CD Review: Gino Amato, :Latin Crossroads"

 

Pianist, Arranger and Vocalist Gino Amato has assembled a remarkable cast of Jazz greats for his new CD, "Latin Crossroads".   Amato has picked a wonderful mix of songs from Broadway, The Great American Songbook, Jazz and Pop music and transformed them into beautiful Afro-Cuban Jazz.  Amato's objective  for "Latin Crossroads" was to present Latin music in an accessible format that would spotlight Latin rhythms.  Amato has more than accomplished this objective.  His arrangements of these classic songs and his ability to fuse them with Latin rhythms is brilliant and fresh.  Looking over the playlist of songs,  one certainly wonders how he could accomplish this.  Injecting a Latin rhythum into Michel Legrand's "The Summer Knows" and Monk's "Round Midnight " is not an easy task.  But Gino Amato accomplished this challenge brilliantly.  Think about the difficulty of recording this CD using 46 different musicians.  That in itself is a remarkable achievement.  I can't image how long it took to finish this CD and the cost must have been considerable.  I am delighted to say that the results of Gino Amato's efforts have produced a sensational amount of Latin Inspired music.  I am already longing for a "Latin Crossroads II".

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can experience the Gino Amato experience for yourself.  The first song I choose was Paul McCartney's "Blackbird" that features vocalist Arnold McCuller, Pianist and co-producer Oscar Hernandez, Flutist Andrea Brachfeld and Trombonist Louis Bonilla.  The second song is Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concerto For Aranjuez".  This classic song was immortalized by Miles Davis and Gil Evans on their "Sketches Of Spain" album.

PLAYLIST:

1. Blackbird

2. The Summer Knows

3. On The Street Where You Live

4. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewilldered

5. Shower The People

6. Concerto For Aranjuez

7. Bad Things

8. 'Round Midnight

9. Tonight

10. Romeo and Jullet

11. Green Flower Street

  

                                                                        "Black Bird"                    

                                                                                    

                                                                   "Concerto for Aranjuez"

Michael Dees Joins the Great Singers in the California Desert

Michael Dees, Allen Goodman, Larry Holloway and Barney McClure

Larry Holloway and Michael Dees

Michael Dees and Barney McClure

Allen Goodman and Larry Holloway

Allen Goodman, Larry Holloway and Rich Bono

Ken Steele

Jeanie Monroe

Several of my musician friends recommended I should go to Vicky's on Tuesday night to hear Michael Dees.  Michael moved to Palm Springs from LA about 6 months ago and now performs every Tuesday night at Vicky's. Michael has an impressive resume and has sung songs for movies like "A walk in the Rain", "Day of the Locust", "The Happy Ending", and "Sabrina". His vocals were also featured on two episodes of "The Simpsons".  Michael is a marvelous singer especially on great American ballads. More than this, Michael has written music and lyrics for some simply wonderful songs. He also has a crowd-pleasing personality and a professional stage prescence.

Michael's show consists of some of the best tunes from the "Great American Songbook" and songs he has written with lyrics and music you will love instantly. He has a great voice and even better sense of delivery. Michael will be a welcome addition to our Desert musical community. Make plans now to get over to Vicky's on Tuesday to hear Michael perform.

Supporting Michael tonight were Barney McClure on Keyboard, Larry Holloway on Bass and Allen Goodman on Drums.  Barney McClure is a sensational Keyboard player who could be every singers' dream accompanist! I could listen to Barney play for days. Some of his improvisations reminded me of one of my all-time favorites, Dave Brubeck. 

Larry Holloway continues to impress everyone with his beautifully-constructed solos.  He is a perfect fit with the Drummer and leader of the group, Allen Goodman.  Some of you might be familiar with Allen who leads the big band performing on Sundays at Vicky's for the last several years.  Allen's Drum work is an excellent compliment to the group. Allen has a special talent of putting the right talent in the right place at the right time.  Allen told me that he had been trying for two years to get Michael to perform in the Desert. He certainly has been proven right about putting this group together.  

Rich Bono was in the audience tonight and as soon as Michael noticed him, he asked him to play a couple of songs with Larry and Allen. I think it is wonderful that Rich and other major stars here in the Valley come out to support fellow performers. They deserve more recognition and credit for all the support they give our Jazz community.  Next Michael asked Jeanie Monroe to sing.  Jeanie was married last year, and she is singing better than ever.  No doubt being happily married is having a great effect on her performance.  Also in the audience tonight was Ken Steele was asked to sing. I have to say that I have never heard Ken sing better than his performance tonight!

What a great night of music; it's what the Desert music scene is all about!

I have a treat for your ears in the attached YouTube of Michael singing "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life" which he sang for the movie "The Happy Ending". Music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

Barbara Rose is Spectacular At The Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, NJ

Barbara Rose

Thursday evening I went to the newly renovated and beautiful Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, NJ to have dinner and hear pianist extraordinaire Barbara Rose who plays in the bar area,  A long-time close friend of mine, Bill Kennedy had been begging me to hear Barbara Rose whom he claimed was just sensational.  How right he was!  

Barbara Rose began her musical life at age 3 as a prodigy.  I was able to meet Barbara's sister who was sitting at the next table and she shared the following story with me.  Barbara's sister who is four years older, told me that she started taking piano lessons first and had the usually hard time trying to get it right. When Barbara was 3, her parents played a Mozart recording and when it ended, Barbara walked over to the piano, sat down and played the song she had just heard on the piano. 

