Track Listing

1. Summertime - George Benson, Kenny G
2. The Look Of Love
3. What A Wonderful World
4. Desafinado
5. In A Sentimental Mood
6. The Girl From Ipanema
7. Stranger On The Shore
8. Body And Soul
9. Round Midnight
10. Over The Rainbow

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56560 in Music
• Brand: Arista
• Released on: 1999-06-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Offering a tribute to composers of previous generations, soprano saxophonist Kenny G uses his 11th career release to present his interpretations of various standards and assorted chestnuts from the past century. G's approach is as smooth and gentle as ever, and anyone in the market for mild-mannered, relaxing jazz should be satisfied with this package. Highlights include a slowly evolving version of George Gershwin's "Summertime," with George Benson on guitar, and a largely respectful rendering of Monk's "'Round Midnight." Subdued orchestral backing is used throughout the recording, and two vocal selections are included: a "duet" with the Louis Armstrong vocal track from "What a Wonderful World," and the subdued samba of "The Girl from Ipanema," which features singer Bebel Gilberto, daughter of the song's original vocalists. That selection is reprised instrumentally on an uncredited, nonindexed 11th track that is heard about 20 seconds after the conclusion of Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow." Languid listening from start to finish. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Blasphemy!
I had to give one star to finish the form. My real vote is negative five stars.

Kenny G has no sense of history, art, or ethics. Such must be true for anyone who would overdub his passionless, cliche-ridden, formulaic, and pseudo-jazz ramblings over the genuis of Louis Armstrong.

Pat Metheny is right, this is "a new low in modern culture." It is "musical necrophilia."

To be constructive: Listen, really listen, to some genuine jazz, such as "Pat Metheny Trio 99-00" or the classic Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue" of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." Then you will never return to the sad, small world of Kenny G.

Doug Groothuis

From Alpha to Omega in one CD
Before listening to this album, I had not heard Kenny G. play. After listening to this album, I have no intention of ever listening to Kenny G. again. Enough said.

An excellent Kenny G album
If you like Kenny G, you will love this album. "Summertime" is, by itself, worth the price of the album. This sensuous, soulful rendition is awesome. Buy it already.