Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
  what a gorgeous voice! June 24, 2008
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Ms. Reeves voice constantly impresses me - her range is miraculous - while all of her CD's are wonderful this one is positively joyous...
Very enoyable June 13, 2008
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
I enjoy playing this CD while sitting in my chair with a good book and a glass of red wine.
Love this woman June 9, 2008
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have been a lover of this woman's music since Cannonball Adderley introduced her at the 1968 Hampton Jazz Festival. There is not a note that she has sung in all that time that I don't have in my music collection. Eli Toney
 5 Stars for the Singer; But.... June 9, 2008
13 out of 28 found this review helpful
Dianne Reeves is one of the best non-classical singers on the planet, and nothing in this album shakes my opinion in that regard. No matter where she is in her voice, the sound is pure, round and fat. And she never oversings; she is always in control.
And there are some really nice moments on this c.d.
For example, on "Lovin' You," the famous tune from the '70's by Minnie Ripperton, one expects Ms. Reeves to emulate the famous first soprano portimento of Ms. Ripperton. But no, she does it straight - until the very last verse, when that high-high C comes out, perfectly in control. It's not that Dianne Reeves can't sing that high; it's just that it has to be musical. We get the message.
And she does some terrific scatting on "Midnight Sun," and great vocalese on Jon Hendricks' "Social Call."
And finally, she ends the set with an original, "Today Will Be a Good Day," which I'm sure is the most "rockability" piece in her repertoire. And it sounds great.
So why only 4 stars? When I think of Dianne Reeves, I think of Sarah Vaughan. Two pure singers who create nothing but beautiful, controlled sound. But when I think of the best of Sarah Vaughan, I think of great instrumentalists, Clifford Brown and Joe Pass, who played as beautifully as Ms. Vaughan sang. The musicians challenged each other, and the end product was impressive.
There's just none of that going on here, and it isn't because of the ability of the instrumentalists. The lead instrumentalist is Romero Lubambo, and he's as good a guitarist as there is. The problem is the arrangements. This c.d. is essentially in the smooth jazz/pop format. As such, it will be popular, and probably this c.d. will be nominated for a Grammy (and quite possibly, will win). But this format just doesn't move me.
Because of Ms. Reeves' brilliance, I'm at 4 and 1/2 stars. If this were a debut album, I'd go 5. But when you're as good as Dianne Reeves, you almost create a responsibility to turn out great albums. I'll place the blame on George Duke, Ms. Reeves' long-time producer (and accomplished musician in his own right); but I'm just not bowled over by the end product. RC
"Creating and Recording This Album Was Not A Labor of Love ... It Was Just Love" May 25, 2008
22 out of 50 found this review helpful
"There is a Gustav Klimt painting I had seen at the Belvedere in Vienna of a young woman moving through life. I remember loving the various depictions of the phases of her life from innocence to increasing maturity. In a similar way, this album progresses through songs which celebrate different phases of love, in much the same way our notions of love change as we move through time." ~ Dianne Reeves ~
Multi-Grammy winner Dianne Reeves latest offering, "When You Know," was released just over a month ago under Blue Note, a prestigious company well-known for its quality and reliable jazz recordings. This adds prestige to the album's marketability among the new releases in the genre of vocal jazz. So you can't go wrong - it is a sure winner.
Some of the finest studio musicians who have impressed me over the years lend support to Ms. Reeves and lovingly combined their creative talents to make this album as equally remarkable as her other albums, and these are guitarists Russell Malone (electric) and Romero Lubambo (acoustic), piano players George Duke and Billy Childs, among many others.
Through the years, Ms. Reeves has proven her sublime artistry through her bestselling albums, some of which has garnered Grammy nominations and awards, and not to mention the steady stream of fans who have supported her body of work.
According to Ms. Reeves, "creating and recording this album was not a labor of love ... it was just love." It truly shows the love and creativity that she injected into the material most especially two of my favorite songs in the Seventies - a beautiful and once-very-popular song from Minnie Riperton, "Lovin' You" and The Temptations' "Just My Imagination." Ditto with a Jobim classic, "Once I Loved," and a timeless and charming standard, "Midnight Sun." She revives and gives new meanings to these songs with her effortless style of singing, thus, making the entire CD a worthy addition to your collection and a potential for Grammy nomination and award.
Wholeheartedly recommended.
P.S. For more Dianne Reeves special treats for your ears, please check these winners out: A Little Moonlight, The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan and The Best of Dianne Reeves.
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