Alexis Cole - Someday My Prince Will Come (2LP, Japanese edition)
ORDER LIMITED TO ONE ITEM PER CUSTOMER
Alexis Cole - vocal [click here to see more vinyl featuring Alexis Cole]
Piano - Fred Hersch
Bass - Steve LaSpina
Drums - Matt Wilson
Harmonica - Gregoire Maret
Tenor & soprano saxophones and flute - Don Braden
2 LP, standard sleeve
Limited edition
Original Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Japanese Pressing
Label : Venus
Original Label : Venus
Recorded at The Avatar Studio in New York On May 9 & 10, 2009
Engineered by Katherine Miller
Produced by Tetsuo Hara, Todd Barkan
Mixed and mastered by Tetsuo Hara
Originally released in March 30, 2010
Reissued in 2024
Tracks:
Side A:
- For Now For Always - The Parent Trap
- Let Me Be Good To You - The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective
- So This Is Love - Cinderella
Side B:
- Home Is Where The Heart Is - Tale Spin
- Love - Robin Hood
- Someday My Prince Will Come - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Side C:
- If I Never Knew You - Pocahontas
- The Second Star To The Right - Peter Pan
- La La Ru - Lady and the Tramp
Side D:
- Once Upon A Dream - Sleeping Beauty
- Remember When - 101 Dalmatians
- When You Wish Upon A Star – Pinocchio
Reviews:
"Alexis Cole is caught deep in the dreams of her childhood on this set of standards that recall a more innocent youth and simpler times. Yet the romantic spell of grown-up fantasies is also heard during this set of ballads derived from show tunes that have references to Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and similar playful, lighthearted figures of mythical proportions. As a vocalist, Cole has few peers in terms of her enunciation, coupled with a beautiful singing voice she draws on previous icons such as Chris Connor, Irene Kral, or Carol Sloane. Pianist Fred Hersch is a perfect choice for making these songs come to life in Cole's vivid, lush, story telling imagination, with bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Matt Wilson also along for this magic carpet ride. A song like the loping ramble "Let Me Be Good to You" is more seductive, while "Love" (from Robin Hood) adds Hersch's stride piano and Don Braden's soprano sax, adding whimsy to the forlorn refrain. For the most part, these are heartfelt songs of love on the way, anticipated by Cole's supple voice during the soft swinger "If I Never Knew You" (from Pocahontas) and the waltzing title track, both featuring the haunting harmonica of Gregoire Maret. Braden's flute on "La La Lu" (from Lady & the Tramp) accents Cole's sweet charms, perfectly evocative of her cover photos, as she's draped in pearls and a pristine white dress, holding a butterfly. If you're in a similar mood, probably late at night, these songs are best when shared with a good friend, especially as time stands still but for a while." AllMusic by Michael G. Nastos
Music from Disney films and cartoons has often drifted into jazz thanks to its rich harmonies and evergreen quality, but it is not every day that a vocalist makes an entire CD with personal renditions of these popular tunes.
Such is the case of Alexis Cole's Someday My Prince Will Come, which features a collection of Disney tunes reread into a jazz format. Cole cleverly did not choose songs that might be too obvious, focusing mostly on more obscure numbers such as the opener, the beautiful "For Now For Always" (from The Parent Trap) and "Once Upon A Dream" (from Cinderella).
Some tunes lend themselves naturally to a jazz format such as "Let Me Be Good To You," a bluesy tune that is used to showcase pianist Fred Hersch and bassist Steve LaSpina, who both contribute fluent solos, while Cole sings with a '50s Ella Fitzgerald-like style. The Lady And The Tramp's "La La Lu" appears as a soft ballad enhanced by Don Braden's fluid flute solo.
"Another highlight is "If I Never Knew You," the most recently composed tune on the disc, which originally appeared on the end credits for Pocahontas. Cole's voice is inspired, and Gregoire Maret contributes a Toots Thielemans- like harmonic response to her singing that enhance the tune's beauty.
Maret appears again on the title track, arguably the most memorable tune from Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. His solo is followed by yet another great contribution from Hersch. La Spina and drummer Matt Wilson, who provides great backup, responding to the pianist's accents with gusto.
Someday My Prince Will Come is a great reminder of the timelessness of these songs and also a testament to Cole's talent. The New York-born vocalist makes each song her own. The only sad note is the fact that the disc was recorded before the soundtrack to The Princess and The Frog had been released. But maybe that could be included in a second volume along with tunes from The Aristocats." All About Jazz by Ernest Barteldes
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.0 / 5