Chiho Sunamoto and Jon Smith - What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?
November 2011 Review (Available from ORGANS.co.uk) Filed in: CD (Electronic)
This is the second release featuring the combined talents of Chiho Sunamoto and Jon Smith, their last (and first) release being "And I Love Her", back in 2007. As far as I know, Jon's only previous CD release was "Some Enchanted Evening" back in 2004, but Chiho (as you well know) has released many CDs in the past, although her last solo release was also back in 2004.
Keyboards played on this CD are the Yamaha EL900M, Tyros 4 and CVP309, although there are no pointers as to who is playing what and that's about the only slight problem I have with this release... I do like to know who's playing what and when.
As with their previous joint venture, this one features a mix of classic songs, with a few vocals occasionally popped in. Chiho's vocals are "Nature Boy" and Katie Melua's "Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing", while Jon is featured on "Fly Me to the Moon", "Come Fly with Me" and "The Curtain Falls". There is also a lovely duet of "Autumn Leaves" with Chiho singing in French and Jon in English.
Other highlights include the opening track, "So What's New" with jazz organ, brass and jazz guitar solos. "Bluesette" is a great sounding jazz waltz with lovely harmonica, jazz guitar and piano solos. There is a superb version of "The Shadow of Your Smile" which starts with jazz guitar and harmonica. An orchestral epic version of John William's "Hymn to the Fallen" is also worthy of note, as is the piano and strings arrangement of "Stardust".
If you are a fan of either artist, then this is one for your collection. It's a lovely laid-back sounding CD with a eclectic mix of styles and fantastic playing (from whoever that may be).
FULL TRACKS: So What's New • Nature Boy • Bluesette • Adiemus • Warwick Avenue • Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing • As Time Goes By • Michael Jackson Medley: Black or White / You Are Not Alone / Earth Song • The Shadow of Your Smile • Fly Me to the Moon • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face • Peanut Vendor • Hymn to the Fallen • Come Fly with Me • Dindi • Stardust • Autumn Leaves • Andalucia • What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life • That's All • The Curtain Falls
