Jazz 'Round Midnight:Dinah Washington

Undoubtfully the most underrated Diva of her epoch.Overshadowed by the likeness of Ella Fitzgerald,Billie Holliday and Sarah Vaughan,Dinah brought her unique,sensual and sometimes witty style to those who trully appreciate a star when they listen and see a star in their Glory. Jazz'Round Midnight(Verve Records)is one of the most romantic compilation of songs by Dinah that I have ever heard.One only need to sit back(with the one you love,of course)by the fireplace in a cold wintry night and be transported to a world of ectasy and romance,thanks to the Divine voice of,in my opinion,the true Queen of jazz. Be rest assure that all the pain and hardships that accompany love will magically disappear when you listen to this album. Jazz'Round Midnight(Verve Records)is a must have by those who trully understand what love and romance is all about. Ironically,in the song "If I Had You",she sings "I could be the Queen,yes,the Queen uncrowned".How prophetic those lyrics were....

Midnite Blues w/ Dinah

This CD is a collection of Dinah Washington's interpretation of well-known ballads and show her incomparable artistry in singing ballads. Most of the public know Dinah for her blues-tinged, mama-beltin' style, but this CD really shows her quiet side---she certainly can tone it down when she wants. The songs are well chosen and some are previously associated w/ other jazz artists. For instance, Dinah takes Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain" and Nancy Wilson's "Don't Go to Strangers" into her own territory and remakes them into her own. You almost forget these songs are associated w/ other great jazz artists; Dinah has that ability. The songs are mostly the heart-broken, unrequited love kind, but Dinah takes all the sap out of these songs, yet still conveys the ache and pain thru her bluesy voice. The orchestration and arrangements are sympathetic and understated, even w/ a large orchestra. Well recommended.

You don't know what love is before you hear this CD

The title of my review summed up what I have to say about this CD. Dinah is great, she is true diva together with Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Let's forget Diana Krall, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey etc, hear the songs on this CD, this is what we call gems. The reason why I only gave 4 stars to this CD is about the remastering, I have another CD of Dinah issued by Charly Records of UK, the sound of some of the songs are far more better than this remastered CD by Verve.