Lazy [CD-single]

Track Listings

1. Lazy [Original Version]

2. Lazy [Norman Cook Remix]

3. Lazy [Norman Cook Dub]

4. Lazy [Peace Division Dub]

5. AC/DC [Gangbanger Mix]

Lazy,X-Press 2,Sony,Big Beat,Club/Dance,Electronica,House,Pop,R&B,Techno,Trance

Lazy [CD-single]

Tracks:

Mattinata - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Mala Femmena - Frankie Fanelli
Canto D'Amore - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Guaglione - Carlo Savina And His Orchestra
Lary Mary(Luna Mezza Mare) - Lou Monte
Anema E Core - Perry Como
Funiculi Funicula - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Soldi, Soldi, Soldi(From 'Boccaccio '70') - Sophia Loren
Santa Lucia - Gino Del Vescovo And His Mandolins
Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu) - Lou Monte
Come Back To Sorrento - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Volare(nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno
A Man Without Love(Quando M'Innamore) - Sergio Franchi
O Sole Mio - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Forget Domani(From 'The Yellow Rolls Royce') - Perry Como
Mama - Lou Monte
O Mio Bambino Caro - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Non Dimenticar(Don't Forget) - Lou Monte
Al Di La(From 'Rome Adventure') - Frankie Fanelli
Arrivederci Roma(Goodbye To Rome) - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Italian Amercans--a must buy.......2007-07-28

As an USAF Air Attaché, I played this music at many a dinner party with a surprising amount of interest and positive comments from my foreign colleagues--often asking for copies of the music.

As a child of the 60's, these songs resurrected long-lost memories of great Italian music that was at one-time almost prevalent in the entertainment industry. I am proud that our culture produced these great songs, hope you are too! I still often listen to this music at dinner while enjoying a glass of great Italian wine.

Bob Silvestri, USAF, Retired

ITALIAN LISTENER.......2007-07-16

This was a great cd. it came on time and was as promised in good condition. I would recomend the seller again.

Terrific!.......2007-05-30

I bought this CD because I missed listening to the music my grandfather played. This CD brought back a flood of memories for me. Wonderful compilation of my favorite italian classics.

So-So CD.......2007-04-06

This is more cafe style but still worth listening to.
Great dinner background music.

This CD will put you to sleep.......2007-02-26

We bought this CD for our daughter's wedding. After reviewing it, we could have saved our money. The version of Funiculi sounded like the Salvation Army band and it was totally lifeless. Lou Monte's Hey Gumbaree (it is actually Eh Cumpare in Italian--that should have given it away) was awful, and he consistently butchers the Italian language in all his other songs (annoying, I mean, couldn't he have learned the right pronunciation?).

While Perry Como and others have melodic voices (and very wisely sing in English because they don't know Italian), these are '50s versions of the songs, for the most part. While you have to appreciate them, they are really old and reflect the '50s type of instrumention and style. Would have loved to have heard all these songs done in a fresh and original way. Soldi Soldi was our favorite by far, and that is why we gave the CD two stars.

Could have gone to the library for this one.

Thanks for letting me voice our opinion. We are a big Italian family and just spent hundreds of dollars buying every CD out there for our daughter's wedding and figured we would share our opinion with others.

Average customer rating:

Great Album
A Perennial Fave
River Dancing
I have to agree, this is timeless...
Great CD!

Up a Lazy River
Leon Redbone
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Nostalgia | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Ragtime | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music
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On the Track
Sugar
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No Regrets

ASIN: B0002IQI2E
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

Play Gypsy Play
At the Chocolate Bon Bon Ball
Lazy River
When Dixie Stars Are Playing Peek-A-Boo
Mr. Jelly Roll Baker
Gotta Shake That Thing
You're a Heartbreaker
Bittersweet Waltz
Goodbye Charlie Blues
That Old Familiar Blues
Dreamer's Holiday
I'm Going Home

Customer Reviews:

Great Album.......2007-01-15

This is the best Leon Redbone album I've heard (I own about 7 and have heard parts from his other albums). In fact, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. One gem after another. Beautiful music. A Classic.

A Perennial Fave.......2005-08-09

Some musicians are out there to keep traditional music alive. Ry Cooder springs to mind. He does it multiculturally, whereas Leon Redbone and Randy Newman stick pretty close to Americana and the Hoagy Charmichael school of singer. I love the old stuff. It's just such a serendipitous/smooth/Moonlight on the Wabash Old School sorta thing! Not too many of us were even born when these tunes were popularized, but like Harry Nilsson's "A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night" and Linda Rondstadt's great renditions of classic tunes, this recording is near landmark quality!

Great accompaniment from his backup band, as usual. Quality recording in every sense! Five stars easily!

BEK

River Dancing.......2005-07-09

Redbone for the Redbone fan. The right mix of the old classics done with that Redbone flair and those distinctive songs that are his own. I heartily recommend this work to anyone who enjoys Leon at his best.

I have to agree, this is timeless..........2005-01-16

I never get tired of playing this album. It is short, but sweet and no missteps. Great music for a lazy, Sunday afternoon...

Great CD!.......2004-12-11

If you like Leon Redbone (who doesn't), add this one to your collection. I have listened to this CD hundreds of times and I never get sick of it. A must have for any jazz lover.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Voice, Cheap Music
You are all idiots
Bryn Terfel, the Magnificent, sings 'Something for Everyone'
Bryn Terfel's voice is magnificent, this album superb.
Popular favorites sung by a fine concert baritone-bass

Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts
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Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Silent Noon
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome

ASIN: B0000AP6HI
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Couplets: 'Votre Toast Je Peu Vous Le Rendre' (Toreador Song)
Shenandoah
Bugeillio'r Gwenith Gwyn
'C'etait Le Soir' - 'Aufondu Du Temple Saint'
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Danny Boy
Bella Notte
Goin' Home
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Home Sweet Home
Ave Maria D 839
Il Mio Cure Va
At The River
None But The Lonley Heart
If I Can Help Somebody
Wiegenlied
Abide With Me
Lazybones

Amazon.com

The title of this CD tells it all. Here is one popular classic after another, some folk or traditional, some operatic, some religious or inspirational, some pop. The result in the throat/mind/sensibility of any other singer might be soupy, sappy, or simply uninteresting, but Bryn Terfel--he of the rolling bass-baritone voice who can smoothly deliver notes and phrases at any dynamic level--turns this generous, somewhat sentimental recital into something beautiful and special. After a rousing "Toreador Song" from Carmen, sung with just the right weight (most baritones find it too low, most basses too high) comes a ravishing version of "Shenandoah"; a fine Welsh song is followed by the stunning duet from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers, with Andrea Bocelli singing the tenor part gleamingly and Terfel considerately underplaying his hand. And so it continues through Brahms' Lullaby and Schubert's Ave Maria; the "Love Theme from Titanic" sung with great restraint; renditions of "Danny Boy" and "Home Sweet Home" which are just beautiful; the spirituals "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "At the River," slightly anachronistic but still effective; the gluey "If I Can Help Somebody"; and a few more. It's amazing that Terfel can bring such variety to material which is temperamentally so similar. Some of the arrangements are a bit sticky and overdone, but overall, this disc is a beauty for all seasons. It will make a lovely gift to music lovers of all types. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Voice, Cheap Music.......2006-04-27

Bryn Terfel sings everything beautifully. The difficulty with this CD is that some of the music is extremely tawdry.
"The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Abide With Me" are very nicely sung, although the arrangements (like almost all hymn arrangements) leave a good bit to be desired.
The big surprise was to hear him sing "Lazybones" to perfection.
But on the whole it is far better to hear him sing music whose quality matches that of his voice.

You are all idiots.......2006-04-04

Bryn is aweful. This CD is horrific. Listen to real opera you morons. Listening to Bryn is like pouring sugar down your throat until you vomit. Does anyone know what an "operatic baritone" really sounds like. Bryn is the emproer with no clothes and you all are fools.

Bryn Terfel, the Magnificent, sings 'Something for Everyone'.......2005-06-28

Surely one of the most beautiful baritone voices on the opera stage and in the recital hall today is that of Welshman Bryn Terfel. He is one of those rare artists who has a magnificent voice, intense musicality, and magical stage presence. Terfel could sing the telephone book and make it beautiful.

And sadly that is what this album resembles: the choice of songs and the arrangements and friends with whom he elects to perform raises some concern about his artistic integrity. Having purchased this CD based on hearing 'Toreador Song' from 'Carmen' - clearly the finest, most highly nuanced performance of this famous aria ever sung! - this listener expected a concert of similar arias. Wrong! This is like a summer night at Hollywood Bowl with bits and pieces of all manner of songs, some tasteful, others less so, but whatever Terfel sings it is good to hear his voice.

Some of the more successful tracks include 'Shenandoah', 'Danny Boy', Brahms' 'Lullaby', and a Welsh tune 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn' sung in Welsh. But then Terfel opts to sing Tchaikovsky's 'None but the lonely heart' in English rather than Russian, a Disney song (from Lady and the Tramp) in Italian, and for some reason includes duets with a soprano by the sole name of Sissel ('Ave Maria'), an awful pairing with Andrea Bocelli for The Pearl Fishers duet (terrible to compare these two polarized voices!), and some choral and jazz ditties. Whew!

If you can get past the pick and save repertoire here and just relax with Terfel's artistry you are in for a treat. Not for the purists, but definitely a find for the 'crossover crowd'. Grady Harp, June 05

Bryn Terfel's voice is magnificent, this album superb........2005-05-05

I am hoping every possible purchaser of this album will read this review. Bryn Terfel is a singer whose voice has been touched by God. Rich, powerful, masculine, elegant, emotionally moving. His taste in music is varied and wonderful. I listen to him more often than any other vocalist in my vast vocal music collection. Therefore, I get more value out of his CD's than any other I own. If you love great vocal music sung by one of the greatest baritones of all time, buy this CD immediately. It will quickly become one of your treasured favorites. And Mr. Terfel, please know that your voice touches people all around the world. Thank you for the great music and inspiration, Sir.

Popular favorites sung by a fine concert baritone-bass.......2005-04-20

First of all, we have to recognize that Bryn Terfel is one helluva fine concert/operatic baritone with a huge, powerful, and beautiful voice. (I think any other assessment must be based on nit-picking and misses the forest for the trees.)

In the present program we may wonder whether Terfel's particular (and enormous) talent is well matched to the popular selections chosen. Overall, I say yes: Terfel gives fine and generally convincing performances of this widely varied program--and there are precious few (if any) who could do better.

Let's take a look at what's here:

On the famous toreador song from Bizet's "Carmen" Terfel gives a very fine, operatic rendition of the bull-fighter's swaggering, macho aria. His diction in French is faultless and his singing style unreproachable. What more do you want?

In "Shenandoah" Terfel takes on an American folksong, and here is hardly in his home territory. He sings it well, as a concert artist, and perhaps a bit more dramatically than necessary. His pronunciation of American English is very good--except that he's deceived by the "ss" in Missouri and does not give us the "z" sound which every American would. The use of the pipes by Neil Martin adds a lovely, wistful touch to this sentimental bit of lovesick nostagia.

The tender Welsh lovesong is sung in a fine concertish style, but manages to be quite intimate and convincing anyway. Terfel's pronunciation of the (South Wales?) language is perfect, as far as I can detect, and should probably not be taken for granted in this day when English dominates. The harp--mainstay of Welsh folk music--is welcome here as played by the expert fingers of Catrin Finch.

Bizet's well-known Pearl Fishers' duet is operatic territory, and Terfel shines here. Bocelli offers a warm and appealing, though smaller, tenor voice to the combination and the two do a good job overall. Terfel's French is again impeccable.

The lovely setting of the 23rd psalm by Goodall is a welcome bit of church music and the soloist-with-chorus arrangement puts Terfel into a familiar idiom, which he--and the London Voices--make the most of. It's a fine performance and will remind listeners of "The Vicar of Dibley" program on PBS, for which the hymn serves as themesong.

Danny Boy was, I believe, originally in English, though it is one of the best-loved Irish folksongs, so we can't fault Terfel for not singing it in Irish. He sings it well, in spite of its demanding range, and communicates the sad and longing tenderness a father feels for his son about to go off to battle. Terfel's sweet, pianissimo ending is gorgeous, impressive, and most apt.

I don't particularly like the song "Bella Notte," so I won't say much, except that it seems well presented. "Going Home" is performed as a concert piece which owes much more to Dvorak than to the Afro-American spiritual from which it is reportedly derived. Even so, Terfel manages a quite convincing southern American dialect. In the same mood, more or less, we get the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which Terfel and the London Voices bring off well, though not at all in the way a Black church choir would do it.

I won't take space to describe each of the following tracks, as I think the foregoing gives a pretty good idea of what to expect. The folksongs are not what a purist might want in the way of homespun simplicity--they are prettied up in artistic renditions. The concert pieces are very well done and leave little to be desired.

I will comment on only two more: I was not overly happy with the Brahms lullaby ("Wiegenlied"), because it is a bit too dramatic and artsy in style where it should be utterly simple. Still, we have to give T. credit for his excellent German pronunciation and his fine, if not cribside, style of singing.

In "Lazybones" Terfel gives us a thoroughly charming and delightfully bluesy performance of a Hoagy Carmichael song. Against all odds, it shows a warm understanding and affection for this idiom so alien to the hills and valleys of T's Welsh home. I defy anyone not to be charmed and delighted by this piece.

A strong commendation is in order for Chris Hazell's remarkably fine arrangements of most of these works, and the excellence of the performances by the accompanying groups. This is a musically first-class production!

The liner notes are generous, with song texts and photos of the participants in this recording. It is definitely up to Deutsche Grammophon's high standards!

If you like the pieces presented here and would like to hear them performed beautifully by first-class artists in fine arrangements, you should get this recording. With over 74 minutes of music, you'll be getting your money's worth several times over!

Average customer rating:

Long-time Fan
Satisfied Husband
SENSATIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCES BY THE JAZZY SWEDE SONGSTRESS WHO LOVES BRAZIL

Lazy Afternoon
Elin
Manufacturer: Blue Toucan Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000H7JCNM
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Tracks:

Fascinating Rhythm - Bina Coquet, Elin, Pedro Ito, Ricky Sebastian, Luiz Paulo Simas
Lazy Afternoon - Gustavo Amarante, Elin,
I Love New York - Gustavo Dantas, Elin, , Adriano Santos
Aquarela Do Brazil - Gustavo Dantas, Elin,
Vera Cruz - Gustavo Amarante, Elin, , Ricky Sebastian
Bonita - Bina Coquet, Elin
Luna - Elin, Adriano Santos
Lush Life - Elin
Doralice - Gustavo Amarante, Gustavo Dantas, Elin, Pedro Ito, Ricky Sebastian
Sugar - Gustavo Amarante, Elin, Adriano Santos, , Keith Underwood
Casa Forte - Gustavo Amarante, Elin, , , Ricky Sebastian

Customer Reviews:

Long-time Fan.......2007-04-08

Elin has a beautiful way of making every song her own. That is the result that some musicians spend a lifetime mastering, but she grabs onto a tune and drinks down the lyrics in a way that shows it is second-nature to her.
The Brazilian tunes, especially, flow perfectly.
A great cd for jazz enthusiasts and neophyte listeners alike.

