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| First Instrument | 
 enlarge | Artist: Rachelle Ferrell
Label: Blue Note Records
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $4.37
You Save: $7.61 (64%)
Buy New/Used from $4.37
Avg. Customer Rating:  (30 reviews)
Sales Rank: 23996
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
MPN: 27820
UPC: 724382782025
EAN: 0724382782025
ASIN: B000005GWF
Release Date: April 4, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 First Instrument September 6, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What an appropriate title for this disc because Rachelle's voice IS like an instrument - a finely tuned one at that! I fell in love with her voice on the more r&b tinged Rachelle Ferrell album and have since backtracked and bought her previous releases as well.
This disc is just sheer perfection from beginning to end and feature Rachelle's crystal clear vocals and perfect phrasing as well as her interpretations of some old standards like BYE BYE BLACKBIRD & MY FUNNY VALENTINE.
My favorite tracks, however are those that she wrote because of the beautifully heartfelt lyrics:
WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE - exquisite!!
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME - very sassy, Nina Simone-esque lyrics
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - excellent
I'd highly recommend this disc to all Rachelle Ferrell fans and jazz afficionados alike - it's an excellent addition to your collection.
Extraodinary February 27, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First Instrument is beyond appropriate for this CD. Rachelle has a beautiful instrument and this album totally displays her talent.
Improv and Scatting at its best August 7, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
From beginning to end First Instrument pulled me into Rachelle's world and held me hostage for hours (I replayed the entire CD at least 6 or 7 times consecutively). Her range is unbelieveable. Her voice is clear and exciting from the top of the scales to the bottom. She is Sarah, Billie and Ella all rolled into one. They are surely smiling down on her as she has chosen to include this Afrikan American classical music form in her repertoire. I believe that this classical music form is where her vocal talent/gift is best heard. If you're wondering what to give as a gift for anyone's upcoming birthday, stop wondering. First Instrument is the one.
Energetic Performance June 19, 2002
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is close to a "must own" cd for jazz fans. Rachelle Farrell has incredible range and energy. As the other reviews mention, she handles the material with great creativity and puts a fresh spin on standards.A small caution: if you are not interested in improvisation and somewhat unusual presentations of the material, you might look elsewhere (e.g. Diana Krall). Some of the songs are more or less vocal exercises and experiments ("Inchworm" for example). She also occassionally comes off ocassionally putting technique first, screeching a bit without much of a buildup. This sort of surprise and unique approach is what makes her so great; but I realize from comments from others who have heard this cd that it's not to everyone's taste. For my money the inventiveness and incredible energy of a singer like Ferrell blows away any more pedestrian performers.
A Great Jazz Album May 22, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First, my complaint; the insistent, annoying buzz of the stick-bass on this album takes a few listens to really overlook, but once you're accustomed to it, it won't hamper your enjoyment of an otherwise flawless collection of jazz and pop standards, with a few original compositions thrown in for good measure. The highlights here are very high indeed, a swingin' remake of Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and the sprawling, haunting, excellent closer "Autumn Leaves" which is a live track and features a blistering vocal performance. Rachelle Ferrell is more than a great vocalist, she's one of modern music's greatest natural resources! A Classic.
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