know what to make of Christmas until the comedy duo of droids, C-3PO and R2-D2, helps explain it all. To call this album bad would be an understatement. I realize that this is a children's album, but I can't imagine that too many children would enjoy this insipid junk. The lyrics are especially awful. When I met Anthony Daniels, he called this album "pure crap". Take it from C-3PO himself, folks."

"When I was a kid, I was majorly into Star Wars, but this little gem slipped thru my fingers. It wasn't until I was around 12 or so, and was in the car with my mom that the radio played "Sleigh Ride" off of this album, and I LOVED IT! I wanted more!
It took some major digging, but I managed to find a copy of it, and have been listening to it, several times, at Christmas every year. As I'm particularly fond of R2-D2, I especially loved "R2-D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and "Sleigh Ride", the first track I heard off here, but the others also found their own niche in my heart.
If you're sick of the same old boring Christmas songs over, and over, and over . . . get this album, and enjoy something different! If you're a lifelong Star Wars fan, like me, enjoy the album, but stop taking everything so seriously! It's meant to be fun! I find it fun! Just let yourself be a kid again!"

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_the_Stars

posted by saltyka at 9:22 PM 0 comments

Various - MERRY MIXMAS (2005)












































Genre:
Electronic, Jazz
Style:
Big Band, Downtempo, Future Jazz

Notes:
All arrangers, conductors, orchestras, producers and vocals are part of the original recordings. All remixers are new artists, as are the additional or backing vocals or instruments.

Tracklist:

01 Bing Crosby - Winter Wonderland (Bent Remix)
02 Nat King Cole Trio, The - All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) (MJ Cole Remix)
03 Dean Martin - Baby, It's Cold Outside (ARP Remix)
04 Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride (The Latin Project Remix)
05 Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (Alexkid & DJ Seep Remix
06 Lou Rawls - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (awayTeam Remix)
07 Lena Horne - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Suedojazz Mix)
08 Billy May - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Raindeer Mambo (Malibu Remix)
09 Kay Starr - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag (Thunderball Mix)
10 Les Brown And His Band Of Renown - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Psapp's Lady Remix)
11 Johnny Mercer - With Pied Pipers, The Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) 12 Nancy Wilson - The Christmas Waltz (awayTeam Remix)
13 Julie London - I'd Like You For Christmas (Ursula 1000 Remix)
14 June Christy - The Merriest (Thunderball Mix)
15 Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Markus Enochson Remix)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78599552/merry2005.rar.html

"I'm one who really likes this kind of funky, ultra-modern mixed up type of music. However, I've found that once you own one or two discs, all the rest of it sounds the same. I took a chance on this one based on reviews I read here, and I was not disappointed. It is GREAT. A total jam from beginning to end. If this is your kind of music, THIS cd will make you very, very happy. The mixes are different- different beats, different voices, different artists. Try it, you'll love it!"

"I'm a huge fan of Christmas music and holiday music in general, and usually don't think they should be messed with, but Merry Mixmas is the exception. It was remixed in a very subtle way that still allows me to enjoy some of my favorite Xmas songs with a little extra flare. This one should be bought and listened to while decorating the tree."

"These are classic Christmas tunes delicately blended with some new grooves. They have that classic sound that made you fall in love with them in the first place but with an updated groove. If you have listened to other remixed Christmas CD's and found them over-mixed, then give this a listen.
A few songs that stand out are Dean Martin's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and Ella Fitzgerald's "Sleigh Ride". Both these artists wonderful voices really standout with the addition of a little bassline. Lena Horne's "Let It Snow!" and Nancy Wilson's "Christmas Waltz" put me squarely in the curved booth in the corner with a warm Hot Toddy.
There is also some fun stuff here. Billy May's "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo" gives Christmas a latin groove. "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" with Johnny Mercer is fun and upbeat as is Kay Starr's "The Man With The Bag".
Bing Crosby almost escapes unscathed here.
If you tire of the originals year after year but still think something would be missing without the classics, then pick this up.
The only reason I give this CD four stars out of five is that I do prefer my remixes a little more mixed. I love the Christmas Remixed CD's but I know a few people who think they remove too much from the originals. This CD really stays close to the originals while still adding some great grooves. Merry Mixmas preserves some true classics for a new generation."

posted by saltyka at 7:19 PM 0 comments

Various - ULTRA-LOUNGE - CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS


Genre:
Jazz
Style:
Easy Listening






























































PART 1. (1996)

Tracklist:

01 Billy May - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo (2:40)
02 Peggy Lee - Winter Wonderland (1:54)
03 Ray Anthony - Christmas Trumpet / We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas (4:28)
04 Lou Rawls - Christmas Is (3:15)
05 Jimmy McGriff - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town / White Christmas (6:48)
06 Julie London - I'd Like You For Christmas (2:37)
07 Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani - Holiday On Skis (2:32)
08 Kay Starr - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag (2:42)
09 Hollyridge Strings* - Jingle Bells / Jingle Bell Rock (5:15)
10 Dean Martin - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (2:44)
11 Eddie Dunstedter - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus / Jingle Bells Bossa Nova (4:44)
12 Ray Anthony - Christmas Kisses (1:58)
13 Jackie Gleason / Jack Marshall - I'll Be Home For Christmas / Baby, It's Cold Outside (4:19)
14 Nancy Wilson - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (2:25)
15 Capitol Studio Orchestra - Cha-Cha All The Way (2:22)
16 Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) (3:12)
17 Les Brown & His Band Of Renown* - The Nutcracker Suite (6:32)
18 Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians - Ring Those Christmas Bells (5:00)
19 Unknown Artist - Today I Buy You Violets (2:26)
20 Nat King Cole & Peggy Lee & Nancy Wilson - Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots (2:33)
21 Capitol Studio Orchestra - Jingle Bells From Capitol Records (1:21)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78207294/ulcmc1_192_kbs.rar.html

A perfect martini-and-mistletoe combo, Christmas Cocktails will gaily seduce you with its bevy of nostalgic and occasionally campy holiday fare. Vocal vixens Peggy Lee, Julie London (her "I'd Like You for Christmas" will melt the ice cubes in your fridge), Kay Starr, and Nancy Wilson join forces with perennial crooners such as Lou Rawls, Dean Martin, and the immortal Nat "King" Cole, along with a handful of instrumental big-band numbers and odd, at times cheese-ball-shaped jazz organ pieces from Jimmy McGriff and the flammable Eddie Dundstedter, among others. But the essential item that makes plunking down your pelts for this very chi-chi set is none other than Billy May's lovably kitschy workout called "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo." It's a scream. The package comes complete with its own cocktail minimanual and the recipes for Hot Toddys and Hot Tom and Jerrys. Garishly retro and naughtily nostalgic, this kind of slinky Christmas gift should probably be illegal in many prudish states. --Martin Keller

"This CD features Christmas music from the 50s and 60s that would have been considered to be "adult pop" at the time. That is to say, pop music for adults, instead of teenagers. There is some great music on this CD, and some not-so-great music, but it's all a lot of fun. The three bonus tracks are "I Brought You Violets" by the Continental; "Toys For Tots" by Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole and Nancy Wilson; and "Jingle Bells" by Billy May. I would recommend this CD to anyone who is interested in "adult pop" of the 50s and 60s."

