Jaw-dropping Compilation of a Master of His Singing Trade
06/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is the (for some) long-awaited companion piece to the other double cd compilations of Murphy's incredible catalog. From campy to sublime, Mark interprets and revisits classics and originals, the unknown and the standard, with a penache and determined, adventurous but also humorous attitude that stuns or prickles the listener and teases out previously unfound textures and sometimes charts out new territories of inspired or simply more spirited grandeur. If you like Murphy but neglected to collect his work, this is your chance to remedy the situation in style and capture ultimate renditions of BODY AND SOUL, I CAN'T GET STARTED, and DESAFINADO, to name the most obvious examples of Mark's astounding efforts in this handy compilation. You'll rush to buy the other two compilations (STANDARDS and STOLEN MOMENTS AND...), again if you like him. As an introduction, however, it's too much too soon, so maybe the more expensive but more concise japanese import MARK MURPHY SINGS is more appropriate and to the point. At least it's his best produced recording session and it retains the magical NAIMA next to BODY AND SOUL, MAIDEN VOYAGE, and the infectious YOUNG AND FOOLISH, to boot. Either way, enjoy and have fun with a master and next time you can tell your friends who inspired Bobby McFerrin's first album (among countless others of course like Jon Hendricks)."
Good CD, with a few super cuts.
Kenneth Miller | Bloomsburg, PA United States | 02/23/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I heard only of Mark Murphy slightly; but this CD made me a big fan. Afew cuts are super-"Miss You Mr. Mercer","The Best Thing for You" and "The Bad and the Beautiful."He might be a better jazz singer than Torme. A super buy!"