Reviews (7)

awesome jazz singer
Jane Monheit is the best singer in the world today.

this cd is soooo very goooood!

The best female jazz/pop vocalist in the world today!
One else can I say. Jane has the most beautiful jazz/pop voice today. We're blessed with a number of fine female singers today. Jane is at the top of the list.

Talentosa, pero insuficiente
Jane Monheit es indiscutiblemente, una joven y talentosa cantante. Tengo sus anteriores cds y al escuchar este "EN VIVO" me parece que no logro obtener lo acogedor de sus anteriores trabajos, pese a que su calidad interpretativa esta al mas alto nivel (por algo ha colaborado con musicos como Blanchard y O'Connor, por citar algunos)
No obstante lo anterior, el aporte de esta grabacion es reunir en un solo cd, los "standard" mas destacados de sus anteriores trabajos.
Recomendable para quienes empiezan a escuchar a Jane Monheit, para el resto, me inclino por sus trabajos anteriores.

Absolutely Brilliant!
Jane Monheit is without question a gigantic talent. Her voice is magical. Jazz fans who treasure Diana Krall's Live in Paris DVD can consider Jane Monheit: Live at the Rainbow Room the second half of a luscious double bill. Like Krall, Monheit is a singer whose ease with jazz standards belies her years (a mere 24, in Monheit's case), and both women are backed by a combo and an orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent. Monheit doesn't play the piano like Krall, but her voice is a brighter, more supple instrument. Filmed in September 2002 shortly after the release of her In the Sun album, Monheit's visit to Manhattan's legendary cabaret venue mixes classic ballads ("It Never Entered My Mind," "Some Other Time") with Brazilian pop (Ivan Lins, Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Waters of March") and contemporary tunes. It's no surprise that a young voice like this can embody the hopes and dreams of "Over the Rainbow," but who ever knew Vincent Youmans's "Tea for Two" could sound so sexy?

A LOOKER WITH A PRETTY VOICE BUT NO EMOTION
From 1967 when I first experienced Carmen McRae in Concert at Shelley's Manhole while still in my teens, I have enjoyed female Jazz Singers of a wide variety and I am always on the lookout for a new discovery! So when I heard about Miss Monheit I was expecting a new and exciting experience. Past studio works of Jane Monheit have been flat emotionally so I was hopeful that "IN CONCERT" more excitement would come from being in front of an audience but sadly this was not to be. Ploding arrangements did not help but maybe that lack of passion in the vocals didn't inspire the arranger or the musicians. The voice is pretty but boring and "Dindi" by Carmen Lundy, Morgana King, or Frank Sinatra is a great listening experience but tired here. One can sample "Dindi" on Carmen Lundy's "Good Morning Kiss", Morgana King's "Complete Reprise Recordings", and Frank Sinatra's "Jobim Collection" for comparison. "Over The Rainbow" felt like it was fifteen minutes long and modulation was way off and words were awkwardly twisted around giving no enhancement to the song. Maybe some more life experience will wake up some passion in this singer but until that happens I will pass and wait for this Diva in training to get her act together and show some involvement with the meaning of a song! In all fairness I have been so exposed to seeing pretty much all the great legends of the past in concert over the past thirty-five or so years, so I may be a little too harsh on a newcomer but this lady does possess a beautifully toned voice and a fine presence but needs to work on vocal modulation and emotional involvement with the material she selects! I will be watching. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What Living in NY Was All About
I, too, treasure the 2-disc vinyl set of "Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter." This particular issue of the CD is a bargain...it was originally issued a few years ago at, if I recall correctly, over $30. More years ago than I want to remember, while living in New York, I had the pleasure of spending my 30th birthday at the Carlyle and Mr. Short with my first wife...who also later became my second! But I digress...This disc set is one I treaure, and one who anyone with a sense of musical style [which invariably means a keen sense of personal style, I find] will enjoy. So, my STRONG advice: mix an ice-cold Manhattan or martini [stir it...don't shake!], settle down over some terrific hor d'oevres, and let the nuances that can define love and life overtake you. Nothing better.

