Forgotten masterpiece
Fenander Staffan | Torsby,Sweden | 08/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This , listeners and fans of original, eclectic music, is a forgotten masterpiece.With the help of loads of the best musicians around and highly original versions of songs from all kinds of musical genres; jazz, gospel, R'n'B etc., plus one great original(Why should I love you) Geoff created a wonderful album. I have three copies of this LP, usually bought as a cut-out for virtually nothing, plus I have bought a couple more and distributed them to friends.They all agree that this is great,
Geoff told me a couple of years ago (I attended one of his guitar-teaching lectures) that it cost him a fortune and sold nothing. The world is strange...
Just listen to Amos Garrett's solo on "Gee, baby...", it's one of his best and just thrills me every time i hear it. Geoff's arrangements on the whole album is nothing but sublime, his version of "Living in the sunlight..." (Yes the Bing Crosby song) is one of those songs and arrangements that just leave a great, silly smile on your face and almost the best moment is the section between "I want to be a sailor" and "Why should I love you" is so intricate and wonderful... . Buy this and get one of those rare absolutely musical experiences that you will keep as precious jewel all of your life!
Staffan Sweden"
Vibrant & youthful
Jeffrey Silva | Rhode Island USA | 10/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Geoff has gotten wiser, more polished & intelligent with age but what this young stuff lacks in experience it makes up for with exuberance. Confession: the man's a genius, & he has more talent in his little finger than the top thirty artists at the top ten labels for the last thirty years. And always has. This album is loaded with more sheer American musicality and taste than any ten other albums I know -- excluding only all other Geoff Muldaur albums. From early Americana pop to raw blues to even unabashed (but very, very tasteful) schmaltz, every song is a winner."
Wonderful time, wonderful album
Long-time jazz guy | Central Coast CA | 07/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Let me concur with my Swedish colleague and add one thing: The arrangement on "Living in the Sunlight" is by one of the true originators and masters of big band arranging, Benny Carter. If you look at the personnel for that one cut, you can see why the album cost Geoff Muldaur a fortune. Truth to tell, Geoff's was the first version of the song I heard, thirty-odd years ago, but I've since heard one by Maurice Chevalier, in which--if I remember correctly--he claims that he "goes sweemin' with naked weemin!""
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1