Satisfied Husband.......2007-01-16

I purchased the CD for my Husband for Christmas, he has liked all the selections so far.

SENSATIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCES BY THE JAZZY SWEDE SONGSTRESS WHO LOVES BRAZIL .......2006-12-24

Five HUGE Stars!!! Elin is a wonderful Sweden-born, New York-based singer/songwriter who is SENSATIONAL on this chart-making debut CD. She fell in love with Brazilian music and the culture as a teen, learned Brazilian Portuguese, and lived in Rio for a while. Formally educated, she is no stranger to the singing venues of the world from Sweden to Brazil to Miami to New York and beyond. Her performances here of Brazilian music and straight-ahead jazz display flawless time and dazzling technique as she nails Portuguese phrases and creates jazzy scenarios. She also sings in English and Spanish on this CD, displaying three of her five fluent languages. And when they walked into this studio, she and her cohorts were READY to make some special music. This disc has received great reviews from jazz radio DJs and the esteemed 'Downbeat' magazine. BTW, "Elin" is pronounced "e-ah-LEEN' " spoken quickly.

Her lovely honey-toned voice is used as an instrument which goes from slow ballads ("Lush Life") to smoking sambas ("Casa Forte") to 'cuica'-imitation ("Aquarela do Brasil") to vocalese gymnastics ("Doralice") within her well-defined range. This CD has a group of exceptionally-arranged songs bolstered by jazz soloists of power and imagination. I love singers who can hold their own and graciously share solo time.

The 'Pieces De Resistance", the best of the best, begin with a sizzling treatment of "Fascinating Rhythm" in English as a samba that jumps to "Telefone" in Portuguese to 'scat'-ing and it totally works (kudos to Elin and the clarinet player). "Lazy Afternoon" swings away from Brasil as a straight-ahead commendable ballad (lush vocal from Elin & great flugelhorn from Claudio Roditi), and she swings it right back to Brazil with hip sambas: her own "I Love New York" and a fun "Aquarela Do Brasil". Elin's second lovely composition "La Luna" is in Spanish & heats up vocally as it goes, with two smoking 'Getz-ian' tenor sax solos, leaving us wanting more.

The late Brazilian super-diva Elis Regina's influence is strong on this CD and Elin has the subtle power and technique to both pay homage to Regina and use her music as a springboard for individualistic vocalizing. This is seen in the case of the extended treatment of the wordless "Casa Forte" (love the hot cello work behind her) and the AWESOME ballad and baião treatment of "Vera Cruz", which was originally a short Elis Regina tour-de-force. Elin shows her familiarity with Regina's version then expands on it TWICE with fresh Portuguese nuances, extending the performance to over 6 minutes of wonderful, emotional vocalizing and instrumental solos (Claudio Roditi makes a second stunning appearance on flugelhorn ). "Vera Cruz" can best be described as pure 'ear & brain candy'. Bravo, Elin! This is a wonderful, sensational debut. More, please! Highly Recommended!! Five ENJOYABLE Stars!!

(Notes:
*This review is based on an ITunes musical download.
*Sweden is a hotbed of musical excellence, much like Brasil, but there are a number of singers using the name "Elin". Our Brazilian/jazz "Elin" is using only one name as her stage name, but others such as Elin Sigvardsson, Elin Ruth, and model Elin Lanto are also out there, so buy carefully, although they are also excellent vocalists. Keep your eyes (and ears) on Swedish music.
* Elis Regina's short but incredible version of "Vera Cruz", with it's hairpin twists and turns, can be heard on the 'FIve Star' CD "Como & Porque".)

Average customer rating:

Provocative and evocative. Brilliant.
Sublime.
The sultry jazz stylings of the the incomparable Ms. Regina Belle
Regina: a showstopper with star power !
This is a monster line-up CD !! Regina loves company !!!!

Lazy Afternoon
Regina Belle
Manufacturer: Peak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0002A2W9K
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Lazy Afternoon
Fly Me To The Moon
What Are You Afraid Of
If I Ruled The World
Corcovado
There's A Love
Why Do People Fall In Love
For The Love Of You
If I Should Lose You
Moanin'
The Man I Love
Try A Little Tenderness

Customer Reviews:

Provocative and evocative. Brilliant........2007-07-21

One of the most versatile and artistically daring singers and musicians to emerge in recent decades, Regina Belle has always kept her admirers on their toes, never giving them a hint of what to expect next.
"Lazy Afternoon" is no different in that respect: it's full of surprises, both in its luxuriant, floral arrangements and production and its singular conceptual focus on songs that ask why so much in our world has gone just plain wrong, when it would be so simple to flip it over and make it all right.
To get her point across, Belle has chosen a number of Broadway songs and jazz classics taking on the uneasy task to re-invent them and make them sound totally new and absolutely gorgeous.
Regina also contributed material, and in choosing pianist /keyboardist maestro Gorge Duke, one of the country's most visionary record-makers of the day, to produce, she ensured that her ideas would be taken to fruition with a maximum of creative juices flowing on all sides.
Duke and Belle work closely together to complement the singer's alternately graceful and robust, ever sensual, remarkably flexible jazz-like phrasing with equally bright, sonically rich accompaniments. Bringing in a number of different arrangements and a roomful of extraordinairy guests ), Regina has succeeded in making a poignant statement without resorting to proselytizing.
With hits such as "Baby, Come to Me" and "Make It Like It Was" from Stay with Me and "If I Could" from Passion, Regina Belle has always been categorized as an R&B singer, though one never needed to dig too deep to discover the jazz inflections and influences in her music (check this To Grover, With Love out) .
Still, it's taken nearly two decades for her to release what the singer calls her first "in-your-face" jazz record.
"I always wanted to do a jazz record, but the thing for me was making sure I hooked up with the right people," says Belle about her latest offering.
"I have a special feeling for jazz, and I don't want to disrespect anybody because it requires a different type of study, a different type of focus.
"At the same time, I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was Regina Belle, not Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson as much as I love them. I needed to make sure that what I did had my signature on it.
Although she's performed such jazz songs as "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" and "If I Should Lose You" in concert, whenever the Grammy winner broached the topic of making a jazz album, record label officials had a hard time believing.
"They wanted an R&B vocalist, and I could do that, so I did that", she says. "It's a rare occasion when you get an opportunity to do what you want to do".
That opportunity came when Belle, 40somehing now, signed to Peak Records, which also released her Grammy-nominated R&B album, This Is Regina in 2001.
Still, with Belle's versatile, supple voice, Andi Howard, president of the contemporary jazz label, encouraged her to finally make a jazz CD.
"We said, 'Let's do something different, let's do something that shows a side of you maybe your concert-going audience has seen, but maybe your record-buying audience has not heard," Howard says. "At a time when everybody is talking about doing these standards records and jazz records, this is perfect for her".
"Lazy Afternoon" is an album of standards, but unlike similar collections by such diverse artists as Diana Krall, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler or Carly Simon, Belle doesn't hesitate to radically reinterpret American classics -- such as turning Frank Sinatra's finger-snapping "Fly Me to the Moon," into an elegant ballad.
"I needed to put on a new dress on these songs, some 'Regina-bling,' and that made the difference," says Belle, who lives in suburban Atlanta.
"Trying to sing these songs the same old way they've been sung over the past 50 years wasn't going to work for me, and getting to do my own renditions of songs I've loved for so many years was a real honor."
For "Moanin'", which has been recorded by such artists as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Ray Charles, and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross (Jon Hendricks wrote the words for Bobby Timmons's original composition), Belle recorded the song as gospel-tinged blues.
"That's the way I used to do it in college with these guys I used to work with," she says. "We did it in a gospel way, and for this I really wanted to do something different."
Helping Belle was an array of noted jazz musicians, including bassist Christian McBride, guitarist Ray Fuller, Everette Harp, Lenny Castro and the Perri Sisters.
"George is just a gifted individual," Belle says, who adds that Duke was her first choice to produce. "He's underrated. There's so much he's done, so much he's accomplished, and George made this album so easy for me."
Secure with the talents surrounding her, Belle even felt comfortable performing "Try a Little Tenderness", a song closely associated with Otis Redding.
The late soul great made the tune his own when he performed a staggering version at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, and it remains one of his signature songs.
Still, Regina was not reticent in giving it her own spin.
"You can't keep his version out of your head," Belle says. "My challenge was making sure I gave the song some justice without going in there and trying to do an Otis Redding.
"I needed to be the best Regina I could be, and hopefully make him smile down on me."
Regina is at the forefront of a new generation of jazz singers. With one of the most distinctive voices in music, the singer - and now also songwriter, check it out on the latest Paul Taylor's Ladies' Choice - pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz performers and expands the jazz repertory creating modern jazz standards.
"Lazy Afternoon" is ultimately, in purely musical terms, a hopeful, sunny, simply wonderful record.

