David S
Well-Known Member
The amazon download came available for me at 12:30am (I’ll be receiving the cd on the 30th of September), so I’ve given this a hearing. Mind you, I need to establish my biases. Though I grew up with the TJB sound in my house, I have always preferred Mr. Alpert’s solo career, so I tend to listen to his records with this in mind. I prefer artists that continually interpret rather than repeat, much like what Dylan has done throughout his illustrious career.
This record does not immediately jump at me the way Steppin’ Out clearly and immediately did. There are some good tracks here, but in general, I think that this record seems to be aiming for a diverse audience, at least more diverse than Steppin’ Out and the Live album of a few years ago, which were excellent records. Maybe it’s because Chattanooga Choo Choo seems so out of place with all of the loops and all. It sends a message at the beginning which isn’t upheld throughout the record. On the other hand, it was kind of the same thing on Steppin’ Out with Puttin’ On the Ritz. But Ritz was a better track. The records moves between different sounds and grooves that aren’t complete.It's an uneven recording.
That said, these are my favourite tracks, in this order:
1. Let It Be Me (I can clearly see this being used on the Grammy awards show during a retrospective of music industry folks lost in the past year, particularly since it will list one of the Everlys. It is a beautiful elegy. Wouldn’t surprise me if the track gets a grammy nomination.)
2. Begin the Beguine
3. Zoo Train
4. Amy’s Tune
5. When Sunny Gets Blue
6. Sneaky
The TJB sound lovers will doubtless like Spanish Harlem.
Obviously, the Everlys salute and America the Beautiful will garner attention. Not without merit, either.
Not sure the “amazon exclusive” was worth it with only two extra tracks, but as I like the man’s music, this is a small quibble since he is one of a few musicians I would simply get a new record for upon learning of its availability. I think $13.99 might’ve been a better price.
I'll continue to play this record, though.
In the post A&M era to date, I’d rate the records as follows:
1. Steppin’ Out
2. Herb Alpert & Lani Hall Live
3. Second Wind
4. In The Mood
5. I Feel You
6. Herb Alpert & Colors
Regret that I will not see the tour to support this album, as they do not have a Texas date scheduled and I won't be in the DC area for work purposes when they are scheduled to be there. That is just as well. I last saw them at Lincoln Center a few years with a front row, table seat. Still don't know how that managed to happen. I literally sat in front of Mr. Alpert. My spouse, who isn't necessarily a fan, remarked that it seemed like he was playing to me. Which, of course, he wasn't, but I prefer to keep to that memory.
drs
This record does not immediately jump at me the way Steppin’ Out clearly and immediately did. There are some good tracks here, but in general, I think that this record seems to be aiming for a diverse audience, at least more diverse than Steppin’ Out and the Live album of a few years ago, which were excellent records. Maybe it’s because Chattanooga Choo Choo seems so out of place with all of the loops and all. It sends a message at the beginning which isn’t upheld throughout the record. On the other hand, it was kind of the same thing on Steppin’ Out with Puttin’ On the Ritz. But Ritz was a better track. The records moves between different sounds and grooves that aren’t complete.It's an uneven recording.
That said, these are my favourite tracks, in this order:
1. Let It Be Me (I can clearly see this being used on the Grammy awards show during a retrospective of music industry folks lost in the past year, particularly since it will list one of the Everlys. It is a beautiful elegy. Wouldn’t surprise me if the track gets a grammy nomination.)
2. Begin the Beguine
3. Zoo Train
4. Amy’s Tune
5. When Sunny Gets Blue
6. Sneaky
The TJB sound lovers will doubtless like Spanish Harlem.
Obviously, the Everlys salute and America the Beautiful will garner attention. Not without merit, either.
Not sure the “amazon exclusive” was worth it with only two extra tracks, but as I like the man’s music, this is a small quibble since he is one of a few musicians I would simply get a new record for upon learning of its availability. I think $13.99 might’ve been a better price.
I'll continue to play this record, though.
In the post A&M era to date, I’d rate the records as follows:
1. Steppin’ Out
2. Herb Alpert & Lani Hall Live
3. Second Wind
4. In The Mood
5. I Feel You
6. Herb Alpert & Colors
Regret that I will not see the tour to support this album, as they do not have a Texas date scheduled and I won't be in the DC area for work purposes when they are scheduled to be there. That is just as well. I last saw them at Lincoln Center a few years with a front row, table seat. Still don't know how that managed to happen. I literally sat in front of Mr. Alpert. My spouse, who isn't necessarily a fan, remarked that it seemed like he was playing to me. Which, of course, he wasn't, but I prefer to keep to that memory.
drs
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