Of Jane Harvey's Sondheim CD in its new, revised incarnation, critic Will Friedwald writes in 2010:
"When I first heard the original edition of Jane Harvey's THE OTHER SIDE OF SONDHEIM in 1988, it was one of the original things that got to me love Sondheim's music to begin with. Jane was the first to show that even the songs from FOLLIES, SWEENEY TODD, NIGHT MUSIC and his other mature masterpieces could actually swing in the same tradition as the great theater songs of Richard Rodgers or Jule Styne, and that even though the songs are seamlessly woven into the narrative fabric of these shows, that they can still stand on their own in highly intimate, jazz-inspired interpretations. The new edition of this album - one of my favorites of the last 25 years - adds songs, improves on mixes, offers a whole new vocal on "Send in the Clowns" and in general makes a good thing even better."
And. . .
"Everyone sings Sondheim, but no one gets to the heart of his songs with more bite, wit, and deliberation than Jane Harvey. Her 1988 album has become a cult classic, but until now we’ve never heard it in all its glory. The original release was softened with strings (now gone); intricate medleys were cut to pieces; and other gems were dropped entirely. Now we hear, among other diptychs and triptychs, “I’m Still Here” as a defiant sequel to “Broadway Baby,” and “Losing My Mind” as the wind-up for “Sorry-Grateful” and “Too Many Mornings.” The restored tracks include one of the album’s most sublime moments, “There Won’t Be Trumpets.” Restored at last to its original concept, Jane Harvey Sings Sondheim is a masterpiece that honors the songwriter and the singer. "
Gary Giddins, author of Jazz (with Scott DeVeaux) and Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams
And. . .
"What a wonderful album---jazzy and theatrical in just the right proportions. "
Terry Teachout, author of the 2010 biography, Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong
And. . .
"A perfect musical treasure from start to finish by one of the classiest singers of our time" --- Rex Reed
Several years before being discovered by John Hammond at New York's legendary Cafe Society and subsequently joining the Benny Goodman band in 1944, Jane Harvey had already appeared with several other outfits, including that one of well-known bandleader of his day, Ray Herbeck. Also, before Goodman, she had her own sustaining radio show on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Between then and now, however, she has only recorded a handful of albums on such labels as Dot and RCA. and a baker's dozen (or so) of singles. But there is little doubt that this newely-issued CD of Harvey singing Sondheim is the crown jewel of the lot.
Jane Harvey Sings Sondheim, just released on the SSJ Label, is NOT a re-reissue of her "The Other Side of Sondheim" that Atlantic Records released a while back. This new CD is the complete 59 minute unexpurgated version, with trio accompaniment including, Mike Renzi, on piano, Grady Tate on drums, and Jay Leonhart on bass . . .all jazz virtuosos in their own right. It was a labor of love for them all, so when Atlantic cut whole songs, and aborted medleys to reduce the package to 43 minutes, it was devastating to all. The decision by Atlantic to have string arrangements overdubbed was another disappointment, because it spoiled the integrity of Harvey’s concept of a true jazz vision of composer Stephen Sondheim. However, shortly before Atlantic’s Ahmet Ertegun died, he returned all rights to Jane's Sondheim album to her, and now: the medleys are in tact, the strings have been removed, thus emphasizing the Jazz side of Sondheim. Therefore, this SSJ issue of "Jane Harvey Sings Sondheim" is rightfully considered to be a NEW release. This re-tooled edition, including the singer’s 2009 recording of “Send in the Clowns,“ is now available!
Sondheim songs include "Old Friends", "Everybody Says Don't", "The Story Of Lucy & Jessie", "Pretty Women/Not While I'm Around", "Could I Leave You", "Not A Day Goes By", and "There Won't Be Trumpets."
Audio Specs
•Digitally remastered with superior sound quality.
•Complete obi-strip & Japanese introductory/lyrics sheet included.
•HQCD (High Quality CD), fully compatible with standard CD players, enables greater transparency, higher perceived sound pressure levels, a better frequency balance, higher resolution and wider and deeper soundstage.
•HQCD achieves higher quality audio through the use of a polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency derived from LCD display manufacturing technologies.
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