Sapphire

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Jim DeJohn - Lifetime musician and visual artist

Product Description
Evocative Piano Instrumentals Painting Pictures in Your Mind - mellow, relaxing, memorable melodies transporting you to wherever you want to go.

Sapphire,Jim DeJohn,All-Notes-On Music,Evocative New Age Instrumentals,New Age

Sapphire

Sapphire

Sapphire Blue
Average customer rating:

A fusion between jazz and blues?

It's a great album.

Five stars for Larry and the band, three for the production

Smooth blues

Best work in years!

Sapphire Blue
Larry Carlton
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00012FX54
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Friday Night Shuffle
A Pair of Kings
Night Sweats
Sapphire Blue
7 for You
Slightly Dirty
Just an Excuse
Take Me Down

Amazon.com

It is said that the sins of the father are visited on the sons, but sometimes Junior's sins are visited on poor dad. Players like Larry Carlton, David Sanborn, Jaco Pastorius, and Eddie Van Halen developed new, personal sounds and techniques on their instruments that have since been bastardized by dozens of less-talented offspring, often leading to an unfair denigration of the progenitors. Carlton's smooth, singing guitar tone has been adopted by a legion of hacks who would never be able to create the inventive solos the LA session ace supplied to Steely Dan (see: "Kid Charlemagne"), nor the revolutionary textures he bestowed upon Joni Mitchell (see: all of Court and Spark). Granted the requirements of radio have occasionally softened his own edge; but offered the chance to record anything he wants results in Sapphire Blue--a horn-section driven, blues-based outing that reminds us why he is, well, Larry Carlton. From the opening romp of "Friday Night Shuffle," to the closing down-home acoustic/harmonica duet of "Take Me Down," this disc offers undiluted guitar soul with no concessions to the "smooth jazz" canon. Any doubts will be quickly dispelled with one listen to the title tune, where drummer Billy Kilson (Dave Holland) is allowed to go brilliantly berserk under the climax of Carlton's final solo. Throughout, Carlton's greasy playing rivals some of his best work with the Crusaders, providing a textbook for a new generation of guitarists. Let's hope that this time they learn the right lessons. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

A fusion between jazz and blues?.......2007-04-11

This album shows me that Larry Carlton does the project of his life, it was dedicated to his grandaughter, great musica and I condsider it a fusion between blues and jazz.

It's a great album. .......2006-07-16

I've recently just started listening to Jazz and am building a collection, slowly. Sapphire Blue was recommended to me by a fellow guitar player, knowing I really like the blues as well. Regardless of anyone's whining that this is steeped in blues, I personally love it. The blues runs, and jazzy backings are a great mix. Larry Carlton is fast becoming a favorite.

Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather No Substitutions Live in Osaka was my first time hearing LC, and that blew me away. Sapphire Blue did NOT let me down.

Definitely a 5 star album. I highly recommend it

Five stars for Larry and the band, three for the production.......2005-08-19

Let me start out by saying that Larry Carlton plays his ass off on this disc, as does the rest of his band. He's always been able to play the blues like this, and it's about time he did it on record.

Something about the production doesn't do it for me, though. Larry's tone is spectacular (as always), but it seems like everything else is way too far in the background. The horns, especially, sound thin and compressed, without punch. There's some sort of synth strings over the top of the horns on some of the tracks which really doesn't need to be there. The Hammond organ doesn't growl; it purrs.

If this group put out a live record, it would be amazing.

Smooth blues.......2005-03-17

Blues has been so absorbed into the musical main stream, so exploited and explored that there's no way to get out of the cliche. So why not embrace it and play every cliche in the book?

This is blues to go with your double latte with extra sugar. To me this music has all the appeal of processed cheese. Slick, squeaky-clean music performed with the surgical precision of a studio ace.

Yes Carlton sounds good. He's a great player. (and Michael Rhodes bass sounds darn good too) So settle in. It may be the best blues you ever went to sleep to.