He's The Top
I've been waiting 20 years for "Bobby Short Loves Cole Porter" to be released on CD. I don't know what the problem might have been, but the Atlantic vinly two-disc set from the seventies is perhaps my favorite jazz vocal recording of all time. This album features Bobby with his two longtime sidemen - Robby Scott on drums and the late, great Beverly Peer bowing the double bass. About Cole Porter nothing more need be said. And the whole shebang is cheaper than two drinks at the Cafe Carlyle bar. Buy it and treasure it. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

beautiful stuff...
this thang here is a track meet!
willie bobo is the starter's pistol setting this thing off... i like them, but carmen mcrae and astrud gilberto kinda stumble out the gate, but dinah washington picks it up and IT'S ON from there on out! the batton is handed on to sista nina (rest her soul) and there remains little speculation as to how this race is gonna end... some real flawless music from there on out...

...UNTIL...

tony scott's thang... i love the mid-eastern feel of this joint, it's just out of place with the rest of this, which is understandable because this disc IS just made to showcase the original artists that the downtempo producers used for their remixed version...
other than that, my only real complaint is that the tracks are sooo short - the vast majority being under 3 minutes (this might account for the pricing)... but for 5 bucks you really cant beat the quality and the vocal diversity this thing offers.

this is 'sunday sophistication'... if you dont really appreciate traditional jazz vocalists then you should probably move on, but i strongly recommend this for true fans and anyone sitting on the fence.

sum.

Hands Down the BEST Deal Going!!
Honestly I am at a lost to why this CD is so [inexpensive]. I fear its price does it a dis-service as it implies poor quality. This is an unbelieveable array of smooth, yet funky songs by original artists. Particularly apt for fall, the general attitude of this CD is relaxed, but be careful, you'll notice that some part of your body will be moving. I find it's great for driving because with the exception of the last track, there's a great continuity between the songs. Party music is great, but in the real world people don't party 24hrs, for all those other times, this is the CD to listen to.

I can't help it...
As much as I enjoyed The Verve Remixed, I had to like this CD better. This one I'll listen to when I want to blast music for fun, when I'm studying, when I'm relaxing, just about any time. The Remixed version I'll take to the gym. It was an adventurous idea to remix all these classics, and for the most part, I like them. But they just don't have the same quality as when they're in their original form. For example, my favorite track on the unmixed is "Feelin' Good." I LOVE it - Nina Simone starts it out a capella, then what seems like a whole brass section blasts in to emphasize the point, that is, feelin' good. Remixed, there is no a capella, and therefore, no excellent entrance of the brass. Big drawback. I just love this CD. It has got a great variety of fantastic jazz artists. Buy it if you love jazz just as it is. I don't think these are songs that can be improved upon.

A Must-Have for Owners of "Verve Remixed."
This is the companion piece to the compilation "Verve Remixed," which had dance-interpretations of classic jazz tunes. On this album, we get the original versions, and they all shine in their pristine glory. The track listing is flawless, sampling the work of Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, and other must-have legendary jazz artists. The Verve label has rightfully earned its status as one of the leading names in jazz, and they've come up with a dynamite album whose pricetag makes it an appealing bargain. Those who own "Verve Remixed" shouldn't even have to ask if they need to get this album. Both discs compliment each other like mashed potatoes and gravy.

Nice Jazz, good inspiration
The originals from the Verve Remixed CD... well, almost. One of my favorite tracks, Return to Paradise as done here by SHirley Horn isn't the original. However to me it is still one of my favorite forms of the song. Verve usually does this and always, you can feel the charm from the originals that are never really matched by the new remakes. Of course you just look at Verve Re-Mixed in a different light - that is an extraordinary album, and maybe that is the secret; to see it as it's own unique album and sound.

