Even better than Serenading Duke Ellington
Dan Lovinger | Fort Wayne, Indiana USA | 12/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, thanks for the technology that allows us to bring back the great voice of Alice Babs after so many years.Second, after thinking that "Serenading Duke Ellington" (as great as it was) was the best Alice Babs I would ever hear, I found this CD - which is even better! A great variety of songs -all done to perfection by one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. In particular, her rendition of the two Carole Kings songs - "Been to Canaan" and "Tapestry" are simply outstanding. I took the time to locate Victor Young's 1933 production of Jack Teagarden"s version of his song - A Hundred Years from Today - and compared it with Alice Babs' version forty years later and found great music and wonderful lyrics done two different ways, but both with great with warmth and affection. All the songs on this CD are great, but my favorite is "My Ship" by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin.Anybody that loves great music, and Alice Babs in particular, must get this CD."
Not a moment too soon - but too expensive!
Dan Lovinger | 06/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alice Babs' 1973 effort "Music With a Jazz Flavour" is in the opinion of many of her fans her best album ever. And that is saying a lot, for an artist with well over 800 titles to her credit. Still, the diversity and incredible class that colours this album does match such high expectations. It is indeed music with a jazz flavour - from the excellent rendition of "Song For the Dreamer", via "How About a Blues" to "Checkered Hat" - the most enjoyable singing thinkable! (A trivial curiosity is that Alice Babs' own composition entitled "Hodgy" first appeared as early as in her 1951 musical comedy "I Dur Och Skur", where she was singing it while walking around on stage with a parasol.) As is the case much too often, though, there is one downside to this release: it's expensive! No wonder, since this marvellous album has so far only been released in whole in Japan. (The two bonus tracks are taken from Alice Babs' 1979 release "Simple Isn't Easy".) However, 8 of the 10 original tracks are featured on the CD release "There's Something About Me...", only omitting "Been To Canaan" and "Tapestry", two Carole King compositions. That is a shame, as "Been To Canaan" is just about the funkiest thing ever recorded by this Swedish Royal Court appointed singer, and "Tapestry" is about as dreamy and beautiful as her pop music career has (so far) taken her. (Incidentally, in Alice's concerts this year, she's included an outrageously funkee rendition of John Lewis' "If I Were Eve" - let's hope she'll include that on the album she is currently recording too!) Nonetheless, this is quite an expensive CD to purchase for only those two tracks, great as they may be. What with the Japanese making this move, here goes for a European release of this CD! (The original LP is consistently selling on a certain auction service for ridiculous amounts. The owners of these recordings should take a hint!)"
What devine refined elegance and amazing vocal power!
Moreen O'Neal | Ireland | 12/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am just an old fashion lady who loves a good jazz singer, and Alice Babs is to Sweeden what Anita O'Day is to America. She is a heavenly voice! You will FALL in love with her caberet=ish style, yet she swings too! A great cd, eapecially a good version of My Ship! You must own this in you jazz vocal library. Never has rgier been such an elegant and beautiful jazz singer as Miss Babs."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1