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Put your hands on the remote! browse music »Avenue of the Americas by Tom Lellis
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fave it Jazz Vocals | Brazilian Jazz
11 tracks | 53 minutes
Released Jun 2006
on Beamtide
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:50 For Better Days Ahead lyrics BUY MP3 05:50 For Better Days Ahead lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:50 For Better Days Ahead
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:05 Norwegian Wood (suite) lyrics BUY MP3 05:05 Norwegian Wood (suite) lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:05 Norwegian Wood (suite)
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:42 Baubles Bangles and Beads lyrics BUY MP3 04:42 Baubles Bangles and Beads lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:42 Baubles Bangles and Beads
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:24 Olinda Wind lyrics BUY MP3 05:24 Olinda Wind lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:24 Olinda Wind
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:25 For Wisdom lyrics BUY MP3 05:25 For Wisdom lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:25 For Wisdom
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:02 Pure Imagination/Waiting For Angela lyrics BUY MP3 03:02 Pure Imagination/Waiting For Angela lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:02 Pure Imagination/Waiting For Angela
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:01 River of Light lyrics BUY MP3 06:01 River of Light lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:01 River of Light
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:26 A Choice Of Fates lyrics BUY MP3 04:26 A Choice Of Fates lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:26 A Choice Of Fates
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:18 Isle Awhile lyrics FREE 06:18 Isle Awhile lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:18 Isle Awhile
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:48 Ain't No Mountain High Enough/I Still Haven't Found What I'm Loo lyrics BUY MP3 04:48 Ain't No Mountain High Enough/I Still Haven't Found What I'm Loo lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:48 Ain't No Mountain High Enough/I Still Haven't Found What I'm Loo
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:57 Lucky Southern/Maracangalha lyrics BUY MP3 02:57 Lucky Southern/Maracangalha lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:57 Lucky Southern/Maracangalha
Vocal Jazz/Brazilian
Editorial review
Based on this music, Avenue of the Americas symbolizes where North, Central, and South American music meet. Some of the music on this set is Brazilian jazz while other selections are post-bop American music. Tom Lellis contributed lyrics to pieces by Pat Metheny, guitarist Toninho Horta, the Yellowjackets, and Keith Jarrett in addition to writing "A Change of Fates" by himself. In addition to individual songs, he performs a few medleys, and on the last two pieces, he contributes all of the voices and the instruments. Even with all of the hard work, the lyrics are generally not that terribly memorable and the modern music lacks very many catchy melodies. However Lellis is in top voice and he utilizes his sidemen, particularly guitarist Horta and flutist Jeremy Steig (who duets with Lellis on the medley of "Pure Imagination" and "Waiting for Angela") quite well. This is very much a haunting and atmospheric set, one of Lellis' most intriguing to date. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
Jazziz Magazine names Tom Lellis/Avenue Of The Americas to "Critic's Best CDs Of 2006" list (Jan. 07 issue)
International Assoc. for Jazz Education Journal names Avenue of the Americas "Best Vocal CDs of 2006" (5/07)
Avenue of the Americas is the critically acclaimed singer, multi-instrumentalist Tom Lellis’s newest recording. Tom is joined by internationally renown musicians, Brazil’s Toninho Horta, Camaroon’s Richard Bona, Kenny Werner, Dave Kikoski, Jeremy Steig and others singing works by Pat Metheny, (For Better Days Ahead), the Yellowjackets (For Wisdom), Horta (Olinda Wind) along with his original lyrics and arrangements of the Beatles, Ashford and Simpson and U2 as well as his original music.
Blending a unique vocal style described as “irresistible” (JazzTimes) with jazz and Brazilian influences and world-class musicians Tom produces more of the kind of vocal music Singer Magazine and Jazzreview.
↓ more ↓com both called “a taste of paradise” and DownBeat states, “Tom Lellis has everything going for him”.
Several times a year I discover for my own listening pleasure someone new, (at least to me) whose artistry really catches my ear, engages my thoughts and feelings, knocks me back saying, “Wow, this is REALLY good. Where can I get some more of it?” This is one of those gems.
JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE
Jazz vocalist Tom Lellis is a purveyor of optimism. Feeling down and lonely? Then it might be a judicious and soul-satisfying move to break out Lellis’ new release, which carries forth the mark of excellence witnessed on his 2004 venture, “Southern Exposure.”
In sum, Lellis has produced yet another jaunty and especially pleasurable set. Toss your troubles by the wayside; the artist’s muse is therapeutically entertaining. Jazzreview.com
What a pleasure it is to hear a vocalist whose lyricism grows from his improvisational method, who sings with the instincts of an instrumentalist, and who has the capacity to add lyrics to previously instrumental works, which show intuitive musical understanding.
Avenue of the Americas is an excellent and sophisticated recording that draws on many contemporary strands of music-making, but with a jazz heart. CD Review: Brazzil.com
"This is a jazz singer that deserves a high level of attention due to the sensational plateau he has reached within his craft." eJazzNews
Amazon's review: 4 1/2 STARS
Avenue of the Americas - Tom Lellis
Saturday June 24, 2006 ★★★★☆ Standards and new works with a terrific, unique Latin Flavor
Tom Lellis is a man of many talents as he so well demonstrates on this fine new CD. Not only is he a fine and pungent vocalist, but he also is a strong lyricist, composer and arranger (he also just happens to be proficient on the piano, keyboards, percussion, voice bass, and whistle!). But the full flavor of this collection in the mixture of jazz with Brazilian and popular music comes form Lellis excellent arrangements of songs we thought we knew - until he makes the lyrics his own.
Lellis' voice is a bit of Mel Torme but no further comparisons should be made. His style is easy, relaxed and full of scat and improvisations and a well tuned ensemble and serves him well.
This is one of those recordings for easy listening in the evening watching the sun go down - and the fire come up! Grady Harp, June 06
AllAboutJazz.com says:
Lellis has a superb feel for Brazil's subtle rhythms and harmonies, and his collaboration with Toninho Horta has been particularly memorable. Here, on “Olinda Wind,” Lellis uses Horta's joyful melody to celebrate playful rhythms, soft sea breezes, and the kind of dancing that melts your troubles away.
But the tour de force on Avenue of the Americas is the “Norwegian Wood” suite, in which Lellis manages to refer to sixteen Beatles songs in a brilliant tapestry of shifting colors and moods.
Lellis imitates nobody, and his passion is evident in every word he sings. Refreshing!
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