Lewis Parker may not be well-known, either in the US or in his native England, but he has done more to elevate the quality of British hip-hop than anybody else. His philosophical lyrics combine with an impeccable sense of rhythm to give him a place as one of the freshest voices on either side of the Atlantic.
from Masquerades & Silhouettes. The Ancients Series One., available on CD (Melankolic/Astralwerks)
Blossom Dearie is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated jazz vocalists of all time. Dearie's phrasing and piano playing within the small group arrangements on this album of standards are very, very reminiscent of Mose Allison (who just so happens to be another of my all-time favorites). On this track in particular, she delivers a very charming performance, combining the innocent ingenue with the blase urbanite.
from Once Upon a Summertime, available on CD (Verve)
25 Apr 01 ·delicado: I love Blossom's stuff as well. Haven't yet heard a bad record by her. She did an unusual record in 1970 called 'that's just the way I want to be' on Fontana. It's available (coupled with 'give him the ooh la la) on a japanese CD, 'whisper for you'. 18 Jun 01 ·tempted: Oh, and "London in the Rain". What a fabulous singer! 07 Jul 01 ·egbdf: I have been hearing about a Japan CD which would be a reissue of Blossom Dearie's 1976 American double LP entitled 'My New Celebrity Is You'. No one however can locate it. If you can help please E me. Best Regards, egbdf. 29 Jan 03 ·klatu: Definitely a favorite! I also love to 70 album "that's just the way i want to be" and think the version of "both sides now" blows away the Judy Collins. Also a huge fan of the schoolhouse rocks stuff "unpack your adjectives" and especially "figure eight". 23 Apr 03 ·singjohn: A Doodlin' Song (not to be confused with "Doodlin'") apparently had an effect in it's time. Peggy Lee recorded it. It was even featured in an episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show where Mary Tyler Moore and Dick did a little dance number to it in their living room for their party guests! This song is perfect for the Blossom Touch! Cute simple lyrics and melody make the tune perfect for Blossom's child-like voice and bouncy delivery. She was the voice of several of the old Schoolhouse Rock shorts that used to play in Saturday mornings in the '70's. She is also an accomplished pianist and played on many of her own recordings. Another fave Blossom tune: "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" 24 Jun 03 ·tinks: jesus, any version of "both sides now" that isn't by judy collins blows away the judy collins version. give me dick hyman any day! 05 Jan 04 ·norfy: check out-'both sides now'by the veteran golfer tony jacklyn-from his excrutiating late 60's album-swings into...'-a superb psych-crooning version up [or down there]with william shatner and tony bennett's 'eleanor rigby' and richard harris!!
judy collins entire existence is a crime.
31 Mar 04 ·mpanzera: Thank you, Tinks! I *love* Blossom Dearie, but hadn't heard that track yet. I recently bought the eponymous CD (with a great picture of her in glasses at the microphone...), and must have played "Tout Doucement" about a thousand times. 09 Dec 05 ·splurben: can anyone identify the male voice singing behind blossom on this track? 07 Nov 06 ·andy: I believe the male voice is Cy Coleman, the song's composer. I have only another website comment's word for that, but it does sound like him.
French girlie pop of the sort that only Serge was capable of! This is taken from the soundtrack to a television comedy special starring Gainsbourg, Jean-Claude Brialy & Anna Karina, who prior to this had of course been Jean-Luc Godard's primary actress and wife (reportedly, her dalliances with Mssr. Gainsbourg played a pivotal role in the dissolution of their marriage). Rah-rah-rah-roller gairl!
18 Oct 02 ·LetFreedomHappen: What a great song! I was about to recommend it myself. I love her film work with Godard, and was way excited to find out that she sang stuff too. Especially Gainsbourg stuff. This is one of my favorites. How cool, how cool.
I knew that this song was depressing even before I knew what it was about. Poor Fran�oise just can't find a boy! I've seen the Scopitone for this, and I really doubt that she was having trouble finding dates, but �est-la-vie, right? Anyhow, it's an absolutely beautiful ballad.
available on CD - 36 Grandes Succes (Vogues/BMG France)
One of the few succesful attempts at using a gospel choir on a jazz recording (along with Max Roach's "It's Time" LP from the previous year...which, coincidentally, featured the same chorus), Byrd's "A New Perspective" album was the first time it was really attempted with a small group setting (Roach's was backed by an orchestra). This, the opening track, begins with a vocalese scat by the choir that calls to mind old slave work songs. From there, the incredible band (featuring a very young Herbie Hancock and Kenny Burrell, among others) strikes up, and begins to follow a basic riff with the chorus that takes you through the remaining nine-plus minutes with various tempo changes throughout. An equally impressive edited version appeared as a b-side to the single of "Cristo Redentor", which got to be a minor hit on the pop charts.
from A New Perspective, available on CD (Blue Note)