Best work in years!.......2004-11-06

This is Larry Carlton the way we used to hear him...evokes "Room 335" and "Strikes Twice". Fat, stinging and yet soulful guitar tone, that makes you want to run and get your guitar and play along (however badly!). No one is as smooth as LC, no one bends like he does, and no one can do justice by imitating him! The King of Smooth...get this CD...

Average customer rating:

Teena, Teena, Teena
A Teena Fan
The Best
In the mood for love
Sapphire CD - Teena Marie

Sapphire
Teena Marie
Manufacturer: Cash Money
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Teena Marie: Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B000ETRBEU
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

God Has Created
Cruise Control
Baby Who's Is It
Make It Hot
Ooo Wee
Sleeping With The Enemy
A.P.B.
Love Is A Gangsta
Ladies Choice
Somebody Just Like You
You Blow Me Away
Simmer Down
Romantica
The Way You Love Me
Ecstacy
Resilent (Sapphire)

Amazon.com

Sapphire is the release that ought to earn the indomitable Teena Marie her Oprah moment: If ever there was a disc with the potential to puff up the egos of 50-year-old women, this is it. Marie, 50 herself, sounds as vital and vixenish as she did in the '80s, when her anguished plea to be her man's "Lovergirl" was all over the airwaves (check first single "Ooo Wee," and "Make it Hot," a scorcher with ample reserves of bounce). What's more, Lady Tee leaps fearlessly into uncharted stylistic territory. Kurupt shows up early on track three ("Baby Who's Is It") to ease a transition into hip-hop, but five songs later she dispenses with the gravel-voiced help and goes it alone: "Love is a Gangsta" is her love letter to the raw and the real, and in it she makes the class move of name-checking a fellow 50-ish badass, Pam Grier. On a rambling disc that would do her one-time partner Rick James proud--there is an unignorable element of superfreakishness to Sapphire that owes itself both to Marie's dramatic phrasing and her distinctive production--she also reaches back to her old-school R&B roots, enlisting the ever-sexy Smokey Robinson for the swivelly "Cruise Control" (and the less likable opener "God Has Created"). "Resilient," the closer, could have been the title of this disc--it has all the trappings of autobiography--but instead of running off with it, Marie mikes up her daughter, Alia Rose, for a duet. Don't count on Marie stepping aside to get all middle-aged-mother anytime soon, though. By the sound of Sapphire, she's just getting started. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Teena, Teena, Teena.......2007-06-27

This was a good CD, but Teena has done better. Lots of the songs start to sound the same. I'm still loven a few songs on it but the rest get the skip button. But it has not lost it's place in my CD rotation.

A Teena Fan.......2007-04-04

This woman is one of the most talented artists out there today. Her spirit and spunk have moved me for years. I'm happy she's back.

The Best.......2007-03-12

If you are a Teena Marie fan, you will LOVE this CD. It's mature, but not "old". If you are not a Teena Marie fan, you will become one. The music samples a lot of different genres and her voice is as always, excellent!

In the mood for love.......2007-01-18

Bueno, nuestra querida Lady Tee sigue en buena forma aunque existe pérdida de caudal vocal y quizás de energía. Los años no pasan en balde y se hacen notar. No son buenas las comparaciones, pero uno escucha el "Ivory" o el ya lejano "Irons in the Fire" y aprecia esa falta. No obstante en los tiempos que corren de absoluta falta de ideas y sobre todo de melodías, una apuesta como la de Teena en "Sapphire" sin pretensiones y recogiendo lo mejor del pop soul, del que aún se puede considerar una princesa, es muy honesta y muy de agradecer. " God has created" abre el disco de la forma más reconocible en la artista y "Cruise Control","Baby who's it" "A.P.B." o "Love is a Gangsta" apunta novedades en ritmos y formas que recuerdan al Prince más inventivo y junto con "Sleeping with the enemy" y "Simmer down", son las auténticas joyas de "Sapphire". Un Sobresaliente para estas canciones. En las baladas "Somebody just like you" "You blow me away" y "Romantica", siendo muy bonitas canciones, me pregunto cómo las habría cantado veinte años antes. Quizás tres estrellas sea una calificación algo corta, pero todos sabemos cuáles son los trabajos de Teena Marie de cinco estrellas. No obstante si tuviéramos que calificar su trabajo en relación a los que se realizaron en el 2006, sí que se merece lo mejor.