"Christmas Cocktails, part one gives you twenty-one awesome tracks to make you feel toasty warm all over this holiday season! The quality of the sound is excellent and anyone who likes lounge music is bound to want this album. There are several highlights of this album. The first track is Billy May's "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo." This tune's Latin beat uses the brass, percussion and perfect timing to make a great arrangement. Peggy Lee's "Winter Wonderland" is another track I really like; her excellent diction bolsters her performance. Moreover, listen for Ray Anthony's medley of "Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas;" this one's wonderful, too.
The incomparable Julie London does a perfect job on "I'd Like You For Christmas;" her voice conveys all the romance a man could ever want from a woman. Of course, Kay Starr's excellent "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag" features Kay singing at her best; the big band style arrangement lacks nothing, either.
Dean Martin croons his way through "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm;" and Jackie Gleason and Jack Marshall give us a great medley of "I'll Be Home For Christmas/Baby, It's Cold Outside." Now THIS is mood music!
Nancy Wilson performs a charming, sensitive rendition of the classic "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?;" and the immortal Nat King Cole performs "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)."
There are three bonus tracks. I especially liked the one that features several different artists encouraging people to contribute to "Toys For Tots;" and Billy May's eclectic version of "Jingle Bells" is a cute way for Capitol Records to wish us all a Merry Christmas.
The liner notes feature an essay by R. J. Smith; and we get two drink recipes--including one of the famous Hot Toddy. The artwork is excellent.
In short, if you like lounge music--and especially pop Christmastime music from the 1950s and 1960s--you have got to get this album. It's worth every penny you'll spend on it."























































PART 2. (1997)

Tracklist:

01 Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani / Jimmy McGriff - Sleigh Ride / Jingle Bells (6:15)
02 Lena Horne - Jingle All The Way (2:36)
03 Lou Rawls - Merry Christmas, Baby (2:34)
04 Julie London - Warm December (1:57)
05 Eddie Dunstedter - Let It Snow! / Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (5:01)
06 June Christy - The Merriest (2:09)
07 The Nat King Cole Trio - All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) (2:32)
08 Nancy Wilson - The Christmas Waltz (2:40)
09 Les Brown /The Starlighters - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm / Jing-A-Ling (5:10)
10 Jimmy McGriff - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (6:39)
11 Dean Martin - Baby, It's Cold Outside (2:21)
12 George Shearing / Billy May - Snowfall / Snowfall Cha-Cha (4:27)
13 Wayne Newton - Jingle Bell Rock (2:12)
14 The Ventures - Frosty The Snowman (2:02)
15 Bob Atcher & The Dinning Sisters - Christmas Island (2:29)
16 Martin Denny - Exotic Night (2:18)
17 Peggy Lee - Happy Holiday (1:57)
18 Ferrante & Teicher / Les Baxter Sleigh - Ride / Santa Claus' Party (4:25)
19 Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians - Auld Lang Syne (2:09)
20 Stan Kenton - What Is A Santa Claus? (2:29)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78207466/ulcmc_2_192_kbs.rar.html

"I loved the first one so much, I bought the second and third. These CD's are the best holiday party mix I have ever found. They are a must have in your holiday collection!"

"I truly enjoyed listening to the second edition of Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails. The first part got me jumpin', but I couldn't get enough with the second. I have heard the original selections on various Capitol Records Christmas compilations, but to hear it in crystal clear digital remastered versions blew me away! I somewhat missed the cracks and jumps from the vinyl grooves, but it was refreshing to hear the clear sounds of Wayne Newton wail away with the track, "Jingle Bell Rock." Another track, "Warm December", as sung by Julie London, is perfect for slow dancing or a quiet moment in front of the fireplace.If you like nostalgia and have an itching for the music your parents used to cha cha to, you'll surely enjoy this record. I just couldn't get enough of old Dino and a host of other artists. Let the organ swing and sway and enjoy this yuletide romp."

"Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 2 is a grand CD that gives us quite a few wonderful holiday time numbers from greats including Lena Horne, Dean Martin, Julie London, Peggy Lee and more! This is one Christmastime CD you're going to love! Christmastime music has always been some of my very favorite music; and the tracks on CD will tell you why.
Listen for Lena Horne's "Jingle All The Way;" her jazzy interpretation of this classic number rocks as Lena swings brightly. Great percussion, too! Julie London croons her lovely "Warm December;" and Julie never sounded better. The brass on "Warm December" helps to bolster the natural beauty of this song. In addition, I especially liked The Nat King Cole Trio singing and swinging their version of "All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)." The trio does a splendid job on this Christmas novelty song.
Nancy Wilson sings "The Christmas Waltz" to perfection with a lush musical arrangement; and Dean Martin takes "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and makes it a tour de force all on his own! I love that female backup for Dean's vocals on "Baby, It's Cold Outside;" and the flutes sound great. Wayne Newton belts out a very special "Jingle Bell Rock" with some mighty fine percussion and The Ventures do "Frosty The Snowman" up right with an arrangement that smacks of early rock and roll.
We also get Guy Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" as one of the bonus tracks. Great!
The liner notes have a fine essay by R. J. Smith; and the artwork impresses me greatly.
Overall, if you want some swingin' lounge music for your Christmas party--whether there be cocktails served or not--you truly can't afford to go without this fine CD. It's chock full of great performances and I predict you'll be listening to it over and over again."



PART 3.

