Betty Carter - It's Not About the Melody

Betty Carter titled this album It's Not About the Melody not because she doesn't care about the melody but because she knows that the success of a jazz vocal depends on something deeper than tunefulness. Her new recording, in fact, is full of melody, for Carter exults not only in the opening themes of the 11 jazz standards and originals she tackles but also in the brand new, equally memorable strains she creates through her improvisations and variations. She's nonetheless correct; the triumph of this album derives not from the shape of the songs but from the intense emotional commitment behind the songs. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

The Melody Is Betty

I first saw and heard Betty Carter in 1981 at the Kansas City Jazz Festival. I instantly became a huge fan, collecting every album I could, solo or duo with Carmen MCrae, and I even got to see her in character roles ("Auntie") on The Bill Cosby Show. This CD has Betty and trio quick, cool, and oh so witty; swinging on "I Should Care" and "In the Still of the Night"; velvety and suave on "When It's Sleepy Time Down South"; and dreamy and lovely on "You're Mine You". Swing, dream,and samba into the night with this one! November 10, 2007

The power of artistry

I mourn the loss of this incredible artist every time I hear this album.
She goes to your head, to adopt and paraphrase one of the songs here.
Listen. Listen. This is a heart that has known love, known pain, grown strong, but remained remarkably soft.
B-E-T-T-Y!!! October 27, 2007

Everything and more!!!!!!!

I've been listening to this CD for about 8 years and still enjoy, actually, enjoy it even more than when I first purchase it! It is a wonderful musical journey. As the other raters expressed, you have to be patient and caring and really take this album apart to see it's beauty. Betty is fabulous! February 9, 2007

Wow.

This cd is absolutely stunning. Most of the tracks are wonderfully melodic and are just perfect for listening on those nice quiet evenings. Betty Carter is one of my absolute favorite vocalists. Her signature moodiness and expressiveness is up front and center. Her musicians are topnotch. If you're a Betty Carter fan, you will *not* be disappointed. January 12, 2007

Ooooooh my Godddddddddd !!!

Like most of Betty Carter's albums, this one demands patience, attention, availability. You cannnot appreciate HER music if you want to discover all the riches at once. If you're a man, you got to be a gentleman. It's been three days now that I keep listening to "It's not about the melody". I did not want to talk about it, because it's so beautiful... You know what I mean? It's a bit like when you got a beautiful girlfriend, you're not going to yell at everybody that you've got a beautiful girl friend, are you?... See what I mean? ... Huh, what did I say? nothing. OK, I must be going now........ December 23, 2004

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