Search - Joni James :: Mood Is Swinging Mood Is Blue Mood Is Romance

Joni James aims high--and scores a victory goal !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mood Is Swinging/Mood Is Blue/Mood Is Romance has all the songs from three of Joni James' record albums entitled The Mood Is Swinging; The Mood Is Blue and The Mood Is Romance. Joni James fans will love this two CD set! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like the way they did the artwork.



"This Could Be The Start Of Something Big" kicks off the track set with Joni singing her heart out--and it all holds its own very well. Joni sings this with all her might and this enhances the natural beauty of this lively tune. "Ain't Misbehavin'" is a Fats Waller tune I always liked; Joni gives this a slightly slower tempo than I'm used to but she still delivers this like a pro! "The Lady Is A Tramp" also gets the royal treatment from Joni James as she performs this with style and a certain grace I really like. Joni's voice is singularly beautiful; not everyone will enjoy it but I love it and I think she's an underrated singer when I hear songs like these.



"Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week)" has a big band arrangement that works so well for this tune; and Joni sings this with all her might. I love that percussion, too! "All Of Me" is a very romantic, pretty little tune that I always liked; Joni sings this very well. Listen also for Joni on "You Go To My Head;" Joni slows down the tempo for this tune and this works very well. Joni's voice is as clear as a bell and her voice is as rich and warm as ever!



"I'm Beginning To See The Light" gives us Joni singing a most romantic ballad yet again; and the brass enhances the number quite a bit. Joni's voice sounds great, too. "I Remember You" is another favorite love song of mine; so many female vocalists have performed this but Joni's version is a stunning interpretation of "I Remember You." "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" is another very pretty number; this is yet another highlight of this two CD set.



"I Get Along Without You Very Well" features Joni front and center--and I love every minute of it! Joni delivers this with style and grace; and there's a fantastic number when Joni sings "Stormy Weather." Lena Horne would be proud! Joni gives "Stormy Weather" the royal treatment for sure! "When My Sugar Walks Down The Street" is an older ballad that has a great flute solo and when Joni comes in this number takes flight!



"Day In Day Out" is a marvelous Joni James number; the big band style arrangement enhances this number as Joni gives it the royal treatment. "Cheek To Cheek" has Joni singing a classic Irving Berlin number--she speeds up the tempo to make this very special.



Joni James fans, rejoice! This is a great two CD set. This is also a perfect two CD set for those of us who appreciate the classic love songs.

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James revisited in nice set

Matthew G. Sherwin | 12/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This three album set on two CD covers Joni James in three formats. Her most successful turns comes in her Big Band Mood is Swinging album with big healthy accompaniments. Best bets are This Could Be and I Get a Kick Out of You. But James, who lacks the smoldering sensuality of Peggy Lee, misfires in her romantic takes. But through it all James gets great accompaniment and her song selection is first-rate."

Joni in a jazz vein...

Allen Bardin | Columbia, SC United States | 07/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here are Joni's 3 "Mood is..." 1960s LPs on a nice 2 disc set. Jazz-flavored arrangements of standards & a few rare songs.
Joni's version of "Star Eyes", I believe, is the loveliest on record. When singing a tender & dreamy ballad, Joni can be the most romantic singer you ever heard. I don't think any other vocalist can conjure up the euphoria of young love like she can. However, on sexier material, like "Lover Man" or "Squeeze Me", she just can't make the lyrics ring true & you'd better check in with Peggy or Lady Day."