In a Sentimental Mood

by Beegie Adair

Overview

Jazz pianist Beegie Adair's series of "romantic songs" songbook albums, devoted to the major songwriters of the interwar era (there are also titles for George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, and Richard Rodgers), tend to have photographs of affectionate couples on the covers, as does this one, featuring the music of Duke Ellington. That's a signal that the recordings are intended to accompany the listeners on their own romantic adventures, as much as express the feelings of the songwriters. (Indeed, the "romantic" designation is sometimes questionable: are "It Don't Mean a Thing [If It Ain't Got That Swing]" or "Take the 'A' Train" romantic songs?) Adair, leading a piano trio, is interested in playing largely faithful versions of the tunes, adding her own modest jazz improvisations here and there, as if she were appearing in a nice restaurant or a cocktail lounge, the lights low and the focus on the patrons, not the performer. Even when she is addressing the work of a major jazz figure like Ellington, she maintains this same approach, which means this album fits in with its brothers, aimed more at a casual listenership than hardcore (or even mainstream) jazz fans. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	05/13/2008
Label:	Green Hill Productions
UPC:	0792755556320
Rank:	7316

Tracks

1. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Satin Doll
4. Solitude
5. Caravan
6. Sophisticated Lady
7. I'm Beginning to See the Light
8. Mood Indigo
9. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
10. Day Dream
11. Take the 'A' Train
12. All Too Soon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Beegie Adair   Primary Artist,Piano
Roger Spencer   Bass
Chris Brown   Drums

Technical Credits

John Latouche   Composer
Bob Russell   Composer
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Irving Mills   Text,Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Don George   Composer
Juan Tizol   Composer
Billy Strayhorn   Composer
Johnny Hodges   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Text
Brendan Harkin   Mixing,Engineer
Mike Haynes   Mastering
Will Friedwald   Liner Notes
Carl Sigman   Composer
Jack Jezzro   Producer,Audio Production
Barney Bigard   Composer
Harry James   Composer
Manny Kurtz   Composer
David Langemann   Assistant Engineer
Albany Bigard   Composer