Search - Various Artists :: Night & Day: Cole Porter Songbook

Excellent compilation!

Wade A McLaughlin | Seattle, WA, USA | 12/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The previous reviews pretty much sum up my sentiments, but I did want to bring attention to the fact that there exists a second volume: "I Get A Kick Out Of You, The Cole Porter Songbook Volume II." Amazon has listed it as "I Get A Kick Out Of You: Cole...Vol. 2" so it's a bit difficult to track down via Amazon's search engine unless you know what you're looking for. Both CDs are great, but I personally like the second volume more than the first; so, if you've missed out on the second one, don't hesitate to order it today!"

Cole Porter Gets The Jazz Treatment

Gary F. Taylor | Biloxi, MS USA | 06/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As originally written, Cole Porter's works tend to have very strict and intricate presentations that would not seem to lend them to jazz interpretations--but as is the case with any great composer, Porter's songs bear more than a single interpretation, and this collection of jazz versions is remarkable from start to finish.Dinah Washington's live "I've Got You Under My Skin" opens the collection and is, I think, one of the two or three best things the legendary Washington ever recorded: a startling arrangement that emphasizes percussion and finds the singer weaving words and music over the throb of drums to extraordinary effect. Louis Armstrong's slow and sexy "Let's Do It" also ranks in the same league, teasing the listener with slurs and hesitations that highlight the wickedly funny double entendre lyrics. Blossom Dearie's catlike "Always True to You In My Fashion" and Billie Holiday's "Easy to Love" are also equally memorable.But these are merely my own favorites from this collection: be it the hummingbird-like vocals of Ella Fitzgerald, the brilliant sheen of Sarah Vaughn, or the sophisticated stylings of Anita O'Day, this is truly a collection to treasure. The ideal selection for someone with a taste for both classic jazz and the dazzling Porter sensibility. Strongly recommended.GFT, Amazon Reviewer"

...and let me give it five stars more !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Night and Day: The Cole Porter Songbook gives us quite a few wonderful songs and ballads by the great Cole Porter. Cole Porter's music was extremely elegant; and just one listen proves that this is anything but elevator music! The quality of the sound is very good; and I like that artwork, too!



The great Dinah Washington starts things off with a live recording of "I've Got You Under My Skin;" this jazzy rendition uses the drums to mark the best and Dinah sings this to perfection-and beyond! Dinah also enjoys an excellent rapport with her audience; and her uncanny sense of timing makes "I've Got You Under My Skin" a very memorable number. Louis Armstrong also performs "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" with panache--and how's about that piano arrangement? The piano playing is very well done and it complements Louis' vocals very well. "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" is clearly a major highlight of this album. Great!



Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady Of Song, performs a heavenly version of "Anything Goes;" this Cole Porter tune never sounded better than when Ella sang this version! Ella's excellent diction enhances her performance quite a bit. Listen also for Helen Merrill to perform "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" with a romantic treatment that makes this very fine music for slow dancing with your sweetheart all alone in your living room!



Louis Armstrong returns to perform "Just One Of Those Things" with so much style it amazes me every time I hear Louis sing this. Louis' gravelly voice lends itself perfectly to this ballad and the jazzy upbeat tempo makes this a huge highlight of this album. Thank you, Louis! In addition, there's also the great Sarah Vaughan singing" It's De-Lovely;" "It's De-Lovely" starts with a fine musical flourish and when Sarah comes in this number truly takes flight! I'm very impressed.



Fred Astaire does a magnificent job as he sings "I Concentrate On You;" this song features Fred front and center--and that's all right by me! "I Concentrate On You" has a very smooth jazz style arrangement and it all works very well for this ballad. Dinah Washington also sings a fine treatment of "I Get A Kick Out Of You;" "I Get A Kick Out Of You" sparkles brightly when Dinah belts this out with all her might! Terrific!



Billie Holiday does "Easy To Love" with her usual sublime treatment that she gave every ballad she ever sang; and the music that goes with Billie's singing sounds very jazzy and elegant at once. Ella Fitzgerald sings "Night And Day" with a fantastic arrangement for the drums and percussion; and the CD ends strong with Betty Carter performing "Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye." This makes a fine ending for an incredible album of timeless music.



Cole Porter wrote some remarkably beautiful music during his stay here on Earth; and I highly recommend this for his fans. People who like classic pop and jazz vocals will also want this CD in their collections.

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