Professional Dreamer

Product Details

With the release of this album (dedictated to his mother) he took a crack at the standards. And what a crack it is. I'd give my left arm to be able to sing like Kenny. Since I can't I'm happy to plop play his CD and kick back. His is a warm voice that envelopes you. It's warm, with an incredible range, and incredibly melodic. This is music for jazz vocal fans!

Product Reviews

(3 stars) - This is Rather Difficult to Rate!
Kenny Rankin was a favorite when I was growing up - Pussywillow Cattails, When Sunny Gets Blue, On and On, Peaceful. I basically identify my taste for music along his style together with Bacharach, the bossanova sound of Brazil until I discovered the Great American Composers. My favorite songs were a handful and most of them are works by these songwriters or simply sang by singers I have admired.

I was surprised to learn years later that he has resurrected and like Rod Stewart, Linda Rondstad, Carly Simon to name a few have recorded standard albums. Kenny Rankin came out with solid numbers that are cornerstones in the Great Songbook Series like "That's All", "The Very Thought of You" and "My One and Only Love" which I think are the best in the album. Even "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" - a piece that I usually I am not fond of came out with an excellent treatment. Then, of course, came the other tracts the likes of "But Not For Me" and "Our Love Is Here To Stay" that somehow clouded the whole album as being too commonplace.

Yes, he improvized and that's the redeeming part of it and somehow I was expecting his voice and style would mature over the years but somehow it didn't. And that's the reason why I said "It's Difficult" as my title because I am caught between a sweet nostalgia and a flat reworking of these classics.

BTW, my CD was personally autographed by Kenny in one of his concerts in Asia where he has a strong following.

(5 stars) - "I Love These Songs"
"These are but a few of the songs my mother always told me. They are my wish list. I love these songs. But they are not mine. They belong to you." ~ Kenny Rankin ~

"I've enjoyed Kenny's friendship for many, many years. His spirit is wild and tender, impulsive and romantic - and these songs have a tremendous richness and purity. We felt that by approaching them simply, we'll create room for Kenny's expression to soar. It's a pleasure to hear his heart sing." ~ Hank Cicalo ~

This CD, Kenny Rankin's "Professional Dreamer" is one great collection of beautiful songs from the Great American Songbook - thirteen of the loveliest standards for your ears only! The choice of material is simply perfect and the arrangements by the artist himself with his creative pianists, Alan Broadbent and Mike Wafford are simply outstanding and they are some of the best arrangements for these time-tested songs. Kenny Rankin gives these evergreens "fresh-as-a-daisy" interpretations with his stylish and one-of-a-kind vocal artistry.

Each song tells a story of love and romance and each is rendered in a manner so fabulous with Mr. Rankin's sincere, dedicated and heartfelt readings of the lyrics. His music has always been pleasant to listen to. How can you not love this CD when all the songs here are innate expressions of Mr. Rankin's magnificent creativity starting off with a Cole Porter gem, "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" to the final track, a very nice, meaningful and my all-time favorite song by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes, "That's All."

It's so delectable listening to this CD in its entirety for every song is a winner and there's nothing to whine about. I'm very pleased with the choice of material - they are my all-time favorites. Imagine "I've Got A Crush On You" sung in the most entrancing way with Sue Raney, a singer with a glowing voice. It's one of the most beguiling versions I could think of.

You'll surely fall in love with this album. So listen now ... and have a lovely listening experience.

P.S. You may also want to check his other notable CDs out - Kenny Rankin Album, Because of You, After the Roses, Bottom Line Encore Collection, Haven't We Met? and Song for You for more enchanting listens.

(5 stars) - One in every crowd
Once again (see Tom Rush's "Tom Rush") I'm compelled to review an album that needs no further review. ...

I've been listening to Kenny since Like A Seed. And I've been listening to this album all weekend. It's on now (You smiled at me, baby, then the spell was cast). I've owned it since it came out.

If you enjoy jazz, vocals, good music, outstanding piano, bass, sax and a little trombone thrown in to boot, then just put this on and sit back. You are in for a real treat.

And if you happen to be a bass fan, you might just be blown away by Brian Bromberg's work on this CD -- starting with his OUTSTANDING rendering on the very first track.

And as for underrated vocal artists, how about Sue Raney, who teams with Kenny for a superb duet on I've Got A Crush On You?

Cole Porter, Ray Noble, George and Ira G., Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Billy Rose, Gus Kahn, Harry Warren, Mack Gordon, Oscar Levant, Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes -- they are all here and all are, I'm quite sure, quite pleased with Kenny's treatment of their work. Folks, THIS is as good as it gets.

Indeed, Kenny's own solo contribution is a welcome treat here. Beautifully poignant and beautifully done.

...

5 BIG stars for one of the best male vocalists of all time at the very top of his game.

And that's MY opinion.

Okay?

Double exclamation point !!

(5 stars) - An Album for the Ages
Kenny Rankin sings the jazz of rainy Sundays by an open fire.

His intimate and highly personal style is no better exemplified than on this set, "Professional Dreamer".

In many ways it's a departure from his usual repertoire as it consists entirely of classics from the 1940s and 50s.

These offerings reflect the musical values of another era - elegant and genteel songs from a time when melody lines were strong and lyrics dripped with intelligent emotion.

These compositions lend themselves perfectly to Rankinesque interpretation

The standout cut "But Not for Me" ripples with a soft Latin undercurrent.

Rankin's vocal improvisations are gentle and deliberate as they paint a soul-sad portrait of someone love has overlooked.

Gershwin's beautiful "Our Love is Here to Stay" is another highlight of this very classy set.

So too is the cheeky and whimsical "I've Got a Crush on You" and the ultra-evocative "The Very Thought of You".

It's all exquisite grist for a very tender mill.

An album for the ages - FIVE STARS for Kenny and the jazz of rainy Sundays.

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