Diane Schuur Midnight CD

Brian McKnight (vocals); Dan Higgins (alto saxophone, flute); Bill Liston (tenor saxophone); Warren Luening (trumpet, flugelhorn); Andy Martin (trombone); Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Alan Estes (vibraphone, percussion); Alan Broadbent, Randy Kerber (piano); Anthony Wilson, Eddie Arkin, Oscar Castro Neves (guitar); Chuck Berghofer, Abraham Laboriel (bass); Harvey Mason, Peter Erskine (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).

On this set, Diane Schuur performs 13 songs written or co-written by Barry Manilow, most of which are new. On first glance, the project may not seem to have much potential, particularly if one thinks of Manilow's pop records. However, other than a charming vocal duet on the closing "Anytime," Manilow is not on this date and the emphasis is on Schuur's beautiful voice. Fortunately, she takes most of the songs pretty straight, sounding at her best throughout. Manilow proves to be an underrated songwriter, contributing some touching ballads and a few swingers while collaborating with some talented and often witty lyricists. A few of the songs are good enough to become standards (though the odds are against it) and there are some short horn solos along the way. Karrin Allyson duets with Schuur on the humorous "Stay Away from Bill," and singer Brian McKnight helps out on "I'll Be There." All in all, Midnight is a surprising success easily recommended to fans of Diane Schuur's voice. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California.

Personnel: Diane Schurr (vocals, piano); Barry Manilow, Karrin Allyson,

Personnel: Diane Schuur (vocals, piano); Phillip Ingram, Yvonne Williams (vocals, background vocals); Karrin Allyson, Barry Manilow, Brian McKnight (vocals); Eddie Arkin, Oscar Castro-Neves, Anthony Wilson (guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); Dan Higgins (flute, alto saxophone); Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Bill Liston (clarinet, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Warren Luening (trumpet, flugelhorn); Andy Martin (trombone); Alan Broadbent, Randy Kerber (piano); Alan Estes (vibraphone, percussion); Harvey Mason, Sr. , Peter Erskine (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Don Murray .

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (2003).

Creators: Eddie Arkin; Barry Manilow.

Photographers: Diego Uchitel; Randee Saint Nicholas.

Arrangers: Eddie Arkin; Barry Manilow; Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra.

Enhanced.Guests:Karin Allyson, Brian Mcknight,Barry Manilow

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.JazzTimes (8/03, pp.131-2) - "...Schuur opens with the saucy 'Meet Me, Midnight', brimming with playful insouciance, then slides into a gorgeously reflective 'When October Goes', making the most of Johnny Mercer's wistful lyric..."