Search - Kurt Elling :: This Time It's Love

Standards Above the Standard

Philip M Knowlton | Anchorage, Alaska | 05/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who have read my first two reviews of Kurt Elling's first two sides already know how much I dig what the cat's puttin' down. Both of the first two sides has Elling flexing his virtuosic muscles of creativity and vocal stylings. Now, on the heels of The Messenger, Elling takes on the world of Jazz according to Sinatra. Well, this is almost the case, but Elling has a way of subtlety. He can be just as innovative in a set of standards as he can with his rants, scat solos, and vocalese lyrics.
This particular recording, however, was not made for to win new fans, or please old ones. In fact, according to interviews done with Elling, This record was made for a single fan. His biggest, no doubt. Jennifer Elling, Kurt Elling's bride. This side was cut as a wedding present from him to her. While some might say Elling has backed himself into an overdone corner by going the way of the lounge singer, let there be no question. He holds his own on this side. Once again, my take on his cuts for the third side Mr. Elling has blessed us with.
1. My Foolish Heart. Essentially the title cut. This Time It's Love is a line taken from the lyric of this beautiful piece. There is also a great cut of this on Elling's Live at Chicago record where he inserts a poem by St. John of the Cross.
2. Too Young To Go Steady. From the pages of Nat King Cole. A perfect ballad lost love. Need I say more?
3. I Feel So Smoochie. The title says it all. Up-beat, fun, and just plain happy. With a killer violin solo performed by jazz great Johnny Frigo. This is a cut that you will want to listen to over and over.
4. Freddie's Yen For Jen. Original title Delphia from Freddie Hubbard's Red Clay album. The first and most aggressive vocalese cut to make this side. A wonderfully energetic love song to his wife.
5. My Love, Effendi. Not sure if this song can technically be called a vocalese. Kurt's lyrical spin on McCoy Tyner's hip modal piece, Effendi.
6. Where I Belong. The only cut from this side written by Elling and pianist Laurence Hobgood. Great soft Bossa feel with a peaceful lyric about simply belonging to and with the one you love and the joy and contentment that goes along with it.
7. The Very Thought of You. Kurt did his homework and learned the verse. Bravo! Dig the bass solo put down by Elling's long-time bassist Rob Amster. Great cut for a romantic moment.
8. The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing. From the movie White Christmas. Irving Berlin's magical dance piece originally performed by the great Danny Kaye as he dances with Vera Ellen in a brilliantly choreographed number. Equal in it's brilliance is Elling overdubbing his voice to create multiple Kurt harmonies. Hobgood puts down a killer solo on this cut as well.
9. Rosa Morena. Not sure if this song is in Italian or Portuguese. Magnificent guitar backing underneath Elling's soft tone touch to make this song extra smooth and sweet.
10. She's Funny That Way. Elling puts down the verse beautifully. Then to the tune of Lester Young's tenor saxophone, he sings a beautiful vocalese love letter to his wife. No mistaking it. Elling even refers to her by name twice within the lyric. This song truly captures the spirit of true love.
11. A Time For Love. At one point I didn't really click with this song, but then I heard a cut Stan Getz did of it and was then able to understand where Kurt was coming from. Peaceful serenity is the of the game on this cut.
12. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye. How unpredictable for Kurt Elling to go the "predictable" route for the song to close this side. His dissection of the original melody is absolutely ingenuous. And who doesn't love a Cole Porter song?
Well that's just about does it for this side. This is the record that started me on my theory that Kurt Elling surpasses himself with every attempt. This is must have."

Simply Outstanding.

Jake | NY | 07/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For one to say that Elling is the Sinatra of our time is in my oppinion, an understatement. He posesses a great un-matched skill to break the boundaries of conventional jazz and let the beautiful and melodic tones of his superior skatting lead it's listeners through a totally different world. It's easy to put on this cd and get lost in what seems like a totally new dimension of jazz that went unexplored for years. It's wonderful and inspiring to hear the sound of his vocal genius and to know that jazz is still alive and thriving. A definite must-have for those who truly appreciate vocal jazz, or any jazz for that matter."

A Real Jazz Singer

Mark Jamison | Sausalito, CA United States | 09/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Kurt Elling's for years. His concurrent sophistication with a musical line, understanding of the lyric, and his vocal control make him unsurpassed among contemporary jazz singers, and on this "record" he wields his ax sublimely. For example, the Freddie Hubbard tune (Frddie's Yen for Jen) is a multi-leveled tour de force with vocal licks so true to Freddie's trumpet form and intent, it's amazing. Unfortunately his sophistication doesn't have mass appeal and so he'll never sell as many CDs as the popular wanna-be jazz vocalists. While I would subjectively argue that "Close Your Eyes" is his best CD, "This Time It's Love" is a great introduction to Kurt if you are new to the fold. If you like jazz, do yourself a favor and get this CD. Live he is even better."