24-bit remastered 1999 album produced by Quincy Jones with orchestra conducted by Torrie Zito. Includes 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks, 'Almost Like Being In Love', 'But Not For Me' & 'I Get A Kick Out Of You'... more ». Mercury.« less
24-bit remastered 1999 album produced by Quincy Jones with orchestra conducted by Torrie Zito. Includes 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks, 'Almost Like Being In Love', 'But Not For Me' & 'I Get A Kick Out Of You'. Mercury.
"Having been a Nana-fana(tic)since 1968, I thought that I owned every recording of hers that would interest me -- until I heard this one. I used to think I could recognize Nana's unidentified voice wherever I heard it (as had happened in Canada, in France, in Spain, in the USA). However, I would not have recognized it on this magnificent recording, made before she had her own band behind her and her uniquely developed style. Her voice on this recording strikes me as youthful, flawless, and beautifully flexible. The orchestration is perfect as an unobtrusive background. The choice of songs makes for a fascinating variety.
It seems obvious that Quincy Jones was respectfully in charge of everything. There is one little moment that makes me uncomfortable: when Nana rhymes "you-you-you" and "blue-blue-blue." In the more confident decades since then, she would have found a substitute for such corniness. Among the many wonderful touches, she manages a respectful insertion from the French original into "What Now, my Love?" (Et maintenant ...) And she has long since learn to look more relaxed and less distant and determined than she looks on the cover and in the charming liner notes. I will truly cherish this CD, which I already find myself playing over and over. This is indeed a treasure that I would not have found without Amazon.com. Many thanks!"
Not just for mom and dad
perryink2 | castle rock | 09/02/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Long before she was an ignorable cat-rimmed curiousity in your parent's record collection, Nana was the toast of `60s jazz/pop highlife, Europe's answer to Babs Streisand, a celebrated songbird who sang in six - yes six - languages. This buffed-up rerelease finds the classically-trained jazz diva in her prime for sessions recorded during her first foray to America in 1962 courtesy of Quincy Jones. In between carousing around New York and Harlem clubs rubbing shoulders with legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and Duke Ellington, Jones tutored the avid Greek prodigy in the studio. This album was the result and iremains a timeless snapshot of an avid and ultimately exquisite vocalist covering 12 standards of the day (Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Til There Was You) including three bonus tracks (I Get A Kick Out Of You, But Not For Me, Almost Like Being In Love) with Jones and Phil Ramone on the boards and Torrie Zito in front of a dazzling orchestra. Yes, Mom and Dad bought her albums. But you'll only ever need this one."
A must!
Music fan | USA | 05/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The sound is incredible and Mouskouri's interpretations are magical. It has nothing to do with later works of her. It is a pure jazz album and the Tori Zitto Quintet creates a phenomenal sound. It sounds like it was recorded yesterday! A Mouskouri fan or not this is one of the best vocal albums ever!"
A great voice
R. Culp | Atlanta | 08/21/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm really finding pleasure and comfort in the voice selections and versitality of Nana. This is a great collection, with a star studded crew and a chance to hear a new voice from decades past."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
