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Current Favorites
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Charles Lloyd: Lift Every Voice
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My pick for best jazz CD of 2002
This album is for jazz lovers of all ages. Lloyd and his outstanding fellow musicians weave sweet, poetic takes on both older and original tunes on this double CD. The music soothes with its almost ethereal approach but don't mistake this for "slow" as the music contains a sophisticated vibe that forces you to pay attention. I've never heard a better version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and there are several terrific renditions of hymns and spirituals in this mix that are memorable. Throughout, Lloyd's sax commandeers the music with his warm, mesmorizing sound, ala Ben Webster or Stan Getz. This one is Lloyd's best -- and that's saying alot!
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Norah Jones: Come Away with Me
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Believe all the hype - Norah Jones is the real deal!
It’s not often that the Grammys get it right but this year they did. I picked up this CD way back when it first came out and nobody had heard of her -- and I was instantly hooked. Her voice is a wonder of restraint and seduction and the songs are a perfect match to her style. Not quite jazz and certainly not pop; the combination of intimacy and melancholy found in this delicate, artful music makes for perfect late night listening.
Favorite songs: Come Away With Me, Lonestar, Nearness To You
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Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban: Mambo Sinuendo
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And now for something completely different ...
This album of dual-guitar renditions of Cuban music circa the 1950s and 60s reults in an intoxicating vibe of latin jazz & pop. Cooder's playful, unique electric guitar-based sound fits this music to a tee. The interplay of the two guitar virtuosos is worth the purchase alone; but the music itself will hold you with its dreamy, seductive resonance. The tradition of the music is retained but the joyful experimentation of the musicians involved takes it on a whole new ride. Note: watch for the sly Herb Alpert cameo in the catchy title tune.
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Jacky Terrasson: Smile
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Here's the first great jazz record for 2003. Terrasson and his combo reinterpret some well-known songs in a fluid, emotional style that stays within the boundaries of classic piano-based trio jazz, but just barely. The improvisation here is wonderful to listen to but the songs still remain recognizable and melodies are always kept upfront. In fact, there is an ease to the way the musicians play together that belies the tricky soloing going on. A very "tight" record, this one proves that Terrasson is one of the next generation jazz crowd to follow.
Favorite Songs: Smile, Sous le Ciel de Paris
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Mark Knopfler: The Ragpicker's Dream
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This is easily Knopfler's most impressive outing since his Dire Straits days. The music has a real roots, folk-like feal to it (we're talking Irish roots). His guitar work is more fluid and streamlined to the songs this time out, which results in a record that feels satisfyingly whole. The album has an effortless feel to it -- one of those where all the songs seem to be perfectly fitted together.
Favorite Songs: Marbletown, Coyote, Pigweed
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