Ben Black's voice is singularly gorgeous.
In "Remembered Faces...," Black explores music from Japan, Brazil, Ireland and even America, with many of the songs exploring the continuing inequities of racism and prejudice. Recorded after months of studying Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese, Black's flawless approach to the lyrics and his deep connectedness to the songs create a truly "time-stands-still" experience for the listener.
Track Listing:
1. I Remember (Sondheim)
2. South Pacific Medley (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
3. A Felicidade (Jobim/Moraes)
4. Wait Till You See Her (Rodgers/Hart)
5. Chinar Es (Author Unknown)
6. Kojo No Tsuki (Rentaro Taki/ Bansui Doi)
7. Somewhere (Sondheim/Bernstein)
8. Si Tu No Estas (Rosana Arbelo)
9. Irish Medley (Weatherly/Olcott)
10. Medley: Old Friend (Ford/Cryer) Old Friends (Sondheim)
Performers:
BEN BLACK - vocal
GARY FUKUSHIMA - piano (1, 5, 6, 7, 9)
MARC SEALES - piano (2, 4, 10)
JEFF JOHNSON - bass
JOHN BISHOP - drums
BRENDA KAY NETH - flute (1, 5, 6), penny whistle (9)
MARCO DE CARVALHO - guitar (1,3,)
Production Info:
Recorded September 25 & 26, 2000 & mixed October 13 & 25, 2000
at Ironwood Studios, Seattle, WA
Recording and mix engineer: Reed Ruddy
Mastering: Ross Nyberg, Studio X Mastering, Seattle, WA
Photography: William R. Munroe
Layout & design: John Bishop/OriginArts
Reviews of Remembered Faces / Private Places
Jazz Review (Donna Kimura)
Newcomer Ben Black distinguishes himself from the rest of the pack.
First, there is his hauntingly beautiful voice capable of hitting high notes that most male singers never reach. Then, there is his treasure chest of surprises and unconventional material.
His second CD, "Remembered Faces/Private Places," takes on a multicultural theme. Black ...
JazzTimes (Christopher Loudon)
Ben Black, whose choirboy purity is reminiscent of the sweet, fawn-like androgyny of the pre-Psycho Anthony Perkins, is about as distant as a male singer could be from the rough ‘n' tumble Stigers. Technically, Black is light years ahead of Perkins, but could use some of the screen star's dramatic know-how. Still, as evidenced throughout Remember ...
All About Jazz (Dave Nathan)
Seattle-based cabaret singer Ben Black's second album deals with a set of tunes, most unfamiliar, that deliver a set of messages about being kinder to each other both as individuals and to society as a whole. The play list has an international flavor with songs from Armenia, Ireland, Japan and Latin America as well as the U. S. Black has a high pit ...
All Music Guide (Dave Nathan)
For his second album, Seattle-based Ben Black has chosen to offer a play list running from familiar songs from the musical theater through Irish medleys to obscure Armenian folk music. Present are all the trappings for a melancholy mood that seems to be the minor theme for this session. There's the floating flute of Brenda Kay Neth on "Chinar Es" a ...
