God's Shelter For Your Storm: Review and Giveaway

About The Book:

In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you go to find solid and steadfast assurance?

Gifted Women of Faith^® speaker Sheila Walsh offers powerful, heart-filled teaching on ten bedrock promises of God, providing the foundation for daily living with confidence, hope, and joy. Sheila unveils principles that provide unshakable security during even the most difficult times by weaving her hallmark storytelling, personal experiences, and applicable Scripture to help readers gain a trust in God that will sustain them for a lifetime.

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About The Author:

Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith^®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women  by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.

Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.

Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.

Twitter @SheilaWalsh 

facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects

My Review:

With scripture and encouragement, this beautifully illustrated gift book will brighten your life, regardless of what "storm" you are facing - be it a death, marriage trouble, financial trouble and more. Shelia Walsh writes in a manner that you cannot help but be encouraged and reminded that our God loves yes, and will bring us through the storm.

His shelter is forever, as opposed to the Earthly shelters, like the castle on the cover, which will crumble in time. Walsh uses her own life experiences, and those of others, to teach us valuable lessons about God's love for us, His grace, mercy, strength and how we can have confidence in a God who can conquer each and every storm.

 We just have to let Him.

A beautiful book that I highly recommend.

BUY IT: You can purchase God's Shelter For Your Storm online through Thomas Nelson - it is also available through your favorite local Christian bookseller.

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***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Overture-Media and Thomas Nelson, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Chasing Sunsets: A Book Review

About The Book:

Sometimes you get a second chance at your first love

Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her two sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and sometimes you do get a second chance at love.

Let yourself get swept away to an island retreat of warm tropical breezes, sandy beaches, and the most glorious sunsets you can imagine.

You can read an excerpt of Chasing Sunsets here (in PDF format) 

About The Author:

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken andThis Fine Life. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.

My Review:

As Eva Marie Everson writes in past and present tense, you will be taken on a journey of marital breakdown and loss, addiction, hurt, family relationships, and finding hope even when hope seems gone. With wonderful characters, and a strong sensitivity to the topics covered, I could not put this book down. It was fantastic and I look forward to the rest of the series that is due out.

Another fantastic read to add to your summer reading bucket list! I highly recommed Chasing Sunsets and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: Available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Take Good Care of the Garden and The Dogs: A Book Review

About The Book:

After a near-fatal bicycle accident in her tiny Alaskan town, bestselling author Heather Lende has an opportunity to contemplate faith and friendship, observe the breathtaking beauty of the northern wilderness anew, and truly come to appreciate the remarkable inhabitants of Haines, Alaska, without whom she could never have recovered. Lende's idea of spirituality is rooted in community, and her irrepressible spirit and commitment to living life on the edge of the world deepens our understanding of what links us all. Like her own mother's last instructions, ''Take good care of the garden and the dogs," Lende's writing, so honest and unadorned, offers profound lessons to live by. Here she reminds us (courtesy of Ralph Waldo Emerson) that "the proper response to the world is applause."

About The Author:

Heather Lende has contributed to NPR's Morning Edition, the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Washington Post, as well as National Geographic Traveler and Country Living magazines. She is a columnist for Woman's Day magazine and also writes an online column for the Alaska Dispatch.

For more information, view Heather Lende's Web site.

My Review:

This is the first of Heather Lende's writing I have had the pleasure of reading, but it will certainly not be the last. Combining a novel style with a memoir was pure genius. The writing is done in such a conversational manner, that I felt I was sitting right with the author and experiencing each life situation she did. From her accident recovery to the death of her mother, you will be taken on a remarkable, emotional journey. You will also be introduced to life in Alaska, USA and learn about culture, food, and life in small town Alaska. A great, quick read for your summer reading list.

I definitely want to read more with If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name, which I have heard amazing things about too!

A fabulous read that I highly recommend.

