KENNY RANKIN: The Kenny Rankin Album..."Limited Edition"

Kenny Rankin

The Kenny Rankin Album..."Limited Edition"

© 2007 Rankin Music Productions (075679031624)

Easy listening

notes

Greetings,
I am proud to announce the re-release of "The Kenny Rankin Album."
It was recorded "live" at Cherokee Sound Studios, Los Angeles, California in 1976, with a 60 piece string orchestra, conducted by the great Don Costa, and was completed in three days. There was no overdubbing. What you hear is what we did, and if you listen carefully, you can hear the faint sound of Dons' paper, settling on his podium, seconds before the downbeat of "You Are So Beautiful."
Having had the privilege of working with Don, who took me under his wing in in the early 60's, I said, "if I were to never make another recording, this was the one I always wanted."
That still holds true today!

This recording was digitally re-mastered, and retains it's acoustic authenticity.
Be safe and well,
Kenny

"Kenny Rankin is the opposite of a song interpreter. He's a mood stylist in the tradition of Johnny Mathis. And The Kenny Rankin Album is his best record, since it pinpoints his strengths—a mellow timbre, phrasing that dissolves easily from languid melisma to light scat—and presents him in the romantic ballad tradition to which he is heir. Recorded live, with a studio orchestra, the sound has a depth and clarity missing in MOR albums constructed over separately recorded tracks. The album also restores the role of arranger/conductor to a prominence that was usurped in the Sixties by the producer. Don Costa, known for his work with Frank Sinatra, provides a full string background which reaches a peak of lushness in the chart of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," a tune that sets the album's dreamy tone. If The Kenny Rankin Album is not a great pop album like the best of Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole, at least it gracefully revives a fine tradition."
STEPHEN HOLDEN
(RS 238)
1976

reviews

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  • The Kenny Rankin Album
    author: Randall Etherton

    The lush strings behind "A House of Gold" gives no clue that this is a Hank Williams song. It makes one rethink all music. Beautiful

  • author: John C Kissel

    Thanks Kenny. The album was great.

  • The Kenny Rankin Album
    author: Edgardo A. de Lara

    Just as great as when I first heard it in 1979. The whole experience for me was like a reunion with an old friend. Thanks Kenny for a wonderful album! Godbless!

  • The Kenny Rankin Album
    author: Edgardo A. de Lara

    I first got this album on cassette in 1979, one of my first music album in the US. Makes me feel nostalgic, being new in the country. Lot of water under the bridge, I lost the album and was greatly excited when I came upon this website showing the very same album on cd. It's like waking from a long dream and finding a wish come true. Kenny, you're one of my heroes!

  • Limited Edition
    author: Lorelei

    This is the album that I first heard and just fell in love with your voice, your choice of songs and I am coming to Boston to see your show on Jan 24, 2008 at Scullers...had a ticket to Boston since last Jan and had to use it and found you there. Hope to get a chance to meet you. Thanks for the memories!!!

  • Fan
    author: Wilfred J. Sturgeon

    I have enjoyed this "album" (33-1/3 record)for the many years since it first came out. My son played the tape for the many hours he spent on the SoCal freeways going to and from work.

  • Great Kenny Album
    author: Daniele. Italy

    Music for the Heart. MASTERPIECE.

  • The Kenny Rankin Album
    author: ISOBE Masaru

    Quite unusual gorgeous album has been recorded way back to '76. Excellent and deserve to put the CD on.

  • Still Sound Sweet
    author: Eric Carleton

    Greetings Derek and All you CD Babycakers, I did receive the package in timely fashion. It sounded great and Mr. Rankin's clear and lovely voice was as I remembered it so many years ago. We had his rendition of "You Are So Beautiful" as my wife's and my wedding dance song. This year is our 25th wedding anniversary and we are having a celebration. We wanted that song, but only had it in old cassette tape. I learned the original album was gone (song not recorded on any other of his albums), and this was not available anywhere locally. Through internet search I found the re-release of this via CD Baby. It saved my bacon, because my only part in this big vow renewal event was to show up (again, like 25 years ago) and take care of the music. The music is done with your big help and now I need to show up tomorrow and say "I do" again. Take care, Eric Carleton

  • Kenny's best work ever!
    author: Don Thomas

    I first heard this LP while working in my college art class in 1976. It was brought in by a fellow classmate and It was love at first listen! The very next day I went out and bought the record. And now I'm buying the cd. Easily Kenny's best work ever and is the most consistantly beautiful assortment of music in my entire music collection. It simply could not have been done any better.

  • Amazing remastering of a classic.
    author: Deborah Day

    An Amazing remastering of the original album. My father introduced me to Kenny Rankin in 1977 and I still have the fond memories of listening to the clear and beautiful voice of Kenny Rankin now on CD. This album and CD will always be loved and cherished now that it has been brought into the next century. Deborah Day in memory of Tom Day

  • Outstanding vocals, enchanting orchestration
    author: Bob Merry

    I have recently discovered Kenny Rankin through Jazz 91.1 Toronto. What a great set of pipes Kenny has. The spirit of the songs are captured through Kenny's vocals and Don Costas arrangements and orchestration, in particular the lead song "House of Gold". Sit back, relax and enjoy this entire cd. Kenny, you've done it.

  • Happy to relocate a musical gem.
    author: Bob Butta

    This was an album I had on tape but it was destroyed. I was so pleased to find the CD which was reproduced so well.

