R.I.P. RAMSEY LEWIS
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Showing posts with label RAMSEY LEWIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RAMSEY LEWIS. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Monday, June 25, 2012
Thursday, September 29, 2011
TERRIFIC RAMSEY LEWIS CD REVIEW INCLUDES TRIBECA FLASHPOINT ACADEMY VIDEO
Music Review: “Taking Another Look” Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Taking Another Look
By the mid sixties, Lewis was one of the most successful Jazz musicians on the planet and still topping the pop charts while other jazz greats fell from favor in the pop music world. In 1966, Lewis and his band performed “The ‘IN’ Crowd” a song written by Billy Page and a number 13 pop hit for Doby Gray. Ramsey Lewis and his Trio cut an instrumental version, with Lewis on his trade mark Steinway Grand. Their jazzy take, recorded live in a Washington, D.C. night club, reached #5 on the Billboard charts. On the success of this single, Ramsey turned away from the traditional jazz and concentrated on more jazzy pop songs. In ‘66 he formed the new trio with Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White (who would soon leave to form Earth, Wind and Fire). He went on to record "Hang On Sloopy", and "Wade in the Water". All three singles each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
As the ‘70s dawned, Lewis updated his sound and by 1974 he was reunited with Maurice White and released Sun Goddess. Earth, Wind and Fire brought a funk/soul touch to the album and Lewis covered Stevie Wonders Tune, “Living For The City”. The album became a huge cross-over hit, charting #1 on the Billboard Black Albums chart as well as the Jazz album chart. The album also charted #12 in the Pop chart. While the album charted in the top 15, the songs "Hot Dawgit" and "Sun Goddess" charted in the Black Singles, the Pop Singles, and the Disco singles charts. Sun Goddess has been certified gold.
I was lucky enough to catch him in the mid ‘80s with his acoustic trio and was astounded by the control, the delivery on the Steinway and the flat out cool. Because of this cross over success, his records drew sales and concert crowds from non-jazz fans. In the 1970s, Lewis often played electric piano, although by later in the decade he was sticking to acoustic and using an additional keyboardist in his groups to cover any electric keys that a song might require.
Ramsey Taking Another Look has Lewis playing the Fender Rhodes Piano for the first time in fifteen years and to be honest, as much as I loved the electric stuff, the funk, fusion, pop and disco from the ‘70's, I was ready to be disappointed. Firstly, it wasn’t with a large group but with a typical jazz quintet. The result? Maybe his best album since the ‘70s. maybe one of the top two or three albums of his jazz era. The album is great. That control and expression Lewis is famous for on a Steinway Grand does not fade away in the least on this electric set.
The album breathes new life in to a body of work that has covered nearly 60 years. Included on the album is a new rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” which is just outstanding. He also includes a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” featuring Earth, Wind and Fire. This was a breath of fresh air and made me fall in love with the mans music all over again.
Ramsey Lewis will be touring now and throughout 2012. You can check dates on Ramsey’s website. If you get a chance to catch him in concert, don’t pass it up. And pick up the CD as this is outstanding jazz from a master of the form.
The Dirty Lowdown
Copyright © 2011 Robert Carraher All Rights Reserved
The Great Performer, Ramsey Lewis releases his 80th album.
Since his first album in 1956,Ramsey Lewis And The Gentlemen Of Swing, Ramsey Lewis has captivated audience with his style, compositions and selections that reflect his Gospel influences from his youth and his classical training.By the mid sixties, Lewis was one of the most successful Jazz musicians on the planet and still topping the pop charts while other jazz greats fell from favor in the pop music world. In 1966, Lewis and his band performed “The ‘IN’ Crowd” a song written by Billy Page and a number 13 pop hit for Doby Gray. Ramsey Lewis and his Trio cut an instrumental version, with Lewis on his trade mark Steinway Grand. Their jazzy take, recorded live in a Washington, D.C. night club, reached #5 on the Billboard charts. On the success of this single, Ramsey turned away from the traditional jazz and concentrated on more jazzy pop songs. In ‘66 he formed the new trio with Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White (who would soon leave to form Earth, Wind and Fire). He went on to record "Hang On Sloopy", and "Wade in the Water". All three singles each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
As the ‘70s dawned, Lewis updated his sound and by 1974 he was reunited with Maurice White and released Sun Goddess. Earth, Wind and Fire brought a funk/soul touch to the album and Lewis covered Stevie Wonders Tune, “Living For The City”. The album became a huge cross-over hit, charting #1 on the Billboard Black Albums chart as well as the Jazz album chart. The album also charted #12 in the Pop chart. While the album charted in the top 15, the songs "Hot Dawgit" and "Sun Goddess" charted in the Black Singles, the Pop Singles, and the Disco singles charts. Sun Goddess has been certified gold.
