Search - Kenny Rankin :: Professional Dreamer (24bt)

An Album for the Ages

Thomas L. Bennett | Indented Head, Victoria Australia | 06/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kenny Rankin sings the jazz of rainy Sundays by an open fire.His intimate and highly personal style is no better exemplified than on this set, "Professional Dreamer".In many ways it's a departure from his usual repertoire as it consists entirely of classics from the 1940s and 50s.These offerings reflect the musical values of another era - elegant and genteel songs from a time when melody lines were strong and lyrics dripped with intelligent emotion.These compositions lend themselves perfectly to Rankinesque interpretationThe standout cut "But Not for Me" ripples with a soft Latin undercurrent.Rankin's vocal improvisations are gentle and deliberate as they paint a soul-sad portrait of someone love has overlooked. Gershwin's beautiful "Our Love is Here to Stay" is another highlight of this very classy set.So too is the cheeky and whimsical "I've Got a Crush on You" and the ultra-evocative "The Very Thought of You".It's all exquisite grist for a very tender mill. An album for the ages - FIVE STARS for Kenny and the jazz of rainy Sundays."

Kenny sings standards -- beautifully!

M. Basil | Canada, eh? | 04/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like several other reviewers, I became a Kenny Rankin fan with Silver Morning in 1976. At that time I was more of a fan of singer/songwriters like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. But then my tastes stared to expand into jazz with singers like Michael Franks, then Bobby McFerrin, and now Diana Krall. I developed a taste for the jazz "standards" from the tin pan alley days. So I put Kenny aside.With the release of this album (dedictated to his mother) he took a crack at the standards. And what a crack it is. I'd give my left arm to be able to sing like Kenny. Since I can't I'm happy to plop play his CD and kick back. His is a warm voice that envelopes you. It's warm, with an incredible range, and incredibly melodic. This is music for jazz vocal fans!"

One in every crowd

bob sacamano | USA | 02/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again (see Tom Rush's "Tom Rush") I'm compelled to review an album that needs no further review. ...I've been listening to Kenny since Like A Seed. And I've been listening to this album all weekend. It's on now (You smiled at me, baby, then the spell was cast). I've owned it since it came out.If you enjoy jazz, vocals, good music, outstanding piano, bass, sax and a little trombone thrown in to boot, then just put this on and sit back. You are in for a real treat.And if you happen to be a bass fan, you might just be blown away by Brian Bromberg's work on this CD -- starting with his OUTSTANDING rendering on the very first track.And as for underrated vocal artists, how about Sue Raney, who teams with Kenny for a superb duet on I've Got A Crush On You?Cole Porter, Ray Noble, George and Ira G., Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Billy Rose, Gus Kahn, Harry Warren, Mack Gordon, Oscar Levant, Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes -- they are all here and all are, I'm quite sure, quite pleased with Kenny's treatment of their work. Folks, THIS is as good as it gets.Indeed, Kenny's own solo contribution is a welcome treat here. Beautifully poignant and beautifully done....5 BIG stars for one of the best male vocalists of all time at the very top of his game.And that's MY opinion.Okay?Double exclamation point !!"