John Pizzarelli Sinatra & Jobim at 50

John Pizzarelli
Sinatra & Jobim at 50
Concord Jazz

John Pizzarelli cites Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim as major influences on his vocals and his latest release commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy Winning collaboration between the two legends. He pays tribute to those recordings on this set with eight tracks being songs that Sinatra and Jobim recorded at a 1969 session along with two originals, and Michael Frank’s ode to Jobim. Among those with Pizzarelli on this recording are Jobim's grandson Daniel, and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, bassist Mike Karn and piano player Helio Alves.

On this recording, both Pizzarelli and Jobim channel the elder Jobim more than Sinatra, who admittedly was understated compared to his usual style on the celebrated recordings. The musical tone on most of these selections is more like Getz-Gilberto than the Claus Ogerman or Eumir Deodato orchestrated sessions. The result is delightful performances in their own lightly swinging fashion including then marvelous "Agua De Beber," as well as the lovely medley of "Meditation / Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," with Daniel singing the latter number in Portuguese before Pizzarelli sings softly in English along with his soft guitar chording, and the pretty "Dindi." There is also the delightful lightly swaying bossa nova medley of "I Concentrate On You / Wave," with Alves exquisite in his accompaniment and Pizzarelli taking a brief acoustic chordal break. Pizzarelli's father recorded "Two Kites" with the elder Jobim, with Daniel taking the vocal on this remake with a vocal chorus with its celebration of the kites flying in the sky. There is also a wonderful tenor saxophonist on a few selections including Michael Frank's "Antonio's Song."

As indicated this is a delightful recording, full of charm and elegance that might not quite reach the level of the legendary Sinatra-Jobim collaboration, but is enjoyable and laudable with its own considerable merits.

I received my review copy from Concord. Here is a video of "Baubles, Bangles & Beads," from this recording.

Curtis Stigers With The Danish Radio Big Band
One More For the Road
Concord Jazz

Singer-Songwriter-Saxophonist Curtis Stigers newest album is inspired by the Frank Sinatra's legendary performances at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas backed by the Count Basie Orchestra. 

Backed by The Danish Radio Big Band, he is heard performing at the band’s headquarters, the acoustic marvel that is the DR Koncerthuset in Copenhagen. The liner notes state that band plays "vibrant takes based on the original Nelson Riddle and Billy May arrangements…" which may refer to the arrangements of Sinatra's original recordings of songs heard here since Quincy Jones arranged and conducted the Sinatra-Basie collaborations.

This is not an effort to replicate the original performance (Only 8 of the 10 numbers are from the recording from the Sands) and Stigers suggests Old Blue Eyes as opposed to imitating him with his vocals. This is an enjoyable recording starting with "Come Fly With Me," through "You Make Me Feel So Young," "My Kind of Town," "Fly Me To The Moon," and the "The Lady Is a Tramp" before closing with "One For My Baby (and One More For the Road)," which like the Sinatra recording with Basie, is with essentially piano accompaniment. The Danish Radio Big Band is terrific throughout and Stigers engaging vocals make this somewhat short (34 minutes) a listening delight.

I received my review copy from Concord Records. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2017 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 370) jazz-blues.com. Here is a trailer for this recording.

 

Sinatra. A Choice Of The Best By The Best

Best of the Best is a new CD compilation for the first time collects Frank Sinatra recordings from both Capitol Records and Reprise Records. The 23 tracks (13 from Capitol and 10 from Reprise) collect his most memorable and iconic recordings. One is hard-pressed to say anything new about this music which should be familiar to many.

From I’ve Got The World On A String to Theme From ‘New York New York’ listeners are treated to classic interpretations of songs from the great tune smiths like Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen. These are presented in arrangements from such masters as Nelson Riddle, Don Costa, Billy May, Quincy Jones, and Ernie Freeman. From spectacular big bands to lush orchestra stylings, the voice, the songs and the performances are timeless and marvelously mastered.

Despite the familiarity of the material, some tunes are gong to come off as almost new to the listener such as In the Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, Angel Eyes and Summer Wind. Then there is Fly Me To The Moon from a session with Count Basie that Quincy Jones arranged. At the same time, one appreciates nuances in the songs and the arrangements that one might have missed hearing Sinatra over a Car radio.

Frank Sinatra Jr. provides commentary on each performance, providing insights on how the material was selected and the imprint his father’s recording left. For example, I was unaware that a Kingston Trio recording was the basis of Sinatra’s classic,It Was a Very Good Year. As his son notes, Frank Sinatra was unequalled in recognizing great lyrics. Sinatra’s music has been anthologized, subject of box sets, and prior “Best Of” collections. Let others quarrel about specific songs that are not included. I will simply continue to enjoy the Best of the Best.

Incidentally, this is available as simply a CD, or in a deluxe package that also includes a DVD of a long out-of-print Seattle concert. I did not receive a copy of the DVD so cannot comment on it.

I received a review copy from a publicist. Here is a you tube clip of him singing perhaps the song most associated with him (except for Yankee fans).