ANN DYER

Revolver: A New Spin
$6.98
For all 10 or so of you out there who have heard this, I'll bet 5 of you love it and 5 of you hate it; and nobody is in between. The reason you feel that way is that you believe that "Revolver" is one of the absolute hallmarks of the '60's (and you're right, of course); and this album takes the psychedelia of the Beatles to new heights (note what's not on this album: "Here There and Everywhere". The prettiest Beatles song ever, IMHO; and much too pretty for this album). Some of you will hate that anybody had the chutzpah to try to "out-do" the Beatles; and some of you will admire the "chutzpah" of anyone who tried and appeared to "out-do" the Beatles. So rate it without reference to The Fab Four, if you can; and on that scale, it's pretty good. Ann Dyer is not the most vocally gifted singer in the world; but she gets it done with what she has, and the end result is always interesting. Recommended.

Winter Wh Classic Merino Wool Yarn
$10.99
Paton's is my go-to yarn for felting projects. It's a good quality product,with many lovely colors and blends. It's texture and hand are pleasing, the price is right, and now that I've used it multiple times, it's possible to predict the percentage of shrinkage. I use it for things that I make for myself, and also for items that I sell at my booth at the local arts center. Highly recommended.

When I Close My Eyes
$9.99
Down Beat rated this as the best vocal jazz album of 2003. Here's why I can't agree: This is a trio, with Ms. Dyer, string bass and percussion. I can't think of another album in which all (or virtually all) cuts had that instrumentation. And, this is not "Fever" with 12 variations: all the cuts have an eastern flair, and all demonstrate an almost telepathic empathy between the 3 musicians. And, though it was cut in the studio, this album could have been done live, and one gets the feeling that, if done live, the album would be exactly as it is here (plus applause). So, why knock off one star? Because there's only so much you can do with that instrumentation, if you're not going to overdub. You can't create music that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you shout, make you want to run a marathon. Not even Ann Dyer can do that. Here's an analogy: suppose Joan Miro did all of his "surrealistic squiggle" paintings in orange and purple only. It would be above average; but think what he could have accomplished if he had used the whole palette. There is nothing in this album that you will be singing in the shower within a week. But it's always interesting. With that limitation, recommended. RC

P.S.--4/6/06. This album and this review has haunted me like none other. Did I unfairly malign this album? After careful relisten, I conclude: yes and no.

Ann Dyer is a fabulous singer, and arguably is the most criminally underrated among the large universe of criminally underrated jazz singers. Her ability to bend notes and invent and reinvent lyrical lines is second only to Mark Murphy; and her ability to do that with a beautiful singing voice that is always pleasing to listen to is second to none. SHe deserves way, way more accolades than she has ever received.

But if you asked me to name two standout cuts off of this album, I couldn't do it. I can admire what Murphy does to "Green Dolphin Street", for example, because the song is so familiar; but nothing here has that degree of familiarity to act as a springboard for admiration of Ann Dyer's artistry. You have to have the patience to listen to this multiple times, before you really get it. RC

Z Yoga: The Yoga Sleep Ritual
$27.98
Never again bring stress and tension to your bedtime pillow with zYoga, the yoga sleep ritual. It's the perfect combination of yoga movement, music, and guided relaxation to prepare you for a night of restorative sleep. Includes illustrated guide.