I enjoyed this CD. It's always good to gather the companion pieces with the remake and judging by the price, you really can't go wrong here. It's a very soulful and rich Jazz cd. Like the previous reviewer stated, if you're a jazz head, pick it up - it'll incite memories and passion - the songs are so rich, as are the voices and sound. I'd definitely recommend picking up this CD.

As a side FYI, verve did this with Nova Bossa. That tribute featured original Bossa Nova tracks by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Caetano Veloso, Sergio Mendes etc. - and that is the companion piece to Red Hot + Rio. Red Hot + Rio featured remade Bossa Nova tracks. Artists included original Bossa Nova artists and more modern artists (1996 at least). Everythign But the Girl, PM Dawn, Maxwell, Stereolab, Chico Science, etc. I recommend both, but if you're into originals like this Verve Un-Mixed cd, definitely get Nova Bossa - Red Hot on Verve. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nipper comes up with a better album that I had expected
When I came across "Nipper's Greatest Hits: The 30's, Volume 1" I was inclined not to take it seriously and found it difficult to believe there were two discs worth of songs from that decade. Obviously I was mistaken. This album begins with "Happy Days Are Here Again" and ends with Kate Smith singing "God Bless America," arguably the two most famous songs of the 1930's. Then we get to classics like Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and "Moonlight Serenade" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. However, I must admit that while I have indeed heard of most of the other artists included in this collection such as Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman and Maurice Chevalier, the songs they sing are new to me. But you have to be impressed with any collection that offers up Cole Porter singing his famous song "You're the Top" and Fanny Brice doing "Cooking Breakfast For The One I Love." While I am not old enough to have heard any of these songs when they first came out, enough of them were played by my parents when I was a mere lad that I do indeed remember them. If you are in a similar situation, you might consider adding this Nipper compilation to your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This Blossom will never fade
Wonderful, witty and warm. Blossom Dearie is a national treasure and her late 50's - early 60's recordings for Verve make life worth living. There is no one like her in the world. Thank you for The Surrey With the Fringe On Top.

Jazz in a gentler time
This is second only to 'Give Him the Ooh-la-la' in Blossom's Verve years. Blossom's voice is such a treat, and she really attacks a range of songs in this album. You've never heard Surrey with a Fringe on Top done like this. She adds a wonderful intro onto the beginning of 'Like Someone in Love'.

The one gripe I have with this album is that the overall tempo is just a touch slow.

A charmer
This album is the highpoint of Dearie's Verve recordings. The formula is not that different from her other discs--a small-group setting, a selection of a few well-known standards & a sprinkling of rarities & novelty numbers, & the inevitable French tune (the title-tune, though it's sung in English). Yet the disc has a real gravitas & emotional punch that can take the listener by surprise. "Tea for Two" is taken at a very gentle pace, the lighthearted lyrics cracking open to reveal a haunting wistfulness. A similar transformation is worked on "Manhattan". Midtempo tunes like "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" & "If I Were a Bell" are brightly & charmingly done; the swinger "Moonlight Saving Time" features a very good piano solo from Dearie.

As with her friend Dave Frishberg, Dearie shows that you needn't worry too much about vocal technique when you have some innate musicality, a brain & a sense of humour. A quiet classic of 1950s vocal jazz.

A true jazz legend.
Listen to her sing "Manhattan". Real feeling and depth, great style, and impeccible musicianship. A classic album.

Another Acclaimed Work
This was her fourth album on the Verve label. Made in the late 50's. It includes songs that would later become the standards of her concerts, like "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", and as a specail treat Cy Coleman, writer for "Doop Do De Doop(a doodlin song) dropped in and sang it with her. Reissued in 1992. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Joy
I once played "Spain", the Corea tune on this CD for my girlfriend years ago when this CD first came out, and on the first three notes of Bobby Mcferrin's entrance after a poetic introduction by Corea, she burst into joyous laughter. This CD will make everyone from the straight ahead jazz purist to the every now and again jazz appreciator to a six year old child laugh and dance. There is beautiful work on this CD...and hearing it now is a reminder of what is missing on the radio today...when you comin' back Bobby M?