BUY IT: You can purchase Take Good Care of the Garden and The Dogs online through Amazon

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of the author and FSB Media, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Heaven Is For Real: A Book Review

About The Book:

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

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About The Authors:

Todd Burpo is the pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska (Population: 1,762) where his sermons are broadcast locally every Sunday via the local radio station. In emergencies Todd can be found working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department as a fire fighter. He is also the chaplain for the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter's Association. In addition, Todd works with an overhead door company. Todd graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 1991 summa cum laude with a BA in Theology. He was ordained in 1994.

Todd and his wife Sonja, who is a children's minister, busy pastor's wife, mom, and office worker at a local realtor, are the parents of Colton, now an active 12-year old, Cassie, his older sister, and Colby, his younger brother

Lynn Vincent is the New York Times best-selling collaborative writer of Heaven Is for Real, in which a father recounts his three-year-old son's encounter with Jesus and the angels during an emergency appendectomy; Same Kind of Different as Me, the story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy white art dealer and a homeless African-American man; Unsinkable, the story of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland's attempt to sail around the world; and Going Rogue: An American Life, the memoir of former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The author, coauthor, and collaborative writer of ten books, Vincent worked for eleven years as a writer and editor at the national news biweekly WORLD Magazine covering politics, culture, and current events. A U.S. Navy veteran, she teaches writing at colleges and conferences around the country. Lynn lives in San Diego, CA.

My Review:

 There are many books on the market today that take you through "after life" experiences, both Christian and non-Christian. Most of those books I have not taken the time to read, as I just did not feel good about reading them. When Heaven Is For Real was first released, I have to admit I was initially skeptical. I wasn't sure exactly how Todd would relay what his son had been through, and how theologically sound this book was. I had heard both positive and negative reviews but felt that I had to read it and make an opinion of my own. And I am very glad I did just that.


Though I enjoyed the style of writing and ease with which I could read Heaven Is For Real, there were times as I read the book that I thought (often out loud) "really, what four year old thinks this way?" My skeptic side made an appearance more then once as I read this book. I am not saying the Near Death Experiences do not occur, because there is a part of me that believes that they do. Although I have never experienced it myself, nor know anyone who has, I know some people, including maybe even some of you reading this review, have been through that experience.


That said, I thought the book was incredibly heart warming and believable. I felt that each of the events that Colton spoke of were related to the reader in a scripturally sound manner. It took very theological topics and explained them in a very child-like manner, so anyone can understand concepts about Heaven and the afterlife.


I am also very glad that Todd and his wife, chose to wait to tell the world of Colton's experiences. I think by doing so they allowed themselves and Colton to really deal with what was happening without the added pressure of society's questions. It really made me look at eternity with the eyes of a child. And it is my prayer that this book will be a comfort to those who have lost loved ones and those who are seeking and searching with regards to the Christian faith.


I do think this was a great book and I do recommend you read it and make your own opinion about Colton's experience.

BUY IT: You can purchase Heaven Is For Real at your local bookseller from Thomas Nelson

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Graf-Martin Communication and Thomas Nelson, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

False Witness: A Book Review

About The Book:


Clark Shealy is a bail bondsman with the ultimate bounty on the line: his wife’s life. He has forty-eight hours to find an Indian professor in possession of the Abacus Algorithm—an equation so powerful it could crack all Internet encryption. 

Four years later, law student Jamie Brock is working in legal aid when a routine case takes a vicious twist: she and two colleagues learn that their clients, members of the witness protection program, are accused of defrauding the government and have the encrypted algorithm in their possession. After a life-changing trip to the professor’s church in India, the couple also has the key to decode it. 

Now they’re on the run from federal agents and the Chinese mafia, who will do anything to get the algorithm. Caught in the middle, Jamie and her friends must protect their clients if they want to survive long enough to graduate.

watch on tyndale.com

About The Author:


Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned 10 legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel, Directed Verdict. Randy runs his own law practice and has been named to Virginia Business magazine's select list of "Legal Elite" litigation attorneys. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and civil litigation at Regent Law School and, through his church, is involved with ministry opportunities in India. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children.