Barbara attended Julliard and graduated at the age of 10. That's correct, age 10. At 17, Barbara was playing in the best venues in New York City like: The St. Regis Hotel, The Oak Room At the Plaza Hotel, The Oak Room at the Algonquin, Tavern on the Green, and Peacock Alley at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel just to name a few.

Barbara Rose is a "gem" right here in the "Hometown of Count Basie" Red Bank, NJ.  She plays classical pieces, songs from all the best American composers, American Jazz, New Orleans style Jazz, the Best of Broadway and any favorite song you can name. Her arrangements are brilliant, fresh and unique.  When you go to hear Barbara, close your eyes and you can easily image you are sitting listening to a great piano performance in Carnegie Hall. As added bonus is that Barbara also has a uniquely distinctive voice.

Consider these quotes: 

"I have been inspired to produce and write for one other artist in my life before hearing Barbara Rose, and her name was Barbra Streisand" Michel Legrand.

"Barbara Rose has a thousand fingers that dance on your heart and a voice that melts you" The New York Times.

Barbara has a new CD out that you can only buy at her show called "La Vie En Rose".  I have attached a "YouTube" of Barbara playing her  own masterful version of "Bali Hai" and "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific for your listening pleasure. It took me too long to get to hear Barbara, don't make the same mistake and when you get there, tell her the MusicMan sent you. Barbara performs at the Molly Pitcher Inn every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. She also plays at the Sunday brunch starting in October. The food is wonderful and so is the view at the Molly Pitcher Inn and there is no cover or music charge. The bargain of a lifetime for music lovers!

                Barbara Rose Playing "Bali Hai" and "Some Enchanted EveningFrom Her New CD "La Vie En Rose"

                                                                                      As Posted on "YouTube"

The Top 20 Greatest American Standards: 2011 Edition

It is that time of year when we post a new list of the Top 20 Greatest American Standards.  This year I have decided to remove the requirement that a song be at least 50 years old because I feel it is too restrictive and keeps some exceptionally great songs off the list. The class of 2011 has 4 new songs that have made the Top 20 cut.

    1. "How Do You Keep The Music Playing": 1982 music by Michel Legrand and Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Berman for the movie "Best Friends".
    2. "Something": 1969 music and words by Beatle George Harrison
    3. "The Shadow Of Your Smile": 1965 Music by Johnny Mandel and Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the film, "The Sandpiper". This song won a Grammy for Song of the Year and also an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
    4. "Send In The Clowns": 1973 Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim for his 1973 musical, "A Little Night Music".

THE 20 GREATEST AMERICAN STANDARDS: 2011 EDITION
1.   You've Changed
2.   What's New?
3.   The Nearness of You
4.   My Funny Valentine
5.   Embraceable You
6.   The Very Thought of You
7.   Here's That Rainy Day
8.   I've Got You Under My Skin
9.   Over The Rainbow
10. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
11. In The Still Of The Night
12. Night And Day
13. Someone To Watch Over Me
14. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
15. Something
16. The Way You Look Tonight
17. They Can't Take That Away From Me
18. Send In The Clowns
19. The Shadow Of Your Smile
20. These Foolish Things


These are my personal favorites and how I rank them.  I am sure you have your own favorites. I would love to get some comments from you!

The Best Love Songs Written In The Fifty Years From 1960 to 2010. A Special Valentine Playlist For Your Special Person

One of my long time followers of the Music Man Blog, Zelda, recently suggested that the great Beatles' tune "Michelle" should be on the "Greatest Love Songs of All Times" list.  As I was thinking about this suggestion, Zelda offered another suggestion that maybe we should have a new list developed for great songs written after 1960. Excellent suggestion especially since Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Here is a knockout playlist to share with that special person on Valentine's Day.

1.  "Michelle" 1965 by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

2.  "Your Song" 1970 by Elton John & Bernie Taupin

3.  "The Summer Knows" 1971 by Michel Legrand

4.  "The Shadow Of Your Smile" 1965 by Johnny Mandel & Paul Webster

5.   "Something" 1969 by George Harrison

6.   "Evergreen" 1976 by Barbara Streisand & Paul Williams

7.   "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" 1982 by Michel Legrand

8.   "Yesterday" 1965 by Paul; McCartney

9.   "Just The Way You Are" 1977 by Billy Joel

10. "Send In The Clowns" 1973 by Stephen Sondheim

11. "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life" 1969 by Michel Legrand

12. "God Only Knows" 1966 by Brian Wilson

13. "My Girl" 1964 by Smokey Robinson & Ronald White

14."I'll Be There" 1970 by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis & Willie Hutch

15."Wonderful Tonight" 1977 by Eric Clapton

16. "Save The Last Dance For Me" 1960 Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman

17. "You Are the Sunshine Of My Life" 1973 by Stevie Wonder

18. "Have I Told You Lately" 1969 by Van Morrison

19. "Three Times A Lady" 1978 by Lionel Richie

20. "You Are So Beautiful" 1974 by Billy Preston & Bruce Fisher

I am sure you have lots of your own personal favorite love songs that are not on the list.  Let me know if you have any love songs that should be on this list!  Happy Valentine's Day to all!