THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER JESSICA LEE - RHYTHMS OF ANYWAY |  |
- JESSICA LEE - RHYTHMS OF ANYWAY
- PAUL RODGERS EXCLUSIVE SONG STREAM ON ROLLINGSTONE.COM - I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG
- BARBRA STREISAND'S 'BACK TO BROOKLYN' DVD REACHES TOP SPOT ON BILLBOARD CHARTS
- BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY - IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS TIME
- TONY BENNETT - THE CLASSIS, UPCOMING NEW RELEASE WITH SONGS HANDPICKED BY TONY BENNETT HIMSELF
|
Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:26 AM PST
Pittsburgh-based jazz vocalist and recording artist, Jessica Lee, announces the release of her fourth solo CD – Rhythms of Anyway.
As with her prior recordings and performances, Jessica Lee's new album, Rhythms of Anyway, gives voice to the up-lifting energy, power and messages that were the trademarks of early artists in gospel, blues and jazz. Ms. Lee's inspiration for this new project is a simple poem, Anyway, which hangs on the wall of a sick children's home in Calcutta, India, founded by Mother Teresa. The poem asks us to stay positive and to love and serve unconditionally regardless of the sometimes fear-based and negative actions and attitudes of others. This CD strives to help to provide the inspiration and energy to do what the poem asks.
The CD contains thirteen songs (10 album songs and 3 bonus tracks) with intentionally varying rhythmic influences, including jazz standards such as Nature Boy, Small Day Tomorrow and The More I See You; lesser-known selections such as Nocturne and Songbird; R&B-fusion songs such as Hallelujah I Love Him So and Baby Come to Me; and also three original songs written by Jessica, including, Love No Hands, which speaks of aspects of unconditional love; Whispering, which listens for the voice of inspiration and guidance; and One with the Skies (Song for Claire), which examines the value and eternal nature of each life, inspired by the short but full life of a young girl who valiantly fought cancer . The CD's strong rhythms are powered by renowned jazz drummer Roger Humphries, who has worked and recorded with Ray Charles, Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silver and George Benson, among many other jazz greats. All musicians on the CD have a Pittsburgh connection, including co-producers Max Leake (keys) and Mark Strickland (guitar), Mike Houlis (bass), New York-based saxophonist Chris Hemingway (alto sax), and Jay Willis (soprano and tenor saxophones). Max Leake's imaginative arrangements as lead Music Director and Producer are, by themselves, worth a listen.
The CD's final three bonus tracks include You Don't Know I Love You, written by Executive Producer, Roy Ruzika, many years ago for his wife Joan; and The World Medley which shares Max Leake's original intro and outro arrangement of What the World Needs Now Is Love, which blends meaningfully with a soulful version of What a Wonderful World. Of special note is the final track, Raincoat, which is dedicated to the memory of renowned jazz musician John D'Amico, the arranger and pianist on Jessica's debut CD, Bluebird Fly, who recorded Raincoat with Jessica during his fight with cancer. Raincoat is only being released now - for the first time - after this highly regarded jazz pianist's passing.
The CD was recorded initially by Mark Strickland in Pittsburgh's Hill District at The Tracking Station, LLC, with additional recording, mixing and mastering by five-time Grammy-winning engineer, Jay Dudt, at Audible Images Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. Rhythms of Anyway allows the listener to experience Jessica's vocal range, extraordinary phrasing and the seamless melding of the jazz, blues and rhythm and blues genres that have influenced her work, resulting in a uniquely sincere and powerful voice. Jay Dudt states, "If you appreciate the heart of American music, you will treasure Jessica Lee's CDs." Ms. Lee's recordings are currently represented on seven vocal compilation albums into international markets by the record label EQ Music, pairing Jessica's recordings with those of other well-known artists such as Norah Jones and Amy London. This new album's songs will also be represented by the record label on international vocal compilation albums in 2014.
Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
  |
|
Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:19 AM PST
Rolling Stone.com will post an exclusive stream today of "I've Been Loving You Too Long", the classic song by Otis Redding recorded by Paul Rodgers which appears on his upcoming new album "The Royal Sessions." You can listen to the track here: http://smarturl.it/PaulRodgersRS. The longtime singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with Bad Company, has partnered with 429 Records and is gearing up for the release of "The Royal Sessions"—a lovingly crafted collection of classic R&B and soul songs re-imagined by the iconic rock singer recorded at Memphis' Royal Studios, historic home of Willie Mitchell and Hi Records, with many of the musicians who played on the original tracks.
Truly a lifetime in the making, Rodgers has come full circle with "The Royal Sessions" as he pays homage to the legendary hits he collected on 45s released on Stax/Volt, Goldwax and Hi Records—recordings by Otis Redding, Albert King and Ann Peebles which made such an indelible impression on the young Rodgers inspiring him to pursue a career as a singer. Produced by Perry Margouleff, "The Royal Sessions" is an extraordinary recording which captures the music in its pure form—live band and vocal takes as performed together at Royal Studios by Rodgers and an all-star roster of legendary musicians. The band is a dream lineup of those who played on the original hits dating back to the 60's. The classic rhythm section includes Reverend Charles Hodges (Hammond B3), Michael Tolls (guitar), LeRoy Hodges Jr. (bass), "Hubby" Archie Turner (Wurlitzer), Steve Potts and James Robertson Sr. (drums), The Royal Horns and the Royal Singers. "The Royal Sessions" will be released on 429 Records in the U.S. on February 4th (international release dates below).
