Search - Various Artists :: Pure Jazz Encore

Give these guys a spotlight !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pure Jazz Encore follows the first CD entitled simply Pure Jazz. The quality of the sound is excellent especially considering the age of these recordings; and the artwork is impressive. The diversity of the artists enhances the value of this album; trust me, this is ANYTHING but elevator music!



Nina Simone starts things off with a very creative, fine rendition of "Feeling Good." "Feeling Good" really sounds so fresh and new when the great Nina Simone sings this to perfection--and beyond! Nina's voice handles this so well when she sings a bit of this a Capella; and when the music comes in the number really takes flight! Terrific! Count Basie & Joe Williams also make good on "Every Day I Have The Blues." Count Basie and His Orchestra never disappoint and Joe Williams is equally bright. "Every Day I Have The Blues" is a major highlight of this album. In addition, there's also the immortal Billie Holiday singing "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm;" this number gets an upbeat melody and Billie sings this so sweetly it makes me melt! Billie sings this so well I could never tire of hearing her sing it out right the way she does here!



Diana Krall does a fine interpretation of that Fred Astaire number called "Let's Face The Music And Dance;" "Let's Face The Music And Dance" has a smooth jazz arrangement and Diana sings this with a great deal of feeling, heart and soul. Awesome! Diana Krall was always a great singer; and just one listen to this proves it beyond a doubt! The Vince Guaraldi Trio also performs one of my very favorite jazz instrumental numbers, "Linus & Lucy," which comes from a Charlie Brown (Peanuts) Christmas television special.



Louis Armstrong does a stunning job on "Hello, Dolly!" "Hello, Dolly" sounds as if it was written expressly for Louis Armstrong to sing it out like the champ he always was! Louis's gravelly voice sounds great and his excellent diction enhances his performance even further! Similarly, Bobby Darin's "Beyond The Sea" really makes me very impressed; Bobby certainly could sing well and we are better off that he shared his gift with us. Duke Ellington And His Orchestra also do "Take The `A' Train" with all the style they always had; this is a major highlight of this album.



Listen for Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady Of Song, to perform a moving rendition of "Someone To Watch Over Me;" wow, how Ella could sing! John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman end the CD with their "My One And Only Love;" this sounds terrific and it makes you want more. Don't be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the "play" button on your CD player the moment this last number is over!



Pure Jazz Encore is an excellent album for jazz enthusiasts; and along with Pure Jazz it makes a fantastic pair of jazz CDs. If you like this genre of music you will not be disappointed.

"

History & a beginning

Eric C. Sedensky | 03/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD covers many of the absolute greats in Jazz, and for the beginner to this style, or anyone wanting a semi-comprehensive CD, thos one brings it home. You can get many styles and the full spectrum of Jazz's greats all here. Spoil yourself."

Great "starter kit" for the new jazz enthusiast

Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 03/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As in my review for this CD's predecessor, Pure Jazz, this CD is very useful for a newcomer to jazz. It provides broad exposure to many different styles and artists, all of whom impacted jazz music significantly over the years. Although it is focused on vocal works, there are plenty of good instrumentals and solid standards. I consider this to be the companion volume to Pure Jazz, and if you think about these two CD's as being one set, it becomes a very valuable and diversified selection of jazz tunes that are great for any occasion."