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Synopsis
Amazon.comThere's always something unearthly about hearing Jimmy Scott, the jazz ballad singer whose startlingly high voice stands in marked contrast to the deep baritones, like Billy Eckstine and Johnny Hartman, who largely defined the art. The material here may come as a surprise, too, drawing on the rock era for songs by John Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Prince, and Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, whose work has rarely, if ever, appeared in a jazz context. It's a refreshing change to hear a senior jazz singer breaking with the standard repertoire and to hear these tunes accompanied by an acoustic rhythm section, with occasional touches of strings and muted trumpet. Scott's eerily plaintive voice brings a different poignancy to the gospel-tinged "Jealous Guy" and "Nothing Compares 2 U." This may be novel, but it's also substantial. --Stuart Broomer
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CD Reviews
Holding Back The Tears Ralph Quirino | Keswick, Ontario Canada | 04/14/2000 (4 out of 5 stars) "I first stumbled across "Little" Jimmy Scott thanks to a friend who sent me a copy of All The Way, one of the most beautiful albums I own. I was immediately taken in by Scott's voice, a high, lonesome, silky instrument that can wring tears out of the most cold-hearted cad. I then bought the equally superb Lost & Found, a great album filled with stuff Jimmy had recorded in the early seventies which saw very limited release. Again, that album blew me away thanks to a sumptuous reading of "Unchained Melody" that made me completely forget The Righteous Borthers' version. Dream was another winner with broody production and gritty edges that suited Jimmy's voice to a tee. Heaven was a little more problematic, the songs a trifle unsure, the production a shade clinical. Holding Back The Years is a fine album of great modern-day (for the most part) covers. It's astounding to hear Jimmy emote his way through Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" and Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" And, after the shock of hearing him sing "Jealous Guy" wears off, you listen to the album again. And again. And again. You think: "How effortless, how passionate. How sad, how beautiful." That's the power of Jimmy Scott. Aren't a fan? Never heard of him? Think of what you're missing! Gorgeous." Holding Back the Years chandler school | Pasadena, CA | 08/09/2001 (5 out of 5 stars) "Oh man!!! It's like Jimmy Scott stepped out of the wings, tapped Bryan Ferry on the shoulder and politely wrenched the microphone from his hand. I can imagine him saying something like "Take five my man, let a true veteran show you how this song is supposed to sound..."If anyone has heard Scott's rendition of "Slave to Love", it's easy to forget that it's a cover."
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