Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company CD

Genius Loves Company buy CD music 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.

Genius Loves Company CD music This is an Hyper CD, which contains regular audio tracks and also provides a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser. After the unexpected runaway success of COME AWAY WITH ME, where to next? The good news about Norah Jones's sophomore effort is that she and producer Arif Mardin decided to leave well enough alone in most regards. There are no screeching guitars, thumping drum machines, or padding synthesizers, and most of the tempos are slow or laid-back--way back. Guests Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of the Band contribute to "What Am I to You?" and Dolly Parton makes an appearance on bassist Lee Alexander's "Creepin' In." Jones's backing group, the Handsome Band, provides just the right stripped-down accompaniments and subtle touches to support the blessing that is her voice. Jones knows how to luxuriate in the sumptuousness of her sound and infuse such unlikely lyrics as "my toes just touched the water" with a sensual blues sensibility. On top of all this, when it comes to phrasing, her tremendous instincts and smarts put her in rare company. What Jones does explore further is the art of songwriting, and the results here give every indication that she is on the right track. 'Feels Like Home' features 13 tracks & a host of special guests including Dolly Parton, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson of the Band, Jesse Harris, Robert Burger and Tony Scherr. Blue Note. 2004. Personnel: Norah Jones (vocals, piano, Wurlitzer piano); Dolly Parton (vocals); Kevin Breit (guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo); Jesse Harris (acoustic guitar); Tony Scherr (electric guitar); Lee Alexander (lap steel guitar, double bass, bass guitar); David Gold (viola); Jane Scarpantoni (cello); Daru Oda (flute, background vocals); Garth Hudson (accordion, Hammond b-3 organ); Rob Burger (field organ); Levon Helm, Andrew Borger, Brian Blade (drums).

Genius Loves Company songs Alison Krauss & Union Station: Alison Krauss; Ron Block (vocals); Barry Bales (bass instrument, background vocals); Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas . In a world where popular country music has lost much of its roots, Alison Krauss stands out among the pack because she remains true to the bluegrass traditions of Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, and others. However, more than just a revivalist, Krauss also has an unerring ear for elegant pop music. LONELY RUNS BOTH WAYS features, essentially, two types of music--burning-hot bluegrass compositions and delicate, heartrending country ballads. On the latter, Krauss's gossamer voice sears with deep emotion and lyrical clarity. For example, the last song on the album, "A Living Prayer," is a gospel lullaby featuring Krauss belting out long, legato notes over austere acoustic guitar accompaniment. In contrast, the instrumental piece "Unionhouse Branch" explores traditional Americana. Each Union Station member is featured on this track, and the level of technical skill displayed by these musicians (particularly by dobro player Jerry Douglas) is truly astounding. In many ways, this band represents a pinnacle in modern bluegrass. As for Krauss, her fiddle playing is understated on this release, but her beautifully penetrating voice more than makes up for it. Personnel: Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle, viola); Dan Tyminski (vocals, baritone, guitar, mandolin); Barry Bales (tenor, bass voice); Ron Block (guitar, slide guitar, banjo); Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar, dobro). Audio Mixer: Gary Paczosa. Recording information: 17 Grand Recording, Nashville, TN; Blackbrid Studio; Minutia Recording Studio. Photographer: Norman Jean Roy.

Genius Loves Company album for sale Eric Clapton and the blues have been inextricably linked dating back to his mid-1960s stint as a string-bending phenomenon in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. A decade after the release of his blues homage FROM THE CRADLE, Clapton's ME AND MR. JOHNSON pays tribute to his hero Robert Johnson. Rounding up a stellar backing crew, including Andy Fairweather-Low and Jerry Portnoy (both of whom appeared on CRADLE), Slowhand approaches the Johnson canon with a relaxed and confident touch. Applying liberal amounts of slide and fuzz guitar, this English rock legend saunters along fare such as "Traveling Riverside Blues" and "Love in Vain," time-honored Johnson classics better known through renditions by Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, respectively. Portnoy's unobtrusive harp provides subtle accompaniment to Clapton's heartfelt playing, be it the swirling dirge "Hell Hound on My Trail" or the harmony-soaked "Come on in My Kitchen." The proceedings are also enhanced by the Hammond organ and piano work of sideman Billy Preston, whose trips up and down the eighty-eights give added punch to songs like the rollicking "32-20 Blues" and the barrelhouse "They're Red Hot." Sings Songs Of Robert Johnson. Liner Note Author: Eric Clapton. Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Andy Fairweather-Low, Doyle Bramhall II (guitar); Jerry Portnoy (harmonica); Billy Preston (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Steve Gadd (drums). Audio Mixer: Mick Guzauski.