"The Royal Sessions" is a remarkable project that came together as Rodgers was working on a solo record and producer Margouleff had just discovered that Royal Studios was still up and running under the auspices of Willie "Pops" Mitchell's son Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell. The opportunity to record in such a hallowed place with musicians he considered personal heroes was a dream come true. The Memphis players forged an immediate bond when presented with his formidable talent and sincere love of the songs. Deeply felt, powerfully sung and expertly played, it features a cross-section of material hand-picked by Rodgers, songs of great historical significance and personal meaning.
"The Royal Sessions" will be released worldwide on the following dates:
Europe—January 27th
Canada—January 28th
Japan—January 29th
United States February 4th
Australia—February 7th
  |
|
Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:13 AM PST
In her sixth decade of providing music magic, Barbra Streisand continues to reach the number one position on the charts. Her "Back To Brooklyn" concert DVD has reached #1 on the Billboard Top DVD Music Videos chart. Achieving that distinction with the Columbia Records release, Streisand has now topped the DVD charts five times. Her success in the DVD field also includes having earned nine Gold DVDs, six Platinum and three Multi-Platinum.
On the CD charts, she has reached #1 nine times and is the only recording artist to have accomplished #1 albums in five consecutive decades. She has achieved 51 gold albums, 30 platinum and 13 multi-platinum.
The "Back To Brooklyn" concert DVD captures Streisand's first musical performance in her native Brooklyn since she departed at age 16 to pursue her acting career and became one of the most popular and famous musical performers of her time. Throughout the concert, which includes nine songs she had never previously performed publicly, Barbra reflects upon her years growing up in Brooklyn, and to mark the occasion, she commissioned special lyrics for two songs:
ACT I opens with Andrew Lloyd Webber's "As If We Never Said Goodbye," which she turns into an homage to "the Brooklyn docks, the nova lox" and other fond memories of the sights and sounds of her youth. When she triumphantly sings, "I've come home at last," the audience rises from their seats with a thunderous welcome back ovation.
ACT II pays tribute to the people and places in Brooklyn today, with a re-written lyric to Cole Porter's "You're The Top": "You're the top, you're a Brooklyn trolley…you're the top you're a hot bialy!"
It also provides biographical video and still photo images of the artist's childhood and early career.
Among the many highlights of the evening was the first-time ever pairing of Barbra and her son Jason Gould. Other artists joining her include trumpet player Chris Botti and the young Italian singing quartet, Il Volo. Subsequent to the Brooklyn performances, Ms. Streisand presented a slightly revised version of the concert in record-breaking tours in the US, Canada, Europe and Israel, her first concert appearances in six years.
The concert performance is directed by Barbra Streisand and Richard Jay-Alexander, and written by Barbra Streisand, Jay Landers, Richard Jay-Alexander and Jeffrey Richman. The "Back To Brooklyn" concert is also currently featured on Public Broadcasting System stations, where it has become the top-rated Great Performances series offering this season, raising funds for PBS local stations.
DVD
1. Back to Brooklyn
2. As If We Never Said Goodbye
3. I Remember Brooklyn (Dialogue)
4. Nice 'n' Easy / That Face
5. The Way He Makes Me Feel
6. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
7. Didn't We
8. Smile (w/ Il Volo)
9. Q & A
10. Sam, You Made The Pants Too Long
11. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
12. The Way We Were / Through The Eyes Of Love
13. Being Good Isn't Good Enough
14. Rose's Turn / Some People / Don't Rain On My Parade
15. I Remember Barbra
16. You're The Top
17. What'll I Do / My Funny Valentine (w/ Chris Botti)
18. Lost Inside Of You (w/ Chris Botti)
19. Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born) (w/ Chris Botti)
20. Nature Boy (Birthday video performed by Jason Gould)
21. How Deep Is The Ocean (Duet w/ Jason Gould)
22. People
23. Here's To Life
24. Make Our Garden Grow / Somewhere
25. Some Other Time
26. Happy Days Are Here Again
INCLUDES ADDITIONAL BONUS MATERIAL:
27. "This Masquerade" (Performed by Jason Gould)
28. I Remember Barbra Documentary Film
  |
|
Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:08 AM PST
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated band is back with a holiday album entitled It Feels Like Christmas Time, an all new recording for Savoy Jazz, featuring eleven songs, a mix of traditional favorites and original material. As a special promotion today only, a free download of their festive version of "We Three Kings" is available at Amazon.com as part of their 25 DAYS OF FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD program. To download the song visit: http://smarturl.it/BBVD_WeThreeKings.
