Vocal Encounters

Label: Columbia Legacy
Year: 2000
Released on LP: No
Released on CD: Yes

Tracks

1. That Old Black Magic
2. Summer Song
3. My Melancholy Baby
4. It's a Raggy Waltz
5. The Real Ambassador
6. My One Bad Habit
7. Because All Men Are Brothers
8. There'll Be Some Changes Made
9. Weep No More
10. Cultural Exchange
11. Travelin' Blues
12. Ain't Misbehavin'
13. They Say I Look Like God
14. In the Lurch
15. Autumn in Our Town
16. Since Love Had Its Way
17. Blues in the Dark
18. Take Five

Notes

Two tracks appear for the first time on CD: a performance by Carmen McRae of "It's a Raggy Waltz," and Ranny Sinclair on "Autumn in Our Town" released previosuly only on a single.


Dave Brubeck, piano
Louis Armstrong, vocals
Danny Barcelona, drums
Tony Bennett, vocals
Joe Darensbourg, clarinet
Paul Desmond, alto sax
Billy Kyle, piano
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, vocals
Irv Manning, bass
Carmen McRae, vocals
Joe Morello, drums
Peter, Paul and Mary, vocals
Jimmy Rushing, vocals
Ranny Sinclair, vocals
Eugene Wright, bass
Jimmy Young, Trombone,vocals

Reviews

All Music Guide - Review – copyright

The typical jazz fan may not realize that Dave Brubeck has accompanied a number of singers, because most of these recordings took place during his tenure with Columbia. This CD anthology has several tracks which were previously available only on the long out-of-print LP Summit Sessions; they include the impromptu concert collaboration between Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Quartet during an invigorating "That Old Black Magic," and Peter, Paul & Mary join the pianist for "Because All Men Are Brothers" (whose music is adapted from J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew Passion").

Two additional numbers appear for the first time on this CD: a sterling performance by Carmen McRae of Brubeck's tricky "It's a Raggy Waltz," and the beautiful voice of Ranny Sinclair on Brubeck's lovely but infrequently heard ballad "Autumn in Our Town." The remaining tracks have all appeared on individual LPs or CDs. Louis Armstrong is heard in several tracks taken from The Real Ambassadors, including "Summer Song" (an overlooked masterpiece), and the humorous "They Say I Look Like God" (which Armstrong sang very seriously, which was not the composer's original intention), where is he is joined by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.

Carmen McRae's sassy interpretation of "Travelin' Blues" (a song any musician who's been on the road for an extended time will appreciate) and her playful rendition of "Take Five" are miniature gems. Jimmy Rushing swings like mad during the upbeat "There'll Be Some Changes Made" and has lots of fun with the loping treatment of "Ain't Misbehavin'." There are a lot of great musical moments throughout this recommended release.

Ken Dryden

Copyright Rovi Corporation