Sapphire CD - Teena Marie.......2007-01-13

This is a fantastic CD by Teena...I have always loved her music. Her daughter sounds just like her on the last track!

Average customer rating:

Keiko's best!
Most enjoyable.
Wow

Sapphire
Keiko Matsui
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000A5A36
Release Date: 2003-07-29

Tracks:

Safari
Bouncing Bougainvillea
Sonora
Don't Turn On The Light
Mission
Garden
Tears From The Sun
Spanish Galleon
Dragon Wings
Sapphire
The River (Solo Piano)
Longing (Solo Piano)
Sapphire (Solo Piano)

Customer Reviews:

Keiko's best!.......2006-04-19

I have several CD's by Keiko, and I find this to be, by far, her best. Of course, this is very subjective! I'm consistently drawn to her exquisite piano "poetry," her ability to strike individual notes so clearly and combine them with such creative foresight knowing somehow that they will emerge to touch my soul.

In "Sapphire," Keiko has done it again, but this time the music is different. I've always had trouble listening to her music for too long, for in most of her music, I sense an underlying feeling of struggle, sometimes even despair. When I'm anxious, I cannot listen to Keiko for this reason; it exacerbates my unbalanced mood. In Sapphire, this underlying sense of "something off" is missing. The various pieces feel light, some carefree, but still complicated and filled with a variety of instruments including the piano. "Safari," my favorite, is exotic and exciting, yet mysterious. The last three pieces are solo piano, where her skill with the piano shines, little piano riffs throughout all connecting but clearly separate. To me, her piano solos sound like individual crystals landing on glass, diffenent tones, but all so distinct and clear, but always connected to what came before and what will come after, never a separation, but separate. I believe this is Keiko's gift with the piano, and this skill shines through in all the pieces on "Sapphire."

Two pieces are vocal, the rest are instrumental; the woman chosen to sing the two songs I find extremely irritating. If you like the Mariah Carey/Celine Dion kind of screaming whining, you'll probably like the vocals, but I feel they detract immensely from the instruments and Keiko's music. The voice is overbearing and detracts from the overall mood of the album, which is upbeat and encouraging, which isn't always the case with Keiko's music, although always magnificently beautiful, nonetheless.

I gave the album 5 stars despite my extreme dislike of the two songs that I now always skip because the rest of the music is what I love so much about Keiko, but without the very subtle underlying sense of struggle that I feel emanates from a good deal of her music.

Most enjoyable........2005-08-19

Keiko really hit it with this album. The entire album is melodically intriguing and elegant as all of her albums are, but has a couple of hits that are a cut above to top it off. If you are not familiar with Keiko Matsui, she is a classically trained pianist who takes elegant classical melodies and combines them with the advernturousness of jass and the funkiness of funk in creating her own music. The result is phenomenal. If you are not familiar with Keiko Matsui buy this album. It will be the best $14 you've spent in a while.

Wow.......2003-11-29

That's all I have to say. All of the tracks are incredible. They each have a different feel and can take the listener on wild adventures. Many songs like "Safari" and "Dragon Wings" are very light and bouncy. Then there are songs like "Mission" which is very eerie and gothic. I think I am addicted.
(Some may recognize the piano solo "Longing" as "Mask" on Dreamwalk.)

