Real Style
Hugo Dart | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 07/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In this early John Pizzarelli record, he honors the great Nat "King" Cole the same way Diana Krall would do a little later in the also excellent "All for You". Pizzarelli knows that no one can sing like Cole, so he is smart enough to focus on what he does best: expert guitar playing in superb arrangements. It's not that he can't sing, though. On the contrary: as you will discover, his voice is very pleasant to hear ? and getting increasingly so with time. Benny Green (piano) and Christian McBride (bass) are incredibly competent and leave nothing to be desired (be sure to listen closely to "Sweet Georgia Brown"). However, I would suggest that special attention be paid to the first track, in which we can hear the great playing of (John's brother) Martin Pizzarelli (b) and Ray Kennedy (p), the other two members of the now very successful John Pizzarelli Trio. By the way, that ?Style Is Coming Back In Style? is what we music fans really learn here. Finally, it must be noted that there was an interesting follow-up to this album. It?s called ?P.S. Mr. Cole? and also available from amazon.com."
Dear Mr. Pizzarelli, Your Tribute To Mr. Cole Is Too Marvelo
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 07/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What do you expect when you put a trio of great musicians and a collection of timeless songs popularized by the unforgettable Nat King Cole? This fantastic CD! It's one of the jazziest and the best John Pizzarelli recordings of all-time. The creative trio is composed of bassist Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green and John Pizzarelli, a fine guitarist/vocalist. On the first track, "Style Is Coming Back In Style" Mr. Pizzarelli's equally talented back-up musicians are his brother, Martin on bass, Ray Kennedy on piano and John Guerin on drums.
This is a great tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole, who had the kind of voice that was so smooth and velvety. It features some of his best songs interpreted fabulously by the trio. My personal choices are "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry," It's Only A Paper Moon," "L-O-V-E," "Unforgettable" and Richard Whiting and Johnny Mercer's "Too Marvelous For Words."
"You're just too marvelous
Too marvelous for words
Like glorious, glamorous
And that old standby amorous
It's all too wonderful
I'll never find the phrase
That says enough, tells enough
I mean just aren't swell enough
You're much too much, and just too very very
To ever be in Webster's dictionary
And so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous. . .
Too marvelous for words."
For Nat King Cole and John Pizzarelli fans or any music lover, this is a wonderful addition to your collection. Very highly recommended.
"
Another great one from John Pizzarelli
COMPUTERJAZZMAN | Cliffside Park, New Jersey United States | 12/04/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"there are no bad John Pizzarelli CD's. this one focuses ont he music of Nat King Cole, and it's a really enjoyable listen. He doesn't try to "copy" Cole's style, but puts his own stamp on the music. Laid back, and swings easy. Nice."