 Visit his website at www.randysinger.net


My Review:


I had the opportunity to first read Randy Singer's novel, The Justice Game, last year and loved it. Recently, I was asked to read and review Singer's new work, False Witness. It did not disappoint.


False Witness is a very fast paced book that will keep you on your toes, guessing right up to the end! The characters are very well-developed and it is very evident that a ton of research occured to make the story line as accurate as possible. Dare I compare Singer to John Grisham....you bet! Singer is a thriller novelist I will read for as long as he continues to write. With Christianity and faith in God mixed in, False Witness will appeal to all fans of mystery and thriller novels. This may be a novel, but gives you a lot of food for thought in relation to church persecution in India and its impact on the rest of the world.


A great read that I highly recommend.


BUY IT: You can purchase False Witness by Randy Singer at your favorite Christian bookseller from Tyndale House Publishers.


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of The B and B Media Group and Tyndale House, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

The Ambition: A Book Review and GIVEAWAY

About The Book:


After reaching millions of people with his “Case” series, Lee Strobel has launched himself into the fiction genre with this taut legal thriller. You will be thrown into a captivating world that connects a disillusioned pastor with a corrupt judge, a cynical reporter, and a gambling addict on a desperate quest for redemption.

A corrupt judge in a mob murder case. A disillusioned pastor, hungry for power. A cynical reporter, sniffing for a scandal. A gambling addict whose secret tape threatens the lives of everyone who hears it.
 
New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel weaves these edgy characters into an intricate thriller set in a gleaming, suburban megachurch, a big-city newspaper struggling for survival, and the shadowy corridors of political intrigue. The unexpected climax is as gripping as the contract killing that punctuates the opening scene.


You can read an excerpt of The Ambition by Lee Strobel here (in PDF format)

About The Author:


Lee Strobel is an award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and a New York Times bestselling author.  After years of nonfiction bestsellers, he is publishing his debut fiction novel, a legal thriller.  Lee is a Yale Law School graduate, accomplished journalist, and world-renowned speaker. 
Author Website:
http://www.leestrobel.com


Check out the official The Ambition website for more information!


My Review:


I was first introduced to the writings of Lee Strobel with his bestseller, The Case For Christ, a number of years ago. When I found out that Strobel had written a novel I was very intriqued, and I can tell you without a doubt, I am so glad I read it.


The Ambiton is full of suspense, twists and turns and will keep you guessing right until the end. I really enjoyed The Ambition and hope to see Strobel write more novels. The book is full of wonderful characters, as combined with Strobel's exquisite writing, you will feel you are right in every scene written and experiencing it just as the characters have. The Ambition would be a fantastic movie to be sure! 


It is very clear that a ton of research has been done to make this book as accurate as possible, and I am sure that Mr. Strobel has used his many years as a journalist to also impact the writing of this book. Also evident is a strong Christian Worldview, without being overly preachy. This will make The Ambition an appealing read to even non-Christians.


An awesome read for any one's summer reading lists, one that I highly recommend!


BUY IT: You can purchase The Ambition online directly through it's publisher, Zondervan. It is also available through your local bookseller of Zondervan books


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GIVEAWAY ENDS JULY 6, 2011


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Authors On The Web and Zondervan, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Join In The Cars 2 Fun with Hasbro: Review and Giveaway

As most parents know, in 2006 Disney/Pixar released a huge blockbuster hit in Cars! This movie has some absolutely adorable characters in Mater, Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson and more. And the star power behind these lovable characters was impressive too: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry The Cable Guy, Jay Leno, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and many more. 


It was a great family movie and if you are a fan of Disney and Pixar you know that the sequel: Cars 2 is set to release in theatres, tomorrow, June 24. To celebrate, Hasbro sent my family a fantastic Cars 2 themed set of family games and can't wait to introduce these classic games with a Cars 2 feel.

