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Chaka Khan is backed by a nicely understated jazz combo and the subtly seductive strings of the London Symphony Orchestra on this finely tuned set of classic jazz standards and pop tunes. Though Khan is not best known for her laid-back approach to the vocal arts, here she displays both taste and restraint. The track list runs the gamut of styles, from Willie Nelson's country classic "Crazy," here given a Ray Charles-style makeover, to the macabre "Is That All There Is," best known in its Peggy Lee interpretation. However, Khan shows her true mettle on the twin James Bond themes of "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger," giving the British belter Shirley Bassey a run for her money with incendiary versions of both songs. Elsewhere, Khan's jazzy rendition of the Lulu hit "To Sir with Love" demonstrates both her elastic vocal prowess and her continuing ability to hit some stratospheric high notes. Classy, romantic, and lushly orchestrated, CLASSIKHAN reveals Chaka Khan's mature vocal talents at a peak.
Recording information: Blue 52 Studio; Clinton Recording, New York, NY; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Whitfield Street Studios, London, England.
Photographer: Norman Seeff.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Tracy Revis; Kevin Kuhn.
Arrangers: Eve Nelson; Joe Sample; Gary Anderson.
Personnel: Chaka Khan (vocals); Kevin Kuhn (electric guitar); Karen Vaughan (harp); Carmine Lauri, Tammy Se, Sarah Quinn, David Ballesteros, Claire Parfitt, Ginette Decuyper, Evgeny Grach, Lousie Shackelton, Caroline O'Neill, Nicole Wilson, Nicholas Wright, Ian Rhodes, Matthew Gardner, Richard Blayden, Harriet Rayfield, Silvain Vasseur, Colin Renwick, Norman Clarke, Belinda McFarlane, Ian McDonough, Paul Robson, Robin Brightman, Gordon McKay, Stephen Roslinson, Tiberiu Buta, Andrew Pollock, Maxine Kwok, Nigel Broadbent, Joyce Hammann, Michael "DJ Heat" Humphrey (violin); Elisabeth Varlow, Gina Zagni, Gillianne Haddow, P. Norriss, Duff Burns, Regina Beukes, Robert Turner, Paul Silverthorne, Jonathan Welch (viola); Noel Bradshaw, Francis Saunders, Hilary Jones, Ray Adams, Jennifer Brown, Nicolas Gethin, Moray Welsh, Rebecca Gilliver (cello); Timothy Ries (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Dave Pietro (flute, alto saxophone); Charles Pillow (clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone); Dennis Anderson (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (bass clarinet, bassoon, baritone saxophone); Dave Stahl, Anthony Kadleck, James Hynes (trumpet); John Clark , Chris Komer (French horn); M. Birch Johnson, Michael Davis (trombone); George Flynn (bass trombone); Eve Nelson, Lee Musiker (piano); Jay Anderson (acoustic bass); Ray Cervenka (electric bass); Dennis Mackrel (drums); Nigel Thomas (timpani); David P. Jackson (percussion); Andy Snitzer (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joe Sample (piano); Sheila E. (percussion); London Symphony Orchestra.
She Comes To "Conquer" With her latest release, "ClassiKhan", Chaka Khan brings to bear her "vocal ammunition" for a "dust up" of the music scene.
Long overdue, her foray into the jazz world, had only been hinted at in past efforts, as an aside...such as her Grammy nominated 1982 effort, "Echoes of an Era".....here, she hits the ground "running" paired with The London Symphony Orchestra, and sideman extraordinaire, Joe Sample.
The lush orchestrations only lend to the amazing quality of her voice on "Hey Big Spender", "The Best is Yet To Come", I'm in the Mood For Love, and the two covers of the James Bond movie theme songs, "Diamonds are Forever, and Goldfinger". Her nuances and fresh interpretations elevate these standards to "new heights"...also intimating that rumors of her recently "fragile" and "endangered" voice, were gross exaggerations. She can still soar into the statosphere, with those ear-piercing wails.
What a delight for the listener for her to have conjured up the obscure, "Hazel's Hips", a sassy joint about a sassy waitress.
What diva in her right mind would even attempt to try Patsy Cline's "Crazy", much less Lena Horne's "Stormy Weather", as those are signature pieces????...well, never fear, Miss Khan does them proud.
Phoebe Snow's "Teach Me Tonight", was darn near a signature piece for her....well, she'd better find another, as Khan puts her mark on this, as well.
"To Sir With Love", and "'Round Midnight" are the sleeper hits here...
she infects them with smoky vamping and straddling of the jazz and the pop fences, in one fell swoop.
"I Believe" is a personal anthem to rival "Love Me Still", her contribution to the soundtrack of the movie, "Clockers".
From the album's opening strains to the last blood curdling wail, Chaka Khan wins the war, "effortlessly"...and we're glad she did. ACC Submitted by aaronssongs (Houston, Texas, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
Classic Khan It Is Not This is Chaka Khan's worst album to date. I'm not sure what was going on with her vocally when she was recording this album but I have never heard Chaka sound so hoarse and raspy on record. And most of the selections here are just downright boring. And her delivery doesn't make it any better.
I used to say Chaka Khan could sing the Yellow Pages and make it sound wonderful. Boy, was I wrong! "Classikhan" is a dud! This is the only Chaka Khan CD that I would recommend skipping. Submitted by Gary (New Haven, MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Oooo, Chaka! I am not ashamed to admit, I am a big Chaka Khan fan. This is, actually, one of her worst albums, yet a triumphant performance.
I appreciate the concept of this record, yet I believe it's too retro. I would've loved to have heard some new songs and innovations.
This recording reminds me of the Lenny White production: 'Echoes Of An Era', featuring Chaka with an all-star list of jazz greats performing standards. White was determined to prove this historic presentation could be done in one take, so the whole project suffered. 'Echoes' is a GREAT record, but it made Chaka believe she couldn't be a real jazz singer.
Chaka Khan is one of the greatest singers of any genre, period. Though 'Crazy' and 'Goldfinger' are dubious choices, 'Stormy Weather', 'Round Midnight', 'Teach Me Tonight', and the surprizing 'To Sir With Love' are excellent.
Chaka Khan does this thing where she can elevate at any time, sometimes as much as an octave and a half! Of course there are other popular singers like Marya Carrie and the late great Minnie Riperton who've displayed four octave range. But, most singers lose some power as they elevate but Chaka gets stronger as she goes from contralto to soprano. This actually gives me 'the shivers', literally, ever time she does it: "Oooo, Chaka!" 'The Best Is Yet To Come' , and especially, 'Is That All There Is' cause this 'shiver-effect'.
It is good to hear this legend perform again, and I hope she can work with any one of the great producers of our time to make a modern record. Submitted by St.Davey (Windham, Me.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
She is perfect and powerful!! I have this cd in my car. I sing it at stop lights. I haven't taken it out since I bought it. That says lot. I would encourage anyone who like Chaka to get it. I liked every song immediatlely. B Submitted by Bernard (Bethesda MD) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Pretty Good It is good to see Chaka Khan come with anything nowadays considering her disgust with the music industry. By far my favorite tune here is "Is That All There Is". I just love the way she tells the story. I also like the first 4 songs also, and "Teach Me Tonight". Now if we can get one more pure and original R&B album out of her I'll be truly pleased. Submitted by Marcusj_j (Aurora IL USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
She Comes To "Conquer"
Classic Khan It Is Not
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