CD-Charts Position 1
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The Very Best of George Benson: the Greatest Hits of All

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: George Benson

Release Date June 09, 2008
There have been numerous 'Best Of George Benson' compilations over recent years, none of which have been all-inclusive (that is a probable marketing ploy). This re-packaged selection continues the trend; having said that, it does serve as a pleasing introduction to the superb fusion jazz/R&B/pop that Mr Benson serves up masterfully.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Come Away with Me

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Norah Jones

Release Date March 04, 2002
Well, I have just worked my way through 70 reviews of this wonderful album, and did not see a single mention of what, to me, is the best track on here, so I thought I would try to redress the balance.
The song in question is the magnificent Nightingale, one of Norah's own compositions. I can remember the first time I listened to this album, it was on in the background whilst we were cooking or something, and the album slipped by beautifully in the background, but when it came to Nightingale, my ears really pricked up and I had to go back and listen to it again.
To me, everything about the song is fantastic, from the vocals to the unusual drumming to the absolute highlight of the song - the guitar solo. I am a bit of a guitar solo ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Essential Billie Holiday

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Billie Holiday

Release Date September 02, 2002
I love Billie Holiday and have for a long time.
Her voice haunts my soul every time I hear it, it reminds me of the first time I heard it in a cafe in Soho London, time seem to stand still as she sang "Strange Fruit".
This box set is a perfect start to her music and you can see the all other music from jazz to hip hop flowing through it, if you have never heard her sing then I plead with you to buy this boxset and start a journey that will take you to new highs.

A good start to female jazz vocals and from the queen herself.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Nat King Cole - The Ultimate Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Nat 'King' Cole

Release Date November 08, 1999
This man speaks love and better than that,sings love like the air he breaths.This particular collection is so breathtaking especially Mona Lisa.It makes one wonder what's happened to all the realy good music these days.Nat was able to turn a simple story into something like a masterpiece and these lyrics will always remain unforgotten and live on forever......

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Essential Sarah Vaughan

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Sarah Vaughan

Release Date February 15, 2003
Some rave about Ella Fitzgerald, her tonal purity and mirth, but say she could lack emotional depth (not sure I agree). Some rave about Billie Holliday, but have to cede that she had a narrow range, although she was a groundbreaking stylist. Sarah Vaughan was the third great female voice of jazz, and believe you me, she lacked nothing!

This album is a wonderful budget introduction to one of the most remarkable voices of all time. Her range and her sheer musical intelligence are unsurpassable.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Sinatra At The Sands

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Frank Sinatra, Count Basie & The Orchestra

Release Date February 13, 1998
This album is one of the best if not the best live albums I own. The show has superb reviews already and that goes without saying. I give it five stars not only for the performance but also the recording. If you turn it up loud and shut your eyes you can imagine the "Sands" with the slight crowd noise and odd "chinking" of the glasses in the audience and really feel and almost see that you are right in the middle of the auditorium with this fantastic band in front of you along with the worlds greatest singer - it's that good!

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Platinum Collection (3CD)

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Frank Sinatra

Release Date August 16, 2004
I have been listening to Sinatra for about 50 years and I still LISTEN to him and I still occasionally find something new in the way he treats a song. I saw him in concert four times! His phrasing and his ability to sing so much with a single breath ( he swam underwater to improve this )were tools that he used with such effect.There have been many people who emulated him but no-one who came anywhere near him, as this collection shows very plainly.

CD-Charts Position 8
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A Night In Paris

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Diana Krall

Release Date November 11, 2002
This is one of my favourite CDs. Playing it on a high end hi-fi system shows it to be a superb recording, (and don't be put off by the fact it is LIVE), and has Diana Krall singing and playing in superb jazz style. What a pity she no longer makes good jazz CDs like this one.

CD-Charts Position 9
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The Very Best of Peggy Lee

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Peggy Lee

Release Date August 21, 2000
Many compilations are titled best of or very best of, but this one really is. Most of the collection is made up of Peggy’s recordings for Capitol, but EMI (who own Capitol) got permission from other companies to include Black coffee, He’s a tramp and Siamese cat song – the most important recordings of those she didn’t record for Capitol.

The rest of the collection includes all the essentials including Fever, the novelty song Manana and The folks who live on the hill. I find Peggy’s version of Big spender much more appealing than Shirley Bassey’s more aggressive version of the song.

This collection demonstrates Peggy’s versatility –upbeat swinging songs, slow, sexy songs, Disney songs, Latin ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Songbook

CD-Charts > Music > Vocalists
by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date May 25, 1999
In any rational list of the 20th-century's top song-stylists, Ella Fitzgerald would have to rank in the Top 5. Ella had a wonderful, distinct voice and style. Many singers have great skills. Many have perfect pitch and great intonation. But very few singers can use their voice like a fine instrument. Ella was one of those select few.

Apart from having a wonderful voice, Ella was next to incomparable when it came to interpreting lyrics. It is no wonder that lyricists loved her and were ecstatic when she covered one of their songs. It is also no wonder that during the course of her career Ella recorded various "Song Books" in which she took the work of a great composer/lyricist and dedicated an album or two to their work. Ella did Irving Berlin, Harold ... Read More: