eddiedaniels | New York, NY United States | 07/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Art song? Jazz? Yes this is both. Not since Blitstein and Bernstein has this sort of sensibility come to the jazz idiom, and there's no question how or why. It's in the genes (or jeans). Ms. Feather hails from the great Leonard who palled about with the likes of Holliday and Armstrong and was a true jazz great.But moreso there's a woman's sensibility and not just the usual. "You're Outta Here" is a true paean to the pain of discovery that that great guy is really a cad and a loser. Who else can wail through a line about finding someone's "polka-dot bra under the pillow . . . and I don't wear polka-dot!"Mostly the voice just soars. Not ruined by whisky and cigarettes, this is a clear-as-a-bell voice, a sort of jazz Emmy Lou or Joan Baez not in style, but in clarity. A really wild combination with the intimate knowledge of jazz idiom that she brings to the table. This is a must for anyone who loves jazz and wants to hear a really fresh voice with an authentic understanding of the medium."
Do yourself a favor and check this out
Mark Winkler | Los Angeles, California USA | 08/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lorraine Feather has amassed a lot of credits. Lead Vocalist of Full Swing, lyricist for "Babes In Toyland", the theme for the All Dogs Go To Heaven Christmas movie and writer of songs covered by everyone from Cleo Laine and Patti Austin to Djavan and Barry Manilow! But, nothing prepared me for the joy of this project, where Lorraine takes it upon herself to compose lyrics to classic instrumental Fats Waller Rags. It's like stumbling onto a treasure trove of standards, that amazingly were written just recently.Her lyrics and vocal performances can't be matched. The tunes are at once moody and evocative "New York City Drag", hilarious "You're Outta Here" (which is an instant classic) and modern and witty. "Too Good Looking". There's not a dud in here. Special mention must be paid to her wonderful musical support- the amazing Dick Hyman and Mike Lang and all the others.Do yourself a favor and buy my favorite CD of the millenium- well it's early yet-- Lorraine Feather's "New York City Drag"."
Unique spin on classic ragtime
eddiedaniels | 10/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In addition to the NPR popularized first cut in which a frustrated woman orders her useless boyfriend to "put down the chips and read my lips, you're outta here", vocalist Lorraine Feather has paired snappy lyrics with classic Fats Waller instrumentals. Whether lambasting the Rodeo Drive model need for perfection in "Too Good Looking", chastising the females in a love triangle in "Gal on the Side", Parts I and II, or reminiscing about a youthful love affair in "California Street, Feather's lyrics move from witty to strident to poignant according to the tone of the music. The interpretations by Dick Hyman and Mike Lang of Fats Waller's complicated stride piano stylings keep your toes tapping and your fingers snapping. Great driving disk!"
Oh My God, Is This Good!!
Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 02/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recently, I stumbled upon Lorraine Feather's 2003 release, "Such Sweet Thunder", her vocalese tribute to late career Duke Ellington, and was thoroughly blown away, as explained elsewhere. I knew I had to get to her back catalogue immediately, to see if "Such Sweet Thunder" was a fluke, or what.
It isn't. This one blows me away as well.
This is Lorraine Feather's vocalese tribute to Fats Waller. There are no covers of "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Honeysuckle Rose", or the like here. Instead, this consists of the incredibly gifted Ms. Feather's lyrics to lesser-known Waller tunes.
Some of the tunes display Ms. Feather's witty, hilarious 21st Century sardonic qualities (e.g. "You're Outta Here", "Too Good Lookin'", and "Gal on the Side Part II-She's Gettin' Some"). Others capture the sentimentality of the early 20th Century very nicely (e.g., "In Living Black and White", "New York City Drag" and "Jukebox."). Ms. Feather is such a good lyricist that it's easy to overlook her talents as a singer: she has a warm, straight tone very reminiscent of Karrin Allyson; and she spits out her clever words so well that, for the most part, you get them the first time.
But special note to two of the most special tracks: After the hilarity of "Part II", the fourth cut on the c.d., you'd expect more of the same of the eighth cut, or "Gal on the Side Part I--The Garden Gate." No, Sir. This is a heart-rending ballad, capturing that hair-tearing feeling of being in love with a cad. Ms. Feather can capture your heart, if she has to. And the last cut, "Cezanne", has an analog appearance (if you will) by Mr. Waller himself, playing "Smashing Thirds", while Ms. Feather vocaleses along.
Special note to the pianists as well. The incomparable Dick Hyman and Mike Lang do superb work in capturing the stride piano of Fats, and really make this whole project sound like a cross between a creation and a re-creation.
My c.d. man informed me, as I went to pay for this, that this c.d. is already out of print. If that's true, that is one of the most outrageous things I've heard in a long time. I predict that in the All-Music Guide to Jazz, 8th edition or so, Scott Yanow will be telling you that this (and "Such Sweet Thunder") are essentials for any serious jazz collection. So, if you don't already own this, what the heck are you waiting for??? RC
"
Dynamite! Wit & Waller!
Fred_PA | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 12/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Witty, intricate lyrics with real story lines. And she has the vocal control to rattle them off in musical machine gun when she wants to. Fats Waller's music is always draw-you-in rythmic, and Dick Hyman & Mike Lang can punch it out (love that swingin' left hand!). The title cut is one of those songs you find yourself singing in the shower. ."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1