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Toots Thielmans: Chez Toots

By John Sharpe
September 1, 1998
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The harmonica is not a popular jazz instrument and since the mid-50's Toots Thielmans has been regarded as "a very big fish in a very small pond." Chez Toots stands as his tribute to the songs and sounds of the city of Paris. Toots invited some special guest vocalists to join the rhythm section of Bert van den Brink (piano), Hein Van de Geyn (bass) and Andre Ceccarelli (drums) and they all turn in pleasant, if not terribly exciting, performances. Diana Krall interprets Edith Piaf's classic La Vie En Rose; Shirley Horn is effective on La Valse Des Lilas while Johnny Mathis is only adequate on the standard Windmills Of Your Mind. While much of Chez Toots falls just this side of "easy listening," it's still a warm and nostalgic homage to a place Toot's is obviously very fond of. 3-5 stars.

Track Listing

Sous Le; La Vie en Rose; Valse No. 2; Dance for Victor; Hymne a L'Amour; Que Reste - T'il de nos Amours; Old Friend; Un Jour tu Verras; For my Lady; Ne me Quitte Pas; Les Moulins de Mon; Le Temps des Cerises; La Valse des Lilas; Adagio Assai from Concerto Piano and Orchestra in G Major; Moulin Rouge.

Personnel

Toots Thielemans

harmonica

Album information

Title: Chez Toots | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Private Music

About Toots Thielemans

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