Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Jazz Ramblings...and other Idle Thoughts

Greetings:

I take pen in hand (so to speak)(and being fully aware of the dearth of readership of this blog)(not to mention my annoying proclivity toward parenthetical comments)...where was I?

Oh yes, I just picked up a copy of Sir Paul's new CD "Kisses On The Bottom" and I can't praise it enough.  Having heard only a few preview tracks, but liking the looks of the song list, I took a flyer, and was not just pleasantly surprised, but nearly blown away.  This rare juxtaposition of outstanding jazz musicians (the instantly recognizable Diana Krall and John Pizzarelli to name just two) in support of McCartney's almost delicate voicing of some vintage songs is elegant and sublime.  In particular, his reading of the Frank Loesser's gem More I Cannot Wish You brings a tear to my eye.

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I realize that aging Pop singers recording the Great American Songbook is no longer a novelty (notwithstanding Rod Stewart's efforts, which I loathe, there have been some nice discs in this area of late by a wide range of singers the likes of Boz Scaggs, Willie Nelson and Gladys Knight), but it's Paul McCartney, folks.  I was tickled by his liner-note comments of being nervous in Capitol Studios singing into Nat "King" Cole's microphone and in the face of all the accomplished "jazz players" (imagine how they felt).  Interestingly enough, his voice sounded most in command while performing his two originals.  "Kisses On The Bottom" evokes for me nothing so much as Harry Nilsson's classic recording "A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night," songs in the same vein recorded with the great Gordon Jenkins and a full orchestra back in the 70's.  I still have the vinyl of that one.  (Both recordings have Always and Paper Moon in common).


When I do get back on the air, we will hear this fine recording.  I hope it won't be long.

Peace.