I Am Music (Carmen McRae album)

Last updated
I Am Music
I Am Music (Carmen McRae album).png
Studio album by
Carmen McRae
ReleasedJuly 1975 (1975-07)
RecordedApril 1975 [1]
Studio United Western Recorders, Los Angeles
Genre
Length43:39
Label Blue Note
Producer Roger Kellaway
Carmen McRae chronology
Live and Doin' It
(1974)		I Am Music
(1975)		 Velvet Soul
(1975)

I Am Music is a studio album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in 1975. It was her first release on the new Blue Note Records label. [2] The album was produced by Roger Kellaway.

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]

In a review by Billboard magazine, they wrote that producer Roger Kellaway paid tribute to McRae's ability to handle words with warmth and radiance, as well as Carmen touches nerve endings and sparkles in a program of songs that people need. [5] The Cash Box reviewer noted: "Carmen McRae s voice is the voice of a dozen musical worlds. Her vocals flow as the tide, in and out of music of ease and simple thoughts. On I Am Music it is these vocals, when combined with a lilting instrumental backing, that add up to an all together enjoyable listen." [6] A retrospective review by Music Week magazine called the album a "rare gem" and also stated that "the exquisite phrasing and timing provided the perfect backdrop for a collection of original songs." [7]

Track listing

  1. "A Letter for Anna-Lee" (Bernard Ighner) – 5:01
  2. "The Trouble with Hello Is Goodbye" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Dave Grusin) – 3:45
  3. "Faraway Forever" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Quincy Jones) – 3:21
  4. "I Ain't Here" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 3:28
  5. "You Know Who You Are" (Bernard Ighner) – 5:19
  6. "I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Roger Kellaway) – 5:56
  7. "Who Gave You Permission" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Billy Goldenberg) – 3:14
  8. "Like a Lover" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Dori Caymmi, Nelson Motta) – 5:57
  9. "I Never Lied to You" (Gelsa Palao) – 3:19
  10. "I Am Music" (Gelsa Palao) – 4:19

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [8]

Charts

Chart performance for I Am Music
Chart (1975)Peak
position
US Best Selling Jazz LP's ( Billboard ) [9] 22
US Soul LP's ( Billboard ) [10] 56

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Grusin</span> American composer, arranger, producer, and pianist

Robert David Grusin is an American composer, arranger, producer, jazz pianist, and band leader. He has composed many scores for feature films and television and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy Award and 10 Grammy Awards. Grusin was also a frequent collaborator with director Sydney Pollack, scoring many of his films like Three Days of the Condor (1975), Absence of Malice (1981), Tootsie (1982), The Firm (1993), and Random Hearts (1999). In 1978, Grusin founded GRP Records with Larry Rosen, and was an early pioneer of digital recording.

<i>For the Boys</i> (soundtrack) 1991 soundtrack album by Bette Midler

For the Boys: Music from the Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the feature film of the same name starring Bette Midler and James Caan, released on the Atlantic Records label in 1991.

<i>Close Your Eyes</i> (Stacey Kent album) 1997 studio album by Stacey Kent

Close Your Eyes is jazz singer Stacey Kent's debut album, released in 1997 by Candid Records.

<i>Look Around</i> (Sérgio Mendes album) 1967 studio album by Sérgio Mendes

Look Around is the third studio album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66. It was released in 1967. Following this album, Mendes dismissed the musicians and singer Janis Hansen and brought in Karen Phillip to sing with holdover Lani Hall.

<i>Sergio Mendes</i> (1975 album)

Sergio Mendes is a 1975 album by Sérgio Mendes. This album features vocals by Bonnie Bowden and Sondra Catton. Its the first of two self-titled albums from the artist.

<i>Nobody Does It Like Me</i> 1974 studio album by Shirley Bassey

Nobody Does It Like Me is a 1974 album by Shirley Bassey. Bassey's recordings had been selling well since 1970, scoring three top ten singles and three ten top albums. Nobody Does It Like Me was recorded with a new producer, George Butler, and brought a partial return to the traditional pop sound of Bassey's pre-1970s career. Here, the title track "Nobody Does It Like Me" and "When You Smile" harken back to the big band era. Bassey's soaring vocals on Paul Anka's "I'm Not Anyone" and the slightly funky "Morning in Your Eyes" contrast with a delicately rendered "Davy". The duet "Davy", recorded with the song's composer Benard Ighner, is one of the rare occasions that Bassey would share the credits with another vocalist; it was also issued as a single and hit #44 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. The album closes with Bassey's reading of Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". This album failed to chart in the UK, and peaked at #142 in the US. Her next two studio albums would be top 15 albums in the UK.

<i>Book of Ballads</i> 1959 studio album by Carmen McRae

Book of Ballads is a 1959 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae, arranged by Frank Hunter.