Tracklist:

01 Carmen McRae - Baby It's Cold Outside
02 Bing Crosby - Frosty The Snowman
03 Lena Horne - Santa Clause Is Comin' To Town
04 Johnny Mercer - Jingle Bells
05 Wayne Newton - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
06 Nancy Wilson - That's What I Want For Christmas
07 Dean Martin - Winter Wonderland
08 Billy May - Do You Believe In Santa Claus?
09 Peggy Lee - White Christmas
10 Al Martino - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
11 Ray Anthony - A Marshmallow World
12 Lou Rawls - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
13 Julie London - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
14 Nat King Cole - Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas To You)
15 June Christy - Sorry To See You Go

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78213513/ulcmc_3_192_kbs.rar.html

"Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, part three continues the hits that made the first two volumes a huge success. Unfortunately, however, this last segment of the three part CD series seems to have been done hastily--and on the cheap. Just as other reviewers note, there are practically no liner notes and there are fifteen tracks instead of twenty or more.
Some highlights of this CD immediately come to mind; it's not without its good points. I especially enjoyed "Baby It's Cold Outside" by the incomparable Carmen McRae and Sammy Davis, Jr. Bing Crosby's "Frosty The Snowman" is also very well done. Bing never sounded better! Moreover, listen for Wayne Newtown's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Wayne's excellent diction bolsters his fine performance. The strings and brass make "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" a really good number.
Peggy Lee's "White Christmas" is really very good; and the slight echo of her voice on this track is a great special effect. Love it! Lou Rawls's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" features Lou's vocals squarely in the spotlight; and the musical accompaniment adds an extra jazzy touch so that Lou can put his own stamp on this classic holiday number.
Julie London's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" is romantic and Julie conveys all the romantic nuances that any man would love; and the CD ends strong with June Christy singing "Sorry To See You Go." Love that brass on "Sorry To See You Go" as June sings this out with panache.
As I mentioned before, the "liner notes" are a real letdown after the great booklets we get with the first two volumes in this series. Other reviews also note--quite correctly--that this third CD in the three part series has much more material that can easily be found elsewhere on other CDs. Sigh. Gotta take off a star for that!
Overall, the quality of the songs is still pretty good but there's less material and what we do get features some rehashed material instead of more numbers lovingly picked from the vaults. If you like lounge music and you don't have too many of these holiday time classics then you should get this CD. People who are diehard fans of Christmastime music will already have a lot of this material and these people should look elsewhere if they want to buy an extra CD of Christmas music."

"Virtually every song on this CD appears on other CD's. The order of the tracks is poor, transitions too much, to make it a good party background cd. The only worthwhile thing about the cd is that it's all from the same wide genre, lounge. So, if you don't have any christmas cd's, and you like lounge, this is the cd for you."
"Love this kind of music - can't get enough - have most all of the CDs. Excellent New Jersey-based company with excellent foresight and retro-understanding for the best party and jazz combos. Excellent choice for any kind of day or evening, party or relaxation time."

"This CD originally came out only as part of a set with Christmas Cocktails Parts 1 and 2. Some people must have complained that they didn't want to have to buy Parts 1 and 2 all over again just to get Part 3, because a year later Part 3 was released on it's own. It is somewhat disappointing, for a few reasons. While the first two CDs were both over an hour long, this one is under 40 minutes. And this CD has no liner notes to speak of, not even listing when the songs were recorded and other important information. Like, who is the girl singing "A Marshmallow World" by bandleader Ray Anthony? I personally recognized Thurl Ravenscroft as the singer of Billy May's "Do You Believe in Santa Claus?", but most people wouldn't. But forgetting all of that, most of the music on this CD is quite enjoyable. If you enjoy traditional pop music, you'll probably like this CD."

posted by saltyka at 9:06 AM 4 comments

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

posted by saltyka at 4:27 AM 0 comments

Sunday, December 16, 2007

THE FOUNTAINHEAD


"They are everything Duran Duran could have been if Mssrs.Taylor et.al. had not been so worried about their clothes and make up"


Country:
Ireland
Genre:
Electronic, Pop, Rock
Style:
Pop Rock, Synth-pop

Members:
Pat O'Donnell (Synth,Guitar,Vocal, Organ) , Steve Belton (Guitar,Vocal)

VIDEO
?????







RHYTHM METHOD 12" (1984)

Tracklist:

01 Rhythm Method
02 Movin On In

BURNING TOUCH (1986)
Credits:
Graham Broad - Drums, Percussions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Broad)
Brian Tench (producer of BeeGees,OMD,Bow Wow Wow ,Midge Ure etc.) - Producer/Engineer


Tracklist:

01 Rhythm Method
02 Seeing Is Believing
03 Feel It Now
04 When the Lifeline Ends
05 Sometimes
06 Open Up
07 So Good Now (With You)
08 Far Away
09 Take My Life

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75477955/1986_the_burning_touch.rar.html

Its a good new wave album ,lot of rock with some synth elements. Some songs are Simple Minds influenced

(for example track 02 and 09), some other are closer to The Cult (to my mind) . One of my friends told me all of this rather U 2 influenced. I like it and have to tell after more than 20 years is still very enjoyable!

Anyway "Rhythm Method" was a big hit from it.


























VOICE OF REASON (1988)

Credits:
Composed By, Written-By - Pat O'Donnell , Steve Belton/ Drums, Percussion - Pete Van Hook /Other [Management] - Kieran Owens /Other [Sleeve Design] - Mark Millington/ Photography - Alastair Thain/ Producer - Paul Hardiman (produced also Chris de Burgh,The The,Lloyd Cole & The Commotions,,Thomas Leer etc.)

Notes:
This album is dedicated to Joan Veronica Belton.

Tracklist:

01 Someone Like You
02 Angel
03 Still Dreaming
04 Price You've Got to Pay
05 This Generation
06 Future Days
07 Driving in My Car
08 Nowhere Train
09 Step by Step
10 Rain Came Down
11 So Good Now With You (Live In L.A)
12 Sometimes (Live In L.A)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75584917/voice_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/76347303/voice_b.rar.html


If i wrote to the first album its very good,then i have to write now the second is much more good!
You can't imagine (or you can ,if you know it ) "Someone Like You" is what a fantastic song!!:)
And this is just the first song,the following tracks as "Angel", "Still Dreaming" etc. are also fantastic !


Biography/More info:
The Fountainhead were formed in 1984 by Pat O'Donnell & Steve Belton, a new wave/techno-rock duo who had been gigging together for a few years. They self-released their self-titled debut EP in 1984. They followed with a number of E.P.s and singles and the albums "Burning Touch" in 1986 and "Voice of Reason" in 1988.