Average customer rating:

Sapphire Skies
Dr. Jeffrey D. Thompson
Manufacturer: Relaxation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000LV63Q8
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

Prayer
Sapphire Skies
Truth
Mist

Album Description

Sapphire Skies With Alpha Brainwave Pulses

Intimate musical environments created by internationally renowned recording artist MICK ROSSI, with embedded Alpha Brainwave Pulses by DR. JEFFREY THOMPSON. Be transported to clear, open spaces, carried by entrancing and deeply relaxing melodies

Tracks:

The Holly & The Ivy
Gaudete
L'Amour De Moi
Salva Nos
Glass Window
There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
Kinderly
In Dulce Jubilo
Love Me Broughte
I Am Eve
Quan Vey La Lauzeta
The Coventry Carol
Undrentide
Ecce Mundi Gaudium
Blow Northern Wind

Customer Reviews:

buy this one first.......2006-06-29

This is not really a Christmas, or even a seasonal, album, more of a best of the Babes. yYs, they lead off with "The Holly and the Ivy" (and do it beautifully) but do not buy this as a "holiday music album"... or do... you won't regret buying it whatever your reasons!
This was my introduction to this band and I was absolutely floored. It lived in my car CD player for 2 months straight, and still is in the first section of my CD storage unit.... a rare honor for *any* Cd. It is also responsible for causing me to go out and try to buy every other CD the band has out, and I have not been disapointed in any of the ones I have gotten so far.
Speaking as a former music major, religious student, and medieval re-creationist, I know I can be pretty nit picky when it comes to "medieval" music; all too often it is neither medieval, nor (in my opinion) music! This is one of those rare exceptions that can manage to get you out of a chair to dance, while singing at the top of your lungs in Olde Englishe, Latin, or whatever. There isnt a bad voice in the lot (although some of the harmonies can be a bit odd if you arent used to medieval music) and the instrumental backings are pure gold.

Great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes.......2006-02-27

This CD has many songs from previous albums and a few new songs. It is a great introduction to Mediaeval Baebes music and serves as "best of" type of collection. It is billed as a "holiday" collection but I listen to it year round and quite often. The Mediaeval Baebes have a very unique and wonderful sound.

Great choral versions of ancient songs.......2005-11-19

I first heard the Mediaeval Baebes on a UK double CD (Best carols in the world ever) featuring three of their trackss (Guadete, Coventry carol, Adam lay ibounden), all of which can also be found on their debut album, but my curiosity only became aroused when that UK double CD was updated and repackaged with a different title (Best Christmas carols ever) and all the Mediaeval Baebes tracks were omitted with other choirs replacing them. My research showed that they have become an established group (albeit with line-up changes) and are now very successful in their chosen style, which some may regard as classical but (since they sing with their natural voices rather than operatic voices) seems more like traditional folk music to me.

This is not a Christmas album in the true sense of the word although there are some recognizable Christmas carols here - rather it is a compilation of music taken from their earlier albums together with a couple of re-recordings and two completely new recordings. I would have liked some liner notes giving some detailed information about the songs but very little information is actually provided. Apparently, much more information can found in the booklets provided with the original album releases. Still, it's the music that counts and, when it comes to choral music, this is as good as it gets.

The set opens with The holly and the ivy, set to the tune that everybody is familiar with. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this tune, although old, is not the original tune written for the song. This is where liner notes would be useful - and as this is one of the new recordings, their original albums won't help. Given that the Mediaeval Baebes aim to re-record very old songs, it would have been nice to hear them sing it to its original tune if it really was different from the current one. I suppose it doesn't matter since they sing the song superbly anyway.

Other Christmas carols that you are likely to recognize are Gaudete (revived most famously by folk-rockers Steeleye Span), In dulce jubilo (a new recording for this album, it was recorded in the seventies by Mike Oldfield, who had a UK hit with his instrumental version) and The Coventry carol. The other songs are unfamiliar to me but the group perform them all brilliantly. The other song of theirs on that UK carols compilation (Adam lay ibounded) is not included, but there's plenty else to make up for that omission.

The instruments used to back the group (mostly played by members of the group) are interesting. They include a zither, a hurdygurdy, a citern, a glockenspiel, an astrowheel and three different types of recorder - not the kind of instruments to be heard regularly on pop and rock albums. I was particularly pleased to find the recorders here. Like many Brits of my generation, I was forced to learn to play the recorder at school (I did so very badly) and so the recorder has never had a great reputation, but when played well and in the right setting (as here), it sounds wonderful.