Operation 


Mater here... can you fix up my busted gear? I can’t hit the road when so many parts are itchin’ for fixin’! Grab the tweezers & drive these parts away. It’s up to you to get ’er done; I’m in reverse and ready to run! What did I tell you ’bout touchin’ the sides? To not to!


My Review:


An awesome twist on the classic game from Hasbro, Operation, but with Mater as your patient. What Cars 2 fan wouldn't want to fix up Mater for the big movie release. This game is suited for ages 6 +, due to the small pieces and the fine motor skills needed. However, I did set it up for my almost five year old to try out and she did pretty good. It is definitely a game that will get a lot of use in our household and I highly recommend it for the Cars fan in your life.

Monopoly:

Race to “real estate” victory with characters from the Cars 2 movie! Buy and trade cars in this fast-paced game to try to earn the most money. Speed your way around the board, build up monopolies and—if you’re the richest player at the end of the game—win!

Fast-dealing cars trading game challenges you to “speed” your way to victory with Cars 2 characters! Pick up and trade cars in Japan, Italy and London!

My Review:

A wonderful revamp of the classic Monopoly that will entertain your family for hours. As I tried to introduce the game monopoly to my daughter, it was very apparent that she is not ready for this game. It is just too long to keep her attention. However, I know it is a game that will be put to use as her and her sister grow up. Definitely a great gift idea for both Cars and Monopoly fans in your home!

Sorry Sliders:


Race your friends your own cool racetracks! Rev through Radiator Springs, tear through Tokyo, power through Porta Corsa and rip through London. But watch out! Oil slicks, traffic cones and radiation zones make it a bumpy ride to victory. It’s time to put your sliders skills into top gear!


My Review:


This is one game that I did not play with my girls, however, my husband and I tried it out. We just felt that there was no reason to frustrate my girls with a game that was too above them. That said, Sorry Sliders Cars Edition is a fun game for families who children are ages six and over. There is a lot of set up to do prior to playing the game, such as placing stickers and pieces in the proper places. Once that is complete, its game on! We really enjoyed the game, and again, its going to be a game that will be used for years to come in our family.

Memory:


REV your engine for a speedy match! Kick start your memory as you try to match picture cards of your Cars 2 buddies. Each match puts your car on a straight course for the finish line. It’s Lightning McQueen against Francesco! Zoom and win the checkered flag!


My Review:


The Cars 2 Version of Memory is so much fun! Along with the original cards to flip and find matches, this updated version of the game also has a game board! To tell you how much we have enjoyed this game, we have played it at least once a week since receiving our pack from Hasbro....at least 3 times. The girls are also asking to play the Cars matching game, and I will gladly do it. A great family game that even my almost three year old (she will be three in a few weeks) has enjoyed. Albeit, her attention span does not last the whole game, she is quickly catching onto the concept of it. My almost five year old LOVES this game and already has suggested it as a gift for one of her cousins for Christmas. I would highly agree and give this game a huge thumbs up.

Trouble:

ARE YOU PRETTY GOOD AT THIS RACIN’ STUFF LIKE ME? ...LET’S SEE! Well, hey there fellow racers! Get ready for the ultimate dash to the finish! Watch out where you move – if you crash into your opponent you can send ‘em back home. But be careful ‘cause they can do the same to you. The first to get all 4 cars into Victory Lane wins!

FEATURING MATER AS THE POP-O-MATIC DIE-ROLLING BUBBLE!

My Review:

Out of the five games we received from Hasbro to help promote Cars 2, this is by far the family favorite. I am not sure if its the Pop-O-Matic Mater (my girls' favorite to be sure) or the ease of understanding for playing (a great game for pre-schoolers and early elementary to be sure) but we have played Trouble ALOT during the couple weeks that we have owned it. Definitely a game that will be played for a long time to come in our house. 

All these games will give your family hours of fun and great times. I highly recommend any of the games above for the Cars fan in your life. They would be super birthday gifts, and looking down the road, Christmas gifts too! 

