The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Blair N. Cummings wrote:Renee is great!
But don`t miss Hiromi.
I once had reservations for a performance by Carmen McRae -the only singer I ever really loved -at the (then-new) Blue Note. Something that I can`t recall caused me to miss the gig and she died not long after. Here`s a great show of the kind I missed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhVgJaOr5c8 Only Tony Bennet comes close to being the better interpreter of lyrics. (I just wish she had not included the crummy "Evergreen" at the end).
I don`t think Hiromi is on her death-bed but see her if you can.

I won't know if I can get up to Manchester for the Hiromi concert until much nearer the time and I'm trusting that it won't sellout. That particular Carmen McRae gig is available on a DVD I've been meaning to get and it's coupled with a Manhattan Transfer show from the same venue. She's a favourite of mine too but perhaps I prefer her 50s and 60s recordings to her later work. One exception is the album of Monk tunes she cut in the late 80s and which included this jazz standard:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qYADfnI-iSs

Martin, you`re right. Much of of Carmen`s later work was inferior; but chiefly due to producers who gave her crummy material. The Monk album, `though was really good.

I think Carmen McRae's recording of 'Alfie' is pretty stunning and I just love her phrasing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozYKIWfRpQ

pljms wrote:I think Carmen McRae's recording of 'Alfie' is pretty stunning and I just love her phrasing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozYKIWfRpQ

I'm aware of two further Bacharach covers by Carmen McRae, The Look Of Love and Close To You, but I don't think either is up to the standard of her recording of Alfie. However, I'm very fond of her version of Jimmy Webb's MacArthur Park. Recorded in the summer of '68 when Richard Harris's version was still high on the charts, I believe this was the first cover of the song to be released but not the last to dispense with any references to cakes in the rain and to concentrate on the central ballad section:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IhCww_NxZss

Hiromi is releasing her first solo album in ten years in September under the title 'Spectrum'

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-MLFP2UBlaA

'blue'

blueonblue wrote:Hiromi is releasing her first solo album in ten years in September under the title 'Spectrum'

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-MLFP2UBlaA

'blue'

Here's her interpretation of Paul McCartney's Blackbird from the new album.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PUC3gm4KA_o

Just over two weeks to go before she plays Manchester.

I have checked the trailer, it looks awesome.

I've just discovered that the day after she plays in Manchester on November 01st she's now got a gig at Southwark Cathedral in London.

https://www.southwarkcathedral.org.uk/w ... mi-uehara/

I`ve just resolved my access problems, which is why I`ve been away for a while.
I`m curious to know what those who saw Hiromi in either Manchester or London thought of her, since I feel partially responsible for stimulating interest.

Blair, it's good that you've resolved your access problems and welcome back.

As for Hiromi's recent visit to the UK, because I live in the south of the country I was never going to be able to go to the Manchester gig and found out too late about the London show to get out of a previous engagement. I've looked in vain for a review of either of these two shows and can only hope that they went well and that she'll return in the not too distant future.

Well, here`s the next best thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solo-Live-Blue ... 976&sr=8-1
I saw her more than once at this venue and seated only inches away. She is a phenomenal musician and live presence.

Blair,
I must try to see Hiromi next time she visits the UK.

Welcome back....you've been missed.

'blue'