While many jazz purists may scoff at this release, I believe it’s an excellent collection and further proof that Herbie Hancock is a cross-genre icon. Some of my favorite artists are on this compilation: Carlos Santana, Sting, John Mayer and Joss Stone. While I like and respect John Mayer, I don’t necessarily like all his music. Actually, the song “Stitched Up†on this collection is probably the best that I’ve ever heard from him. Joss Stone is pure heaven no matter what she does. She and Jonny Lang perform a duet of “When Loves Comes To Townâ€. She’s incredible, he’s great too, but I rather listen to her by herself. Santana has a track on here with Angilique Kidjo. This was a delight to hear since I once saw them on stage together.
Annie Lennox, Paul Simon and Christina Aguilera also have respectable performances here. Herbie Hancock melds the talents of all these performers and adds his own jazz piano/keyboard touch that makes it an awesome jazz/blues/pop mashup! I was listening to this while I was making Chicken Ernesto.
Now if we could just get Herbie Hancock and Norah Jones together …
If you want to check out this album, click on the graphic below to be taken directly to it on the iTunes Music Store site. If you’d like to get the CD, click the Amazon.com link below. Yankees suck!
The famous Mr. Boston’s Bartender & Party Guide has nothing on this little app! Talking Panda’s iBar is a database for your iPod that serves up over 1,000 cocktail recipes (some with audio instructions), proper garnishing, liquor lore, mixing maneuvers and bar lingo definitions. It even teaches you how to say “Cheers!” in multiple languages. There’s no better way to combine drinks and tunes. – $29.95
Available at select Apple stores or online at Talking Panda
Remembering Lou Rawls. My father and I saw him at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas when I was 14. I’ve always been a big fan and was saddened to learn of his passing. I recently purchased a live album of his and I had to share it with you all. I love live albums with lots of crowd noise and short ramblings by the artists. This is an excellent example.
I usually write up my own passages about artists and their albums, but the text on Lou Rawls on the iTunes Music Store sums him it perfectly:
“A consummate career entertainer who brought a sense if refinement and polished style to soul, Lou Rawls was an unmistakable, unforgetable asset to the musical landscape.
Whether crooning, dipping into the grittier waters of R&B or perfecting pop songs, Rawls’ deep, rich vocals never failed to deliver. His greatest visibility was in the 70’s, when tracks like “Natural Man” and “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Me” were acclaimed chart-toppers.
His dozens of albums over the years show a man who could handle a jazz combo just as well as he could a gospel chior — but the music was always charged with his own personality and vigor. Rawls’ passing on January 6th, 2006 left us with an incredible body of work as multifaceted and stylish as the man himself.”
Click the button below to be taken to Apple’s iTunes Music Store and sample this incredible album. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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