Hearing this set of cool, restrained ballads, it is difficult to believe
that this was singer Irene Kral's final recording and that she only had
a year left to live before her death from breast cancer. Throughout her
second set of duets with pianist Alan Broadbent, Kral is almost up to
the same emotional level as her previous effort, Where Is Love.
Broadbent takes "What's New" as a complex and introspective exploration.
Otherwise, Kral and Broadbent interact on five ballads, including two
by Dave Frishberg, and memorable renditions of "The Gentle Rain,"
"Something to Live For," and "If You Could See Me Now," plus a four-song
"Antique Medley." Few other singers could interpret a full program of
slow ballads and hold one's interest throughout. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 The Gentle Rain 5:27
Written-By – Luis Bonfa, Matt Dubey
2 The Underdog 4:47
Written-By – Al Cohn, Dave Frishberg
3 You Are There 4:27
Written-By – Dave Frishberg, Johnny Mandel
4 Something To Live For 5:35
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
5 If You Could See Me Now 5:35
Written-By – Tadd Dameron
Written-By [Uncredited] – Carl Sigman
6 What's New 5:05
Written-By – Bob Haggart
Written-By [Uncredited] – Johnny Burke
The Antique Medley (What's Old) (7:45)
7a Remember
Written-By – Irving Berlin
7b Someday I'll Find You
Written-By – Noel Coward
7c I'll See You Again
Written-By – Noel Coward
7d All Alone
Written-By – Irving Berlin
8 Blue Gardenia 5:23
Written-By – Bob Russell, Lester Lee
Credits :
Piano – Alan Broadbent
Vocals – Irene Kral
15.4.24
IRENE KRAL — Gentle Rain (1978-2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
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IRENE KRAL - The Band and I + Better Than Anything (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The Band and I pairs Irene Kral with Ernie Wilkins and Al Cohn, whose energetic, robust arrangements capture a dimension of the singer rarely glimpsed on record -- upbeat and persuasive, with little of the spectral melancholy that hangs over her later, more familiar sessions. The titular backing unit in question, led by trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, expertly bridges the gap between traditional big band and modern-era jazz, creating a soulful, lightly swinging showcase that inspires Kral to deliver some of her most appealing performances -- cuts like "This Little Love" and "I'd Know You Anywhere" boast a radiance sadly absent from subsequent sessions. by Jason Ankeny
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e.s.t. — Retrospective 'The Very Best Of e.s.t. (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
"Retrospective - The Very Best Of e.s.t." is a retrospective of the unique work of e.s.t. and a tribute to the late mastermind Esb...