Search - Ann Hampton Callaway :: At Last

I LOVE this album

Julia Strand | 02/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved "SLOW" and "BLUES IN THE NIGHT" so I figured this would be another winner. Ann Hampton Callaway has managed to make every song on this album unique and musically enchanting. Her voice rings true with every word and every note. Just when I think I need to hear "Landslide" for the fifth or sixth time, I remember that I'm going to want to do the same thing on all the songs to follow. Her rendition of "On my Way to You' is a masterpiece and literally leaves me breathless. AT LAST will be my Valentine's Day gift to special people in my life, my birthday gift to others, and a Christmas gift to many when December arrives. Buy the CD and then be prepared to spend some quality time with one of America's most talented singer/songwriters."

The Talented Ms. Callaway

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 03/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are three contemporary singers in their prime who, IMO, have the kind of voices to where they could have trained in any kind of genre and have succeeded. One is the opera singer, Renee Fleming (who in fact has released two caberet-ish c.d.'s in recent years); the second is jazz singer, Jackie Ryan; and finally, the very talented Ann Hampton Callaway.



Any release from Ms. Callaway is a cause for celebration going in; and this one is no exception. This is a c.d. dedicated to "falling in love"; and indeed, it has some love-filled touches.



Consider Ms. Callaway's scatting on the jazzy "What Is This Thing Called Love," where out of the blue she pops out a high B-flat with aplomb; or consider "Spain," where she whips along with the instrumentalists as fast as did Al Jarreau on the famous original; or consider "Lazy Afternoon," where she builds the word "Grow" on an ascending scale with as much drama as any diva around.



Or consider "Over the Rainbow." I normally counsel singers not to do this song, as Judy Garland owns it and inviting comparisons to Ms. Garland generally is a bad idea. Good thing Ms. Callaway didn't listen to such advice. With the sensitive accompaniment of pianist Ted Rosenthal (and a beautiful solo from Flugelhornist Marvin Stamm), this is as thoughtful and original a read of this song as any since 1938. Bravo.



The c.d. is a nice mix of jazz, cabaret and blues (with a smokin' bluesy read of the title track, a la Etta James). But speaking of cabaret and of Ms. Callaway's talent, she writes a ballad, "Save A Place For Me," and performs it. To me, this is the highlight of the c.d. This song would have worked very well with Ann Hampton Callaway's best recording, 2004's "Slow."



I review a lot of singers, and I admire a lot of them. Relatively few of them just blow me away. Ann Hampton Callaway is one of those relatively few. RC



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Music for lovers only that has "HELLO, GRAMMY !!!" written a

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ann Hampton Callaway scores a big goal with her CD entitled At Last. These songs of love showcase Ann's outstanding skill as a chanteuse and when I hear it I remember seeing her perform live in New York City a few years back. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very well done. Ann's voice is like a finely tuned instrument and we are all better off for her sharing her gift with us. Ann takes her time with the ballads on this album to deliver lush, moving renditions of songs by her and the musicians that will stand the test of time.



"What Is This Thing Called Love?" by Cole Porter has Ann Hampton Callaway squarely in the spotlight--right where she belongs! Ann never sings a superfluous note and that's grand. She delivers "What Is This Thing Called Love?" passionately and you can tell she wears her heart on her sleeve--bravo! At the end of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" listen for Ann to scat a bit with drummer Victor Lewis and Jay Leonhart who also plays bass. "Comes Love" has a smooth jazz flavor to it and that horn work fits in perfectly with the rest of the musical arrangement. There's a great arrangement for the piano and Ann never sounded better. "Carey" has a great feel to it, too.



"At Last," the title track for this album written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, is very pleasing to the ear; when Ann Hampton Callaway sings this she does this ballad great justice. I wonder if Etta James would like this version of "At Last?" Ann aces this seemingly effortlessly; but we know of course it really wasn't so easy. Ann's incredible talent always carried her through. In addition, listen for "Lazy Afternoon" which gets quite a fine arrangement; the musical effects are wonderful and Ann Hampton Calloway sings this with a type of honesty in her heart I rarely hear or enjoy. Great!



"Landslide" puts Ann front and center; the music that plays fits in perfectly with her vocals and "Landslide" is definitely a major highlight of this album. "Save A Place For Me" boasts a wonderful sound and Ann sings this most romantically. In addition, Ann Hampton Callaway bravely tackles that Judy Garland standard which some still say is Judy's territory alone, "Over The Rainbow." "Over The Rainbow" has Ann singing a rarely heard opening verse and when she goes into the much better known lyrics to the song this number takes flight and it works! Judy would have been proud of Ann.



"Finding Beauty" is very well done; and the album ends strong with Ann Hampton Callaway performing "On My Way to You." "On My Way to You" has a depth to it that is meaningful and quite beautiful in Ann's capable hands.



Overall, this CD entitled At Last by Ann Hampton Callaway provides great musical entertainment for people who enjoy classic love songs and sensitive renditions of more recent love songs as well. Ann's fans will certainly want this album; and it makes a wonderful starter CD if you're just getting to know the artistry of Ann Hampton Callaway.

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