Chez Toots

 (10 customer reviews)

I was sitting here trying to remember what made me purchase this disc when in simply dawned on me! Listening to "Chez Toots" is rather like being transported back to Paris, sitting at a sidewalk cafe and enjoying the sights, sounds and yes, even the beautiful women that the City of Lights has to offer. I 'm not sure how but this disc has a certain intimacy to it that is hard to deny...but, than again why would you want to? The music can be terribly sentimental, maudlin and old-fashioned...and I love it! Few cd's can transport me such as this and make wish I were back in France with that old flame, a bottle of wine and so much more innocence. Songs such as " La Vie En Rose", "Sous Le Ciel De Paris" and "Moulin Rouge" literally can tug your heartstings with a certain world-weariness that comes into play on this cd. Of course having the wonderful Shirley Horn and Dianna Reeves only adds to the sheer beauty of this disc.Ooh La La....!! Toots was...Read more

As a fairly serious jazz music fan who loves rich harmonies, true melodies and vocalists who transcend the everyday, I was surprised and somewhat embarrassed to discover Toots Thielemans so late! In many other places, I'm sure, you can find descriptions of the virtuosity of this wonderful musician more lucid than I could provide. Yet, I have found myself so entranced by his music, as represented in this CD (among others), that I felt compelled to write a review here.At least two of the pieces on this CD would have to rank in the top 100 of my all-time favorites. The music is very tastefully arranged and selected--but the guy's harmonica playing is about as close to sublime as one could possibly get with such an instrument.I couldn't recommend this more highly to anyone with a love of France, and a love of beautiful music and superb musicianship that is never pretentious, ever fascinating.

It is always a pleasure to discover a great artist I've not heard before. Toots' playing is a revelation. I'd never imagined the harmonica as such an expressive jazz instrument. (Growing up in the 60s and 70's I'd limited it in my mind to the blues.) He combines great technique, graceful lines, and a great ear for melody and improvisation. I'm also impressed with the other artists he attracts to play with him. This album is a joy from start to finish.