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Quiet Night Quiet Night, John's first recorded collection of jazz standards, is a tribute to legendary songwriters Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart. Following its release in 2003, the 2004 National Jazz Awards selection committee nominated John for Best Jazz Vocalist.
"...a masterpiece..."
"…his smooth-as-silk vocal delivery brings a positive
message to the forum. You can “hear” his smiles as Alcorn interprets each
of these chestnuts with clarity and genuine passion…open and honest about
the music, he’s convincing…swinging to thoughts of how “love fell out with
me” and “my lips could move and talk,” Alcorn takes romance to its limits.
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart created timeless signals that continue to
light fires and warm hearts. In John Alcorn’s hands, these priceless songs
come to life."
*****
(5 stars) "...at
once dusky, yet urbane and rich...all
the elements of a polished vocalist...time, clarity, pitch and
style...John Alcorn paints with his own brush...this album is one that bears listening to for years to come...."
"Jazz vocal disc of the month" (May, 2004)
"...a treasure trove."
"...Alcorn hits the nail on the head, and drives it into the heart with
passion and conviction. The CD is giddy and romantic, featuring some of
the finest contemporary musicians backing John’s gorgeous vocals." "...a convincing advocate of the crooner tradition...demonstrating his
lush voice and clear delineation of lyrics on titles that range from the
well-known and ebullient 'Thou Swell' to the little-known and understated
'Quiet Night'...has clearly moved above the local branch of retro crooners
by the artfulness and musicality of his delivery." "...a prime example of sophisticated swing." "…an important
jazz singer…sublime intensity…understated technique "A work of art." "An icon on the Toronto live-music scene, Alcorn himself produced this
tour-de-force. A consummate, and deeply swinging collection of the best of
Rodgers and Hart."
"This is sure to be one of the most
talked about independent jazz releases for 2003." "The first thing that will strike you
upon hearing this handsome Canadian's collection of standards is his
complete mastery of the rich instrument that is his sexy, intimate
baritone. It is hard not to think of those great interpreters of standards
Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett when you hear John Alcorn's command of the
phrasing and nuanced interpretive abilities when it comes to these lyrics ...Alcorn
inhabits these little love songs like someone born to experience them.
Well-loved material from their canon, like "Thou Swell" and "I Didn't Know
What Time It Was," is represented here, but wonderfully so are many
lesser-known gems like "My Heart Stood Still" and the title track, as well
as "This Can't Be Love," a romping duet between Alcorn and another
Canadian jazz diva worth "discovering" by the name of
Molly Johnson (also
from Alcorn's hometown of Toronto), whose energy and sass drives Alcorn
into his terrifically passionate high range. The arrangements are kept
spare on this outing, which moves from swinging jazz through Latin grooves
and full-out ballads the likes of which will have Diana Krall calling him
up for duets as soon as word gets out. In fact, what these two have in
common besides marketable good looks is an intimate approach to the
material at hand that is never showy and always in keeping with the
original intention of the song. Alcorn's incredible command of the genre
begs the question: What intelligent label will help us hear him essay the
rest of the great American songbook?"
Personnel
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