THE Standard by which others will be judged!
This is a MUST for jazz enthusiasts. Like anything exceptional, most people won't like it, so don't bother playing this CD for friends unless they share your tastes in music. Excellence in any endeavor has a narrow audience, but for those who appreciate greatness, its appeal cuts deep. This recording cuts to the bone!! McFerrin is precise,inventive, and able to vocalize like an instrumentalist with an immense tonal range and expressiveness. He has no peers. And Chic Corea plays jazz piano with instrument mastery usually reserved for world-class classical pianists, but it's REALLY jazz, not Yoyo Ma (a master of the cello, world class) trying to play jazz, displaying amazing musicianship, but showing he just doesn't understand what jazz really is. By contrast, both Corea & McFerrin are masters of technique but are jazz masters as well.

Most of the cuts are note for note arrangements of earlier jazz classics: Spain (Miles Davis);Blues Connotation( Ornette Coleman). " Even From Me" is a collaborative composition by Corea And McFerrin based on a 4 note vocal bass riff repeated over & over, creating a foundation upon which each weave their unique jazz creations. The entire selection of pieces sound improvisational, but are tightly arranged.

Perhaps the best reason this is a "must have" recording is that the music is FUN. It makes you feel wonderful. It's not depressing bluesy (that can be good stuff too). It's not the frenetic dissonant cacophony of Thelonius Monk. It's just the best piano/vocal stuff I've heard. And it's fun-- they just play.

Just buy it. Don't worry, you'll be happy.

Two of the greats!
A must for fans of Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, and jazz. It's hard to belive this is just two people. Get it now! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Incredibly hip swing from a guy no older than me.
Like others, I first encountered Harry singing "Danny Boy" in Memphis Belle. What a style! What A VOICE! I kept rewinding the tape! I wondered whether he was a real singer (at the time) or "dubbed", so I hit the music shop and there he was. Of course, I was looking for "Danny Boy" but I found Blue Light,Red light and bought it. TOTALLY HOOKED. He's brought 40's style swing to the 90's for all of us new kids. The album has a lot of different flavors, but all done with the Big Band and his unique style. A little long though. Otherwise, very cool.

Can never be replicated
This is by far Harry's most complete album. I got this CD in 1991 when I was twelve and just getting into music and fell in love with it. Thirteen years later I am still listening to the CD. It starts out with a powerful ballad in Blue Light, Red Light, comes to the halfway point with a great dixie land swing mix in With Imagination (great solos) and ends with a high energy big band piece, Kiss Me. People who appreciate jazz and music alike will be assured to enjoys hours of listening. P.S. Go see Harry live, the man puts on a great show and is an audience pleaser.

My favorite
This album is by far my favorite of all Harry's offerings. I first saw him on Donahue ages ago and ended up getting this CD. Harry since put out several other albums trying to re-invent himeself along the way with a little funk but the songs from Red Light Blue Light are what I measure all his other albums up against.

Harry on Red Light Blue Light is backed up by an extremely talented big band whom much of which are also featured on a Harry Connick Jr. DVD I highly recommend called The New York Big Band Concert.

The BEST of the Best
My mother, guided by a recommendation from a store clerk, bought the cassette of this album for my father on their wedding anniversary. So my very first exposure to Harry Connick Jr. was by chance. Or rather, by destiny: as this album has inspired me in more ways than I can describe.

Six years later, after having worn out two tapes, i bought the album on CD. Now, five years after buying the CD, I plan on buying another - as it's been played over and over and over, causing much abuse.

A romantic effort with emotion so deep it is best measured in leagues, every song on the album is an amazing listen. From the beautiful title track that tells how all one needs for happiness is love to "He is, They Are" that tells of the care of a single father, Harry's voice takes you on a musical journey of which is likened to a quiet stroll in central park (or perhaps Berkley Square) on a warm August night.