BUY IT: All these games are available at your favorite retailer of Hasbro games like Toys R Us, Target, and Wal-Mart!

 

WIN IT:

One (1) Reader

will

 win

 a 

CARS 2 Games Prize Pack 

featuring:

Trouble, 

Memory, 

Operation,

 Sorry Sliders, 

and 

Monopoly

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me your favorite family game to play!

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GIVEAWAY OPEN TO CANADIANS ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS JULY 10, 2011

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***I received a complimentary set of the games above, courtesy of Hasbro Canada, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

There's Lead In Your Lipstick: A Book Review

As women, we use health and beauty products on a daily basis. Whether it is makeup, hair products, skin care products or perfume, this industry has easily been kept going by women globally.  The health and beauty industry is a multi-billion one with no signs of slowing down any time soon.


Everyday new products are being marketed, whether for women, men or children. However, do we really know what is in the products we use.


During the last few years, I have become more aware of what types of chemicals are in the products I have been using, and what exactly these chemicals could potentially be doing to my body, as well as to those in my family. Especially frightening is that I have used products that contain ingredients that are known cancer-causing, or could affect body systems in many different ways.


I was recently introduced to a book that examines the many toxins found in today's health and beauty products, and how to avoid them! I am very excited to tell you about the fantastic read, There's Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon.

About The Book:


We are living in a toxic haze, exposed every day to substances that are harmful to our health and the environment. Phthalates, parabens, lead, triclosan, mercury, coal tar - these and other toxins are hidden in common body care products, from shampoo and sunscreen to lipstick and eyeliner.


Gillian Deacon explains how you can easily reduce your chemical body burden - the number of harmful chemicals your body has accumulated - simly by knowing what to avoid. She not only helps you identify the dangerous ingredients in all types of body care products, but also recommends the best alternative products and where you can find them. There's Lead in Your Lipstick brims with advice, tips and head-to-toe solutions for living a healthier, greener life.

About The Author:


Award-winning broadcaster and writer Gillian Deacon brings her informed and friendly style to the subject that has long been her passion. A busy working mom and host of CBC-TV's The Gill Deacon Show, she understands the challenges of trying to "do it all" with a smaller environmental footprint.


Visit Gillian Deacon's website at http://www.gilldeacon.ca and follow her on Twitter: @gilldeacon


My Review:


There's Lead in Your Lipstick was a fascinating look at the health and beauty industry. Written in a very easy to read manner, this book takes you through categories such as hair, eyes, face, lips, teeth, hands and feet, skin, and even armpits! You will learn about the importance of label reading (and you thought that was only for food, didn't you - it's not!), and also how to be more green and clean in your "girl stuff".


Not only will you learn about what ingredients to avoid (there is an appendix of the top 20 to avoid) but you will get great ideas about how to make your own products like mouthwash, creams (body and hand) and even makeup remover! The book is loaded with lists and recipes galore, with many of them using everyday ingredients like brown sugar, olive oil, and tea tree oil. Here is a great example:


Homemade Makeup Remover


1 tbsp castor oil
1 tbsp light olive oil
1 tbsp sunflower or safflower oil


Blend together and use to remove eye makeup


How easy is that, right? And I even tried it out and it works great!


If you are looking for a great introduction to going green with your health and beauty products, and you want to become more aware of what is in your products, and get some great ideas for alternatives this is the book for you!


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase There's Lead in Your Lipstick online through Penguin Books - it is also available through your favorite local bookseller


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Penguin Canada, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Putumayo Presents Jazz: A CD Review

About Putumayo World Music:


Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label grew out of the Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. In the past fifteen years, the record label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company’s motto: “guaranteed to make you feel good!”

Putumayo’s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of the company’s goals: to connect the traditional and the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today’s artist-based music
industry.

Putumayo is considered a pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional market. A large portion of its target audience consists of “Cultural Creatives,” a sociological term for 50 million North Americans and millions more around the world with an interest in culture, travel and the arts. To reach these consumers, Putumayo has built a proprietary network of more than 3,000 book, gift, clothing, coffee and other specialty retailers in the US and thousands more internationally that play and sell its CDs, in addition to maintaining a strong presence in record stores.