Sublime........2007-07-09

I've had this recording for 2-3 weeks now, and I can't seem to get enough of it. On first listening, from the first few notes breathed from Regina Belle's voice, I knew I was in for something magical.
Even though Regina's sound is recognizable immediately, no one should mistake that statement as characterizing her as standing still musically - her art is continuously evolving and growing. Since the issue of her first albums , I've been following the creativity of her music, and I've never been disappointed.
Regina's music expecting it to be limited to R&B - that would be a big mistake. When asked if her music should be called 'Soul', Regina wisely says `Time spent trying to define the music is time taken away from playing it. I always simply say, "I sing"....
At the peak of her maturity and her most subdued, as its title indicates, the CD sees the singer in full-on ballad mode, tenderly wrapping her burnished pipes around a cherry-picked collection of standards that range from achingly sad to romantically moody.
How good is she?
She manages to put her stamp on songs as well covered as the title tune, which has already been done by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughn, Patti Austin...
This is a perfect album that will delight both afficionados of the American Songbook and those who just want music to sigh to...
Does the music touch you or not? This is what matters.
I've always felt that the mark of a master vocalist is the impression left with the listener that the voice is an extension of the performer's very soul - a window to their inner being, through which everything that makes them the person they are can be "seen" in the form of music.
This recording delivers on that rare level - and it soars even higher on repeated listenings.
It's a treasure in the fullest sense of the word.
It could be accused of being almost too sophisticated and tasteful at times, and you can certainly see all those people looking for dinner party music rushing to buy it. Yet that shouldn't detract from the fact that Regina Belle is a wonderful singer and this collection of songs is her best yet.

"If I Shoul Lose You" and ""Why Do Peple Fall In Love" perfectly capture the originals' heartbreaking poignancy quite beautifully.
Although maybe 'cover version' isn't really the right word - Ms. Belle is really a reinterpreter of songs, putting her own spin on most of the numbers here and often making them her own. They're split between standards that most people will recognise and some rather more obscure material.
It won't change your mood, or alter your emotional state, but when it's listened to in a certain frame of mind it soars. I listened to it first on a Sunday afternoon, with a cup of iced tea : it's that kind of music, a warm, slowly engulfing hug of an album that puts Regina's glowing vocals at the forefront.
Ignored by mainstream press and radio, LAZY AFTERNOON is the latest example of an artist - and an album - bypassing the traditional publicity routes and finding success by word of mouth on the internet.

The sultry jazz stylings of the the incomparable Ms. Regina Belle.......2007-06-29

American vocalist supreme Regina Belle is plenty more than the easy-listening artist it's easy to typecast her as, though this album - mixing originals and classics - may be one of the first ones of hers to prove it beyond doubt.
Her engaging,wonderful tones are complemented by George Duke's piano sound and deft contributions from soloists including saxman Everette Harp, percussionist Lenny Castro, bassist Christian McBride, just to name a few.
The tracks are short and the solos are brief but the restrained instrumentation gives Regina's voice plenty of space to charm.
Passionate and emotional it may be, but there's no theatrical wailing and gnashing of teeth here.
Regina Belle has the knack of sounding natural and even offhand when she sings - as if she's talking with a friend.
Regina Belle is elegance personified, putting her sultry stamp on the most popular jazz standards. In fact, she's a rather elegant time-machine, turning back the clock to a time, warmer than this, when music was still for dancing; proverbially, cheek-to-cheek. When all's said and done, she's a torch singer; and, in this respect, and many others, few can hold a candle to her. Her music is the stuff of which memories are made.
On her self-penned "There's A Love", she shows how powerful a word, a whisper can be.
Her liquid gold voice takes on a dark edginess, and on Nina Simone's "If I Should Lose You", a heartbreaking interpretation with piano by Duke and Regina's voice only. A masterpiece of a song, worth alone the price of the album.
It's clear that these songs have been chosen for their lyrics.
The one-time pop goddess has taken a leaf out of Diana Krall's book with this new CD.
The emphasis is firmly on love songs and Regina' lived-in voice is ideal for such jazz ballads as the Gershwins' "The Man I Love" and the splendid Tony Bennett's "Why Do People Fall In Love".
Listen to it, please!

Regina: a showstopper with star power !.......2007-06-19

When Regina Belle sings, she's like a historian. In her phrasings one can hear the struggles of generations of black singers who used the sheer, powerful force of vocal styling to tell their stories.
Compared with other contemporary singers, her voice reveals real strength of character. She may not have the biggest voice or hold the longest notes, but her sound really resonates in a room. It calls up the spirits of black musicianship. And when Regina gets the spirit, the spirit gets you. Or,as she admits, people believe her.
We all know this Lady from her numerous hits and especially the Grammy awarded tune " A Whole New World " back in 1993. If you loved those songs then you will not be disappointed with her latest offering.
The vibe of the album is laid back, sun-drenched with jazzy flavours and unapologetically adult-oriented.
Regina's vocals are fantastic and are also captivating in that they are sexy, smooth, luxuriant and relaxed in a magnificently warm amalgam. For instance, check out the opening song, the ESSENTIAL "Lazy Afternoon". Every time I get into this sexy groove I hear Billie Holiday's influences, Nina Simone's depth, Sarah Vaughan's sensibilities, Julie London's barely restrained eroticism betwixt the groove and Nancy Wilson's sensitivity in delivery. Oh yes, this is what I want to hear!!!
"Lazy Afternoon" is a gorgeous floater that will have lovers reaching for the repeat button. We do not hear tracks of this quality much nowadays, dear readers, and the fact that there are but 12 songs on offer here should not put you off at all.
Here in this world it is the quality that counts and there's more of that in the first two tracks that anywhere else, let alone the rest of the CD!!!
The aforementioned "Lazy Afternoon" lopes along with its warm , sensual, jaunty stride and has echoes of Sarah Vaughan within its make-up. I'm thinking more of the sensitive arrangements and chord changes that are cleverly and neatly understated.
When I heard "Why Do People Fall In Love" I could imagine Anita Baker attempting this type of ballad. I especially like the fresh, live feel of the recording . This song is woefully short for my liking - a sure-fire indicator that I love it very much and cannot get enough of it. Luckily the beautiful "If I Ruled The World" has similar traits and although does not rise to such dizzy heights has much to keep you gripped...(please, just to understand how a song should be interpreted,check the latest Tony Bennett's "An American Classic : Duets" album and the same song sung by Tony and Celine Dion -- ) !! Can you hear, can you feel the difference ?
More impressive still is the excellent "If I Should Lose You" with only George Duke on acoustic piano.
It really is lovely to have real singing and real instruments in the studio. Slinky, hearbreakingly emotional - a dream of a track! Enough said.
Throughout the whole album, the backing, heavenly vocals by the Perri Sisters in support are sublime.
"The Man I Love" and "Try A Little Tenderness" are the jazziest offerings and a smart, cool way to drop the curtain on what has been one of THE jazz albums of 2005 and beyond...so far.
Please do not overlook this album. Hopefully we will receive more gems like this from Regina Belle in the coming years.

