Search - George Gershwin, Adam John / Price, Stuart David Blake, Sammy Fain :: The Jazz Album: Watch What Happens

Thomas Quasthoff shines once again, & sounds just like a Rat

mllekate | USA | 02/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have most of the superb Thomas Quasthoff's albums, and am always interested in hearing him do different music. Singing these jazz numbers, he sounds just like a member of the Rat Pack! He always sings authentically, and always with great originality. In this jazz album, Mr. Quasthoff sings with no trace of a German accent, and he captures the style and razzle-dazzle of these songs. The liner notes indicate that these songs were selected to form a song cycle of the artist's own emotional experiences.



My favorites are the Stevie Wonder song "You and I" and "They All Laughed." Other composers featured are George Gershwin, Michel Legrand, Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hart, and others. There is a mix of the upbeat and humorous (Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, Can't We Be Friends, They All Laughed), and the more reflective and serious (Smile, In My Solitude).



There is quite a bit of artistry involved in the interpretations here. For example, in Duke Ellington's "In my Solitude," there is disturbing and eerie quality, particularly in the instrumental section following the line "I know that I'll soon go mad." Special mention must be made of the outstanding instrumental contributions, the excellent Till Bronner on trumpet and Alan Broadbent on piano, as well as the back up orchestra, which is essential to the interpretations (such as in the Duke Ellington, mentioned above).



This entire album is masterfully sung by Mr. Quasthoff in his own unique style. I highly recommend this album, as I do all his other albums. I only wish that Thomas Quasthoff would begin recording albums of all his current concerts, such as Brahm's Die Schone Magelone, and Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. Much of the public, myself included, can never get enough of this voice and more albums."

Simply wonderful!

Penet Guy | 03/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a great admirer of T. Quasthoff in his classical performance and a jazz lover, I didn't hesitate to order this cd. Moreover, the jazz impro bonus on The Voice let me think that Mr Quasthoff's voice could match perfectly the jazz style. The result is beyond the expectations. Mr Quasthoff sings these jazz standards as if he had done that all his life long, and the result is astonishing. It is even further enhanced by the great recording! So, order this CD without hesitation...."

Million-dollar voice!!

A. Wilkerson | Los Angeles | 10/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently became aware of a new album by one of the finest singers I've ever heard. Thomas Quasthoff is one of the leading bass baritones in today's classical world. What is also phenomenal about this German lieder singer is the ease with which he crosses over into the world of pop and jazz. I have never heard a classical artist do this with such total spontaneity and the ability to not only swing you to death but scatting with titillating aplomb. (See him on Youtube - Thomas Quasthoff - All Blues.) Since German is his native tongue it is all the more impressive that he has mastered not only the English language but many of the nuances of the language as well. Although I would not label this a true jazz album, it is nonetheless a lovely vocal album of jazzy tunes. Quasthoff's musical inflections are reminiscent of Sinatra, Bennet and Sammy Davis Jr. and yet he brings to the table something totally his own.

I was made aware of Quasthoff from alto saxophonist, Gary Foster, who appeared on Thomas Quasthoff - The Jazz Album on Deutsche Grammophon. This is a delightful musical journey with swinging standards and lush, gorgeous ballads - beautifully scored by Nan Schwartz. Thomas' voice is exquisite in all regards. (Listen to some of his Schubert lieder!!!)

In a world full of wanna-be jazz singers and second-rate imitation crooners, when this million-dollar instrument sings Gerswhin, Wonder and LeGrand, you will simply melt! Check it out!



Review by Andrea Baker aka Andrea Wilkerson"