This is a fine compilation in many ways but it may be that one of the original albums (which apparently have detailed liner notes) will provide an even better introduction to the music of the Mediaeval Baebes. Despite my reservations, this is still (easily) a five-star album and I'll certainly listen to more of their music eventually.

A pleasing tone.......2004-12-02

This is probably one of my new favorite Christmas albums. It is an absolute gem. It isn't an over-powering album with new or different things but they have recorded a few lesser known Latin Carols that are not given much attention anymore. Gaudete was one that stood out. The arrangement is rather simple and beautiful and the song itself is melodic in an unusual way. I have found that this CD has appealed to a fairly wide spectrum of people and would make a great album to play in the background during the Holidays. I think this would be the perfect thing to put on in the late afternoon in December while curling up with a good book or wrapping presents.

A "best of", not really a Christmas record.......2004-03-27

Potential purchasers should bear that in mind. As with the Medieval Baebes debut album it contains a small proportion of `holiday season' material, but most of it can be listened to without embarrassment at any time of the year. (In my experience, all of it can - even on a warm spring afternoon I can't bring myself to program out `In Dulci Jubilo', `The Holly...' etc).

Another thing potential purchasers should bear in mind - this compilation winds up being a better "best of" than the album of that name.

It's more representative - career-spanning and able to demonstrate the increasing ambition and complexity of the arrangements, and of Katharine Blake's compositions. (Of course, some of their experiments with modern instrumentation on the `Undrentide' album didn't work, but they don't appear here).

It's also more enjoyable on a basic musical level - there are no over-repetitive pieces, no odd song-fragments...nothing that drags. Or maybe there are a couple of weak spots - "I Am Eve" which goes on a little too long, and Audrey Evans's rendition of "L'amour de moi" which is suprisingly weak, and no substitute for the original featuring the much-missed Dorothy Carter - but these are easily forgiven.

Even if you can't understand what's being said, even if you understand it well enough to spot the mispronunciations here and there, it will be hard to resist the ethereal beauty the Baebes' voices, and of songs like `Quan Vey La Lauzeta', `There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu' or `Blow Northern Wind'.

Ragtime & Blue
Average customer rating:

Elana kats chernins ragtime and blues

post modern ragtime meets palm court

Ragtime & Blue

Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009A414M
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

Alexander Rag
Green Leaf Prelude
Russian Rag
Get Well Rag
Blue Rose
Eliza's Aria
Backstate Rag
Birthday Rag
Brothers
Peggy's Minute Rag
Reflections
Cocktail Rag
Butterflying
Sunday Rag
Nostalgic Piece
Bucharian Melody
Revolving Doors
Suburban Rag
Sapphire Rag
Tranquil Interlude
Mute Princess
Slicked Back Tango
Removalist Rag
Melancholic Piece

Customer Reviews:

Elana kats chernins ragtime and blues.......2007-03-12

This album is very good its so nice and peacfull and beutifull, put it this way 'iam normally a heavy metal fan but this album is amazing' i can easily fall asleep listening to this, buy and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

post modern ragtime meets palm court.......2006-04-11

A terrific suite of small pieces suffused with melancholy underneath even the most upbeat melodies. This is a composer with whom I was unfamiliar until seeing a San Francisco Ballet piece choreographed to music from this CD. The program notes to BLUE ROSE which was a World Premiere in the 2006 season say in part:

"On the heels of his decision to create one new work for the 2006 Repertory Season, Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson launched into a second premiere for the Company, Blue Rose. After hearing composer Elena Kats-Chernin's CD Ragtime and Blue, Tomasson couldn't resist. "It's fun-it has a kind of joy to it," he says, and you don't doubt him for a minute-just talking about the music brings a smile to his face." Yu may be able to read more at the SF ballet website www.sfballet.org

Unfortunately the CD seems to be available only via a UK label but it's worth waiting for - I've had it spinning every evening in the two weeks since it arrived.