This is a monster line-up CD !! Regina loves company !!!!.......2007-06-15

This year has proved a CLASSIC year for lovers of quality music. Here comes an essential album that defies musical pigeonholing; knows no boundaries or lines of demarcation. Regina delighted us with some fantastic albums years ago and now she returns with a vengeance with "Lazy Afternoon", which is what I will call an interpretation album.
These are not simple cover songs. That is the domain for the less able artist, and plenty spring to mind. Regina Belle is much above the arch-mediocrity of proliferating acceptable middle-class orientated "jazz" artists that are seeping their way into the charts with their "cover sets".
As far as I am concerned Regina excels herself with this album of timeless American classics. The album cannot be described as anything less than sheer luxury, sumptousness and exuberance, and overflows with the lady's gospel/jazz/r&b roots, her ever-expansive talent and her boundless energy and enthusiasm. The tempo is down, the mood firmly in the traditions of Soul, Jazz, Groove idiom ( with a hint of Bossa Nova..).
Also she is extremely comfortable with jazz and you can easily sample her gorgeous jazz phrasing on the sax master Paul Taylor's latest Ladies' Choice.
The multi-talented George Duke (keyboardist/pianist/arranger/producer) joins Regina, and we fondly remember them from the fantastic track "JUST THE TWO OF US" (with Steve Cole on sax) from the gorgeous tribute album To Grover, With Love, produced by Jason Miles.
The Perri Sisters, Everette Harp, Lenny Castro, David Parks, Ray Fuller, Gordon Campbell, Alex Al, Oscar Brashear and Christian McBride join in the fun, too. And yes, I do mean fun!
On this album one can clearly hear that all the musicians involved are masters of their craft, in the studio making the music they want to make and are getting their thrills from doing it. The sheer elegance and smoothness of production is palpable and together they work as one to re-craft, remould, tear apart and gently reassemble some of the most well known songs in America's standard songbook.
The opening song will have you hooked; the gentle, lazy, sexy "Lazy Afternoon" and velvet-rich vocals turning this into a song that I may as well never heard before. Sheer quality. The piano and the guitar make this an essential summer song by anyone's standards. This pattern is repeated and each song is a considered, expertly performed track in its own right.
Many conventional readings of such standards as "Fly Me To The Moon" and the Gershwins' "The Man I Love" have given me a lifetime of cold ambivalence to songs which actually contain exquisitely beautiful lyrics. Regina proves its not what you have, it's what you do with it. I think these great songwriters, those past masters that I had once grimaced at, would be very proud of these interpretations. The melodies are pure Regina Belle, the lyrics often precise and cleverly juxtaposed with the bubbling, passionate nature of George Duke's productions yet the perfect match is made and we here we have one of the essential albums for 2005!
"Lazy Afternoon" is perfect for that lazy afternoon (like the one I wish I was having!), "Why Do People Fall In Love" and "For The Love Of You" are Regina-penned gems. George Duke, the Perris and Regina have crafted an indispensable album that will delight established fans, lovers of standard songs, those of a romantic nature and, if justice be done, SHOULD be known to the wider, mass record buying public.
Next time,I'd like to hear Regina making some jazz covers of songs by the unforgettable,legendary LOST VOICE of SOUL : TIMI YURO.
Summer is here. So, in the meantime,enjoy a 'Lazy Afternoon' with Regina!

Company of Strangers - Brown Bag Edition

Average customer rating:

Colin Hay is awesome!
Colin Hay at Largo In Los Angeles
As Always, Good Stuff
Colin Hay is Amazing!
colin is brilliant

Company of Strangers - Brown Bag Edition

Manufacturer: Lazy Eye America, Inc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Going Somewhere
Topanga
Man at Work
Are You Looking At Me?
Peaks & Valleys

ASIN: B00006LACJ
Release Date: 2002-09-09

Tracks:

I Got Woken Up
Small Town Big Hell
Lucky Bastard
Company Of Strangers
No Win Situation
Dear J
Small Price To Be Free
How Long Will It Last
Lifeline
Don't Wait Up
Beautiful World
And If You Only Knew

Album Description

The 7th solo album from singer/songwriter Colin Hay (from Men at Work). This album shows Colin Hay at the top of his game. It is a most compelling work from a brilliant songwriter. The album has a full electric sound with lush string and horn arrangements. Undoubtedly his best album to date.

Customer Reviews:

Colin Hay is awesome!.......2006-05-11

My husband turned me on to Colin Hay as he and his best friend from high school were big "Men at Work" fans and subsequently followed his solo career. "Company of Strangers and "How Long Will It Last?" are beautiful, beautiful songs. I love the strings in "Company of Strangers"; it's a mesmerizing song. Of course, the lyrics on this CD are fantastic, as always, especially in "How Long Will It Last?"

This is my favorite CD right now. Buy it. You will NOT be disappointed. All of the songs are good. (The only one I skip is "Lucky Bastard" because I listen to the CD in the van with my 6-year-old and 4-year-old sons. They love Colin Hay and know the lyrics!

Incidentally, my husband and I were fortunate to have seen Colin Hay in concert at a club in Denver this past year. Colin is an OUTSTANDING performer -- funny, too! I can't wait to see him again!

Colin Hay at Largo In Los Angeles.......2006-04-09

Just saw Colin tonight in the tiny club Largo on Fairfax in Los Angeles where he is a egular since he lives here - He began the set acoustic and then brought on four others, including his wife. The set lasted about 2 hours and was filled with Colin's humor and an absolutely amazing array of his solo work and some MAW singles as well. I hadn't purchased any of his solo work, but after tonight, they are all part of my collection - "Company" being the favorite since he played many of the songs found here -

As Always, Good Stuff.......2005-12-30

You may find this one a bit sleepy at first, but stick with it. It's more mid- and slow-tempo than previous Hay albums like "Looking For Jack," "Wayfaring Sons," and "Topanga." On the first pass, only "Small Town Big Hell," "No Win Situation," "Don't Wait Up," and the haunting title track really jumped out at me. However, if you give it a few tries, songs like "I Got Woken Up," "Dear J," "How Long Will it Last" and the closer really start to grow on you. I started out mildly disappointed and ended up thinking it's among the best work he's ever done. It also features the third recording thus far of "Beautiful World," this one virtually indistinguishable from the version on "Man @ Work." It's a gorgeous song, though, so fine by me. All in all, a very worthy buy for fans of this underrated artist.

I provide the following as a checklist for Colin Completists who are stymied and frustrated by the lack of availability of his solo albums. If you wanna have it all, this is what you gotta get (wherever you can get it):
- LOOKING FOR JACK [1986, not commercially available]
- WAYFARING SONS [1990, not commercially available]
- PEAKS & VALLEYS [1992, available on import]
- TOPANGA [1994, available but expensive]
- TRANSCENDENTAL HIGHWAY [1998, available]
- GOING SOMEWHERE [2000, available]
- COMPANY OF STRANGERS [2002, available]
- MAN @ WORK [2003, available]

Good luck!

