Record Reviews

ETTA JAMES ~ THE COMPLETE PRIVATE MUSIC BLUES, ROCK `N` SOUL ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886919058925 (Barcode: 886919058925) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1994 - 2004 Released: 2012 Recently deceased American vocalist Etta JamesFind albums by this artist enjoyed a career stretching over half a century and the whole range of musical genres from Pop, Soul, Rhythm And Blues, Blues and Jazz. Her career suffered from the problems she had in her personal life, which is often the case with musicians, but she was undoubtedly one of the top American female singers with and incredible voice, superb sensitivity and unbelievable versatility. The six albums collected here, which she recorded for the Private MusicFind albums on this label label during the last decade and a half of her life, are primary Blues oriented and showcase her incredible kinship with the genre, which results in some of the most memorable Blues recordings. Supported by an excellent band featuring great guitar players and a brass section, she revisits many Blues classic as well as presents new material penned especially for her. For Blues enthusiasts this is definitely an absolute gem. This Box Set includes also a bonus CD with a live concert recorded in 1981, which is more mainstream oriented. The other Etta James Private Music recordings, which are Jazz oriented, are supposed to be reissued in a separate Box Set. This is definitely a beautiful tribute to one of the most distinctive American voices, which derives to be remembered and cherished by future generations of music lovers. A true classic!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BEATA PRZYBYTEK ~ I`M GONNA ROCK YOU FLID 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2012 This is the fourth album by the Polish vocalist Beata PrzybytekFind albums by this artist and her debut as a singer / songwriter. After releasing three consecutive albums between 2003 and 2005, Przybytek took almost seven years to come up with this album, which presents sixteen songs written by her to lyrics (in English) by Alicja MaciejowskaFind albums by this artist (thirteen songs) and her own (the remaining three songs). She is accompanied by a wonderful ensemble of gifted and sympathetic instrumentalists, which includes the keyboardist / arranger Tomasz KalwakFind albums by this artist, who is responsible for the truly excellent and highly skilled musical settings created for her songs. Other players include guitarist Damian KuraszFind albums by this artist, pianist Boguslaw KaczmarFind albums by this artist, bassists Tomasz KupiecFind albums by this artist and Adam KowalewskiFind albums by this artist, drummers Arek SkolikFind albums by this artist, Krzysztof DziedzicFind albums by this artist and Filip MozulFind albums by this artist and percussionist Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians also appear, among them trumpeter Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Bernard MaseliFind albums by this artist, organist Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist and others. Przybytek started her career as a Jazz vocalist, but her last album ("WonderlandFind albums with this title"), which comprised entirely of songs by Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist, saw her already flirting with Pop, Soul and Rhythm And Blues. This album, which focuses on her songwriting as much, if not more, as on her performances, takes her into new territory, which in a beautiful amalgam of Pop, Blues, Gospel, Soul and Jazz. The artistic level of her songwriting is formidable and these sixteen songs are all jewels in their own right, quite diverse and beautifully full of character. I must admit that at first hearing I could hardly believe my ears as I haven´t heard such a sublime collection of new songs in a very long time. The vocal performances are also first-class, somewhat similar to the mannerisms of Etta JamesFind albums by this artist / Amy WinehouseFind albums by this artist, but with a wonderfully warm tone and total control of timbre and expression. It´s a pity she chose to sing in English as I personally am quite convinced that if she sang these songs in her native language the result would have been even more stunning. Well, one can´t win them all. Still this is one of the best albums of its kind that I´ve heard in a very long time. The instrumental parts are, as already mentioned, simply delightful. Each song gets quite a different treatment, which keeps the album changing mood and ambiance often, as well as the instrumentation. The guest musicians get to deliver their respective solo spots and it sure looks like a great time was had by all during the recording sessions. This album is also a wonderful example of high quality music, which can be overtly accessible, without compromising even an iota of its intrinsic value. Every music lover should have a field day with this brilliant piece of music. Hats off, Beata! Silesia rulez again!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend