 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ALL ABOUT JAZZ REVIEWS SINATRA/JOBIM |
|
Sing it Out to Swing it Out! Francis Albert Sinatra/Antonio Carlos Jobim The Complete Reprise Recordings Concord Order Album Here Discuss Album Here Finally. The Complete Reprise Recordings compiles every tune—all 20—that America's supreme vocalist recorded with Brazil's preeminent composer during their legendary late 1960s summits. The first ten comprise the famous, fantastic Francis Albert Sinatra / Antonio Carlos Jobim album arranged and orchestrated by Claus Ogerman, released by Reprise in 1967. Sinatra and Jobim reconvened two years later, with Eumir Deodato replacing Ogerman as arranger, to record 10 more tunes for a second Sinatra-Jobim album that the Chairman withdrew from the market as soon as it was shipped (we'll explain why). Seven of those tunes later appeared as the first side of Sinatra & Company, released by Reprise in 1971; this new compilation unveils the other three—"Bonita," "Desafinado (Off Key)" and "The Song of the Sabia"—for the first time. Few moments in music are more beautiful and magical than the softly strummed guitar, sighing horns and whispered drums that introduce you to "The Girl From Ipanema," and "Change Partners" stands among Sinatra's best Irving Berlin interpretations. But unless you've experienced the magic and wonder of that first Sinatra/Jobim release, it is almost impossible to explain in words how beautifully its music floats and sways. Since many such words have already been written, we can concentrate on the newly released music instead. Deodato contributes several fantastic arrangements. He mixes the principals' wordless vocals into the rhythm track of "Drinking Water (Agua de Beber)," bouncing them across the stereo channels, and also serves up the funkiest half-gospel, half-Brazilian piano with which Sinatra ever recorded. Deodato casts Sinatra's voice upon a simply perfect "Wave," with calling acoustic guitars and strings, answering flutes, and Sinatra snuggling down deep in his register with supreme control (and even some extracurricular funky bass/drum "four" play in the fade). Jobim, Deodato and Sinatra vocally and instrumentally illuminate "Someone to Light Up My Life" into a polished, golden glow. That one really should have been a hit. — Chris M. Slawecki All About Jazz |
| Posted by: Nancy Jul 1, 2010 6:26 PM Comments(0) |
| CAUGHT IN THE CAROUSEL REVIEWS SINATRA/JOBIM |
|
Sinatra/Jobim The Complete Reprise Recordings Concord Order Album Here Discuss Album Here The pairing of the Chairman of the Board and the quiet boy from Brazil may have been a curious one on paper, but when Sinatra and Jobim recordedFrancis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1967, the results were decidedly miraculous. Time has not only been kind to the ten songs that make up the album, not eroding their majesty one bit, it has revealed all these years later that this is perhaps one of the most elegant recordings of the last fifty years. The compositions may mostly be Jobim's, but Sinatra saunters through them as if they were his all along. The perfect foil for the aging crooner, Jobim's finesse and musical precision give Sinatra ample room to wander in and it's just this combination that reveals the singer's great strengths. In fact, his pauses on "The Girl From Ipanema" his masculine glissades on "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) and his his gentle glide on "Dindi" showcase that not only was Sinatra perhaps the greatest phraser of all time, he was also a master interpreter, understanding a song from the inside out. This preternatural gift make Irving Berlin's "Change Partners" subversively seductive, while the many layers of Cole Porter's "I Concentrate On You" are peeled beautifully open. The back half of this compilation contains the entire Sinatra-scrapped second album, set to be titled Sinatra/Jobim. Recorded in 1969, all didn't go as smoothly as the first and Sinatra's dissatisfaction (he thought some of the songs sounded "off") prompted him to reportedly order executives to "kill the album." Available for the first time in its entirety, Sinatra/Jobim is a worthy follow up to the first. "The Song Of The Sabia," "Someone To Light Up My Life" and "Triste" are particularly winning, while "One Note Samba (Samba de Uma Nota So)" is positively breathtaking. The numbers that made Sinatra uncomfortable—most notably the utterly lovely "Bonita"—might have been scrapped prematurely, as they finish these proceedings in fine fashion. Either way, these two albums make it clear that Sinatra understood Bossa Nova and Bossa Nova understood Sinatra. The two should have not taken leave of each other so soon. —Alex Green Caught in the Carousel |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 21, 2010 9:25 PM Comments(2) |
| DETROIT FREE PRESS REVIEWS SINATRA/JOBIM |
 Antonio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra in the recording studio in the late '60s. (ED THRASHER) Sinatra swings with the bossa nova king BY MARK STRYKER FREE PRESS CLASSICAL AND JAZZ CRITIC A version of this story appears on page 4J of the Sunday, June 13, 2010, print edition of the Detroit Free Press. It should never have taken this long, but more than 25 years into the CD era -- and more than 40 years since the two collaborations between Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim were recorded in 1967 and '69 -- we finally have all the material issued on one elegant disc, "The Complete Reprise Recordings" (FOUR STARS out of four stars, Concord). Mediocre bossa nova albums multiplied like rabbits in the '60s. But the initial pairing of Sinatra with Jobim, an architect of the form and a composer of Keats-like lyricism, produced an undisputed highpoint in the discography of both men, "Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim." Despite just 10 songs lasting only 28 minutes, it remains for me the last true Sinatra masterpiece -- the final album that deserves an unqualified place in the pantheon with Sinatra's classic Capitol concept LPs from the '50s and the best of the Reprise albums from earlier in the '60s. The magic comes from a lot of places. Sinatra was still able to summon the full measure of his breath control and command of vocal color and shading in 1967; the expressive restraint and taste that he brings to the material perfectly captures the lazy afternoon zephyr of Jobim's aesthetic. Sinatra also catches the cool-jazz lilt at the heart of the bossa nova rhythm. Then there's the material: "Dindi," "Corcovado," "Meditation," "Once I Loved" and others are melodic-harmonic miracles, enhanced by Claus Ogerman's beautifully modulated, transparent orchestrations. Never did Sinatra sing so softly and seductively as on "Dindi" ("GIN-gee"), where he mines Ray Gilbert's English lyric for every last drop of poignant longing, floating on the cloud of Jobim's guitar, strings and flutes. On the "Girl from Ipanema," Sinatra trades phrases with Jobim's wispy Portuguese to charming effect. Three American songbook standards are given definitive interpretations -- a smoldering "I Concentrate on You," a slyly shuffling "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," and a heartbreaking "Change Partners" that ranks a close second to "Dindi" as the album's best of the best. The follow-up, "Sinatra-Jobim," arranged by Eumir Deodato, is far less consistent, and Sinatra pulled the record on the brink of release. He was unhappy with his performances on "Bonita," "Desafinado" and "The Song of the Sabia." The seven other tunes found a home as the only worthwhile material on "Sinatra & Company." By now, the Voice is beginning to fray, but the best performances match the standard of the earlier LP, including a sassy "Aqua de Beber," a sweet "Triste" and a spirited "Wave," where Sinatra reaches down on the last syllable of the word "together" for one of the lowest notes in his recorded canon; he nails it every time in unison with the bass trombone. Oh, man, what a musician he was. Order Album Here Discuss Album Here |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 16, 2010 2:22 PM Comments(5) |
| CFA ON 'SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE' |
|
PLAYBILL.COM Come Fly Away to Perform on "So You Think You Can Dance" http://www.playbill.com/playblog/2010/06/come-fly-away-to-perform-on-so-you-think-you-can-dance/ Come Fly Away cast members Karine Plantadit and Keith Roberts will guest star on the hit FOX competition series “So You Think You Can Dance” June 17. Plantadit, who was Tony-nominated for her work in Come Fly Away, and Movin’ OutTony nominee Roberts will duet in “That’s Life” during the live results show. Twyla Tharp earned a Tony Award nomination for her choreography to Come Fly Away, which uses the songs and vocals of Frank Sinatra as its musical palate. The production opened on Broadway March 25 at the Marquis Theatre. “So You Think You Can Dance” will air live at 9 PM ET. Check local listings. |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 16, 2010 10:27 AM Comments(2) |
| CFA COMPANY PERFORMS AT TONY AWARDS |
|
The Come Fly Away company (dancers and the 17 piece band) will be seen and heard on the Tony Awards Sunday, June 13, on CBS 8-11 PM. "That's Life" will be performed just before the Tony for best choreography is awarded. Twyla Tharp is nominated for choreography and Kareen Plandadit is nominated for featured female performer. More info: http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/articles/2009-09-09/200909071252299107234.html |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 11, 2010 1:13 PM Comments(0) |
| CFA: ASTAIRE AWARDS |
|
Charlie Neshyba-Hodges (Come Fly Away) won the Astaire Award for Broadway Male Dancer. Full list of winners in bold below. Choreographers Bill T. Jones (Fela!)* Twyla Tharp (Come Fly Away) Sergio Trujillo (Memphis) Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime) Steven Hoggett (American Idiot) Male Dancers Charlie Neshyba-Hodges (Come Fly Away)* Keith Roberts (Come Fly Away) John Selya (Come Fly Away) Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Burn the Floor) MemphisMale Ensemble (Brad Bass, Kevin Covert, Bryan Fenkart, Rhett George, John Jellison, John Eric Parker, Jermaine R. Rembert, Ephraim Sykes, Cary Tedder, Daniel J Watts, Charlie Williams, James Brown III, Tyron Jackson) Female Dancers Karine Plantadit (Come Fly Away) Laura Mead (Come Fly Away) Holley Farmer (Come Fly Away) Savannah Wise (Ragtime) Nicole Chantal de Weever (Fela!)* Fela!Female Ensemble (Hettie Vyrine Barnhill, Lauren de Veaux, Elasea Douglas, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Catherine Foster, Shaneeka Harrell, Chanon Judson, Shakira Marshall, Afi McClendon, Jill Vallery, Iris Wilson, Aimee Graham Wodobode) Choreographer (Fictional Film) Marguerite Derricks "Fame"* Rob Marshal and John Deluca "Nine" Lula Washington "Avatar" Director (Documentary Dance Film) Kenny Ortega "This is It" Frederick Wiseman "La Danse, Le Ballet de l'Opera de Paris" Ruedi Gerber "Breath Made Visible" Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern "Every Little Step"* WIREIMAGE 28th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards – Photo Coverage |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 10, 2010 1:31 PM Comments(2) |
| SINATRA/JOBIM ALBUM REVIEWS |
|
Order Album Here Discuss Album Here THE BLUEGRASS SPECIAL - Album Review, June 2010 ALBUM SPOTLIGHT: Sinatra/Jobim: The Complete Reprise Recordings By David McGee The Sinatra reissue program Concord has embarked on with the Frank Sinatra estate has already given us some revitalized classics, but this is the first of the discs to demand a whole new perspective on a particular segment of the Chairman’s work, as these recordings have never before been collected in one place. On this first chance to appraise the Sinatra/Jobim collaboration in toto, a pronounced continuity of approach and style obtains, no matter the years ensuing between sessions. So much for that. The more important point? This is great music. Pure and simple, great music, vital, timeless, essential, with two exceptional artists’ big hearts fully open and expressive. The human condition is well served in these hands. |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 7, 2010 8:52 PM Comments(3) |
| CFA SPOT WITH REGIS |
|
|
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 4, 2010 10:02 PM Comments(2) |
| NEW CFA TICKETS ON SALE |
 COME FLY AWAY, the critically acclaimed new Broadway musical, has announced that a new block of tickets is now on sale for performances through February 20, 2011. In addition, beginning Tuesday, September 7th, COME FLY AWAY will be performed on the following new schedule: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday at 2pm, Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday at 2pm and 6:30pm.Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and featuring vocals by Frank Sinatra, COME FLY AWAY is performed at Broadway's Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway @ 46th street). COME FLY AWAY, the new musical from visionary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp, follows four couples as they fall in and out of love during one song and dance filled evening at a swingin' nightclub. Blending the legendary vocals of Frank Sinatra with a live on stage 19-piece big band and 15 of the world's finest dancers, COME FLY AWAY weaves an unparalleled hit parade of classics, including "Fly Me To The Moon," "My Way," and "That's Life" into a soaring musical fantasy of romance and seduction. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times calls COME FLY AWAY, "SPECTACULAR and DAZZLING! This is a MAJOR new work, with a stage full of BRILLIANT performers. Twyla Tharp's ELECTRIFYING celebration of the music of Frank Sinatra will sweep you up in a complete spell." Robert Johnson of The Star-Ledger calls the show "ONE OF THE MOST ELECTRIC PRODUCTIONS VERE TO LIGHT UP A BROADWAY MARQUEE" while Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press calls the show "ASTONISHING -- A love letter to romance, not to mention the man and his music, with eight MARVELOUS leads and an orchestra of STERLING musicians." And Richard Zoglin of Time Magazine states simply, "COME FLY AWAY delivers the PUREST JOLT OF PLEASURE to be found on a Broadway stage." The show's score combines classic and newly discovered vocal performances from the Sinatra archives along with signature arrangements (Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones) as well as brand new charts for this fresh innovative musical. COME FLY AWAY stars Alexander Brady, Matthew Stockwell Dibble, Holley Farmer, Laura Mead, Charlie Neshyba-Hodges, Rika Okamoto, Karine Plantadit, Keith Roberts and John Selya. The production also features vocalist Hilary Gardner and on alternate performances, Rosena M. Hill. The company also includes Colin Bradbury, Todd Burnsed, Carolyn Doherty, Amanda Edge, Heather Hamilton, Meredith Miles, Marc Myars, Eric Michael Otto, Justin Peck, and on alternate performances, Kristine Bendul, Jeremy Cox, Cody Green, Laurie Kanyok, Marielys Molina, Joel Prouty, Ron Todorowski and Ashley Tuttle. COME FLY AWAY features scenic design by James Youmans, costume design by Katherine Roth, lighting design by Donald Holder, and sound design by Peter McBoyle. Music supervision is by the late Sam Lutfiyya and Patrick Vaccariello. Additional arrangements and orchestrations are by Dave Pierce and Don Sebesky. Tickets, ranging in price from $66.50 - $126.50, can be purchased via www.TicketMaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. For groups of 15 or more, please contact Nederlander Group Sales at 212.840.3890 or 800.714.8452 www.nederlandergroupsales.com. For More Information, please visit www.comeflyaway.com |
| Posted by: Nancy Jun 3, 2010 8:05 PM Comments(2) |