Colin Hay is Amazing!.......2005-08-19

There is so much to say about this extremely talented artist, but the other reviews have done such a fine job in doing so. Along with Jeff Lynne (of ELO), Colin Hay is one of the most talented, yet under-appreciated musicians of our time. And, this album is truly one of his finest compilations. Colin is one of the few artists that can bring me to tears with the beauty of his music (in a weak moment). :) Order this CD while you can and try to see Colin in concert. You'll see exactly what I mean.

colin is brilliant.......2004-04-03

well I have seen him twice in Australia in the last 4 years and he is not to be missed.The last time was in Melbourne I flew from Perth Western Australia to see him. I love all of his album but my favs are peaks and valleys , T>Highway and Going somewhere.
There are two sites that fans can visit my page at http//www.downundercom.tripod.com which has photos reviews , articles and mosaiscs on colin hay and men at work and also another site called http//www.menatwork.br.com

Average customer rating:

This is the Lazytown CD you got to have!

Lazy Town
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Gtv
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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LazyTown - Robbie's Greatest Misses
Bing Bang (Time to Dance)
LazyTown - New Superhero
LazyTown - Surprise Santa
Jump and Jive With Hi-5

ASIN: B000JU7IH4
Release Date: 2006-11-13

Tracks:

Welcome To Lazytown
No One Is Lazy In Lazytown
Galaxy
Gizmo Guy
Lazy Scouts
Step By Step
Have You Ever
Always A Way
Energy
Spooky Song
Cooking By The Book
Man On A Mission
Teamwork
Master Of Disguise
You Are A Pirate
Good Stuff
Playtime
Wake Up
Twenty Times Time
Bing Bang
Welcome To Lazytown (Singalong)
No One Is Lazy In Lazytown (Singalong)
Galaxy (Singalong)
Gizmo Guy (Singalong)
Lazy Scouts (Singalong)
Step By Step (Singalong)
Have You Ever (Singalong)
Always A Way (Singalong)
Energy (Singalong)
Spooky Song (Singalong)
Cooking By The Book (Singalong)
Man On A Mission (Singalong)
Teamwork (Singalong)
Master Of Disguise (Singalong)
You Are A Pirate (Singalong)
Good Stuff (Singalong)
Playtime (Singalong)
Wake Up (Singalong)
Twenty Times Time (Singalong)
Bing Bang (Singalong)
I Love Christmas

Customer Reviews:

This is the Lazytown CD you got to have!.......2007-07-07

I don't know why there are no local editions for this CD.
You can buy the following CD:
Lazytown

But it's not so complete as this CD.
It's great!
It has 20 songs plus the same songs in karaoke mode and 1 additional song: I love Xmas.

It has the Bing Bang original version and not the remix version.

It also includes a DVD and according to Amazon.co.uk it contains:
1. 9 videos with karaoke sing-along words
2. EXCLUSIVE `Bing Bang Rock'
3. Sportacus Interactive Game

The only con: The price! but it's understandable because it's imported. That's the only reason I didn't buy it yet and because I have the following CD with only the 20 songs :(
Lazy Town

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer/My Fair Lady

Average customer rating:

What Memories
Voice treasure in not regular repertoire
Old Standards - Easy going
"early 1900 & Broadway Musical tunes ~ Nat "King" Cole"
Not Nat's creative heights, but an enjoyable set

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer/My Fair Lady
Nat King Cole
Manufacturer: EMI Gold Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sings the Great Songs!/Thank You, Pretty Baby
Dear Lonely Hearts/I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore
Where Did Everyone Go?/Looking Back!
Tell Me All About Yourself/Touch Of Your Lips
At the Sands

ASIN: B0000AXL2D
Release Date: 2003-11-03

Tracks:

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer
Get Out and Get Under the Moon
There Is a Tavern in the Town
On a Bicycle Built for Two
That Sunday, That Summer
On the Sidewalks of New York
Our Old Home Town
After the Ball Is Over
You Tell Me Your Dream
That's What They Meant (By the Good Old Summertime)
Don't Forget
In the Good Old Summertime
Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer
With a Little Bit of Luck
I Could Have Danced All Night
Rain in Spain
On the Street Where You Live
I'm an Ordinary Man
Get Me to the Church on Time
Show Me
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
You Did It
Wouldn't It Be Loverly?
Hymn to Him

Album Description

UK twofer combines 'Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer' & 'My Fair Lady', both originally issued in 1963 & unavailable domestically. 24 tracks. EMI. 2003.

Album Details

Two Albums on One CD.

Customer Reviews:

What Memories.......2006-07-16

When I was a child my Mom and Dad used to play this album all the time on the weekends and especially in summer. Over the years the record got scratched and I wanted to replace it for my Dad and to share some memories with him for his birthday. He loved it and remembered not just Lazy Crazy Days of Summer. He remembered all of them and he was very happy. I had not heard that smile in his voice for quite some time-he is 93 years younger now.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Voice treasure in not regular repertoire.......2006-02-12

The late Nat Cole is one of those treasures of American Music. He was a great Jazz pianist and singer, no doubt. Also a stylish balladeer with great albums but with some neglectable ones.

This EMI twofer shows his two sides as a balladeer. First a neglectable album of unimportant repertoire with some few exceptions. Second there is the splendid album with 'My Fair Lady' repertoire. This is worth buying the CD.

Here you'll find Mr. Cole at his best in vocal performance.

A Note on UK's EMI twofers: it's incredible that we could ever have the opportunity to listen to such old and rare material. EMI has issued a long series of CD twofers in a memorable initiative to show all the splendid material by splendid artists never before released in CD.

Old Standards - Easy going.......2006-02-01

I am lucky to have been introduced to all kinds of music. Nat King Cole is a legend and his music will live forever. He's smooth and nostalgic. I own a lot of his albums and love them all. These particular albums are just another great batch of songs by this fantastic singer.

"early 1900 & Broadway Musical tunes ~ Nat "King" Cole".......2005-01-10

Ordered this from Amazon and received it within that same week...and the shipping was FREE, great service and outstanding album of "Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" and "My Fair Lady", featuring early songs from the early 1900's and one of the most popular musicals every to hit Broadway...both albums were in my LP collection for years, almost forty of them during the early years while my children were growing up...and now that they are adults, they appreciate the one and only master of interpretation NAT "KING" COLE...no other singer in the business had the warmth that this man gave during a performance...along with Frank Sinatra, Cole built the Capitol Towers and brought them fame and fortune. Cole in my estimation did more for Capitol Records than any other recording artist of that time (and that my friend is saying something), but is the gospel.

Nat had a major hit with "THOSE LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER", remember hearing this on all the major radio stations and everyone during that time was sitting around the local swimming pool enjoying it...other highlights are "GET OUT & GET UNDER THE MOON", "THAT SUNDAY, THAT SUMMER", "THAT'S WHAT THEY MEANT BY THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME"...and then "I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT", "ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE", "I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE", each song has been remastered to perfection...now on digital compact disc we can continue being delighted by Nat's God given talent.

Nat had a tenderness in his voice, completely flawless...he could never deliver a bad tune...his style and signature of making a song his own has never been duplicated...within this twofer album are happy upbeat and Broadway musical tunes...some are timeless and remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day...the sound quality of this collection isn't the main issue here...but this release is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time!

For many of Cole's fans, this has been a long awaited release...now we can relive the songs that gave us so much pleasure...remember Nat was with us for such a short time...just sit back, give a listen and enjoy the sounds we grew up with...songs we've come to love over these past plus decades...his music is never out of date...a wonderful human being NAT "KING" COLE!

