Search - Michel Legrand, Jessye Norman :: Michel Legrand: I Was Born in Love with You

Beautifully sung

kiwimuzo | Auckland, New Zealand | 12/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superb album, probably one of the best operatic singer + jazz trio combinations to be released (certainly a lot more successful than some of the more well known ones - think 'Kiri Sings Gershwin'... this is just in another league). Jessye Norman's gorgeous, creamy voice floats along in these wonderfully crafted songs by Michel Legrand, who accompanies in his usual tasteful style on piano. The added bonus is two of the finest trio players in the business (Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums) who enhance the occasion throughout. My only quibble - and it is minor - is that Norman can get a little 'pushy' with her voice at times, and some songs end up sounding more like arias than standards as a result. However, her French is impeccable, her phrasing delicious, and her tone colours rich and sonorous. A fantastic woo-someone-over-dinner album, or rainy night mood music. Well worth the money!"

Soothing candlelit dinner music.

Ramon Grupe Cacho | Makati, Metro Manila, The Philippines | 03/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I particularly love this album, because Jessye bows out of her operatic self, and sings Michel Legrand's best songs in lounge act fashion. It inspired me to throw an intimate dinner with friends. I have the Japanese release, which features L'été 42 (i.e., Summer of 42) as an additional bonus track, which sounds so much better than the first track in English. All in all, the songs flow into each other seamlessly, and their order makes perfect artistic sense. This is a terrific album for anyone who loves the songs of Michel Legrand. This is the best rendition I have heard -- even better than Kiri's interpretations - sorry, Kiri, I love your fabulous voice, too; but, Im a lot more comfortable when Michel's songs are not sung operatically."