Search - Cheryl Bentyne :: Book of Love

Another great performance

Kevin Stanton | Pittsburgh | 11/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have grown very fond of Cheryl Bentyne. Her voice is so malleable. It can be sharp, high, smoky, playful and quite clear. Her previous CD's are all very very nice, as is this one.

This appears to be her second themed CD, the first being 'Moonlight Serenade'. With guest vocalists John Pizzarelli and Mark Kibble & Alvin Chea of Take 6 fame, she has offered a timeline of the stages of love.

The song choices are very well thought out for the theme and follow well. Starting with 'You Don't Know Me' and finishing with 'Goodbye' and a reprise of 'Book of Love'. This version of 'The Book of Love' is not the doo-wop version. It is a very romantic version written in 1999... very nice fit to this theme.

After 'You Don't Know Me' comes 'Be My Love', both sung in a soft, enchanting manner with great orchestration in the back. 'Blue Moon' is next with John Pizzarelli joining in. Nicely done, slow, romantic version.

Then comes 'Let's Do It', and old Louis Armstrong song that is difficult to make interesting at times. She takes it nice and languid, using her voice to give variety within the music. Nicest version of this song I've heard yet.

'Don't Say A Word' follows... slow, romantic with emphasis on piano in the background. Then 'The Book of Love' with some great, standout vocals from part of 'Take6' harmonizing nicely with Cheryl's voice.

The tracks that follow, 'You Taught My Heart To Sing', 'You Go To My Head', 'Cry Me a River', 'I'm a fool to Want You', 'Goodbye' and 'The Book of Love/Reprise' and all well done. The tempo is easy, soft and mournful at times.

This is a great, romantic CD to put in for those moments of reflection or meditation. No bounce or upbeat here, but certainly not boring in the least.

Cheryl Bentyne is making her own way as a great vocalist sans The Manhattan Transfer and I certainly hope she continues her voyage."

Heavenly

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 12/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought Cheryl Bentyne's "Let Me Off Uptown" was one of the top 10 c.d.'s of 2005. Ditto this one viz. 2006.



This is a c.d. of oft-covered standards, all love tunes, organized into "chapters" of various aspects of love (Longing, Flirtation, Lust, Love, Joy, Disillusion, and Loss). All well and good, but what makes this c.d. is the arrangements. These are arrangements that go straight to the heart and soul. They don't pass go; they don't collect $200; they just stick with you on the first and last listens.



There are so many good things about this c.d. that it would make too long a review to catalogue and explain them all. Just consider: The gorgeous cello solo of Armen Ksajikian on "Be My Love"; the equally gorgeous acoustic guitar solo of Wayne Johnson on the same tune; yet another magnificent solo, this one of violinist Charlie Bisharat on "I'm a Fool to Want You"; the totally cool backup of Mark Kibble and Alvin Chea of Take 6 on "The Book of Love"; the sweet duet with John Pizzarelli on "Blue Moon"; the swinging, bluesy bridge on "Let's Do It"; the simple, straight reading of "You Don't Know Me" that brings more tears than the usual overwrought versions of this tune; the gorgeous orchestral harmonies in "You Go To My Head"--not too lush, just right; and probably others I'll catch upon certain relistens to this album.



And then there is Cheryl Bentyne. Why is she never mentioned in critics and readers' polls? Is there a more honey-voiced non-classical singer in the world? I guess the reason for the relative non-recognition is that she is a key voice in the Manhattan Transfer, and the Transfer gets more than its share of accolades. Okay; but since when can a great ensemble singer not be considered a great solo singer as well? Her voice is as smooth as a hot knife through a warm pad of butter. Outside of nat King Cole, I can't think of any singer who sings more smoothly than Cheryl Bentyne.



Bottom line: should you be so lucky as to finagle some total hottie into a hot tub, with the candlelight, bubbles and champagne thing going on, this is the c.d. you want to put into your player. Accept no substitutes. RC"

Songbird extraordinaire

Maxmike | West Chester, PA USA | 07/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a jazz buff, I had very little exposure to Cheryl Bentyne other than through her stellar work with Manhatten Transfer. Her performance in " The Book of Love" is a revelation on many levels. This collection of beautiful ballads is one of the most poignantly romantic recordings I have heard. The lush arrangements of husband/keyboardist Corey Allen and the backing of the Prague Symphony Orchestra are magical. Ms. Bentyne's vocal quality and range are near perfection--her phrasing and enunciation are models of clarity. She is coquettish without being cloying. Listen to her alluring treatment of Let's fall in love and you too will get weak in the knees. Her classic treatment of "Be My Love" is exceeded only by Wayne Johnson's beautiful acoustic guitar and a jewel of a solo by cellist Armen Ksajikian. The high water mark of the cd in my view is "You taught my heart to sing". This romantic ballad is perfected by Bentyne backed only by husband Corey Allen's piano. The feeling and emotion between the two is palpable. Bentyne and her arranger husband have indeed made beautiful music together. Highly Recommended!"