Search - Joni James :: Joni James - Latest and Greatest Hits

Wonderful new music from a champion

06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nearly a half-century separates the first nine tracks and last nine tracks in this album but you'd never know it. Joni James sounds as young as ever and, because the same creative team was involved in creating both sets of recordings, the new and the tried and true blend seamlessly into one totally enjoyable collection. It takes a lot of courage for a veteran performer to tackle new material and then go another step by holding it up by comparison to a string of multimillion sellers. The hits sound better than ever. The new songs are totally delightful and range from big beautiful ballads to country swing to blues to a weepers. James does everything up to perfection aided by the arrangements of Lew Douglas, who also arranged the first round of hits. This is a most unusual album and a most daring concept and she pulls it off handsomely. It will sell big and merits recognition both as a totally enjoyable album and an example of a front runner staying up front."

The price of being original?

02/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a little confused by the comparisons of Joni James to jazz singers. In the records here she unmistakenly a pop singer, so why is she being held up to the mirror of jazz singers? Joni did do some jazz-inflected albums in a later period of her career, and they sold well, particularly in Japan. But here she is a pop singer. Regarding her phrasing, I don't think it's clumsy. It's original and unique, influenced clearly by Gregorian chants with a bit of Sarah Vaughan. As for Louis Armstrong, he was a big admirer of Joni's, they knew each other, and she grew up listening to his records, Sarah Vaughan's, Dinah Washington's, Billie Holiday's and Anita O'Day's. And as for Joni not swinging, ALL her first albums take usually slow ballads and speed them up, adding all sorts of nuances, time stretching and especially phrasing behind the beat. She sang a lot backed by Stan Kenton's orchestra in concerts and he thought she WAS a jazz singer at heart with an incredible sense of time. This album is well worth getting, even just to hear a singer unlike any other. Selling more than 100 million records she can't be so bad."

Bravo, Joni! X O This Is A Winner!

Fred J. Mann | Ashburn VA (Heaven via Judy!) | 08/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joni, you've made us wait far too long for your new music and then you have gone and done it! Nine super new songs... you sound really lovely (as in REALLY LOVELY)! A deliciously wonderful potpourri of sounds - it's difficult to choose the best.. they are all so good. YOU are something else. Plus the nine vintage songs from the vaults which sound bright and fresh. What a treat!! You had better be ready for a new wave of fans when they hear your lightness and lilt, class, talent and really wonderful sound -- '00 Style - Love and Thank You!!"