Dave Koz - At the Movies
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Free Music Notes for At the Movies
Free Music Review: Happily Suprised
Hit: 5 Stars
Not one for buying "movie" CDs, but am an avid Dave Koz fan, & glad I did...loved it !Free Music Review: Imaginative Coupling
Hit: 5 Stars
The artists with whom Dave Koz chose to collaborate made this a 5 stars, plus album.Free Music Review: Growth and Change with At the Movies
Hit: 4 Stars
At the Movies is a way of Dave expressing himself along with stretching and growing as a person and a fabulous musician. Ever since he came out he's been happy to be accepted for himself and has become more creative and daring. I believe At the Movies is an example of an artist who isn't happy just with the same ole, same ole.
I can't say this album is my favorite and I find I hardly ever listen to it even though the songs are incredibly beautiful. Everything Dave ever does elicits a different mood or touches one's heart or soul.
I would have to say my favorite songs would be The Pink Panther, Somewhere with Anita Baker singing as only she can, and Johnny Mathis sings The Shadow of Your Smile so that you think you're actually there with him. Eventually I'm sure I'll find others I like as well except for Over the Rainbow. I truly hate that song, but Dave plays it so well I can listen to it. I think the lead ins from the old songs add to the authenticity of the songs.
Hopefully next time Dave will give us smooth jazz people another jazzy album. I'm guessing he'll most likely surprise us again!
Free Music Review: Cinematic nostalgia.
Hit: 4 Stars
With two decades of performances under his belt,the renowned, multi-Grammy nominee master saxophonist Dave Koz has turned to one of his favorite pastimes, the movies, for inspiration for his new album .
The result is "At The Movies", a beautiful, romantic collection of timeless songs from some of the most beloved movies of all time.
The record is produced by Phil Ramone, who has produced other such legendary projects as Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" and Billy Joel's "The Stranger".
The 40-piece orchestra enlisted by Koz and Ramone provides a majestic, sweeping soundscape for the saxophonist and his guest vocalists.
The album features theme songs from 12 movies, including "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca; "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's (Special Aniversary Collector's Edition) (one of his favorites on the disc); and "It Might Be You" from Tootsie.
On six tracks, guests India Arie, Anita Baker, Chris Botti, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Donna Summer and Vanessa Williams add gorgeous, rich vocals and other music to Dave's saxophone.
For this eighth solo album, Dave Koz worked with a live, full orchestra, a new experience for him.
The orchestration was essential for the cinematic songs, adding that he believes in the magic that movies and music can create together.
"When you go into a darkened movie theater, ...you're transported to another world, completely forgetting about your problems. ...It takes you away. And that's the feeling that I wanted to go for with this project," Koz said.
My favourite tracks are : "Somewhere" from West Side Story (Full Screen Edition) featuring Anita Baker , and "The Shadow Of Your Smile" (Love Theme From The Sandpiper [DVD] (1965) Authentic Region 1 Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton & Eva Marie Saint featuring Johnny Mathis and the ubiquitous Chris Botti, " It Might Be You" featuring India.Arie, and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition Collector's Gift Set).
Dave's sax playing is relaxed, soulful, and infectious. It is an irresistible attraction of sexiness, nostalgic memories, warmth and deep bluesy notes that make up one stunner of a smooth jazz album any jazz fan will appreciate.It sent me to a good comforting place, to collect my thoughts and my memories and unravel any tiredness felt.
Perfectly weighted and surprisingly moving,this CD shows the crucial role music plays in the filmmaking process and reminds us how deeply movies and their music touch our emotions, creating a soundtrack not just to a given film, but also to our lives.
Most likely it will be one of the most popular and commercial Smooth Jazz sets of 2007.
I listen to it every chance I get. It is great just to put in your CD player on "repeat" and allow it to soothe and inspire you for a few hours, for an evening, or an for entire day.
Free Music Review: Fine Easy Listening, Jazzy Background Music: For Listeners 35 and Older
Hit: 4 Stars
I had to smile when I read the complaints, here and on iTunes, about this CD being snoozy. What do people expect from smooth jazz? For the most part, smooth jazz is easy listening music. Movie music typically has been background music. And most of the vocalists gathered here are VH1 artists, or will be in 5-10 years. Dave Koz's name gets thrown about, as if there is buzz, but he's never been exactly cutting edge. His music is light, creamy comfort food.
I don't much care for most smooth jazz and don't like most of Koz's CDs, other than his second holiday release. But this one pleasantly surprised me. For what it is, it's very good, about as good as it gets. It's not schlock, as much easy listening music is. It's excellent to play as background music, particularly for grown-ups who want to play something decent while working at the computer, driving, cleaning, etc.
The music never crosses the line to sentimentality and nauseating strings. And the singers are all very good -- technically excellent, with tasteful restraint -- no showboating, no fast tempos. Nothing to annoy, but nothing too wow either. It's nice. Beige. Mellow. But in a good way.
So, depending on how you regard tasteful and mellow, this is about the best that contemporary jazz-influenced background music can sound. Plus you'll recognize most of the melodies. If you like Chris Botti's last CD with the duets, you'll like this one. Hum along with Dave and friends, and don't worry about the music distracting you from the other stuff you're doing while the CD is playing.
BTW, on iTunes, there is a track missing on the CD: The theme from The Godfather.