By Brian Arsenault I started getting happy listening to Van Morrison’s Duets:Re-Working the Catalog” (RCA) about the time George Benson was singing as smooth as he always is on “Higher Than The World” and I was downright grinning through Van and Georgie Fame’s “Get On With The Show.” Pure 50s jukebox. Drifters, Coasters, gratuitous but… Read More CD Review: Van Morrison’s “Duets: Re-Working the Catalogue”
By Don Heckman Diana Krall’s continuing quest to widen her already far reaching repertoire has led her to some of the most memorable songs of the ’70s and ’80s in this fine new Verve outing. I’ve been hearing, seeing and writing about Diana in action since the ’90s. And I’ve been consistently awed by her… Read More CD Review: Diana Krall “Wallflower”
By Don Heckman Bel Air, CA. “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” The line kept coming to mind Tuesday night at Herb Alpert’s elegant restaurant and jazz club Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc, while we were listening to singer James DeFrances. No, not because DeFrances was thinking – or even singing – about… Read More Live Music: James DeFrances at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.
By Don Heckman Jane Monheit is at Catalina Bar & Grill this week, following up on last year’s stellar performance at the venue. Once again, she’ll be there for the rest of the week, through New Year’s Eve on Monday night. And her opening night appearance on Wednesday was a superb display of the warm,… Read More Live Jazz: Jane Monheit at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Brian Arsenault Tis the season, as they say, and there’s music aplenty for those who celebrate Christmas. It’s just a matter of how you likes yours served. Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship Song of Simeon: A Christmas Journey (Willis I Music) Some of the greatest art of ages past and sometimes present has been faith… Read More Short Takes: Of Christmas Music Four Ways
By Don Heckman I pushed aside one of my rules Saturday night – the rule that says once a year is enough to review most artists. When I saw that Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli were performing together at the shiny new Valley Performing Arts Center, I decided to make an exception to the fact… Read More Live Jazz: Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli at the Valley Performing Arts Center
By Don Heckman Chris Botti made his third consecutive L.A. appearance in July Wednesday night. This time, he was at the Hollywood Bowl, following July concerts in 2009 and 2010, almost to the day, at the Greek Theatre. And this performance, like the earlier ones, defined why Botti has become the music world’s best selling… Read More Live Jazz: Chris Botti, Bobby McFerrin and the Yellowjackets at the Hollywood Bowl
A New Male Jazz Singer on the Scene By Roger Crane To a jazz writer and jazz fan, there is little that is more satisfying than discovering new worthy talent. And when that new talent is a male jazz singer, it is time to shout “hallelujah” from the rooftops. In recent years, there have been… Read More Live Jazz: Mon David at the Culver Club in the Hotel Radisson
By Fernando Gonzalez The recently released Recording Industry in Numbers 2010, the report by the International Federation of Phonographic Industry, the London-based organization that represents record companies, offers a snapshot of the changing state of the business. Predictably, overall sales numbers declined (at 7% globally) — and the industry sees piracy as the most important… Read More OpEd Commentary: The Numbers in the Music
By Don Heckman Blackmore’s Night “Winter Carols” (Minstrelhall Music) Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple, along with his partner, singer Candice Night, have created a rich, colorful holiday portrait, using electric guitar, period instruments, soaring vocals and multi-layered instrumental textures. The songs range from classic carols to a new song, “Christmas Eve,” and the Rednex’ “Wish… Read More CDs: More Songs of the Holidays
The International Review of Music 