His voice is often compared to Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, yet he remains undoubtedly his own - with a swing that is straight from 1943. Sometimes sweet, sometimes hot - the jazz is always grooving, rich and enveloping with instrumentation that is nothing less than perfect - thanks in no small part to solos by Leroy Jones (trumpet), Jerry Weldon (tenor sax), Brad Leali (alto sax), Ned Goold (tenor sax), and Russell Malone (acoustic guitar).

Enjoy "A Blessing and a Curse" and "With Imagination (I'll Get There)." Delight in romance with the likes of "She Belongs to Me" and "If I Could Give You More." Have fun with "Just Kiss Me" and "You Didn't Know Me When." Shed a tear with "Sonny Cried" and "The Last Payday." Listen to "Jill" and consider if it isn't the best Love song you've ever heard.

"Blue Light, Red Light" is, without a doubt, Harry Connick Jr's best album. I can say this because I own all of his albums. Proudly.

Treat yourself to good music with passion and soul and travel into the far, shadowed corners of your own heart and see what you discover. Treat yourself to "Blue Light, Red Light."

The Best
People have asked me to give my opinion on Harry's best CD. That's like asking me which New Orleans restaurant is my favorite-too many great ones to choose from.

Nonetheless, if I have to give an answer, 'Blue Light' is the one to pick as the centerpiece of your Connick collection for all of the reasons listed by other reviewers and more.

I've listened to this CD dozens of times and am in love with every track. I would also like to thank Harry for improving my love life. ;-)

As the rock group Boston says, "Just listen to the record." ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Time after time it just gets better...
If you've not come across this duo before, it's time you spread your wings! Who could have imagined that the simplicity of a guitar+vocal duo could capture such a phenomenal range of dynamics and emotional responses? You will melt when you hear 'Take My Breath Away' and, as other reviewers have said, 'Time After Time' (the Cyndi Lauper version, not the old jazz standard) is streets ahead of the original. Stunning guitar work and soulful singing. Buy this - you have no excuse!

YES ! ! ! YES ! ! ! YES ! ! !
INCREDIBLE ALBUM !!! Tuck is probably one of the best (the best ???) jazz guitarist in the business !!!
the version of "time after time" is 100 000 times better than the original one (it's even hard to compare).
The tributes to JIMI HENDRIX "castles made of sand/little wing" is one of the best song I've ever heard.
And "Europa" played by Tuck will make you put your Santana CD in the garbage !!!
GET IT NOW !!!

Takes My Breath Away
This is my first Tuck and Patti cd and I am amazed that they have remained virtually out of sight for so long. The guitar is sophisticated and the vocals are just so smooth. The Jimi Hendrix tribute is a refreshing take on the much covered Little Wing and Takes My Breath Away...well simply does just that. This CD is so good that I am tempted to keep it my little secret!

Great
Tuck is the greatest living jazz guitarist. His talent is well represented on this CD. Highly recommended.

mellow, soulful, and beautiful
jazz mixed with soul mixed with a healthy dose of heartfelt emotion. two talented people who use their gifts to the max and share them with all of us who are listening...

fave track: take my breath away ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

A 43-year-old Ella rolls through her typical routine in feistyfashion on this 1960 recording, which documents the opening show of herEuropean tour. There's the Satchmo impersonation (a joyous "Mackthe Knife"), the lengthy scat showcase ("How High theMoon," on which she quotes Charlie Parker's"Ornithology"), and a bevy of Gershwin and Porter tunes.Supported by pianist Paul Smith's quartet (with the elegant Jim Hall onguitar), Ella's voice sounds earthier than usual and her phrasing is asappealing as ever. She's sublimely tender on "Misty" andwonderfully sultry on "Too Darn Hot." The CD reissue includestwo unreleased tracks from the Berlin concert plus two 1956 gems(including a stylish "Love for Sale") that were mistakenlypressed on this release. Upon its initial release, the album picked uptwo Grammies and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Pop chart; itsacclaim was well deserved. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A Worthy Purchase
Ella in Berlin would be worth buying just for the two tracks, Mack the Knife (where she makes up new lyrics when she forgets them) and How High the Moon (doing what Ella does best--scatting). The other songs she sings are excellent as well.