It Feels like Christmas Time, the band's tenth studio album, follows the release of Rattle Them Bones – the record that put Big Bad back at the top of the Billboard Charts last year. Rattle Them Bones, a celebration of twenty years of bringing an irrepressible groove to adoring fans worldwide, made an impressive debut reaching #1 on the Jazz Album Chart on both iTunes and Amazon and was the highest debut on the Billboard Jazz Chart entering at # 2. Jazz Times called it "a compelling reminder that this is a collective of superior players, deserving of attention outside of the niche they helped spawn."
It Feels Like Christmas Time, produced by BBVD founding member and lead singer Scotty Morris with band-mate, pianist and arranger Joshua Levy and mixed by Morris, was recorded In Los Angeles at East West and Capitol studios. The album includes the Morris original "It Feels Like Christmas Time," and features guest harmonies by vocal group She, Her and I. The album also features the crowd favorite "Christmas Is Starting Now" from Disney's Phineus and Ferb as well as the band's unique take on holiday classics "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "Jingle Bells," "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer," "Run Run Rudolph," "Frosty the Snowman," "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)," "We Three Kings." Bonus tracks through Amazon include a duet with newcomer Anna Kasper on the classic "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and the traditional "Auld Lang Syne."
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy features Morris (vocals, guitar, banjo), Joshua Levy (piano, arranger), Kurt Sodergren (drums), Dirk Shumaker (acoustic bass, vocals), Glen "The Kid" Marhevka (trumpet, flugelhorn), Karl Hunter (alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet) and Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone, vocals).
They are currently touring in celebration of their 20th Anniversary and "It Feels Like Christmas Time" through New Year's.
  |
|
Posted: 16 Dec 2013 12:36 PM PST
When approached to curate an anthology of classic recordings drawn from across his career, Bennett kept "two things in mind: choosing songs that exemplify to the highest degree a timeless quality, while selecting a performance of those songs that present them in a very immediate and 'live' approach. I feel that songs I selected for The Classics absolutely meet both of these criteria."
The Classics opens in 1951 with "Because of You," Tony's first Columbia Records single and first #1 record, includes the "solo tracks that I felt most closely represented the highest level of musical craftsmanship that has been my mandate as I have built my recording catalog" and spotlights some of the finest of Bennett's acclaimed duets, sung "with artists who I admire and have loved working with over the years." The Classics finds Tony Bennett sharing songs with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, k.d. lang, Barbra Streisand, Juanes, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Michael Buble, Lady Gaga, and Amy Winehouse.
The Classics is the latest Tony Bennett Legacy entry which has already enjoyed two highly acclaimed releases early this year: the never before released, Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 and the much-anticipated Tony Bennett Live At the Sahara, Las Vegas 1964. Additionally, Tony Bennett's entire catalog was made available for the first time on i-Tunes this past fall.
Tony Bennett's The Classics is available in an expanded deluxe edition featuring ten additional tracks.
TONY BENNETT – THE CLASSICS (Standard Edition)
1. Because Of You
2. Just In Time
3. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
4. I Wanna Be Around
5. The Good Life
6. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
7. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
8. When Do The Bells Ring For Me
9. New York, New York - Duet with Frank Sinatra
10. Evenin' - Duet with Ray Charles
11. What A Wonderful World - Duet with k.d. Lang
12. Smile - Duet with Barbra Streisand
13. The Shadow Of Your Smile - Duet with Juanes
14. The Best Is Yet To Come - Duet with Diana Krall
15. For Once In My Life - Duet with Stevie Wonder
16. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Duet with John Mayer
17. Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Duet with Michael Buble
18. The Lady Is A Tramp - Duet with Lady Gaga
19. Body And Soul - Duet with Amy Winehouse
20. Steppin' Out With My Baby - Duet with Christina Aguilera
TONY BENNETT – THE CLASSICS (Deluxe Edition)
1. Boulevard of Broken Dreams
2. Because Of You
3. Cold, Cold Heart
4. Blue Velvet
5. Rags To Riches
6. Stranger In Paradise
7. Just In Time
8. The Way You Look Tonight
9. Put On A Happy Face
10. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
11. I Wanna Be Around
12. The Good Life
13. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
14. Of I Ruled The World
15. My Favorite Things
16. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
17. When Do The Bells Ring For Me
18. New York, New York - Duet with Frank Sinatra
19. Evenin' - Duet with Ray Charles
20. What A Wonderful World - Duet with k.d. lang
21. Smile - Duet with Barbra Streisand
22. The Shadow Of Your Smile - Duet with Juanes
23. The Best Is Yet To Come - Duet with Diana Krall
24. For Once In My Life - Duet with Stevie Wonder
25. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Duet with John Mayer
26. Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Duet with Michael Buble
27. The Lady Is A Tramp - Duet with Lady Gaga
28. Body And Soul - Duet with Amy Winehouse
29. It Had To Be You- Duet with Carrie Underwood
30. Steppin' Out With My Baby - Duet with Christina Aguilera
TonyBennett.com
LegacyRecordings.com ColumbiaRecords.com  |
No comments:
Post a Comment