Search - Carol Sloane :: Romantic Ellington

Sloane sings Ellington elegantly...

aaron | 07/01/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Carol Sloane since the early 60's has been preserving classic jazz and American pop standards, and has ever since been recording session after session of wonderful material. However this recent trubute to Ellington(for his Centennial) falls short of being a classic, due to Mike renzi's piano playing and arrangements. Renzi's style is a little too risk taking and a little too funky for the classy singer, who would have been better off without Renzi's unique jazz style. Other then that this is an effective Ellington tribute, however I would herecommend Tony Bennett's recent "Sings Ellington Hot & Cold" before recommendeing this CD. For some good classsic and recent carol Slone here are a few recomendations. Old Carol(old meaning young) "Out Of The Blue" her 1st session in the early 60's is excellent, though sounding a little like Ella Fitzgerald(So, what's wrong with that?) and a female eqivalint to Mel Torme. For New Carol sloane(new meaning old) the absolutly essenytial "The Songs That Ella & Louis Sang"(with Clark Terry, filling the Louis role), "Songs That Carmen Sang", and "Songs Sinatra Sang" you can't really go wrong with any of her Concord releases."

A master sings a master

Michael Colby | Davis, CA | 10/12/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ella, Carmen, Sarah, Billie are all gone. But a jazz singer who is their equal is still among us and still working, recording and sounding better than ever. Carol Sloane brings her knowing way with a melody and, especially, a lyric, to this collection of songs by the national treasure, Duke Ellington. If you care at all about the state of the art of jazz singing, you must have this CD."