VOICES OF THE CONCORD JAZZ - Live at Montreux - Switzerland - 2004

The clean, tasteful, accessible, and swinging sound of Concord Records is well showcased on Voices of Concord Jazz, a collection of 20 live performances (both small group and big band) by seven of the California-based label's jazz singers. In truth, there's nothing earth-shattering to be found in these 105 minutes--no Sarahs, Billies, Mels, or Ellas are on hand (although Patti Austin certainly evokes Miss Fitzgerald in a set that includes "Mr. Paganini" and a tour de force "How High the Moon"). But while the Concord approach has usually been more about entertaining and engaging listeners than challenging them, this is decidedly not the pallid style commonly known as "smooth jazz"; indeed, the occasional Vegas-isms of singers like Peter Cincotti (virtually a younger Harry Connick Jr.) and Curtis Stigers are more than balanced by their instrumental prowess on piano and sax, respectively. Elsewhere, Karrin Allyson shines in a too-brief set that includes the Bobby Timmons standard "Moanin'" (with lyrics by Jon Hendricks), while the bluesy, sultry "Stay Away from Bill," her duet with Diane Schuur (an extraordinarily powerful vocalist with an unfortunate tendency to shriek), is a highlight. Others include Dave Samuels, Nnenna Freelon and Monica Mancini (daughter of Henry); all are backed by some superb players, including a mostly German WDR big band conducted by the estimable Tom Scott. 

Astrud Gilberto - Live at ZDF Jazz Club, Germany - 1988

How can anybody not recognize this very distinct voice? The Queen of Bossa Nova - Astrud Gilberto. Astrud gained popularity during the the 60's and has become the voice of an angel from Brazil. During those days every singer started imitating her very soft and gentle voice. Born in Brazil with a German Father and practically grew up in Rio De Janiero. Now risiding permanently in the United States.

As you travel around the world you can always hear her music. Probably the most popular song she made is "The Shadow of Your Smile" Which was a big hit and went up the charts for several months. In this 1988 concert video at ZDF jazz club, Germany. You will notice that she still has her vibrant voice. Songs here were mostly sung in Portuguese language singing along with her band. Also appearing with her here is the son of Antonio Carlos Jobim - Paulo Jobim. Playing his accoustic guitar and singing to the tunes of "Samba do Soho" , "Mantiqueira", "Cumbia", and "Milkyway"

Tracks:

The Girl from Ipanema
Ponteio
My Friend Flora
Adeus America
Canto de Ossanha
Samba do Soho
Mantiqueira
Cumbia
Milkyway
Aqua de Beber ( English Version)

Enjoy the classic style singing of Astrud Gilberto for an hour of Bossa Nova!

Shirley Horn - Live At The Village Vanguard - New York, USA - 1991 - 2006 release

Her ballads are sensitive and knowing, and on the jazzy up-tempos Shirley horn swings like hell! In this very rare live performance captured at New York's Village Vanguard in 1991, renowed jazz singer, pianist and GRAMMY winner Shirley Horn displays her astounding musical command through 12 classic songs, accompanied by the inimitable Charles Ables on bass and Steve Williams on drums. See and hear why this elegant artist was truly one of a kind, and why the legendary Johhnny Mandel said of her: " Shirley Horn is the one singer who all the other great singers - Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae - bow down to" 78 minutes of pure jazz swingin with the legendary jazz singer Shirley Horn.


JAZZ TRACKS:

Change Partners
IVe Got the World on a String
How Am I to know?
Wild is the Wind
The Rules of the Road
One at a time
Nice and Easy
Iam Just fooling Myself
Isn't it aPity?
Return to Paradise
Quietly There

Patricia Barber - Montreal Jazz Festivals - 1999 - 2001

Jazz singer and pianist - Chicago based player - Patricia Barber performing live at the Montreal Jazz Festivals 1999 and 2001 Jazz Festivals. In her more exploring way of expressing jazz music. Patricia's inventiveness in exploring jazz can sometimes be a little heavy for jazz beginners, but for true lovers of her music. You will fall in-love with this concert. This dvd is one of her best jazz concerts ever made.

Her lyrics are some of the most absorbing I have heard on record in a long time. She writes in part from experience, often metaphorically, and takes on some familiar subjects by casting an entirely new light on them. But most impressive is her sheer power of language. She puts words and phrases into songs the likes of which have rarely been heard, and at a more poetic level than some of the best folkies. She is also not without a sense of dry wit, whom she credits Mose Allison for inspiring.

From commercial pop music to jazz. Patricia sings with a certain degree of elegance and have captured the attention of jazz music fans. Her stlyle of playing the piano is more or less by definition, a singer rather than a songwriter. This is especially true in jazz, where the performance, improvisation and interpretation are the keys. Material consists of familiar great selected songs that came from her cd's between the year of 1999 and 2001. This dvd lasted an hour of pure breed jazz.

Diana Krall - Live at Bell Centre - 25th Montreal Jazz Festival - Canada - 2004

Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival features Diana Krall on vocals and piano along with her band of Anthony Wilson on guitar, Peter Erskine on drums, and Robert Hurst on bass. Most of the songs performed here are culled from Krall’s Verve release, The Girl in the Other Room. The album, which has been certified Gold in the US and double Platinum in Krall’s native Canada, marked a change in that it showcased for the first time Krall’s skills as a songwriter. Many of the album’s songs were penned by Krall and her husband, Elvis Costello. Some of the Krall/Costello compositions featured on Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival are “Abandoned Masquerade,” “Departure Bay,” and “Narrow Daylight.” The DVD also features Krall’s concert opener, the original instrumental “Sometimes I Just Freak Out,”

Krall also interpreted songs from a wide range of artists for The Girl in the Other Room, including Tom Waits (“Temptation”), Mose Allison (“Stop This World”), and Joni Mitchell (“Black Crow”). GRAMMY®-winner Krall revisits some classic favorites from her earlier Verve and Impulse! recordings on this DVD as well. During this performance, she included “All or Nothing at All” from her album Love Scenes and “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” and “Devil May Care” from When I Look in Your Eyes. The DVD concert is 1:28:28 long.

Acoustic Alchemy - Sounds of St. Lucia - 2006

British smooth jazz group Acoustic Alchemy climbed to the top of the charts with lively grooves and infectious melodies, capturing three Grammy nominations. Beginning as an acoustic guitar duo, these longtime radio favorites have welcomed additional instrumentalists into their line-up. Their intricate, mesmerizing sound has continued to grow and evolve through the years, absorbing many different musical influences and continuing to surprise and delight fans and critics around the world.

Songs:

Catalina Kiss, Playing for Time, Angel of the South, The Beautiful Game, Trailblazer, Viva Che, Cool as a Rool, Flamenco Loco, The Wind of Change, Augustrasse 18, Panama Cat, Lazeez, Red Dust, Casino. 1 hour of cool jazzin!

The Jazz Crusaders - Germany -1987

Boss Mainstream jazz of the highest quality. Outstanding performances by Wayne Henderson - sax, Joe Sample -Piano, James Earl -Bass, Scott Peaker - drums, Eddie Davis- Trumpet, David T. Walker -guitar, Reichii Guillory - vocals . With Special guest appearances of Airto Moreira on percussion and Kenny G. on clarinet.





Tracks: Mischievous Ways, Chain Reaction, Sunrise, Carmel, The way it goes, Street Life, Put it where you want it and Covert action. This concert was held in Germany 1987 Another classic edition from a veteran jazz group - JAZZ CRUSADERS!