Total Time: 63:32 on 24 Tracks ~ Universal Int'l 592656 ~ (10/27/2003)

Not Nat's creative heights, but an enjoyable set.......2003-11-18

These two albums are not Nat King Cole's best original albums. In fact, creatively, they're probably the least of them all. However, that's a relative statement! Enjoying Nat's albums are hardly difficult, and these are no exceptions. This is probably the most "cheerful" set.

The first is a collection of very old 'Americana' (in the form of turn-of-the-20th century "chestnuts") and newer material of a compatible spirit. Some of the authentics here - 'On a Bicycle Built for Two' or 'After the Ball' for example - would have their last mainstream outing here, I suspect. Most should enjoy the affable way these long-cherished but now largely forsaken ditties are done.

The newer cuts are enjoyable, particularly the showpiece ballad 'That Sunday, That Summer'. The title track 'Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer' was a very popular hit in '63, but I would single out 'That Sunday, That Summer' and the almost barbershop-quartet real oldie 'You Tell Me Your Dream' as the best of the lot.

By this time (1963), the "Mitch Miller sing-along" approach (bouncy tempos, a chorus singing along much of it, large orchestra with occasional novelty adaptations like a bicycle horn to fit 'On a Bicycle Built for Two') was popular, and this album does reflect that. It does so in an engaging way, however, and of course the main attraction is clearly Nat's game performances.

The second album (also 1963) is Nat "covering" select songs from the Broadway show 'My Fair Lady'. It is admittedly uneven. Nat is not an ideal Henry Higgins in those numbers, excepting of course, 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face'. He obviously enjoyed himself, and it's hard not to let quibbles go and enjoy the somewhat ironic readings. What's harder to enjoy is 'The Rain in Spain' which, out of the context of the program, sounds as close to "throw away" as Nat's albums get. Perhaps cutting it way down and adding 'Why Can't the English?' would've been ideal.

On the upside, however, there's several wonderful examples of classic pop. 'On The Street Where You Live', 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face' and 'I Could Have Danced All Night' are particularly loverly. 'Show Me' is the most interesting. Its transformation to tender Nat ballad is both notable and effective. The uptempo numbers 'Get Me To The Church On Time' and 'With a Little Bit Of Luck' retain their roughish charm.

The sound quality of this CD won't be a factor to most, as these were good sounding stereo recordings to begin with, and are passably, if hurriedly, transferred. They sound okay. In all fairness I should probably point out that the sound transfer is not of the quality of the above titles. Although the thin, hazy quality of the mediocre digital resolution may not be a known artifact to many, the difference will be apparent with a comparison of the track 'That Sunday, That Summer' or 'On the Street Where You Live' on the 1990's 4-CD Nat King Cole box set where it is cleaner, clearer and richer. At least we're spared another over-processed Capitol CD "remastered by Bob Norburg."

Commendably, both original album sleeves are reprinted at about the full size of the booklet, both front and back. Imagine that! Check out the original cover for 'Summer' - wow is that ever an "idealized" '63 Los Angeles beach! The cover of 'Lady' features a handsome picture of Nat.

For Nat's premium titles in the EMI 2-on-1 CDs series in terms of creative quality, I suggest the following before the purchase of this CD:

- Tell Me All About Yourself (big band) / The Touch of Your Lips (ballads)
- Where Did Everyone Go (ballads) / Looking Back (pop singles)

EMI deserves thanks for this issue, and it's significant: this release reissues both of the two remaining original Nat King Cole LPs not to be issued on CD (counting both the USA and the UK together). Would that Capitol USA, for whom all were originally recorded, had released them all. They've only had twenty years to do it. And of course, most of the ones they have issued are now out of print.

Enjoy while you may, and a "thank you" to EMI!

Tracks:

Red Dirt Roads
Spice and Sugar
Under the Radar
Psychedelic Cowboy (song for Sir Doug)
Lavena
This Time
Wild Horses
Enjoy the Ride
Soul Satisfaction
Midnight Rain
Always Come Back
Turn This Train Around
Pennies From Heaven
Stillwater

Product Description

"Ranger Motel", the new release from the Red Dirt Rangers delivers the close-to-the-earth blend of acoustic and electric music that typifies Red Dirt. It should be noted that this was the final disc recorded at Tulsa's legendary Church Studio by Steve Ripley, leader of the multi-platinum selling group The Tractors. If "Ranger Motel" sounds at times like the Great Lost Sir Douglas Quintet album that's because it features keyboardist Augie Meyers, a key architect of Sir Doug's sound. "Ranger Motel" isn't just the best disc the Red Dirt Rangers have ever made, it's a living an vibrant snapshot of what Red Dirt music is all about - its past, its present, and its future.

Average customer rating:

Lazy Afternoon....
Barbra Streisand: Lazy Afternoon (1975)
One of her strongest albums, even if rather downhearted
ANOTHER OF BARBRA'S CATALOG GEMS
MESMERIZING STREISAND CLASSIC~BRAVO BARBRA!

Lazy Afternoon
Barbra Streisand
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ButterFly
Wet
Songbird
Streisand Superman
Stoney End

ASIN: B00000255P
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Lazy Afternoon
My Father's Song
By The Way
Shake Me, Wake Me
I Never Had It So Good
Letters That Cross In The Mail
You And I
Moanin' Low
A Child Is Born
Widescreen

Customer Reviews:

Lazy Afternoon...........2007-05-26

I love Barbra."Lazy Afternoon" has a few good ones...."My Father's Song" amung other's...very low key Bab's, but still GREAT!!!

Barbra Streisand: Lazy Afternoon (1975).......2005-08-18

In October of 1975, Barbra Streisand released her twentieth album entitled, LAZY AFTERNOON. This is album is one of strongest albums. This album was very enjoyable and I'm glad I gave it the chance it deserved. Let me tell you why.

LAZY AFTERNOON
The album's title track. This is such a great song.

MY FATHER'S SONG
This song is just outstanding. That's the best & only way I could describe this song.

BY THE WAY
Great.

SHAKE ME, WAKE ME
Great.

I NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD
Incredible.

LETTERS THAT CROSS IN THE MAIL
Great.

YOU AND I
Amazing. In 1982, Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle had teamed up to record their beautiful duet entitled, "You And I". Their duet turned out to be my mother & father's wedding song.

MOANIN' LOW
Don't know what to say here.

A CHILD IS BORN
Is this supposed to be a prelude to Barbra's 1976 lead role in the film, "A Star Is Born".

WIDESCREEN
Great.

LAZY AFTERNOON is for all Barbra fans. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed this album. So, if you want this album, especially since you are trying to gather all of Barbra's albums, then, by all means, please, buy this album.

One of her strongest albums, even if rather downhearted.......2004-10-20

Barbra Streisand was one of the most popular and successful personalities in entertainment by the mid-1970s, managing both music and film careers with the greatest of ease. With her keen eye for material that suited her talents, a Barbra album was more than likely to be both innovative and enjoyable. While her careers may have been moving full steam ahead in the success department, on record, Barbra seemed more in reflective mood on 1975's LAZY AFTERNOON.

Indeed, this album is definitely one of Barbra's most sedate, with ballads reigning supreme, playing to her strengths as a torch singer for the modern day. This is also surprising considering her main collaborator on LAZY AFTERNOON. Songwriter/co-producer Rupert Holmes was just appearing on the scene, his debut album about to hit the market. While he would have success with more quirky material like "Escape [The Pina Colada Song]", "Him" and "Answering Machine", Rupert shows off a different, soul-stirring side to his talents in his work on LAZY AFTERNOON.