| CFA IN NY POST/PLAYBILL |
|
NEW YORK POST Tonys take a medley turn by Michael Riedel http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/tonys_take_medley_turn_oXJMUzEb3u0S68IvarXZYO May 28, 2010 Details of this year's Tony telecast, airing June 13 on CBS, are beginning to leak out. To the perennial question, "Who's on first?" the answer is: Everybody! The most important slot on the telecast has always been the opening number. That's because it attracts the largest number of viewers, who peel off as the evening wears on (and on). The Broadway show that lands the opening slot usually enjoys the biggest bounce at the box office the next day. The best example is "Smokey Joe's Cafe." It wasn't a favorite with critics or Tony voters, but it took in nearly $1 million at the box office after kicking off the 1995 telecast, and ran for more than a year after. Since then, producers have lobbied, connived, begged and bullied to be No. 1. This year, Tony officials are going the diplomatic route. They've come up with an opening that includes nearly all the shows, nominated or not. The working title is "Pop Songs You Might Not Know Are on Broadway." Or, given the telecast's usual low ratings, "Pop Songs You Might Not Care Are on Broadway." There's a lot to choose from. "Million Dollar Quartet" alone has 22 songs, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Walk the Line" and "Great Balls of Fire." "Come Fly Away" has the Sinatra catalog -- "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon" and, of course, "New York, New York" -- while "Promises, Promises" offers "I Say a Little Prayer" and "What Do You Get When You Fall in Love." "A Little Night Music" has "Send in the Clowns," "Fela!" has "Zombie," and "American Idiot" has the best of Green Day. "The Addams Family" slips in under the wire with "Da-da-da-dum, snap, snap." But where does that leave "Memphis," which has an original score? Aha! David Bryan, who wrote the music and lyrics, is a founding member of Bon Jovi. It's a stretch, but believe me, they'll find something from "Memphis" that sounds like "Runaway" and slip it in. Cast members, in costume, will perform the pop-hit medley. Surprise "guest performers" are likely to include "Glee" stars Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison (both Broadway babies), Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and, possibly, Jon Bon Jovi. Elton John, the producer of the Tony-nominated play "Next Fall," might pop up as well. Tony host Sean Hayes will certainly sing something from "Promises" with his un-nominated co-star, Kristin Chenoweth. It'd be a coup if the Tonys got Jay-Z to sing something from "Fela!" with the show's star, Sahr Ngaujah. But I'm told Jay-Z doesn't like to sing at awards shows. He's not even on board yet as a presenter. The Tonys are carving out time for non-musicals this season if only because so many stars appeared in them. Look for Denzel Washington and Viola Davis to talk about "Fences," Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson to discuss "A View From the Bridge," and the wonderful Chris Walken to have some fun with "A Behanding in Spokane." I wish the Tonys could figure out a way to get scenes from straight plays on the telecast. The fear has always been that, out of context, non-musical scenes don't make sense if you haven't seen the play. But longtime Tony watchers will recall how powerful James Earl Jones, Mary Alice and Courtney B. Vance were in a scene from the original "Fences" on the 1987 telecast. Viewers aren't idiots. They don't need to know the plot to enjoy a scene performed by Washington and Davis, or a tense exchange between Schreiber and Johansson. Plays are just as important artistically and, when they're doing the kind of business "Fences" is doing, commercially. They should be given their due. PLAYBILL.COM Tony Awards to Open With Pop Song Medley http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139911-Tony-Awards-to-Open-With-Pop-Song-Medley The 64th Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, which CBS will broadcast live June 13 from Radio City Music Hall, will kick off with a medley of pop songs currently featured in Broadway musicals. The New York Post reports that the working title for the opening number is "Pop Songs You Might Not Know Are on Broadway." Expect to hear tunes from most of the musical productions that debuted on Broadway this season, including Million Dollar Quartet (one of the 22 well-known songs featured in the production); Come Fly Away (one of the Frank Sinatra standards), Promises, Promises (one of the Burt Bacharach-Hal David classics), A Little Night Music (perhaps Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns"), American Idiot (one of the Green Day hits), Fela! (possibly the song "Zombie!") and more. Sean Hayes, a 2010 Tony nominee for his performance in Promises, Promises, will host the 64th Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards. The Tony Awards will air live on CBS from 8-11 PM ET. The Tonys are presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing. The evening will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment. Visit www.tonyawards.com for more information. |
| Posted by: Nancy May 28, 2010 8:13 PM Comments(0) |
| Previous Page Next Page |
 |
|