  • This is the CD for full-throttle romance
    author: Jim Trebilcock

    This music transports and enfolds you. Like the Ghost of Christmas Present, it will wrap you in its greatcoat and take you to places of pain, joy and wonderment. Look into the face of your beloved as 'I Love You' plays in the background and be assured that your love will grow as the song unfolds. It's that powerful. The CD feels organic. It's made of whole cloth. It's not pasted together of this odd bit or that stray piece as corporate music is assembled today. The threads of one song are woven by the hands of a master into the next. Even the songs you know are not the songs you know. Kenny's take on 'Groovin', for example, owes nothing to The Rascals and takes nothing away from that group's classic version. It is uniquely his own. The Kenny Rankin album is not a collection of songs. It is an experience.

  • HOW MANY ADJECTIVES FOR WONDERFUL ARE THERE?
    author: K BRADY

    THIS CD IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC. EACH NOTE IS CRISP AND CLEAR. THE RENDITIONS OF OTHER ARTISTS SONGS ARE UNIQUELY KENNY RANKIN-ESPECIALLY WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS, WHICH MAKES ME WEEP WHILE GENTLY LISTENING. THE SOUND IS EVEN MORE HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL THAN I REMEMBER THIRTY PLUS YEARS AGO. I HAVE REMINDED FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND STRANGERS ABOUT THE TALENT EXHIBITED IN THIS CD AND THAT THEY MUST PURCHASE IT NOW TO ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME! THANK YOU!

  • An Amazing and Beautiful Collection of Easy Listening Gems
    author: David Saxton

    Everytime I listen to this CD it gives me shivers! The production is a masterpiece and the orchestration blends so perfectly with the core instruments. Kenny's voice is so clear and pure. I especially love the songs: "Here's That Rainy Day", "Make-Believe", "I Love You", and "The Eye of the Eagle Song". I'm so happy that this CD is available again!!!!

  • Forgot the stars!
    author: Ronnie DeClerck
  • AWESOME VOICE...AWESOME TALENT...SUCH A GIFT!
    author: Ronnie DeClerck

    AWESOME VOICE...AWESOME TALENT...Kenny Rankin makes me FEEL the message right into my soul, he has SUCH A GIFT of clean, clear, true-pitch vocals, paired with his sensitive interpretive phrasing he caresses each song right into my heart! I absolutely LOVE ALL of Kenny Rankin's work...his acapella vocals are one of the earth's greatest treasures!

  • Quanto mi piace quest'album
    author: Musilosophy

    Veramente bello quest'album. Contiene canzoni bellissime, arrangiate ottimamente. Un mix di jazz,pop...canzoni dolcissime e piacevoli. Consiglio a tutti di comprarlo.

  • BIG improvement over older Atlantic release
    author: Jon S

    This is one of my favorite CDs. This re-release is much cleaner than the older Atlantic version. It is also a lot better than the "Silver Morning" CD which has some issues in sound quality. Great selection of songs, production is really great since it was recorded "live".

  • One of my favorite albums.
    author: Larry Atkinson

    Bought it new in 1970. Loved it! Bought a CD years later. Still one of my favorites. Lost CD in flood, CD went out of print. Boo Hoo. Kenny Rankin reissued it and made it available on CD again through CD Baby. I am thrilled. I listened and all the memories came back.

  • Absolutly one of the True Classic Albums
    author: Jono Frola

    Absolutly one of the True Classic Albums of all times. I've had the pleasure of seeing and meeting Mr Rankin many times and it's always a thrill when he performs his tunes from this album.

  • A Classic - No music lover should be without it!
    author: MA

    I purchased this "album" when it first came out. The cover is now water damaged, the edges scuffed and scraped, the vinyl worn. How happy was I to see this produced in CD? Think "died and went to heaven"!! Vocals so pure, clear and soothing. He can take any song and turn it into a decadent delight. On another note, if you are a true Rankin fan, (or first timer!) your library MUST have "The Bottom Line" album. I have every album now, and believe this one shows Kenny at his best. It's a live recording, and reveals his true talent. His vocals, his guitar playing and his interaction with the audience. All such a gift to the soul. I suggest purchasing a new copy, ordered from your local music store, if possible. It's worth it, a million times over. Thank you Kenny, for the best section of music in my extensive library!

  • This CD reminds me of why I first loved Mr. Rankins voice.
    author: Sandra

    This CD reminds me of why I first loved Mr. Rankins voice. The music is soulful, lovely and rich with the exquisit sound of strings rounding it out. Don't miss it.

  • excellent!
    author: Frankie Driscoll

    Once again, an excellent classic brought back to us, thanks Kenny! 'Through The Eye Of The Eagle' is my favorite. Pick this up, it's great!

  • One of the best CDs ever made.
    author: tom saputo

    I bought this album years ago and it is one of my favorite albums of all time. Kenny is a master of jazz vocals with his unbelievable vocal range and heartfelt delivery. The Don Costa arrangements are so lush and perfect. The album was recorded so spacious and again is perfect for the record. I own a recording studio and know a bit about the right sound. The covers are correctly chosen and the originals are great. I met Kenny at Blues Alley in Washington DC and he was really nice and took time out to speak with me. No ego. I think he is one of the most talented and important artist of our time. Tom Saputo ( The Jangles- Blue City - Summer Standards)Thanks

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