Record Reviews

STEVE GRAY / GEORGIE FAME / MADELINE BELL ~ SINGER (THE MUSICAL) PROPER 120 (Barcode: 805520031202) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2014 This is a live recording of the musical co-written by British composer / arranger / pianist Steve GrayFind albums by this artist and Jazz singer / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, which was put together in 1985 and debuted in Holland performed by the Dutch Metropole OrchestraFind albums by this artist with the songs performed by Fame and the fabulous American born but resident in UK since the late 1960s vocalist Madeline BellFind albums by this artist. Almost twenty years later (in 2004) Fame and Bell re-joined the orchestra for a repeated performance, which was recorded by the Dutch NTR Radio, to be finally released on record ten years later. The musical is a collection of fabulous songs, beautifully performed by the two singers and the orchestra and is simply a joy to listen to from start to finish. The music is full of Jazz, Blues and Soul undertones, as usually applied in Fame’s songwriting, and proves that he never wrote a bad song during his long career. Bell is of course a true Jewel and her strong evocative vocals are some of her best performances to date. She is a perfect partner and balances Fame’s Jazzier approach with her Soul accents. Overall it is a real shame that this album (and the musical) made as little impact as they did, since the music and the songs are infinitely more elegant and sophisticated then most of the successful Broadway and West End musicals that hit the stage in the last forty years. Oh well, as usual, it was simply too good for its own good. I wholeheartedly recommend all Fame and Bell fans to grab a copy of this superb album as long as it is still available, as it is definitely a gem not to be missed!

Updated: 24/04/2021Posted: 24/04/2021

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DINO SALUZZI ~ EL ENCUENTRO ECM 2155 (Barcode: 028947638346) ~ ARGENTINA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This wonderful album presents the orchestral works by Argentinean bandeneon virtuoso / composer Dino SaluzziFind albums by this artist. Composed for soloists and a string orchestra, the four compositions presented here introduce Saluzzi as a contemporary Classical composer, who mixes his cultural background and tradition with European Classical Music and Jazz in order to create a new amalgam, both as far as sound and stylistics are concerned. The soloists include Saluzzi on his bandeneon, the wonderful German violoncellist Anja LechnerFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Felix SaluzziFind albums by this artist (Dino´s brother). The orchestral parts are performed by the Dutch Metropole OrchestraFind albums by this artist. The music is very passionate and expressive, often complex and elusive, but always enchanting deeply engaging. This is Culture (with a capital C) at its best and most intriguing, groundbreaking and always searching for new forms of expression. Highly recommended!

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