Average customer rating:

Another great album
A Must Have!!!
great CD
Beautiful, well done, worth buying!

Sapphire

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Jazz | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Path Of Romance
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ASIN: B00006697M
Release Date: 2001-10-01

Tracks:

Stars On Water
Both Sides Now
Sedona Gypsy
Here, There and Everywhere
Sapphire Skies
Beyond The Sea
Kona Wind
Dolphin Dreams
The Way You Look Tonight
Night and Day

Customer Reviews:

Another great album.......2007-03-19

This is just another example of the beautiful music of Patrick Li - his music is inspirational!

A Must Have!!!.......2003-11-09

A must for anybody who enjoys guitar. The arrangements are excellent. I had an opportunity to meet Patrick this spring and I am honored to have a signed copy of "Heart Music and Art" and "Path of Romance."
I highly recommend Sapphire, the first CD I purchased, two days before meeting them in Sedona.

great CD.......2003-04-04

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love Patrick's new CD Sapphire. I had the opportunity to meet him in Sedona, at Tlaquepaque. What an interesting man. I purchased this CD and play it all the time. It is upbeat yet soothing and full of emotion. I am glad I found Patrick's music!!

Beautiful, well done, worth buying!.......2002-07-18

I am moved by this CD! It is uplifting, relaxing and puts me in a good mood all at the same time. The arrangements are great and the quality excellent. Looking forward to buying all of Patrick Ki's CD's now!

Average customer rating:

Sapphire
John Martyn
Manufacturer: Polygram International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000251EM
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

Sapphire
Over The Rainbow
You Know
Watching Her Eyes
Fisherman's Dream
Acid Rain
Mad Dog Days
Climb The Walls
Coming In On Time
Rope-Soul'd

Album Description

Reissue of 1984 album for the Scottish born folk singer-songwriter/guitarist. Ten tracks including 'Acid Rain', 'Climb The Walls' & 'Coming in On Time'.

Average customer rating:

A GREAT VOICE!! A WONDERFUL JAZZ SINGER!!

Music Is the Magic
Kelley Johnson
Manufacturer: Sapphire Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000AA4GMI
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

Lucky To Be Me
Tea For Two
Without a Song
The Tender Trap
Old Devil Moon
Moon and Sand
Music is the Magic
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? / God Bless The Child
When Springtime Turns to Fall
What the World Needs Now is Love

Customer Reviews:

A GREAT VOICE!! A WONDERFUL JAZZ SINGER!!.......2007-02-01

Five JAZZY Stars!! Discovering the marvelous singer Kelley Johnson is a wonderful experience. This Kennedy Center Ambassabor and award-winning singer's third CD is totally enjoyable. Her yearning, clear voice is amazing, her diction is impeccable, her low notes are engaging, she knows when to drop in a surprising 'blue note', and her vibrato is 'to-die-for'. That vibrato suspends notes at the end of a phrase and enjoyably takes them far beyond the point where most singers have released and moved on: great attention to detail. And she is daring in many places, taking chances that are impressive as in "What The World Needs Now" delivered as a dark, beautiful nuanced ballad.

The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with a great, loping version of "Without A Song" that would probably bring a smile to Sonny Rollins' face, where Kelley starts her colorations from the very beginning. "Tea for Two" is totally enjoyable 'gear shifting' pleasure. Other standards, "The Tender Trap" and "Old Devil Moon" are engaging renditions that are fresh with great instrumental solos. And there is an interesting melding of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" and "God Bless The Child" that totally works. Let's hope Kelley gains a wider audience because she is a wonderful jazz singer with great versatility, lots to say, and who runs with a sterling, fiery jazz group (Brian Lynch on trumpet, Geoffrey Keezer on alto, John Hansen or Steve Wilson on piano, Essiet Essiet or Daryl Hall on bass, Jon Wikan on drums, and Renato Thomas on percussion) that solos and supports at a high level. Highly Recommended!! Five SWINGING Stars!!

