Customer Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent
Comment: This is one of my favotite albums in my cd collection. Its the kind of music that put your mind at ease and makes you walk in the clouds. Its elegant and tasteful. A true gem in jazz music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Joe does standards and the result is absolutely beautiful!
Comment: We are all Joe Sample fans because of a distinctive style of
piano playing that is catchy, charismatic, and sometimes
remarkably impressionistic with his gift to musically illustrate
the places and memories that have most affected his life.
In this album, we are delighted to hear him appreciate standards,
his acoustic piano woven with some of the most beautiful
orchestration I have ever heard. This is the album to make
you feel good, relaxed, the one for the Sunday afternoon, or
the cozy late night in front of the fire with favorite people.
All of the selections are wonderful, the album is first rate
from beginning to end. I have just rediscovered it again,
and am totally mesmerized by it!! Outstanding!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: An Invitation To Listen To Joe Sample At His Very Best
Comment: "I extend to you an invitation of timelessness, classicism,
and an insight into the great gifts of those who have come and gone,
and those who continue to give. The bond is eternal,
the gift is everlasting, and it is godliness." ~ Joe Sample
This wonderful CD has a special spot in my smooth jazz collection, along with "Carmel." All the melodies are great and truly remarkable that only a great jazz pianist such as Joe Sample can interpret with such an extraordinary artistry and elegance. This is unparalleled piano playing at its utmost best!
My personal favorites include "My One And Only Love," the title track "Invitation," "Stormy Weather," "Come Rain Or Come Shine" and "Summertime." My special mention goes to the second track "A House Is Not A Home." His interpretation of this Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic (with meaningful lyrics) is so poignant that it moved me to tears just listening to it! They say that there is a song for every experience in life.
This is one CD that will make you want to listen again and again. It's a must-have for all smooth jazz lovers. FYI: Joe Sample was nominated for Keyboardist of the Year 2003, and Male Artist of the Year 2003 in the 2003 National Smooth Jazz Awards. Congratulations, Mr. Sample!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Standard Tunes
Comment: If I want to "chill" as the young folks say, this is the CD I play.For one thing, the songs are Joe's interpretation of some of the greatest standard tunes. The title track is my favorite ("Invitation") with "My One And Only Love" a very close second.
Joe has a way of putting you and "another world" by the way of his piano. Take me away, Joe!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Recommended Therapy......
Comment: to ease those tensions at the end of a day. It's about as good a mental massage as one can get......to take time out for a little introspection and complete relaxation while listening to this excellent selection and beautiful presentation of these standards ( from Gershwin to Bacharach, Ted Koehler, and Johnny Mercer to Horace Silver and John Lewis). That's quite a spread in one cd!.....and it all comes off well!I listen with deep appreciation to Joe Sample's piano artistry, but I also have to give kudos to the orchestral arrangements and conducting by Dale Oehler......and probably the recording and mixing engineers for providing such great great sound.
Build yourself a drink, put this on your sound system, kick back and listen......you'll feel your petty worries and concerns drifting away.