The Fountainhead works on the opposite principle. The band is really the duo of Pat O'Donnell and Steve Belton and never has been confused with the Celtic, pipe-playing groups of their ancestors. Fountainhead records are studio creations, and unlike most of their peers, the duo rarely plays live. (In fact, their first public show was the enormous 1986 all-Irish benefit, Self-Aid.) The music isn't cold or static or regionally categorized. Their current record, Voice of Reason, is as guitar-oriented as anything coming from Georgia these days. (http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=926&Key=&Year=1989&Cat=)

Pat O'Donnell & Steve Belton began working together as a duo in the early1980s. They were associated with the Projects Arts Theatre and their work wasin the experimental electronic vein. They recorded soundtracks for the works ofperformance artist Nigel Rolfe among many other activities, including working asan engineering & production duo (e.g. the B-side of the Virgin Prunes "NewForm Of Beauty" 12inch). But they also developed a more 'rock' side to theiractivities, performing live as a new wave/techno-rock duo, gigging extensively during1982-84. Bill Graham described them in 1983 as sounding like a cross betweenKraftwerk and The Shadows. In 1984 they changed their name from Belton &O'Donnell to The Fountainhead and self-released their debut EP.They were signed by China Records and developed a poppier, dance music style.This poppy side of their sound dominates most of their records, especially onthe second album. There are many recordings pre-dating the Fountainhead material(and some early Fountainhead demos too) which show their original new wave synthrock approach (e.g. Ultravox, Bill Nelson's Red Noise, etc), but these have notbeen released, the guitar-heavy track "Defender" among them.
Steve Belton had earlier been in Square Meal.Belton & O'Donnell currently work as a production duo.(http://irishrock.org/ipnw/f.html#fountainhead)

Leslie Dowdall's second album released in 1998,called 'Out There' was produced by ex-Fountain Head, Pat O'Donnell, who had also produced Kieran Goss's much acclaimed album "Worse than Pride".Other musicians appearing on the album include Steve Belton. (http://www.mikehanrahan.com/miles.htm)

Steve Belton's recent band is Chiara Browne
(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=81879377)

Albums
The Burning Touch (LP, 1986)
Live At The Whiskey 12" (3 tracks only) (1987)
Voice Of Reason (LP, 1988)
Someone Like You (Single, 1988)

(some sources (as Allmusic) told they have one more album called "Drain" from 1993,but it is not true. "Drain" released by the american Fountainhead )

It's two articles from 1986 and 1987,click on to enlarge:






































More info:
www.myspace.com/fountainheadthe

posted by saltyka at 9:15 AM 6 comments

Saturday, December 15, 2007

CAVA CAVA - The Collection

Country:
UK
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop

Members:
Richard Hixson - Guitar
Steven Parris - Vocals
Jonathan Hallett - Bass, Keyboards (-83)
Derek Ritchie - Drums (-83)
Michael Seeman - Drums (83-)
Paul Darbill - Bass (83-)

VIDEO
"Where's Romeo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQJdsbY4-yI


Tracklist:

01 Where's Romeo
02 Pink Shower
03 Back To The Zoo Of Tears
04 Lipstick Man
05 Burning Boy
06 Brother Brihgt
07 Stranded
08 Country Boy
09 Love Storm
10 The Clown
11 See Saw & sway
12 Burning Boy (extended mix)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/76348187/cava_cava_256_kbs.rar.html

Notes:
It contains their whole album (tracks 1-9) and three bonus songs.
If you don't know this group ,you will be surprised as you heard at first the voice of the singer:) (My girlfriend can't bear it!) .He has really "unusual" voice something like Clare Grogan's voice was in Altered Images. Anyway the first song "Where's Romeo " is really Altered Images - "I Could Be Happy" influenced and its cool listening them together :)
Another favourite is "Stranded" where i explored a synth sounding in some parts that is very similar to a synth sound in some songs of Men Without Hats. (I don't know why,but after this song i always have to listen OMD and/or A Flock Of Seagulls)
My third favourite tarck is "Country Boy" ,a slow song where some girls singing ("floating") behind/around Steven.To me, three songs ("Astroboy","I Love You (Miss Robot)" and "Island") from The Buggles match this song. What do you think?
There are some more good songs as "Pink Shower", "Back To The Zoo Of Tears",and "Brother Bright",so give it to a try!:)
Their only album produced by Tim Friese-Greene from Talk Talk
Album
CaVa CaVa[1983] or [1984]?

Singles:
Where's Romeo c/w See Saw And Sway [1982]
Brother Bright [1983]

Biography:
?????

Im sorry i dont have more bio and info about this very obscure group except what you can see here:(

I found only these:

"However, only those with the most detailed interest in the minutiae of synthesised 1980s pop will recall the Wareham-based band Ca Va Ca Va, who were honoured by having the lyrics for their 1982 single Where's Romeo? duplicated in the pages of Smash Hits.

The band - Steven Parris (vocals), Richard Hixson (guitar), Jonathan Hallett (bass, keyboards) and Derek Ritchie (drums) - went on to release a follow up, Brother Bright, in 1983 before fading into obscurity."
(http://archive.thisisdorset.net/2006/2/4/113932.html)

"They had 3 singles on Regard Records (London) in '82-'83. The debut single "Where's Romeo" was incredibly catchy synth-pop that should have been a big hit. Singer had an unusual voice. The band which became a hot topic in BBS. They are quartet from Bonemath (?) debuted on Regards Records which Hayze Fantayzee and Won The Jugler (?) also were on. "Cava Cava" is supposed to mean "Hi, how are you?" in French. Steven said "I thought this name is it as double names were popular like Duran Duran and Talk Talk. Their looks are idol-like that reminds Kajagoogoo and G. I. Orange."

More info:

If you have any more info,pics,material,article ,send me please!

posted by saltyka at 9:55 AM 17 comments

Friday, December 14, 2007

THE EARLY YEARS OF MADONNA - GIVE IT TO ME (1991)


Genre:
Electronic, Rock
Style:
New Wave, Synth-pop

Credits:
Producer - Otto Von Wernherr , Steve Bentzel

VIDEO
"We Are The Gods"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sohv1VDRio4






































































Notes:
Ive done this compilation from two CD released by Receiver Records. One called "Madonna : The Early Years"
the other called "Early Years-Madonna-Give It To Me". Ive uploaded the covers for both CD. Anyway you can find on the net lot of other "Madonna The Early Years" CD with different tracklists.

Tracklist:

01 Give It To Me (3:51)
02 Shake (3:09)
03 Get Down (3:45)
04 Let's Go Dancing (3:32)
05 Wild Dancing (6:11)
06 Time To Dance (6:45)
07 We Are The Gods (3:51)
08 Cosmic Climb (5:31)
09 On The Street (6:11)
10 Oh My (6:41)
11 Cosmic Climb (4:50)
12 On The Street (3:44)
13 Wild Dancing (3:52)
14 Time To Dance (4:18)
15 Time To Dance [Instrumental] (6:45)

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75476219/m_-early_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/76350927/early_b.rar.html

