Anita Baker - A Night Of Rapture - Live, 1986 (2004)

When you listen to this recording you get the full measure of Anita. By that I mean, you will find that what she does and is best at, is not by benefit of any studio technical wizardry. In many ways this recording is the equal of "Rapture" for its directness, it's straight to the point delivery. Anita's voice is rich with big, rich tones. Those exhortations and unique vocal embellishments hold you transfixed. The band is first rate and she is backed unobtrusively by a band of some exceptional musicians, most notably James Bradley, Jr. and Gerald Albright. For me, "Mystery" and "(Caught up in the) Rapture" actually surpass the studio versions because Anita is just so much more direct in concert. Nothing gets in the way. This is an enhanced CD with three video files from the accompanying video. This is an excellent concert recording. She even attempts Van Morrison's "Moondance" which has now become a standard especially within the jazz world. This is where the more contemporary band gives it a perfunctory performance but Anita transcends this and captures the jazzy feel of the piece, somewhat faithfully. It's the one departure from what we all know is the Anita Baker repertoire. A truly compelling concert recording. ~ ND, NY, Amazon.com. 

Atlantic/Rhino Entertainment, 8122-78144-2, 2004
Recorded Live at Constitution Hall Washington, DC, 1986 (#2-4)
Recorded Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July, 1986 (#7)
Recorded Live on Tour, 1986 (#1,5,6,8,9) 

Musicians:
Anita Baker - Vocals
Bobby Lyle - Keyboards, Musical Leader
Garry Glenn - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gerald Albright - Bass Guitar, Saxophone
Donald Griffin - Guitar
James Bradley, Jr. - Drums
Freida Williams, Gina Taylor, Joanne Funderburg - Backing Vocals 

Tracks:
1. Caught Up In The Rapture {Dianne Quander, Garry Glenn} (5:30)
2. Mystery {Rod Temperton} (5:23)
3. Been So Long {Anita Baker} (5:53)
4. No One In The World {Ken Hirsch, Marti Sharron} (4:10)
5. Same Ole Love [365 Days A Year] {Darryl K. Roberts, Marilyn McLeod} (4:01)
6. Watch Your Step {Anita Baker} (6:17)
7. Moondance {Van Morrison} (4:07)
8. You Bring Me Joy {David Lasley} (4:34)
9. Sweet Love {Anita Baker, Gary Bias, Louis A. Johnson} (4:51) 

Total Time: 44:46

Enhanced Content:
1. Sweet Love [mp4] (5:12)
2. You Bring Me Joy [mp4] (4:30)
3. No One In The World [mp4] (4:08) 

Credits:
Compilation - Barry "Rockbarry" Benson
Art Direction Nancy L. Hopkins
Design - Saori Soga
Photography [Front, Inlay] - Clayton Call
Liner Notes - Gary Jackson

Ray Bryant - MCMLXX (1970)

 Despite some commercial tendencies, this 1970 LP (not yet reissued on CD) is better than it looks. Pianist Ray Bryant uplifts such pop material as "Let It Be," "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," "Hey Jude," and "Spinning Wheel." Four selections find Bryant's trio (with electric bassist Chuck Rainey and drummer Jimmy Johnson) augmented by either horns (on "Let It Be") or by strings effectively arranged by Eumir Deodata. The colorful results are not essential but are less dated than one might think. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Timeless

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Long overdue, this is the album that propelled Ray Bryant onto the jazz radio charts for weeks (if not months) in 1971, by virtue of the remarkable interpretation of "Unchained Melody". Considering the popularity of the album, and the airplay, it is puzzling that this album has not been reissued before now (as the album title suggests, original -- and only previous -- release was 1970). Recommended to Ray Bryant fans and to piano jazz lovers equally. ~ Geezosaur, Amazon.com.

Atlantic Records, SD 1564, 1970

Rhino Records, WPCR-27092, 2012

Recorded At Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY

Musicians:

Ray Bryant - Piano

Joe Newman - Trumpet (#2)

Garnett Brown - Trombone (#2)

George Dorsey - Alto Saxophone (#2)

Joe Gentle - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,4)

King Curtis - Tenor Saxophone (#2)

Pepper Adams - Baritone Saxophone (#2)

Leon Cohen - Bass Clarinet (#1,3,4)

Ron Carter - Acoustic Bass (#1,3,4)

Chuck Rainey - Electric Bass

Charles McCracken - Cello (#1,3,4)

Jimmy Johnson - Drums

Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff, Joseph Malignaggi, Julien Barber, Matthew Raimondi,

Noel Dacosta, Paul Gershman, Selwart Clarke, Winston Collymore - Violin (#1,3,4)

Arranger - Arif Mardin (#A2), Eumir Deodato (#1,3,4)

Tracks:

1. Stick With It {Ray Bryant} (5:54)

2. Let It Be {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (4:02)

3. Bridge Over Troubled Water {Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel} (3:18)

4. Hey Jude {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (4:53)

5. Shake-A-Lady {Ray Bryant} (2:40)

6. Unchained Melody {Alex North, Hy Zaret} (4:48)

7. My Cherie Amour {Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder} (4:59)

8. Spinning Wheel {David Clayton-Thomas} (3:39)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn

Recording Engineer - Gene Paul

Recording & Re-Mix Engineer - Lewis Hahn

Photography - Joel Brodsky

Cover, Design - Haig Adishian

Total Time: 34:13