Essential George Gershwin CD

Essential George Gershwin COME AWAY WITH ME won the 2003 Grammy Awards for Album Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical). "Don't Know Why" won the 2003 Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Arif Mardin won the 2003 Grammy Award for Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical). A direct descendant from the pedigree of one of the 20th century's virtuosos, Norah Jones might not be on such a lofty artistic level as her dad Ravi Shankar, but certainly inherited some musical intuition from him. With nary a sitar nor raga within earshot, the young newcomer sounds very much an assimilated, western, 21st century pop-jazz singer. One thing that separates her from the pack is Ms. Jones' own piano stylings--not flashy, but deftly doubling or echoing her voice--that discreetly act as the glue holding together these airy, delicate, and beautiful arrangements. But the centerpiece is certainly the 22-year-old's confident-beyond-her-years vocal delivery in addition to a precise diction and velvety tone. Shades of Nina Simone, vintage Phoebe Snow, and a less beatnik Rickie Lee Jones are evident throughout as the young siren coolly sashays through mostly new material by guitarist-songwriter Jesse Harris (formerly of Once Blue) and a few choice covers. Veteran producer Arif Mardin frames a most notable debut with a translucent touch, and appearances by jazz heroes Bill Frisell and Brian Blade gild the lily. Norah Jones won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Recorded at Sorcerer Sound, New York, New York and Allaire Studios, Shokan, New York. Personnel: Norah Jones (vocals, piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer organ); Kevin Breit (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, National guitar); Adam Rogers (guitar); Adam Levy , Jesse Harris , Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Tony Scherr (acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Bill Frisell (electric guitar); Jenny Scheinman (violin); Rob Burger (accordion, pump organ); Brian Blade (drums, percussion); Dan Rieser, Kenny Wollesen (drums). Audio Mixers: Jay Newland; Arif Mardin. Audio Remixer: Jay Newland. Recording information: Allaire Studios, Shokan, NY (2001); Sorcerer SOund, New York, NY (2001). Photographer: Joanne Savio. Personnel: Norah Jones (vocals, piano, Wurlitzer piano); Jesse Harris, Kevin Breit (acoustic & electric guitars); Tony Scherr (acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Adam Levy, Bill Frisell (electric guitar); Adam Rogers (guitar); Jenny Scheinman (violin); Sam Yahel (Hammond B-3 organ); Rob Burger (organ); Lee Alexander (bass); Brian Blade (drums, percussion); Dan Reiser, Kenny Wollesen (drums). Producers: Arif Mardin, Norah Jones, Jay Newland, Craig Street.

Essential George Gershwin Includes liner notes Peter Guralnick and Ernst Mikael Jorgensen. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, 30 #1 HITS presents a career-spanning serving of the King's chart-toppers. Dating back to "Heartbreak Hotel" (which was inspired by a suicide note printed in the Miami Herald), most of these cuts have become indelibly etched into the fabric of pop culture and each has a unique story behind it. "Love Me Tender" has its origins in the Civil War ballad "Aura Lee," "It's Now Or Never" found Elvis Americanizing the Neapolitan ballad "O Sole Mio," and "Wooden Heart" likewise was converted from a German children's song. This Memphis native's choice of artists to cover was equally intriguing and includes Hollywood legend Al Jolson ("Are You Lonesome Tonight?"), New Orleans soul shouter Smiley Lewis ("One Night"), blues great Big Mama Thornton ("Hound Dog"), and country titan Hank Snow ("[Now And Then There's] A Fool Such As I"). Further testimony of Presley's long-lasting appeal is the inclusion of the JXL Radio Edit Remix of "A Little Less Conversation," a UK #1 that not only enabled Elvis to have more chart-toppers than The Beatles, but also became a hit in a number of other countries including the United States. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Incl. Bonus Track "A Little Less Conversation" Compilation producer: David Bendeth. Personnel: Elvis Presley (vocals); Myrna Smith, Charles Prescott, J.D. Sumner, Rad Robinson, Jon Dodson, Kathy Westmoreland, The Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Ben Speer, Gordon Stoker, Millie Kirkham, Brock Speer (vocals). Audio Mixers: David Bendeth; Ray Bardani. Audio Remasterers: George Marino; Ted Jensen. Audio Remixer: David Bendeth. Recording information: 01/10/1956-10/29/1976. Introduction by: Peter Guralnick. Photographers: Alfred Wertheimer; Albert Watson . Personnel includes: Elvis Presley (vocals); Gordon Stoker, Ben Speer, Brock Speer, Rad Robinson, Jon Dodson, Charles Prescott, Millie Kirham, Sherrill Nelson, Kathy Westmoreland, Myrna Smith; The Jordanaires; The Surfers; The Sweet Inspirations; The Imperials; J.D. Sumner & The Stamps. Producers include: Steve Sholes, Chet Atkins, Chips Moman, Felton Jarvis, Elvis Presley.

