Search - Cleo Laine :: Quintessential Cleo

Quintessential? Hm...

Sasha | at sea...sailing somewhere | 06/08/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Calling this compilation of 8 LP's "Quintessential" is a bit overstatement,as it make sounds the rest of Dame Cleo Laine's work somehow lesser achievement:I have more than 40 of her LP's and there is so much more to listen & enjoy.The grandmother of all british jazz singers started her career in the early 1950's (covered on compilation "Cleo's choice"),built a cult status in 1960's (check "Ridin' High:British sessions") and eventually achieved international superstardom in mid-1970's (covered in excellent compilation "The Very Best Of Cleo Laine"),so this CD is basicaly just tip of the ice berg.Focusing on Laine's late 1970's period,this compilation - titled "Quintessential" - suspiciously omits anything she recorded before,while the lady herself claims her most proudest moment was 1964. LP "Shakespeare and all that jazz" (out of print,Holy Grail for her fans).No Broadway here,no Sondheim,no musicals,no classic,no Shakespeare,no "Porgy And Bess" (with Ray Charles) - what is here is sampler from a several albums that represents just a little chapter in her career."

Quintessential Cleo

Sasha | 05/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hey, what can I say?.......the best of aptly describes it. A gossamer voice that makes you think of a dark, smoke filled piano bar. The only thing better than the CD would to be actually listening to her live."