"My Father's Song" is clearly one of the most personal songs Barbra ever sang, given that her own father died when she was still a child. She demonstrates her uncanny ability to make another songwriter's lyrics (Rupert's) sound like hers. That is perhaps the true test of an interpretative singer, and Barbra has always passed with flying colors.

"By The Way" features a rare co-writing credit for Barbra that she claims came about by accident, but resulted in her first original English-language tune. For someone who envied the work of female singer-songwriters their knack for writing their own material, this somber ballad proves that Barbra can indeed work magic with a pen when the inspiration comes.

"Letters That Cross In The Mail" sounds like one of those typically quirky songs that Barbra often included on her albums (just consider "Honey Can I Put On Your Clothes"), and is definitely something you'd expect Rupert to conjure up. But the more subdued mood of LAZY AFTERNOON turns this into a borderline-heartbreaking song that shows how communication is both important and a hinderance on the path to true love. I think this song would have benefited from a more upbeat and humorous atmosphere.

"Widescreen" originally appeared on Rupert's debut with lyrics that wanted to linger in the dream world of motion pictures and the mystery it embodied. However, Barbra didn't exactly feel the same way, and asked if Rupert could slightly change them towards the opposite. While this frequent occurence in Barbra's career is often named by her detractors as proof of her perfectionism, Rupert understood and revised his lyrics towards those that embraced reality more than fantasy (particularly the line "let the movie end").

For the non-original tunes, Barbra proves once again her ability to know exactly what her strengths are and, if possible, discover some hidden ones. The title track was from a moderately successful Broadway musical called THE GOLDEN APPLE, and Barbra thought the song deserved a revival. With the languid atmosphere on the album, this was a perfect choice for the title track.

Paul Williams' "I Never Had It So Good" was not one of his more popular songs, but Barbra has always been a seeker of the best if not well-known works in a songwriter's output, and this song about disbelief in how well things are going in your life is par for the course. Barbra had been inspired by Kris Kristofferson's performance of the song at a party to record her own version (Kris had done it a few years earlier).

Stevie Wonder had a fervent fan in Barbra, her having recorded "All In Love Is Fair" earlier on. So she returns to the well for "You & I", which contains probably her best vocal performance on the album, soaring to the heavens in a way that had to have inspired mutual admiration on Stevie's part.

An American Songbook standard was expected from Babs sometime on the album, and here, it's "Moanin' Low", a torch song if ever there was one. Featured prominently in the classic movie KEY LARGO, the tune has the right amount of bump-and-grind to make it more than your average "my-baby-done-me-wrong" sobfest.

"A Child Is Born" had originally been written for Barbra's 1972 film UP THE SANDBOX, but didn't make the final cut. She loved the song enough to ask her friends, lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman, to write lyrics. Barbra was right in saying that the spare piano accompaniment worked better than the orchestrated one that had also been recorded. Such a tender lyric would have been too sugary with so much sweetening.

LAZY AFTERNOON's sole sign of spring in its step is Barbra's cover of the Four Tops' classic "Shake Me, Wake Me [When It's Over]". It was this song that encouraged me to pick up the album because it is one of my favorite Tops songs. Disco had not yet become the way of life it would soon be thanks to SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, so the fact that Barbra practiced it before it was cool shows how visionary she is. While I still prefer the Tops' version, Barbra's gives LAZY AFTERNOON that added hint of lightheartedness to prevent it from being completely introspective.

Barbra Streisand certainly had no reason to be down in the mouth in real life during the time of LAZY AFTERNOON, but for the sake of artistry, she maybe could afford to create such a deeper album. By collaborating with someone like Rupert Holmes, who was just on the cusp of stardom in his own right, Barbra demonstrated her wish to stay ahead of the curve in whatever she did, something that has not changed in her career. True, LAZY AFTERNOON may not be the album one will enjoy on first listen, but it's certainly one of Barbra's works that reveals its strengths after a few listens, particularly on lazy afternoons.

ANOTHER OF BARBRA'S CATALOG GEMS.......2004-03-23

Barbra Streisand's career has been filled with so many highs that some of her most unassuming, sensitive work seems to fall unnoticed. Of course, when discussing Streisand, unnoticed is a relative term, as nearly all of her studio albums are either gold or platinum and are always "events" for her legions of fans. "Lazy Afternoon" fell right after the controversial "ButterFly" and (partial) letdown of "Funny Lady" and about one year before the "A Star is Born" phenomenon. Now, nearly 30 years later, "Lazy" remains one of her seminal works from the 70s. The opening title ballad is an astonishingly lovely piece of pop magic and sets the thoughtful tone for the album. Rupert Holmes' strong contributions include the Streisand-inspired "My Father's Song", "Letters That Cross in the Mail", and the closing epic "Widescreen", and he did much of the arranging here as well. Would that Barbra could always have been gifted with such a dream collaborator as Holmes, who understood her strengths and shared his meaningful songs with her to both their advantages. Listen to the purity and sheer beauty of her vocals on "By the Way" and "A Child is Born", and then remember that people at the time were still buying Helen Reddy and Olivia Newton-John records--it really gives one pause. I guess Barbra, still on top after 40-plus years, is having the last laugh. My only reservations were the inclusion (or maybe just the sequencing) of the disco-tinged "Shake Me, Wake Me" and the hard-to-warm-to torcher "Moanin'Low", but these are small reservations. The remastering on this, as with all of Barbra's catalog, is excellent; she never sounded so good. Except on all the other albums.

MESMERIZING STREISAND CLASSIC~BRAVO BARBRA!.......2003-09-22

When this gorgeous set of great songs came out in the mid-70's it was such a relief after the uneven "BUTTERFLY" as it was a return to great form plus a new depth in Barbra's interpretations. From the hauntingly beautiful opener "LAZY AFTERNOON" to the soulful closer "WIDESCREEN", its clear that BARBRA had reached a new level of artistic growth and these performances are timeless classics that hold up beautifully with the passage of time. Soul deep performances such as "MY FATHER'S SONG" becomes a deeply moving experience and the pensive self-penned "BY THE WAY" is dark and moody. A Motown classic "SHAKE ME,WAKE ME" is a rhythmic cooker that BARBRA has fun with and the beautifully sentimental "I NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD" is another winning vocal filled with heartfelt emotion. RUPERT HOLMES and BARBRA really connected and were a musically inspired pairing and "LETTERS THAT CROSS IN THE MAIL" is a magically haunting vocal that goes deep inside these unique lyrics that tell a fascinating story. A definitive version of STEVIE WONDER'S "YOU AND I" make one wish that BARBRA would do the STEVIE WONDER SONGBOOK and a classic torch song "MOANIN' LOW" becomes one of the most electrifying performances ever from BARBRA and it is a thrilling ride on a soaring voice. Soft and warm is the glorious "A CHILD IS BORN" while "WIDESCREEN" is a dramatically intense tour-de-force classic that becomes a sweeping mini-epic that is stunning and completely original as it transforms one back to that special time of getting lost in and growing up at the movies. "LAZY AFTERNOON" stands the test of time and is one of the really brilliant classics from this gifted singer who is an original classic who is second to none...do not miss this tremendous masterpiece if you want to experience vocal artisty at its finest and thank you BARBRA STREISAND!!!! This is a timeless and wonderous collection and oh so very satisfying...

Soul Music:

Recommended Music:

Fritz Wunderlich's Last Concert

Shaken Not Stirred Jazz

Energy

Greatest Slow Jams

Drums of the World [Box set]

Gamma 2

Festiva Maxima

Gilbert & Sullivan; The Pirates of Penzance / Mackerras, Welsh National Opera

I Found Love [Import]

Del Compas Te Llaman Rey [Import]

Homenaje a los Tigres del Norte

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Allegretto from Symphony No. 7, Theme and Variations