(This review is based on an ITunes digital download.)

Average customer rating:

Quiet Music
Music to fall asleep to
from Wind and Wire
Great music for newborns
Inspirational music of the modern era

Sapphire Dreams: A Romantic Interlude
Mars Lasar
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Yosemite, Valley of the Giants
Escape

ASIN: B000001J2B
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

Belongings
Garden Of Eden
Sapphire Dreams
Blue Nile
Fear & Tenderness
Amy's Lullaby III
The Haunted
Seven Tears
Forgiven
Oasis
A Hurricane Named Desire
10 Thousand Miles Between Us

Customer Reviews:

Quiet Music.......2005-11-25

Hearing this CD for the first time, after hearing and owning Mars' Olympus, was like the experience I had with David Lanz's Cristofori's Dream after hearing and owning Natural States and Desert Vision. Sapphire Dreams came from deep within Mars; his romantic side. It is quiet,beautiful, emotional and moving. I never get tierd of listening to it. If you enjoy listening to great music while you read or want to relax, this is it. The tracks are consistant and compliment each other.

Music to fall asleep to.......2002-06-08

I have been a fan of Lasar for almost a decade now. The Eleventh Hour is an intense powerful album. Sapphire Dreams is totally opposite to the Eleventh Hour. Where that album has very intense almost disturbing tracks this album is perfect music to fall asleep. The synthesizers all take a back seat for now and Mars pulls in a grand piano and creates a surprisingly dreamy album of perfect nighttime instrumentals. No Corroboree, Great Beast Of Wisdom, or Your Eyes here, just perfect bedtime music to fall asleep to. I often play this to counterract nightmares I sometimes have. This CD is one worthy of having. Fans of the Eleventh Hour might enjoy this one too. You can't go wrong with this one.

from Wind and Wire.......2001-02-28

"Sapphire Dreams" was quite a lovely surprise for me. I have been familiar with Mars Lasar's name for quite sometime, but this is the first of his albums that I have heard from beginning to end. Gentle and ethereal throughout, Lasar mixes solo piano with synth - all played by himself. Despite the dreamy theme and feel to most of the album, this is far from a fluff piece. The pieces are beautifully developed and, while very accessible, hold up to many listenings. Classical roots are obvious, but this album is very much in the present, mixing the wonders of the grand piano with the technology of synthesized sounds. What is so remarkable is the emotional content. So many albums that mix piano and synth end up sounding a little thin and flat. The gentle, sweet emotions of each of these pieces come through, and only a couple of the cuts failed to grab me and beg me to listen without any distractions.

"Belongings" opens the album with a wash of strings, and then the piano enters with a simple, charming melody; as the piece builds, it is easy to imagine it behind a great movie. "Garden of Eden" is both gently melodic and stirring - simple, but ever so elegant. The sound of windchimes opens the title song - a haunting, mysterious piece that builds ever so gently, inviting us to pause to share the dream. "Fear and Tenderness" seems to be much more about tenderness than fear, and is so achingly beautiful it can invoke tears. "Amy's Lullaby" begins with the sound of a toy piano, but evolves into piano and synth - a sweet lullaby to a much-loved child. "The Haunted" is a mysterious little piece - possibly to accompany a child's ghost story. "Oasis" shimmers - a much more ambient and free-floating piece for solo piano. "A Hurricane Named Desire" is much gentler than the title implies - passionate but tender. "10 Thousand Miles Between Us" is a musical love letter needing no words.

Listeners who enjoy a gentle album with plenty of substance will thoroughly enjoy "Sapphire Dreams".

Great music for newborns.......1999-12-01

This is a great CD for soothing baby-while feeding or trying to get baby to sleep.

Inspirational music of the modern era.......1999-11-10

This album is an excellent example of Mars Lasars composing ability. I rank him as a modern day version of Eric Satie and his music will become ageless.

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