"An intermittently interesting set of early-1980s Euro-dance tracks mainly featuring a onetime acquaintance of Madonna's called Otto Von Wernherr, EARLY YEARS includes a variety of vocal samples from the pre-Material Girl, but very few other Madonna-related contributions. Its main significance lies in its being one of the last projects the future superstar undertook before recording her first hit, "Holiday," in 1983."
"ANY ITEMS pertaining to "Otto Von Wernherr" - are generally worthless. Since any Otto Von Wernherr material is really nothing more than his sad attempt to cash in on Madonna's fame, and any songs he recorded or created with Madonna are absolutely HORRIBLE, they are far from desirable among collectors. Although a few items (such as CDs and picture discs) are attractive to look at, most items that bear Otto Von Wernherr's name or material are only worth a couple of dollars. CD compilations such as "In the Beginning" and "Give It To Me" usually don't sell for more than $10 on the collector's market."
(http://www.madonnacatalog.com/appraisals.htm)

"In 1981, Madonna took a job singing back-up for avant garde German artist Otto Von Wernherr. She lent her vocals to three of his songs, "Wild Dancing", "Cosmic Climb", and "We Are The Gods". Her actual participation on the tracks was minimal consisting of repetitive chorus lines behind Otto's monotone, spoken, flat and German accented vocals. When Madonna hit the big time, he remixed the songs to bring Madonna's voice out to the front of the mixes and released them on the UK label, Receiver Records which is now marketed as the package "Madonna (& Otto Von Wernherr) In The Beginning" and features extended dance mixes of the songs. The tracks are horrific and his countless re-releases and picture discs are a rip-off. If you're a completist collector, you'll want to have one version of it, but other than that, stay away!." (http://www.absolutemadonna.com/music/)



"In 1981, when Madonna was hard-up for money she took a job singing back-up for avant garde German artist Otto Von Wernherr. She lent her vocals to three of his songs, "Wild Dancing", "Cosmic Climb", and "We Are The Gods". Her actual participation on the tracks was minimal consisting of repetitive chorus lines behind Otto's monotone, spoken, flat and German accented vocals. When Madonna hit the big time, he remixed the songs to bring Madonna's voice out to the front of the mixes and released them on the UK label, Receiver Records which is now marketed as the package "Madonna (& Otto Von Wernherr) In The Beginning" and features extended dance mixes of the songs. The tracks and Madonna's voice are all horrific and his countless re-releases and picture discs are a rip-off. If you're a completist collector, you'll probably want to have at least one version of it. Other early Madonna demos exist that are of better quality including the Emmy Demos which feature her with the band of that name, her solo demos for Gotham Management and three punk tracks known as the Giorlando Demos released on Receiver Records such as Shine A Light. There is also an album out called 'PreMadonna' which is produced by Madonna's long time collaborator Stephen Bray. It is of higher quality than the Otto crap and is comprised of early demos of some of her later hits."

"Oh grow up and get a sense of humour everyone! Yes these tracks are awful, but they are an amusing & enlightening glimpse at what was happening in the murky depths of the euro-disco underground in the wee-early 80s ... and an insightful glimpse into how bloody awful Madonna's singing voice was back then (I love her but, c'mon..!) Somewhere in Europe in 1980, Madonna recorded background vocals on 3 "songs" for the (now infamous) "experimental" sorta-disco "artist" Otto Von Wernherr: Wild Dancing, Cosmic Climb & We Are The Gods. Wild Dancing is essentially Otto delivering a bizarre sexual monologue (in his thick deep German accent) before Madonna breaks into a hyper high-pitched chorus about .. you guessed it, dancing! Cosmic Climb tries to be a bit more serious and out-there, but it only kinda hits the mark. Madonna's voice is shrill and off key, and Otto's mutterings are again peculiar. And then we come to We Are The Gods ... THE funniest song of all time. Just hearing Madonna's young throaty unconvincing scream: "Oh hear come the gods!" while Otto rambles on .... truly amusing. The remaining 7 tracks were an after-thought: samples of Madonna's voice have been mixed into a mess of bleep blop bloops and beats .. and more German drivel. Call me strange, but I actually find the chorus of "Wild Dancing" really infectious. The remix (which isn't on this CD) is better though: Otto's voice is mostly absent, allowing Madonna's enthusiastic chorus to repeat unobstructed by his odd musings. All up, this disc is a collection of laughably crappy electronic 80's euro-pop, which, if nothing else shines an historic spotlight on one of the biggest stars of the last 25 years. If you choose to venture forth, I suggest you also check out one of the "Early Years" compilations for the extended remix of Wild Dancing. It's worth the buck & a half. But keep your sense of humour with you at all times .... you'll need it! :-)" "This is hands down the worst cd I have EVER heard."

It seems huge Madonna fans hate Otto, but this is not my opinion and if i have to choose between this album and many Stock, Aitken & Waterman,hmm...i don't know:) (salty)


Many people ask on the web "who the hell is that Otto Von Wernherr ?"

I know only he's a German actor (http://movies.nytimes.com/person/73916/Otto-Von-Wernherr/filmography) and musician . If you know more about him message me please!




More info (you can find million page dedicated to Madonna,here are just few of them):








posted by saltyka at 7:51 AM 2 comments

TWILIGHT - Star (1986) posted by Moroboshi


Country:
Italy
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Italo-Disco, Disco

Members:
Claudio Zuccaroli - Drums and percussions
Fabio Sinigaglia - Lead Vocals; Electric and acoustic guitar
Massimo Zuccaroli - Keyboard, Bass, Background Vocals

VIDEO
?????

Credits:
Composed By, Arranged By - C. Zuccaroli* , F. Sinigaglia* , M. Zuccaroli*
Producer - Paul and Peter Micioni*

Tracklist:

01 Star (4:32)
02 My Face, My Hands (4:14)
03 All And Right Now (5:03)
04 Forever More (5:58)
05 Let Me Take Your Feeling (4:56)
06 Boxer (3:54)
07 My Mind (3:31)
08 Electronic Friend (4:00)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/74444878/twilight_Star.rar.html





ELECTRONIC FRIENDS 12" (1983)

Tracklist:

01 Electronic Friend (12'')
02 Boxer (Extended Version)

MY MIND 12" (1984)

Tracklist:

01 My Mind (Remix By Marco Trani)
02 Forever More (Extended)


ALL AND RIGHT NOW 12" (1985)

Tracklist:

01 All and right now (extended version concept by marco trani)
02 All and Right Now (Radio)
03 All and Right Now (Instrumental)

Link to these 3 EP:



MY MIND 12" (1985)

Tracklist:

01 My Mind (Remix)
02 My Mind (Instrumental)


STAR 12" (1986)

Tracklist:

01 Star (Extended)
02 Star (Instrumental)
03 Star (A Cappella)

Link to these 2 EP:






































MY MIND (1987)

Notes:
A Russian bootleg CD

Tracklist:

01 Forever more (12'')
02 My Mind (12'')
03 Electronic friend (12'')
04 BOxer (12'')
05 All And Right Now (12'')
06 Star (12'')
07 My Mind (12'' Remix)
08 Sound Again (Long Version)
09 Highway (feat. Cynthia)
10 Star (Instrumental)

Link to download:



Biography:
Twilight was a pretty good and typical italo band in the early 80's with such well known songs as the Gazebo-like "Electronic Friend" ,"Twilight" and "Boxer".They released only one album in 1986 and some singles between 1983 and 1986.