<i>For Once in My Life</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1967 studio album by Carmen McRae

For Once in My Life is a studio album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in 1967 by Atlantic Records. The arranger was Johnny Keating. The recording was made in London at Olympic Studios. The album consists covers mainly of modern popular songs by Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, the Beatles and Buffy Sainte-Marie.

<i>The Great American Songbook</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1972 live album by Carmen McRae

The Great American Songbook is a 1972 live album by Carmen McRae, accompanied by a jazz quartet including Jimmy Rowles and Joe Pass. McRae was a great fan of Rowles and described him in the liner notes to the album as "the guy every girl singer in her right mind would like to work with". Rowles's humorous country and western song, "The Ballad of Thelonious Monk", is featured on the album.

<i>At the Great American Music Hall</i> 1977 live album by Carmen McRae

At the Great American Music Hall is a 1976 live album by Carmen McRae, recorded at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. McRae is joined on several tracks by the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and backed by her jazz trio of pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist Ed Bennett, and drummer Joey Baron. McRae was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards for her performance on this album.

<i>Torchy</i> (album) 1956 studio album by Carmen McRae

Torchy! is a 1956 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae arranged by Jack Pleis and Ralph Burns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan and Marilyn Bergman</span> American lyricists and songwriters

Alan Bergman and Marilyn Keith Bergman were an American songwriting duo. Married from 1958 until Marilyn's death, together they wrote music and lyrics for numerous celebrated television, film, and stage productions. The Bergmans enjoyed a successful career, honored with four Emmys, three Oscars, and two Grammys. They are in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<i>Tonight Only!</i> 1961 studio album by Dave Brubeck and Carmen McRae

Tonight Only! is a 1961 album by the Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring the singer Carmen McRae.

<i>When Youre Away</i> 1959 studio album by Carmen McRae

When You're Away is a 1959 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae, arranged by Luther Henderson. Frank Hunter was credited as the conductor on "Willingly " and "Two Faces in the Dark".

The discography of American singer and pianist Carmen McRae includes twenty-nine studio albums, twenty-six live albums and twenty-five compilations.

<i>Live at Sugar Hill</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1963 live album by Carmen McRae

Live at Sugar Hill is a live album by American singer Carmen McRae, recorded in the fall of 1962 during a series of concerts at the Sugar Hill Nightclub in San Francisco with the participation of pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Stu Martin. The album was released in 1963 on the Time Records label, and in 1972 it was reissued by Mainstream Records under the title In Person and with a new cover.

<i>Second to None</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1964 studio album by Carmen McRae

Second to None is a studio album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in 1964 by Mainstream Records.

<i>Havent We Met?</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1965 studio album by Carmen McRae

Haven't We Met? is a studio album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in 1965 by Mainstream Records. The arranger and conductor was Don Sebesky.

<i>For Lady Day</i> (Carmen McRae album) 1995 live album by Carmen McRae

For Lady Day is a live album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in two volumes in 1995 by Novus Records. The album is a tribute to singer Billie Holiday, who was McRae's mentor and friend. The set was recorded on New Year's Eve 1984 at the Blue Note nightclub in New York, live broadcast by the jazz radio station WBGO-FM.

<i>Ralph Gleasons Jazz Casual: Mel Tormé & Carmen McRae</i> 2001 live album (compilation) by Mel Tormé and Carmen McRae

Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual: Mel Tormé & Carmen McRae is a live split album by American artists Mel Tormé and Carmen McRae, released on August 14, 2001, by Koch Jazz. The album features recordings of performances and interviews of artists on the Jazz Casual music program by Ralph J. Gleason, made in 1962 and 1964. A little earlier, the recordings were released on VHS.

References

  1. ↑ "Carmen McRae The 1970's". Jazz Discography. August 22, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Blue Note's Odd Jazz Mix". Billboard . Vol. 87, no. 37. New York: Billboard Publications Inc. August 9, 1975. p. 32. ISSN   0006-2510.
  3. ↑ "I Am Music - Carmen McRae". AllMusic . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  4. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "McRae, Carmen". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-1561592371.
  5. ↑ "Top Albums Picks" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 87, no. 30. New York: Billboard Publications Inc. July 25, 1975. p. 84. ISSN   0006-2510.
  6. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box . Vol. 37, no. 10. New York: The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc. July 26, 1975. p. 24. ISSN   0008-7289.
  7. ↑ "New Reissues / Catalog Albums". Music Week . February 1, 2013. p. 47. ISSN   0265-1548.
  8. ↑ I Am Music (liner notes). Carmen McRae. US: Blue Note Records. 1975. BN-LA462-G.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ "Best Selling Jazz LP's". Billboard . Vol. 87, no. 37. New York: Billboard Publications Inc. September 13, 1975. p. 33. ISSN   0006-2510.
  10. ↑ "Carmen McRae: Charts & Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.