Paris Jazz Piano - Michel Legrand

Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

...This is real jazz, from the real Golden Age of Jazz. It's got the pace, the rhythm, the fluid trumpet playing, the relentlessly enthusiastic, rolling piano playing and the clear diction of some excellent singing of vocalists who could not only hold a tune, but who could capture your heart and soul, too… There's musicians with such great names as Muggsy Spanier, Meade Lux Lewis, King Oliver and Sidney Bechet. You do not get musicians called Muggsy nowadays. I wonder why? As well as straight out jazz such as the Dippermouth blues, there's also the dreamy and melodic April in Paris from Charlie Parker. Some jazz aficionados reckon that Charlie Parker eventually sold out. Well, perhaps he did. But some of his earlier work still stands the test of time. Jack Teagarden is on this CD, with So Many Times, a rather nice, well... Read review

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Advantages: Original, exciting
Disadvantages: None

...Phil collins, former member of Genisis and former solo artist, formed what came to be known as the phil collins big band. The Cd, titled a hot night in Paris, portrays the phil collins big band as an up beat big band. Recorded in Paris in 1999, the 20 piece big band, made up of fine musicians from around the globe, recorded this fantastic album. The tracks include: 1. Sussudio 2. That's All 3. Invisible Touch 4. Hold On My Heart 5. Chips & Salsa 6. I Don't Care Anymore 7. Milestones 8. Against All Odds 9. Pick Up The Pieces 10. Los Endos Suite You dont have to be a jazz fanatic to enjoy this CD as it appeals to everyone. The drumming, laid down by Phil Collins, is tight and precise, producing an overall fantastic sound. The CD is quite hard to get hold of but it is worth getting if you can find it. A great CD and passion for Jazz. I... Read review

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Advantages: Classic songs given a new slant
Disadvantages: One or two weak tracks

..., since the song is undisputedly his theme tune, and here he gives it the simplest, but nonetheless effective of treatments. The piano accompaniment is minimal, and in places, Bennett could almost be singing a capella, proving that he doesn't need a big backing orchestra to do justice to the song with which he will always be linked. The biggest surprise of all for me was George Michael's performance in How Do You Keep The Music Playing, surely not the easiest of songs to sing. Michael's voice takes on a depth which isn't, perhaps, heard in much of his contemporary work, and he proves more than capable of holding onto a note, complementing Bennett's style perfectly during Michel LeGrand's haunting melody. Until now, I've barely mentioned the performance of Tony Bennett himself, saving, as it were, the best until last. It's incredibly... Read review

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