Search - Dakota Staton :: Spotlight on

DAKOTA'S FIRST SONG "IN THE NIGHT" W/GEORGE SHEARING

madeleine c bradshaw | st george, ut United States | 03/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I DON'T KNOW HOW DAKOTA MISSED OUT ON THE HISTORY OF JAZZ. I FIRST SAW HER AND HEARD HER IN PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA IN 1957, IN THE HILL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH. SHE WAS MARVELOUS. HER FIRST SONG THOUGH WAS WITH THE GEORGE SHEARING QUARTET. IT'S A GREAT SONG AND I'VE HEARD IT ONCE. IT'S CALLED "IN THE NIGHT" IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS WHERE TO GET THIS ABLBUM OR HOW I COULD LOCATE A COPY PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS"

Dakota takes it............

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"to a whole new level!



This album, entitled "Spotlight On Dakota Staton," is a strong installment in this CD series. It's too bad that this perfectly good album is out of print and I hope they reissue it soon; it shows off just how special Dakota Staton really was as an entertainer. Dakota took many classic pop vocal songs and made them into exceptionally creative and jazzy beautiful numbers. She always did justice to anything she ever sang. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and I like that artwork even if it is standard for this "spotlight on" CD series.



"Anything Goes" by Cole Porter starts the CD with Dakota swinging brightly on this jazzy tune; she never falters and how's about that horn solo? The rest of the musicians certainly complement Dakota Staton's vocals but they never steal the spotlight away from her--she's front and center right where she belongs! "But Not For Me," written by George Gershwin, features Dakota's sublime and very jazzy rendition of this tune; this track is worth the price of admission alone! "But Not For Me" gets a very energetic treatment from Dakota Staton and her interpretation of this classic song adds a lot of light to it. "Misty" charms me with its gorgeous melody and this beautiful ballad slows down the tempo quite a bit; Dakota never sounded better and her excellent diction really enhances her performance a great deal. "Misty" is clearly a major highlight of this album; and I also like "September In The Rain." I first heard "September In The Rain" on a Dinah Washington CD; I would like to think that Dinah would be proud of Dakota Staton's version of this number! "September In The Rain" has Dakota front and center again with a very jazzy arrangement and it all holds its own very well.



"I Hear Music" features The George Shearing Quintet with Dakota batting this one right out of the ballpark; and listen for "My One And Only Love." "My One And Only Love" gets the royal treatment from Dakota who sings this faultlessly. "You Don't Know What Love Is" takes an interesting look at a love that didn't go right; this torch song shines bright when Dakota sings it. "Love Walked In" has a very creative jazzy arrangement that makes this quite strong; and again we are treated to quite a solid horn solo! Dakota Staton sings this with panache and I'm very impressed. "Crazy He Calls Me" is definitely a major highlight of this album; Dakota handles this tune with all the finesse of a chanteuse who never falters. I love hearing Dakota Staton singing "Crazy He Calls Me."



"Body And Soul" is a most romantic song by Johnny W. Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton that Dakota delivers with great sensitivity; and the album ends very nicely with Dakota Staton performing "The Song Is Ended." "The Song Is Ended" gets another very jazzy treatment and it packs a punch to leave you wanting more!



Dakota Staton deserves more recognition that she gets these days; but maybe with CDs like this and others her memory will be revived. This is great for Dakota's fans and it makes the perfect starting point for anyone just getting to know Dakota Staton's artistry. People who like classic pop vocals with jazzy arrangements will cherish this CD for a long, long time to come.



Great job, Dakota! We will never forget you!

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