Search - Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis, Vol. 2 (DVD/CD) on DVD

Ramsey Knows Jazz!

Robert G. Rutkas | Chicago, Il. | 01/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second of three DVD's covering the first year of this great PBS series.

The first volume featured such jazz luminaries as Phil Woods, George Duke and Al Jarreau. This, the second volume, features four areas of jazz, "The Piano Masters," "Roots: The Blues," "The American Songbook" and "Latin Jazz." Generous servings of each is presented by artists Billy Taylor, Dave Brubeck, Keb' Mo', Robert Cray, John Pizzarelli, Joan Monheit, Eddie Palmieri, and Dave Valentin.



Eddie and Dave give stunning performances. Salsa with an extra side of habanaros peppers.



Dave Brubeck and Billy Taylor are as fresh as ever and prove it with new performances of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "All The Things You Are."



John Pizzarelli is as entertaining as he ever has been. John is primarily thought of as a singer, but I need to remind everyone that he is the son of Bucky Pizzarelli! He has his dad's genes. Listen to him burn-up his guitar during his solos!



Jane Monheit proves again that she knows her way around a torch song.



The blues section is well represented by Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray. Keb's selection is the kind of blues you would hear on Chicago's Maxwell street as presented by John Lee Hooker in the sixties. It is the blues ... period! Robert Cray's "My Last Regret," is stirring and needs to be heard by you.



This series is nicely packaged and include a companion CD with all the songs in the DVD.



Good Stuff."