I was lucky enough to catch him in the mid ‘80s with his acoustic trio and was astounded by the control, the delivery on the Steinway and the flat out cool. Because of this cross over success, his records drew sales and concert crowds from non-jazz fans. In the 1970s, Lewis often played electric piano, although by later in the decade he was sticking to acoustic and using an additional keyboardist in his groups to cover any electric keys that a song might require.
Ramsey Taking Another Look
has Lewis playing the Fender Rhodes Piano for the first time in fifteen years and to be honest, as much as I loved the electric stuff, the funk, fusion, pop and disco from the ‘70's, I was ready to be disappointed. Firstly, it wasn’t with a large group but with a typical jazz quintet. The result? Maybe his best album since the ‘70s. maybe one of the top two or three albums of his jazz era. The album is great. That control and expression Lewis is famous for on a Steinway Grand does not fade away in the least on this electric set.Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band “Living For The City”
The album breathes new life in to a body of work that has covered nearly 60 years. Included on the album is a new rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” which is just outstanding. He also includes a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” featuring Earth, Wind and Fire. This was a breath of fresh air and made me fall in love with the mans music all over again.
Ramsey Lewis will be touring now and throughout 2012. You can check dates on Ramsey’s website. If you get a chance to catch him in concert, don’t pass it up. And pick up the CD
as this is outstanding jazz from a master of the form.The Dirty Lowdown
Copyright © 2011 Robert Carraher All Rights Reserved
Monday, September 12, 2011
Hidden Beach Signs Jazz Legend Ramsey Lewis
Hidden Beach Signs Jazz Legend Ramsey Lewis
“Ramsey, Taking Another Look” slated for release September 20, 2011
Online PR News – 12-September-2011 –September 8, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA)
Los Angeles based boutique label Hidden Beach Recordings announced earlier this month the signing of legendary jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis. The three time Grammy® winner who rose to prominence in the early 1970’s will release his 80th collection on September 20, 2011 entitled "Ramsey, Taking Another Look". On the ten song CD Lewis and his Electric Band breathe new life into many of Lewis’ favorite tunes including a new rendition of the Stevie Wonder penned “Living for the City” and a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” recording featuring Earth, Wind & Fire.
“We are thrilled to have forged this partnership with such a legendary Jazz icon as Ramsey Lewis and his Mapenzi Recording family. From his contemporary Jazz explorations in the seventies all the way to the Orchestral pieces currently featured on PBS, Ramsey Lewis remains as relevant today as ever. We are excited to be bringing this music to market.” stated Steve McKeever, Hidden Beach CEO.
"I am glad to join Steve McKeever, a fellow Chicagoan, and the Hidden Beach family to release Ramsey, Taking Another Look. Hidden Beach is known for its commitment to excellence in music and respect for artistry, a unique position in today's music landscape." stated Ramsey Lewis.
“Living for the City” will be accompanied by a music video created at Chicago’s Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, with Film & Broadcast and Recording Arts students taking the lead on production. Featuring an energetic performance by Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band, the clip celebrates the visual vibrancy of Chicago at night time.
A noted advocate for Steinway pianos, Ramsey, Taking Another Look represents Lewis’ first return to playing the Fender Rhodes piano in fifteen years.
Ramsey Lewis on Ramsey, Taking Another Look (http://www.ramseylewis.com/)
"The idea of the electric quintet came up and having played mostly in an acoustic trio arrangement for twelve-fifteen years, I decided to get together with the guys to see how it felt. The rehearsals went so well that I called in my engineer, Danny Leake, and my producer/son, Frayne Lewis, to come in and roll tape. I've recorded maybe 65-70 albums, and this album is definitely among the top five."
About Hidden Beach (http://www.hiddenbeach.com/)
Hidden Beach is an American independent record label and entertainment company specializing in Urban Alternative, R&B, Soul, Inspirational and Contemporary Jazz music genres. Hidden Beach was formed in 1998 as the vision of its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Steve McKeever, and currently holds a distribution deal with Universal Music Distribution Group. In addition to a catalog that includes Jill Scott, The Unwrapped series, Darius Rucker, Kindred the Family Soul, Dr. Cornel West and BeBe Winans, artists currently signed to Hidden Beach include Mike Phillips, Naturally 7, Glen Scott, The Tony Rich Project and Ramsey Lewis.
About Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy (http://www.tfa.edu/)
Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, a two-year, high-end digital media college in Chicago’s Loop, offers nationally accredited, full-time Associate’s degree programs in five digital media disciplines; Film & Broadcast, Recording Arts, Animation & Visual Effects, Game & Interactive Media, and (newly announced for Fall 2011) Design & Visual Communication.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
TRIBECA FLASHPOINT ACADEMY TEAM COMPLETES FILMING OF RAMSEY LEWIS VIDEO FOR HIS NEW CD ON TFA MERCHANDISE MART PRODUCTION STAGE
WATCH A SHORT VIDEO SELECTION (SONY CYBER-SHOT) OF THE TAPING:
RAMSEY LEWIS - EXCERPT FROM VIDEO SHOOT from HOWARD TULLMAN on Vimeo.
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