Fabio Sinigaglia (above on the photo) after Twilight workd with many artist as Mike Francis, Amii Stewart, Luca Barbarossa ect.
Since 1991 is a founder member of Frankie & Canthina Band (guitars & back.voc)

Massimo Zuccaroli (born 1958) composer,keyboard player,producer who studied classic music and has lot of experience in computer music too.Since 1975 appeared in many festival,tv- and radio program and write songs for many artists,or contibuted in their albums (Mike Francis,Giorga,Alex Baroni etc.)He was a member of the italo disco band Twilight and the new age duo Maximus & Felix (The Light From North“ is the 2nd album from the roman duo Maximus and Felix. Both musicians have specialized themselves on computers and keyboards and produce music on the highest level of modern techniques.)He is the founder and president of ASSOCIAZIONE MUSICA OGGI - ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI INFORMATICA MUSICALE ,this important international centre of music.His other important project with Claudio Zuccaroli is Twiligt Music (founder and owner) dedicated to digitalise the archiv records of RAI ( http://www.twilightmusic.it/ ) :




Village Studiovia Portuense 610, 00149 Roma
Tel/fax (06)65743706
email: twilightmusic@melodymarket.it


More info:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=138720740

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=118810951 site of Massimo Zuccaroli

http://www.blueflame.com/blf_navi.phtml?navi=8&action=10&SID0=1080174422&ArtikelID=188&Artikel=The%20Light%20From%20North&ProduktGruppe=Blue%20Flame about Zuccaroli's new age band

http://www.frankiecanthinaband.com/page/BAND%20HTML/Fabio.html FABIO SINIGAGLIA FRANKIE AND CANTHINA BAND

http://www.lista54.org/cand-zuccaroli.htm italian bio for Massimo


REPOSTED ALBUMS

GINA X - Yinglish
http://rapidshare.com/files/75579771/yinglish_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/75576910/yinglish_b.rar.html

FASHION - Fabrique
http://rapidshare.com/files/75592317/fabrique_a.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/75587813/fabrique_b.rar.html

THE FLIRTS - Bloned ,Bunettes
http://rapidshare.com/files/75599171/blondes_brunetts.rar.html

NEONBABIES 1983
http://rapidshare.com/files/75594149/nb_-_1983.rar.html


UPDATED:

for The Splash Band (back cover and Hypnotic Samba -st 12" 1984)
http://saltyka.blogspot.com/search?q=splash+band

for Vitamin Z : 2 albums (Sharp Stone rain 1988 and Unreleased demos 1990)http://saltyka.blogspot.com/search?q=vitamin+z+rites


Lot of thanks to Mororboshi!!


COME BACK FOR MOR MUSIC 23. DECEMBER!!!!!!!!

posted by saltyka at 4:30 AM 0 comments

Thursday, December 13, 2007

AMANT (RAY MARTINEZ)

Country:
USA
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Disco


VIDEO
"If There's Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiZ48BK_qTQ&feature=related
























AMANT (1978)

Tracklist:

01 If There's Love 14:33
02 Hazy Shades of Love 13:29

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/76087489/amant_1978.rar.html

"Amant was another of producer Ray Martinez's studio groups that he helped to launch from his home base of Florida. Latin rhythms, percussion and swirling strings were a trademark style for Martinez and his Amant project.There is also a shorter 12 inch version of "If There's Love" on TK Records mixed by the late Jim Burgess. For mixing I play the 12 inch, but since it is edited, I prefer the complete LP for home listening."



"Ray Martinez was kind enough to tell DiscoMusic.com and it's members about the making of this classic Disco album:
Thanks for the compliment !!! You are about right, from beginning to end it was about a month. The actual track was done in Miami, in one evening (drums, bass, and piano). Then all the overdubs (guitar, percussion, etc.) were done probably during that same week. The vocals were done after that in one evening. I took about a week to write the strings and horns arrangements, and to book the session. Then I went to New York, and along with Ray Caviano, we listened to it for about a week or so, and decided to go for the final mix. Ray Caviano contacted Jim Burgess, and within two weeks, I went back to New York, and we mixed it at Sigma Sound in two days. It was mastered at Sterling Sounds in New York the following week.

So all in all, it was probably about 4 to 6 weeks. I also, during the sessions, do not work on one song at a time. When I cut the tracks and do all recordings whether tracks, instrumental overdubs, vocal, or string and horns, I work on several songs at a time. at least two per session, if possible.

By the way, the project was possible thanks to Ray Caviano. He was the one that really helped me convince T.K. on the 'Amant" idea. Without him, it would have probably never happened. "THANKS RAY !!!!!!" Total time - 4 to 6 weeks.Pre and post production time - about 30 hours.Actual recording and mixing time - about 75 hours." (http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/2288_0_2_0_C/)











































THE BEST OF AMANT : IF THERE'S LOVE (1995)

Credits:
Horns & strings arranged by Ray Martinez & Carlos HernandezDrums - Gus Perez / Bass - Arnold Pasiero/Keyboards - Ray Martinez, Terry Weiss, Pepe Luis Soto/Guitars - Marc Vuscanovic, Alfons Kettner, Ray Martinez/ Strings & Horns - The Jorge Orbon Ensemble/Lead Vocals - Richard Noriega, Jr. & Ray Martinez/ Background Vocals - Martha Roque, Madeline Faiella, Shane
Produced by Ray Martinez

Tracklist:

01 If There's Love
02 Hazy Shades of Love
03 In New York
04 Don't Bring Back Memories
05 Lady of the Night
06 Natives Are Restless
07 Reach Out (I'll Be There) /Standing in the Shdows of Love
08 New York Nights

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75416313/amant_a_192_kbs.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/75451038/amant_b.rar.html

" If you're expecting the album version of the title track at 14:33, then you might be disappointed. ( saltyka: Ive uploaded the original LP too,so you check the album-long version there !) Don't let the cover fool you as this CD version of "If There's Love" is only 11:29. This probably won't seem like much of a difference to most people but since you are interested in "Amant," then this might matter to you. I own many other "Best of ..." CDs distributed by "Hot Productions, Inc." and the quality has been fair to good. However, the quality of this "CDR" is poor and will not play on most older car CD players unless formatted for CDR and CDRWs. Mmmmm. If your car CD player is less than 4 years old and any version of "If There's Love" will do, then this CD might be for you. There is nothing special about the other 6 tracks on this CD so perhaps there should only be 2 long perfect tracks as on the original 1978 album. But that's just me."