There are a lot of "Best of" or compilation albums with those two tracks on them, but it's always nice to get the originating album. Otherwise, you end up only listening to a narrow range of Ella's work (the most "popular"--even though nearly everything she sings is great). This album would still be a worthy purchase (but not as spontaneous and exciting) without the last two tracks. And even if you have a compilation album with the two famous tracks, this album is still recommended--after all, it's the First Lady of Song singing.

NOT Ella's Best Live Recording
Yes, you heard it right. I know I will get hate mail for saying this, but I will go out on a limb to say Ella has produced BETTER live recordings captured on CD elsewhere. This is no reflection that her Berlin concert was bad. Perhaps Ella has been a victim of her own brilliance for always achieving near perfection in her live performances.

Listening to this CD, the obvious highlight is the oft talked about title track, "Mack the Knife", where Ella forgot the lyrics a minute into the song and made up the rest of the words without skipping a beat and perfectly improvising to the song's melody a la Fitzgerald. It's a miraculous feat that has entered the jazz hall of fame and folklore as one of the greatest moments not only in jazz, but in music history. "Mack the Knife" solidified Fitzgerald's standing in the music biz for the rest of her life, helping her escape the shadow of overwhelming sentiment and praise for Billie Holiday after Lady's premature death from a lifetime of drug and emotional abuse. The other great track here is the 8-minute track "How High the Moon" that Ella scats with a frenetic, pulsating charm that leaves you breathless at the finish line.

But aside from these two standout tracks, the rest of the CD isn't all that memorable. The marvels of modern CD technology has unmasked a detected fatigue in Ella's voice that she somehow cannot hide. Maybe it was the killer tour schedule (mentioned in liner notes) that did her in, but it's definitely noticeable. If you're mostly curious about the two great tracks, "Mack the Knife" and "How High the Moon", I would recommend purchasing those tracks elsewhere on many of Ella's compilations (Compact Jazz on Verve being one). For the best Ella live recording, I strongly recommend "Ella in Rome: the Birthday Concert", which is still in print and captures a fresh, invigorating Ella nailing down 15 outstanding tracks (though no "Mack the Knife" on that one).

Well done live jazz album
Ella is one of the greatest jazz female vocalists, and her live performance with an excellent jazz rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar), is the reason you should buy this album, especially if you like jazz music.

Most amazing Mack The Knife version ever
This is a must-have Ella record. All of it is very good, but the version of "Mack The Knife" is staggering. Ella is performing this new tune live in Berlin, the home town of authors Kurt Weill and Bertholt Brecht while Bobby Darin and Louis Armstrong were charting wtih very popular versions of their own. It's a true testament to her talent as an entertainer that she won the Grammy (not Bobby or Louis) for a version WHERE SHE FORGOT MOST OF THE WORDS and improvised brilliantly! Truly one of the most remarkable vocal performances ever to win a Grammy.

All the praise is so well deserved, and I have to add!
I love Ella Fitzgerald, and I rarely do I go a day without listening to an Ella CD since I've been introduced to her outstanding talent. I went out on a whim and bought this album, expecting great Ella as usual. But how wrong I was! I have never been so crazy about an album as I am about this one. Every song is out of this world and the accompaniment is just as wonderful. Standouts include "That Old Black Magic", "Too Darn Hot", and my personal favorite "How High the Moon?" Whoever said Ella lacks feeling in her delivery needs to listen to this album, and recognize that melodrama does not always equal feeling. Ella epitomizes sunniness and spontaneity in this live album that I wouldn't give anything less than five stars. If you love Ella, do yourself a favor and buy this album -- thinks ranks as one of her top recordings. ... Read more