About Jazz:


Putumayo’s Jazz features a veritable who’s who of jazz legends performing beloved standards. The 1950s was a golden age for jazz and three-quarters of this collection was recorded during this era. Many of these recordings have been remixed and remastered, providing a level of sound quality not available until recent years. A wonderful introduction to the genre and a worthy addition to any aficionado’s collection, Jazz demonstrates the enduring, universal appeal of this homegrown American musical style. The liner notes of the CD were written by noted jazz scholar and WWOZ New Orleans radio host Joel Dinerstein, whose in-depth commentary is accompanied by rare archival photos. 


Putumayo’s founder, Dan Storper, comments on his increased exposure to jazz since moving to New Orleans: “Over the past few years, I’ve heard jazz virtually seeping from the pores of this city, the birthplace of jazz. Listening to Joel Dinerstein on WWOZ reminded me of how much I still loved the songs of my parents’ generation and that selecting exceptional, relatively obscure songs by many of their favorites would help introduce many of these great artists to a new generation.”

The inimitable Nina Simone opens the collection with “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” one of her most recognizable songs. Nat King Cole’s velvet vocals and accomplished jazz piano skills are showcased on the swinging “’Deed I Do,” recorded during his early days helming The King Cole Trio. One of the most recognizable voices of the swing era, Maxine Sullivan contributes “’Taint No Use," on which she ruminates over a romance that has run its course.


Jazz piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson accompanies Louis Armstrong, inventor of the modern popular jazz vocal, who delivers a spare but upbeat solo on “I Was Doing All Right.” “Swing tenor” saxophonist Zoot Sims, who recorded more than 50 albums during his career, honors George and Ira Gershwin on an album that features many beloved standards, including “Someone to Watch Over Me." Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker, who rose to stardom on equal parts talent and charismatic edginess , sings a soft, ethereal tenor on "There Will Never Be Another You."


Pioneering jazz vocalist Anita O'Day contributes a husky-voiced rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and self-taught swing pianist Hampton Hawes follows with the gospel-infused “Sermon.” Coquettish jazz singer Blossom Dearie injects her signature wry humor and poetic phrasing into “They Say It’s Spring.” Composer, pianist and vocalist Mose Alison, whose music has been covered by Pete Townsend, Bonnie Raitt and others, contributes the classic swing valentine "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." Closing out Jazz is alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley and pianist Bill Evans’s spellbinding performance of the ballad "Waltz for Debby," followed by Lady Day herself, Billie Holiday, who delivers a sultry performance of “Lover, Come Back to Me.”

You can listen to tracks from Putumayo Presents Jazz here.

My Review:



Since beginning my career in Early Childhood Education, I have had the opportunity to listen to many of Putumayo World Music releases. They produce amazing multi-cultural music for people of all ages, but I especially love their Playground and Dreamland Series for children. During the last two years that I have been blogging, I have had the chance to work with Yann at Putumayo and introduce you to some amazing music, and today is no different. Once again Putumayo has released a great collection of music.


Putumayo Presents Jazz is a release that every Jazz music lover NEEDS to have in their home CD library. It contains some fabulous tracks of classic Jazz hits! Some I have heard before (like Someone To Watch Over Me) and some are new to me but they are all fantastic!


 My favorite tracks are Zoot Sims "Someone To Watch Over Me" (one of my fave songs from the movie, Mr. Holland's Opus), Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans with "Waltz For Daddy" and Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson "I Was Doing Alright".


If you are looking for an eclectic collection of Jazz favorites, I highly recommend Putumayo Presents Jazz! You will not be disappointed!


BUY IT: You can purchase Putumayo Presents Jazz online here - it is also available at your favorite local music store


***I received a complimentary copy of this CD, courtesy of Putumayo World Music, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***