Joe Sample and Randy Crawford
Feeling Good
(Pra – 2007)
by Carmen Miller
Randy Crawford and Joe Sample’s new collaboration is a wonderful breath of fresh air. I was concerned when I first discovered that Randy was going to reprise her famous Rio DeJaniero Blue, but she delivers it so naturally atop Samples’ acoustics that it may even be better than the original. The entire CD is an amazing duet between Randy’s incredible voice and Joe’s impeccable piano.
The songs, all classics in their own right combine older standards such as “Feeling Good”, “All Night Long,” and “But Beautiful,” with the more contemporary “When I Need You” first recorded by Leo Sayer, and Peter Gabriel’s “Lovetown” from the movie Philadelphia. Steve Gadd-drums, and Christian McBride-bass, round out the trio on this thoroughly enjoyable CD.