" "Thats the right Music Product" Rare Disco Dance Versions in full lenght time ( 8 min / 12 Min Versions ) Remastered to a Sound Quality - gives you a beautiful harmonical listening in the lovely Parts and included are the drive to find the Dance feeling again like 30 Years bevor. "

Ray Martinez tries to bring the Amant group back again in 1982 with "New York Nights." It's a bit funkier and drier sounding than his previous effort.This time Ray releases Amant on his own label, Paris International Records and Filmworks, but not with the previous results he had achieved with "If There's Love" in 1978..


Richard Noriega (Amant)Lead singer of Disco group Amant (June 1, 1950 - Present):

"I recorded under the name "Amant" for producer Ray Martinez who was with TK Records at the time. Our manager was Larry Brahms who lived in the Miami area. The year was 1980. Amant is best remembered for the 1978 Disco hit "If There's Love."I remember we almost made it on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, but it never happened. I now am a television news anchor in Laredo, Texas for the CBS affiliate KVTV. I still love to sing, only these days I report news. I love all the fans who gave our music wings and will never forget my times in the studio cranking out those great disco hits.Love,Richard Noriega"Amant"
(http://www.discomusic.com/people-more/4912_0_11_0_C/)



RAY MARTINEZ - Lady Of The Night (1981)

Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Latin, Disco

Producer, Written-By - Ray Martinez

Tracklist:

01 Lady Of The Night / Hey Honey, Come Give Me Money (11:31)
02 The Natives Are Restless (5:02)
03I'm Free (6:40)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75458599/lady_of_the_night.rar.html


Biography:

"I was an artist and mainly a producer/writer from the 70's and 80's, but never a DJ. I started with TK Records, and Henry Stone. I was blessed to have many hits while at TK, and was influential in helping create the "Miami Sound", that originated out of TK in Miami. Later I opened Paris International Records, and also had several hits with my label. Produced for Prelude Records, and worked closely with Mike Wilkinson of DiscoNet, where he also released several of my songs. Some of the best known groups that I produced were: Amant, Ray Martinez & Friends, Passion, Foxy, Celi Bee, Jill, and many others. Currently I re-opened Paris International Music, and we are getting ready for some "Great" dance/disco releases, as well as re-mixes." (Ray Martinez)

Growing up in Miami, Florida, Ray Martinez. producer, engineer, musician, artist, writer/composer, and arranger, has over 60 charted world wide hits to his credit. He first began performing with local bands as a keyboard player. A multi-instrumentalist, studing at Miami Dade Community College, and Florida Atlantic University, he majored in music . Seeking his degree, and playing at night became a way of life. While playing in the clubs in Miami Beach, he was asked and did a short stint with the famous group, "Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons". After returning, Ray had a taste of the "big times" and went on to persue a career in recording. Becoming a session player at TK Records, in Miami, as one of legendary Henry Stone's protogee, he studied and became the main recording engineer at the studio. With his talents as a songwriter and arranger, he put his skills to good use by becoming a producer. Incorporating "Afro-Cuban" percussion and rhythms, with R&B music, he was very influential in creating what later became known as "The Miami Sound". After several very succesful hits at TK, Amant, Foxy, and several others, he went on to do free lance productions for other national and international major, and independent labels. He was very successful also having several worldwide hits. Moving on to fulfill an industry dream, Ray formed Paris International Records. Also achieving chart success with artists such as Celi Bee, Passion, as well as himself, and others. After retiring in 1991, Ray did some music, and legal consulting in the music industry. He kept busy "toying" with his automobile collection, and managing his real estate investments. In 2004, after the birth of his new son Lea Paris, his wife Ana (an ex-International model), encouraged him to get back into music. He has currently re-opened Paris International Music, the label, as well as owning one of South Florida's top "state of the art" recording studios, Paris Recording Studios, with three locations. The main studio at the main location, A pre-production studio in a secondary location. And a third "floating/cruising " studio in his yatch, where the South Florida ocean can be enjoyed while creativity can be at the maximum level. Ray continues in his quest to produce new innovating music, as well as trying to re-stablish and keeping Dance/Disco music ALIVE !!!!!

More bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Martinez

More info:
http://www.discomuseum.com/RayMartinez.html

http://www.discomusic.com/forums/disco-music-70s-80s/12683-ray-martinez-update.html

http://www.djsportal.com/en/pioneer/index.php?id=martinez a great interview with Ray!

http://www.parismusicgroup.com/ the studio of Ray

posted by saltyka at 11:03 PM 1 comments

CAN 7 - Safari Club (2003)

Genre:
Electronic, Jazz
Style:
Bossa Nova, House, Acid Jazz, Future Jazz, Latin Jazz

Real Name:
Levent Canseven (Chocolate Milk, The Party Animals)

Credits:
Vocals - Angela Caran (tracks: 1, 5, 7, 9, 13)/Vocals - Blain Paulos (track 16)

VIDEO
"Coffeebreak live 2004"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTMFQwv6CXY


Tracklist:

01 Eternally (5:18)
02 Muff Ya Bossa (4:58)
03 Safari Club (4:38)
04 Coffeebreak (3:41)
05 Stronger (4:44)
06 Streets Of Saturn (5:25)
07 The Promise (4:08)
08 B-Mary (1:42)
09 What 2 Do (4:47)
10 Fruitcake (6:51)
11 Cruisin' (6:50)
12 Taking It All Away (Interlude) (0:48)
13 Taking It All Away (4:43)
14 Night With Alex (1:30)
15 Day With Alex (4:35)
16 Breakfast At The Sahara (5:53)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/74433985/safari_club192_kbs.rar.html

"After countless remixes, influential 12inches and a string of international compilation contributions, CAN7 opens up a new chapter with “Safari Club”. Bossa, Soul, Easy Listening, jazzy stuff and smooth, oriental electronics create a timeless, relaxed listening feel – showing more than yet another aspect of the big scale CAN7 musical map. Teaming up with his studio partner Guido Craviero -programmer and DJ (They have remixed for Moloko, Ofra Hazar, CunnieWilliams etc.), singer Angela Caran, keyboard wizard Xaver Fischer and a bunch of Germany’s top notch studio cats, Levent Canseven stresses his analogue roots on “Safari Club” and pays tribute to the sounds that influenced him most. With an emphasis on songwriting, comfortable vibes, strong melodies and sultry grooves, the CAN7 debut album sounds like “Pop” in its best sense. Airplay favourites like “Stronger” and “Cruising” set the mood for a really sunny, very special safari day including visits in the desert as well as on the beach. Enjoy…"

