Diane Schuur Friends For Schuur CD

Diane Schuur, one of the greatest entertainers in the world, makes her Concord Jazz debut with Friends for Schuur and it is remarkable. Her multifaceted vocal artistry is featured in great company on 11 sensational songs including two "live" concerts that feature Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. There is even a digitally reintroduced version of "Easy Living," featuring the great Stan Getz. Diane Schuur is regal and she's soulful, passionate, and playful and her avid listeners know immediately that her voice has all the right qualities: technique, range, and adaptability to pop, jazz, gospel, and blues. "I'd Fly" is a definite smooth jazz hit. She sings its sexy, but beautifully contoured melody, romantic lyrics with such yearning and passion that this late-night romantic ballad should land solidly on the charts. Her duet with Stevie Wonder on "Finally" is prime. Her "live" duet with Ray Charles on "It Had to Be You" is packed full of soul, and all the while, you know you're in the middle of something amazing. The great songwriters Alan Bergman and Dave Grusin place their inimitable stamp on the essential "It Might Be You" (Theme From "Tootsie") and with Schuur's heartfelt vocals, it clearly remains one of the best songs of the 20th century. Friends for Schuur brings you the new first lady of jazz at the height of her award-winning career. With it, Diane Schuur becomes the consummate entertainer whose dreams are forever intertwined with the greatest names in jazz and contemporary music. ~ Paula Edelstein

Recorded at Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California; Sony Music Studios, Santa Monica, California; Right Track Recording Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Glen Barros.

Personnel: Diane Schuur (grand piano); Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Riccardo Cocciante (vocals); Dean Parks, Michael Thompson, Randy Jacobs (guitar); Dave Grusin, Herbie Hancock, Alan Broadbent (piano); Greg Phillinganes, Randy Waldman (synthesizer); Gregg Field, Harvey Mason, Sr. , Terri Lyne Carrington (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Curtis King, Vaneese Thomas (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Eric Schilling .

Liner Note Author: Glen Barros.

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA; Right Track Recording Studios, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, Santa Monica, CA.

Arrangers: Diane Schuur; Greg Phillinganes; Herbie Hancock; Alan Broadbent; Randy Waldman.

Personnel: Diane Schuur (vocals, piano); Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Ray Charles (vocals, synthesizer); Richard Cocciante, Alan Bergman, Stephen Bishop, The Rob Mathes Voices (vocals); Stan Getz (tenor saxophone); Alan Broadbent, Dave Grusin, Herbie Hancock (piano); Randy Waldman, Greg Phillinganes (synthesizer); Michael Landau, Michael Thompson, Dean Parks, Randy Jacobs (guitar); Charles Berghofer, James Hughart (acoustic bass); Tom Fowler, Alex Al (bass); Gregg Field, Harvey Mason, Peter Turre, Terri Lyne Carrington (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Curtis King, Vaneese Thomas (background vocals).