Amazon.com

And just like that, the "swing thing" disappeared. Of course, San Francisco's Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers were at it years before the revival took hold and were always a cut above the rest of the pack anyway. That's because Smith and her pianist and musical director Chris Siebert have such a deep wealth of musical knowledge to draw on, the courage and good taste to recruit world-class veteran players from across the jazz world, and a passion and respect for the style of music they play. Boasting a buoyant mix of boogie-woogie, jump blues, sophisticated swing, and even bebop, 2000's Everybody's Talkin' follows up their enormously successful indie debut, One Hour Mama, which sold nearly 40,000 copies in the 3 years after its release on their own Fat Note label. The crafty arrangements, courtesy of Siebert and big-time Ellington expert David Berger, never get in the way of momentum or mood. It all revolves around Smith's versatile voice, which can convey strength and vulnerability, innocence and smut, sweetness and wickedness--often all at once. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Swingin' Good Time!!!!

I bought this CD on a whim - having never owned a swing album - and I have not regretted it for one second! The creativity in the band name alone is worth 5 stars! Lavay Smith's smokin' hot vocals will hook you from the get-go and the musicians are equally as incredible sounding. My personal favorite songs are the upbeat "Big Fine Daddy", the sultry "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" and "He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped", but there is not a bad song on this CD. It is the one CD that everyone who has heard it wants to borrow from my collection.

Someone to carry on the tradition of Helen Humes...
In the tradition of great jazz, R&B, and blues singer Helen Humes, Lavay Smith carries on where Humes left off when she passed away not all that long ago. Smith has a saucy way of singing much like Bessie Smith and the Smith girls(Mamie, Clara, & Trixie. all unrelated) Smith sings a lyric with feeling, weather it be seductive, humorous or raunchy. Though hr 1st CD "One Hour Mama" was more the the traditional blues, her newest release "Miss Thang" is more in the 40's R&B style, where Smith pays tribute to Humes with "Voo-It" and she also pays tribute to Mr. Five by Five Jimmy Rushing in "Sent For You Yesturday." If you want to hear a new jazz/bluus singer who truly can swing and sing in the tradition of the real thing(1920's-40's), go see Lavay smith next time she's in town, and buy all her Cd's. Her backup band can play anything from classic blues to be-bop oriented material. If you are into jazz this is for you. Lavay Smith & her red hot skillet lickers are the best new(meaning old 20's, sounding) thing today, they are great.

Billie Holiday of modern days!
She's singin' like a Billie Holiday, and Red Hot Skillet Lickers is great band! But they don't just imitate! This is one helluva record!

A great Rhytm & Blues singer, sounds similar to Ruth Brown
Although Miss Smith has her own sound, she captures the authentic mood of a mid 50's Ruth Brown record, liek Hello little Boy, although tah tsong is not here, this album sounds similar to the sound of theta classic Brown record. This cd is loaded with energy, and there are obvious tributes to Dinah Washington in Big Fine Daddy, Billie Holiday in Now Or Never, and Helen Humes in Everybody's Talkin' Bout Miss Thing.

This cd features classic r&b arrangements and a tight band, with just enough room for thoughtful swing oriented jazz and r&b solos, for the saxes. This cd is exellent, and Lavay's voice is like honey. We should be thankful to her parents for migrating with her from the Philippines, to San Francisco as a young girl. She started singing 1920's bawdy blues with the Bo grumpus Trio, in SF, and named herself Smith, presumably after Bessie, Clara, Trixie, & Mamie, who were all exellent blues singers from the 1920's. a great cd, and a great singer!

Fantastic!
There isn't a bad track on this cd. It's very danceable, and has a much more developed and authentic sound than a lot of neoswing bands ever accomplished. If you're even the least bit curious about neoswing music, this would be a great album to get.

Although both albums are good, I prefer this one to the band's first effort, One Hour Mama because the arrangements make more use of the horn section -- about the only complaint I've heard about the first album is "Too much piano! Too Much Boogie Woogie Piano!" Don't get me wrong, the piano's still there and still sounds great to those who like that sort of thing, like myself, but the more balanced arrangements should help other folks from getting boogie woogie overload.

So yeah, buy the cd. You won't be sorry. ... Read more