Genius Loves Company CD music It may or may not be significant that Diana Krall's first album of new material since the ascendance of Norah Jones is the former's least jazzy, most pop-savvy album of her career. In any case, it marks Krall's biggest departure to date; THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM is almost entirely devoid of the jazz standards that constituted her previous repertoire, and it contains her first recorded batch of original songs. It's possible that new husband Elvis Costello, who co-wrote all six of those tunes with his wife, was the agent provocateur. It's also feasible that Costello, who has previously recorded Mose Allison material and palled around with Tom Waits, nudged Krall toward such choice selections as Allison's bluesy plaint "Stop This World" and Waits's cocktail rhumba "Temptation." Nevertheless, Krall delivers them--like the rest of the songs here--in a misty, laconic style very consistent with her earlier work. There's no attempt at pop-oriented production here, just the same piano-trio sound that's been Krall's stock in trade all along. Ironically, the jazziest tune here is Costello's early-1980s ballad "Almost Blue," previously performed by Chet Baker. Naturally, the new songs also bear the unmistakable stamp of Costello, but no matter how far afield her song sources (Joni Mitchell and Chris Smither's catalogs are drawn on as well), Krall maintains the trademark feel that made her famous. 6 Original Songs + Interpretations Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California and Avatar Studios, New York, New York. Personnel: Diana Krall (vocals, piano); Neil Larson (Hammond B-3 organ); Anthony Wilson (guitar); Christian McBride, John Clayton (bass); Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Terri Lynne Carrington (drums). This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Genius Loves Company buy CD music Neither Rod Stewart nor producer Clive Davis have ever been accused of letting any moss grow around them, so when Stewart's first collection of tunes from the Great American Songbook turned out to be a smash, they followed it up with a sequel, and, eventually, with a third volume. As with the preceding albums, STARDUST finds Stewart tackling the cream of the crop of classic pop standards, songs that will be instantly familiar to followers of Bennett, Sinatra, et al. but which may conceivably be new to some of Rod's more rock-oriented fans. In that sense, the record can be seen as a public service, introducing those woefully benighted souls to such masterworks as the Gershwins' lovelorn ballad "But Not for Me," and the transcendently stellar, Hoagy Carmichael-penned title tune. As if the material wasn't firepower enough, the album's profile is further raised by some heavyweight guest stars; Dolly Parton is Stewart's sassy foil on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Stevie Wonder contributes his trademark chromatic harmonica magic to "What a Wonderful World," and Eric Clapton adds to the poignancy of "Blue Moon" with some lyrical guitar work. Recording information: Deep Diner Studio, New York, NY; FoxForceFive, Hollywood, CA; Gravity STudios, Chicago, IL; Ocean Way, Los Angeles, CA; Olympic Studios, London, England; Rak Studios, London, England; Reagan's Garage, Los Angeles, CA; Reagen's Garage. Los Angeles, CA; Record One, Los Angeles, CA; Schnee Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Seventeen Grand, Nashville, TN. Ensembles: Warren Luening; Bob Sheppard. Photographers: Andrew McPherson ; Penny Lancaster. Arranger: Bob Mann. Personnel: Rod Stewart; Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Dolly Parton, Bette Midler (vocals); Vin "Vinny" D'Onofrio (guitar); Sylvia Davanzo, Gil Romero, Katia Popov, Christopher Cardona, Ana Landauer, Barbara Porter, Ken Yerke, Cenobia Cummings, Edith Markman, Franklyn D'Antonio, Antoine Silverman, Martin Agee, Roberto Cani, Bruce Dukov, Julie Gigante, Maxim Moston, Robert Peterson, Paul Woodiel, Michael Markman, Belinda Whitney, Jonathan Dinklage, Endre Granat, Haim Shtrum (violin); Jorge Moraga, Dan Neufeld, Brian Denbow, Debra Shufelt, David Creswell, Danielle Farina, Janet Lakatos, Simon Oswell, Nancy Roth, Jessica Troy, Dave Walther (viola); Timothy Landauer, Danny Miller , Stephen Erdody, David Low , Anja Wood, Steve Richards , Sarah Carter (cello); Warren Luening, Bob Sheppard (clarinet, saxophone, trumpet); Plas Johnson , Tom Evans (saxophone); Lee Thornburg, Warren Vaché (trumpet); Mike Thompson (piano, string synthesizer); Joe Sample, Alan Pasqua (piano); Jon Allen, Joe "Public" Allen (keyboards); Andy Chuckerman (string synthesizer); Bob Cranshaw (bass guitar); John Ferraro (drums); Dorian Holley, Mortonette Jenkins, Marlena Jeter (background vocals); Bob Mann (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Eric Clapton (guitar); Dave Koz (saxophone); Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Kenny Ascher (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Dave Grusin (piano); Allan Schwartzberg (drums). Audio Mixer: Andy Zulla.