Search - Esther Phillips :: I Love Him / Esther

MAGNIFICENT & HAUNTING VOCALS~BRAVO ESTHER!!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 05/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fresh from the commercial and artistic triumph of HER own major hit "Release Me" which is the definitive version of this classic, Esther Phillips was signed to her first major recording contract as an adult with Atlantic Records and more than rose to the occasion with this classic recording of Lennon/McCartney's "And I Love Him" which was also a hit for Esther! Esther is in peak form throughout this set of standards which are given fresh and original interpretations that rival the originals in greatness and the longing soulfully conveyed in "'Tis Autumn" is a winning example of this. Dreamy and romantic is the beautifully sung "Shangri-La" and hauntingly gorgeous is Esther's vocal on "Moonglow" which is the stunning theme song from the motion picture "Picnic" staring the incredibly beautiful Kim Novak. Too bad this vocal wasn't recorded in time to be in the Original Score as it truly becomes an unforgettable classic all over again by Esther. "Out Of The Blue" is another example of excellence in both phrasing and dramatic content at its peak in a song and "People" takes on a new life all of its own while "Makin' Whoopee" sounds superb here! Old chestnuts such as "The Girl From Ipanema" and "I Wish You Love" are given fresh and haunting interpretations which hold up to the original versions beautifully and Edith Piaf's "If You Love Me, Really Love Me" is dramatic, full of pathos and quite a stunner!!!! Esther turns "Too Soon To Know" inside out and matches Dinah's version in classic fashion in "Make Believe Dreams" and one can understand why veteran arranger-composer Ray Ellis kept calling for coffee-breaks just so he could play back the finished tracks for KICKS!!! This incredible singer really had it all and we are the lucky ones as this is just the finale of the 1st great LP on this incredible two-fer!!!! Next is the 1966 classic "Esther" which kicks off in high style with the Cole Porter classic "It's All Right With Me" that has never sounded quite as cooking as it does here!!! Oliver Nelson does the arrangement on this classic version and shares arranging honors with Ray Ellis on this overlooked masterpiece! "The Shadow Of Your Smile" has never sounded quite as haunting as it does here and "Crazy He Calls Me" is definitely the definitive version of this Carl Sigman classic who also composed "What Now My Love". Soulful is Esther on "He Touched Me" and classic and stirring in the standard "A Taste Of Honey". Jazzy and funky with "Let There Be Love" and haunting in the gorgeous "You Can't Go Home Again" which is definitely classic Esther at her finest!!! "Just Say Goodbye" is another example of what a great jazz singer Esther was and how sad it is that she was so overlooked and "I Could Have Told You So" shows Esther again matching the great Dinah and doing it in her own brilliant way. Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is given a real workout here that is stunning and a definitive reading of Mick Jagger's "As Tears Go By" show how versatile this great DIVA was and what a crime it was that she was so underappreciated!!! Hot and jazzy is the finale and "The Party's Over" is a real cooker!!! Thanks to Collectables that this masterpiece is available for all who care about great singing to enjoy for all time!! This is really an example of what Great Singing is all about-and it is All About Esther who is truly a once in a lifetime brilliant talent! BRAVO ESTHER AND THANK YOU..."

Beatles Loved Her!

jazmaan | Santa Monica, CA United States | 12/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Beatles publicist, Derek Taylor, said that among thousands of Beatles covers, THIS was their favorite of all! Check it out!"