"I've been a fan of Can 7's remixes for quite some time, so I was very anxious to take a listen to their full-length when it came through my mailbox. His remixes of Moloko's "Sing It Back" & "The Time Is Now" have been rotated in & out of my record box for years. My interest in "Safari Club" was peaked even more when I saw Xavier Fischer (more on him later) was involved in the production. Leave it to those Germans, Boris Dlugosch & Mousse T at Peppermint Jam, to unearth such a talented combo for their latest long player.Levent Canseven, the mastermind behind the successful Can 7, is a highly experienced DJ, producer and remixer. His remix work has shown up on numerous mix CDs including Mark Farina's Connect on Om Records and After The Playboy Mansion mixed by Dimitri From Paris. Mr. Canseven is highly accomplished on bass, guitar, keyboards, and percussion. For this album's incarnation, Levent is joined by the extraordinary vocals of Angela Caran, the gifted songwriting of Guido Craviero, and the skillful musicianship of Xavier Fischer (of Xavier Fischer Trio and Smoke City fame). All of these elements combine to create an irresistible mixture of Latin styles, house beats and tasteful jazz vibes.The sixteen tracks on "Safari Club" visit a multitude of genres like a trip through a zoo, with each new exhibit delighting more than the first. Angela Caran's croons on "Stronger" will have you thinking that Sade stopped by for a guest appearance, while her delivery on "Taking It All Away" is reminiscent of Diana Ross & Gloria Estefan. On the album's first sing, "Eternally," while the music programming is exquisite, Ms. Caran does her best Astrud Gilberto to give this summery love song a real seductive edge. Xavier Fischer's "Unique" sound is apparent on "Coffeebreak" with its vocodered vocal samples, Moog solos & funky horn riffs. Those expecting to hear sounds akin to Can 7's remix work will be pleased with the Latin-influenced "Safari Club" and the neo-disco, post-Loveboat sound of "Streets Of Saturn." Previous singles "Fruitcake" and "Cruisin'" both make appearances as well with their distinct Naked Music vibe."
(http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/reviews/fr/Can7SafariRev.htm)

"Sixteen brilliant Songs, floating between commercial Bossa-Pop, tight Funk, groovy House-Vibes and cool Jazz-Feeling, all delivered with a tasteful 70s analog sound. This high-quality mixture can only be delivered by a DJ who is also a trained musician.With each note CAN7's "Safari Club" reflects a view on life that is 100% Levent Canseven, between analog and digital, instruments and computers, classic songwriting and modern sample-treatment. Nevertheless this "clash of cultures" comes natural for Levent Canseven and his generation. He merges Oldschool-Funk, Jazz and Soul in a very musical way, but with a DJ background. Together with his fellow musicians and producers like Xaver Fischer, Guido Craveiro and Angela Caran the musical journey takes him to Rio via Ankara and ends on the dancefloor. This is the good stuff!"



Biography:
Levent Canseven -born in Ankara/Turkey, the mastermind behind the successful Can 7, is a highly experienced DJ, producer and remixer.works as a dj, producer and remixer from his Cologne/Germany base for more than 15 years now. With his own recording studio and production company, T.P.A Music, Levent has caused quite a stir over the past few years. Providing an irresistible mixture of Latin styles, house beats and tasteful jazz vibes, Levent has created a trademark sound that keeps on fascinating both DJ’s and dance floors. With a sound that works perfectly along side label mates Boris Dlugosch and Mousse T, Can7 fits perfectly into the Peppermint Jam roster.

"Levent Canseven, head of T.P.A. music production & publishing (http://www.tpa-music.com/TPA%20Music/Home.html), works as a dj, producer and remixer from his Cologne/Germany base for almost two decades now. Levent is a well respected disc jockey with international bookings, a really versatile multi instrumentalist and songwriter and also the heart and brains of CAN7. With his debut album Safari Club on Peppermint Jam, Levent managed to add quite a string of new musical aspects to the previous dancefloor vibe that CAN7 became famous for.Remixes and productions for global players like Moloko , Bootsy Collins, De La Soul, Sonique, Randy Crawford (to name a few) helped to create a high profile on a global scale for CAN7 within the last years. Teaming up with a bunch of Germanys top notch studio cats, Levent Canseven highlighted his analogue roots on Safari Club, paying tribute to the timeless sounds that influenced him the most.Levents impressing record collection, his broad musical horizon (firmly rooted in funk, house, jazz, latin and soul music expanding deep into electronica) as well as his enormous musical background turns every CAN7 production and dj set into a highly special affair. Behind the decks, Levent celebrates every single one of his tracks and turns the set into something that both listeners and people on the dancefloor definitely wont forget. Same counts for the rare, yet always sparkling live gigs with his Safari Club band.(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=80363498)

Levent's newest satellite project is Levthand.It's album in preparation while you read this...http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=79312594

More info:
http://www.can7.com/

http://www.myspace.com/can7

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=193292274

http://www.myspace.com/angelacaran

http://81.3.15.208/default.php?PHPSESSID=c72236778e69d49a6910b6937a55636a&nid=8&gid=37&typ=1&lang=de

posted by saltyka at 10:08 PM 1 comments

ANNA DABROWSKA (ANIA)



Country:
Poland
Genre:
Electronic,Rock
Style:
Pop, Jazz-Pop ,House

VIDEO
"kiedy mnie juz nie będzie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynZ8oMpxyM























SAMOTNOSC PO ZMIERZCHU (2004)

CD 1

01 Pamiętać chcę
02 Tego chciałam
03 Nie ma nic w co mógłbyś wierzyć
04 Charlie, Charlie
05 Czy ktoś spytać chce czemu stało się tak?
06 Nie mogę Cię zapomnieć
07 Zima '81
08 Gangsta
09 Tylko słowa zostały
10 Inna
bonus:
11 Ania vs QBX - Souvenir

CD 2

01 Inna (radio version)
02 Pamiętać chcę (version 1)
03 Tego chciałam (version 1)
04 Charlie Charlie (version 1)
05 Historyjka (Waco version)
06 Glory (acoustic version)
07 Gangsta (instrumental version 1)
08 Czy ktoś spytać chce czemu stało się tak? (jedynka version)
09 Inna (swing version)
10 Spokój w niej (bogdan version)
11 I see (full version)
12 Glory (Opole version)

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/74424768/dabrowskat_2004_.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/75489953/zmierzchu_cd2.rar.html

























KILKA HISTORII NA TEN SAM TEMAT (2006)

Tracklist:

01 Zostań
02 Trudno Mi Się Przyznać
03 Nic Się Nie Stało
04 Musisz Wierzyć
05 Czekam...
06 Czego Ona Chce?
07 Wiosna
08 L'ultimo
09 Opowie