Essential George Gershwin Principally recorded between 1972 and 1983. Includes liner notes by Barry Alfonso. Digitally remastered by Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot (DigiPrep). America defined the soft-rock sound of the '70s. They wanted to be Crosby, Stills and Nash so badly that they figured out a way to not only pull it off, but beat CSN at their own game, logging even more hit singles than their chief inspiration. THE COMPLETE GREATEST HITS, true to its title, contains all those chart-toppers, as well as some songs that may be unfamiliar to the casual listener (if you weren't paying attention at the time, it's doubtful you'd recall the band's early-'80s comeback hit "You Can do Magic," for example). While nobody's making a case for these easygoing popsters as bold innovators, even a cursory listen to this studiously compiled collection reveals a level of unassailable popcraft that places them on a par with posthumously lauded bands like Bread and the Carpenters. It's not for nothing that Beatles mentor George Martin took the boys' production reigns for a while. Though things get dicey towards the end of this chronologically arranged package, the bulk of America's '70s material is as good as commercial folk-pop gets. Additional personnel includes: Larry Klimas (saxophone); Jeffery Foskett (background vocals). Incl.2 Prev.Unrel. Tracks. 1972-1983 Producers includes: Ian Samwell, America, George Martin, Russ Ballard, Bobby Colomby. Compilation producers: America, David McLees. Personnel: Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, background vocals); Dewey Bunnell (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Jeffrey Foskett (vocals); Larry Klimas (saxophone). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Barry Alfonso. Recording information: Human Nature Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA. Photographers: Greg Allen ; Henry Diltz; Hugh Brown . America: Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, bass); Dewey Bunnell (vocals, guitar).

Essential George Gershwin Recorded between 1980 & 1990. Includes liner notes by Andy Aledort. Epic's THE ESSENTIAL STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AND DOUBLE TROUBLE gathers two discs' worth of the late blues guitarist's work, including many live performances and a few tracks with the Vaughan Brothers. The collection presents Vaughan's material in roughly chronological order, from the 1980 live recording "Shake for Me" to 1989's "Life by the Drop." It also touches on most of Vaughan's definitive songs and performances, including "Tightrope," "Wall of Denial," "Couldn't Stand the Weather," and "Cold Shot," and live versions of "The Sky Is Crying," "Superstition," and "Rude Mood/Hide Away." Though this album doesn't offer anything that hasn't already been released in some form or another, it does go into slightly more depth than several of the other Stevie Ray Vaughan retrospectives by presenting both his greatest studio hits and some of his best live work. [This compilation was also released as a three-disc set.] All tracks have been digitally remastered. 2 Cds-Studio & Live Recordings Full performer name: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. Personnel includes: Stevie Ray Vaughan (vocals, guitar); Reese Wynans (keyboards); Tommy Shannon (bass); Chris Layton (drums).

Essential George Gershwin Music composed by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. Digitally remastered by Darcy M. Proper (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). Recorded live at the Palace Theatre, London, England. Includes liner notes by Clive Hirschhorn. Twelve years after it opened on Broadway, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's first musical burst onto the screen in the Todd-AO widescreen process, with a fine cast that included Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Charlotte Greenwood, Rod Steiger, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson and James Whitmore. All the marvellous songs heard in the stage production are here, with the highlights being 'Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin", 'The Surrey With The Fringe On Top', 'People Will Say We're In Love', and the rousing title number. A spell of over four years in the US charts (four weeks at number 1) says it all. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Rodgers & Hammerstein. 35 Min. Of Add'L Material Recorded at MGM Studios, Culver City, California between May & July 1954. Originally released on Capitol (595). Includes liner notes by Didier C. Deutsch & Charles L. Granata. Recorded at Columbia 30th St. Studios, New York, New York between March 16 & 24, 1964. Originally released on Columbia (2610). Includes liner notes by Richard Ridge. Principal Cast: Gordon MacRae (Curly McLain); Shirley Jones (Laurey Williams); Rod Steiger (Jud Fry); Gloria Grahame (Ado Annie Carnes); Gene Nelson (Will Parker); Charlotte Greenwood (Aunt Eller Murphy); James Whitmore (Andrew Carnes); Eddie Albert (Ali Hakim); J.C. Flippin (Ike Skidmore). Producer: Fred Hynes. Reissue producers: Didier C. Deutsch, Charles L. Granata. Principal cast includes: Madge Ryan (Aunt Eller); John Diedrich (Curly); Rosamund Shelly (Laurey); Mark White (Will Parker); Alfred Molina (Jud Fry); Jillian Mack (Ado Annie Carnes); Linal Haft (Ali Hakim); Normah Atallah (Gertie Cummings). Principal cast: John Raitt (Curly); Florence Henderson (Laurey); Phyllis Newman (Ado Annie Carnes); Jack Elliott (Will Parker); Irene Carroll (Aunt Eller); Ara Berberian (Jud Fry); Leonard Stokes (Andrew Carnes). Adapter: Adolph Deutsch. Personnel: Jay C. Flippen (vocals). Audio Remixer: Darcy Proper. Liner Note Author: Charles Granata. Recording information: MGM Studios, Culver City, CA (1955). Editor: John Palladino. Arranger: Robert Russell Bennett.

Essential George Gershwin Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). Columbia/Legacy's 2001 release The Best of Eddie Money supplants the earlier 1989 collection Greatest Hits: The Sound of Money as the best overview of Money's career. Again, it's not sequenced chronologically, nor is it as tight as it should have been (Money is somebody who would really sound terrific on an eight- or ten-song collection), but it's very good all the same, containing all of his big hits, plus live versions of "Rock and Roll the Place" and "No Control" previously only available on a promo EP. So, even if it's not perfect, it will still satisfy the needs of most Money fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Includes liner notes by Sal Nunziato. 16 Greatest Hits.2 Bonus Songs Prev.Issued As Promo-Only EP Producers include: Bruce Botnick, Tom Dowd, Richie Zito, Mike Clink, Ron Nevison. Compilation producer: Jerry Rappaport. Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge. Photographers: Don Hunstein; Art Maillet; Diego Uchitel; Moshe Brakha.