The Jazz Channel Presents Kenny Rankin (BET on Jazz)

Starring:Kenny Rankin
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Singer-guitarist Kenny Rankin's high, pure tenor voice and unerring choice of material make this a performance that will delight his fans as well as those who know little or nothing about this underrated musician. Backed by a quartet (with pianist Bill O'Connell and the excellent guitarist Joe Beck) and four string players, Rankin works his way through 16 numbers in this intimate, 75-minute concert, recorded in 2001 in Washington, D.C. He moves effortlessly between standards by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, and others, several Latin-tinged numbers, and a variety of more contemporary material by the Beatles ("Blackbird," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") and by Rankin himself. While Rankin may not be strictly a jazz or pop singer, neither should he be glibly characterized as an "AOR artist"; there's too much real musicianship happening here to relegate him to background music status. A "Meet the Artist" interview and several audio choices comprise the DVD bonus features. --Sam Graham
Description
Famed saxophonist Stan Getz once referred to Kenny Rankin as "the horn with a heart." Rankin's elegant tenor voice and gift for jazz, pop and Latin phrasing have made him a favorite of singers like Mel Torme, Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett and Carmen McRae. In this special concert recorded for the Jazz Channel in Washington, D.C., Rankin enthralls the discriminating audience with a performance of classic favorites.

Amazon.com

Singer-guitarist Kenny Rankin's high, pure tenor voice and unerring choice of material make this a performance that will delight his fans as well as those who know little or nothing about this underrated musician. Backed by a quartet (with pianist Bill O'Connell and the excellent guitarist Joe Beck) and four string players, Rankin works his way through 16 numbers in this intimate, 75-minute concert, recorded in 2001 in Washington, D.C. He moves effortlessly between standards by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, and others, several Latin-tinged numbers, and a variety of more contemporary material by the Beatles ("Blackbird," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") and by Rankin himself. While Rankin may not be strictly a jazz or pop singer, neither should he be glibly characterized as an "AOR artist"; there's too much real musicianship happening here to relegate him to background music status. A "Meet the Artist" interview and several audio choices comprise the DVD bonus features. --Sam Graham

Description

Famed saxophonist Stan Getz once referred to Kenny Rankin as "the horn with a heart." Rankin's elegant tenor voice and gift for jazz, pop and Latin phrasing have made him a favorite of singers like Mel Torme, Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett and Carmen McRae. In this special concert recorded for the Jazz Channel in Washington, D.C., Rankin enthralls the discriminating audience with a performance of classic favorites.

Customer Reviews:

Kenny's SOOO wonderful!.......2007-06-08

Kenny's a favorite of mine and has been for years. I loved this dvd and felt he really showed himself...great music and really enjoyed seeing him perform. Try to catch him any chance we get. I regret that he is not as well known as some other musicians...love sharing his sound with others!

Kenny Rankin - BET Live Performance.......2005-07-19

I love Kenny Rankin's voice and the performance was excellent. My only negative was a personal one.... I prefer him with only the guitar and not with a full band and strings behind him. Also, it just wasn't long enough!!

Great voice, great performance!.......2004-02-08

I've been following Kenny Rankin for 30 years waiting for him to hit the big time, commercially. Well, it probably will never happen. Not through any fault of this concert. This is really good. The best I've ever heard (or seen) him. Really shows off his vocal abilities. Filmed before a small audience, in a way it makes a more intimate setting. Like many of the jazz channel productions, sound guality is excellent (dts), ditto on video quality. Camera work is not terribly exciting. And I would have made just a few changes in song selection. But minor quibbling here - this is an excellent concert.

He has The Voice, period........2003-12-23

Kenny Rankin brings to mind James Taylor, with guitar chops. Frankly, his voice is so effortless and beautiful, not much else matters.

I disagree with the other reviewers that this DVD is so well recorded. The guitar sounds dead and the string quartet is too loud. But it does not matter! He has THE voice, in the same way that Sarah Vaughan and Eva Cassidy did. Effortless. Perfect.

Frankly, I think a lot of this was lost on the BET audience. (They're probably still angry about having to sit through Kenny G).

Even if you've never heard of Kenny Rankin, if you like people who don't sound there's any effort at all (and he's never had a lesson) pick up this DVD.

Along with James Taylor, Eva Cassidy and a few others Kenny is an American musical treasure.

Kenny Rankin with Great Band.......2003-01-23

I have been lucky enough to see Rankin many times, the latest being a few months ago.

This DVD is a live concert, pure Rankin.

Great backup band and the interview with him is superb as well.

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