Update: the first track is significantly quieter than the rest -- the actual audio file itself was quieter, and I apologize for not catching it sooner.
Tracklist:
0:00 - Mr. Bojangles
2:39 - Satin Doll
6:40 - Porto Allegre
9:10 - Just The Way You Are
13:44 - I Fall In Love Too Easy
16:19 - Meninha Flor
19:09 - Without Her
22:14 - Girl Talk
25:03 - You Needed Me
28:50 - Three Times A Lady
32:20 - I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song
Released in 1980, \"Julian Lee\" showcased the talent of the great (and blind) pianist (who also plays flugel horn on the album), and also flaunted the talent of many other Australian and New Zealand musicians. Mainly an album of jazz standards and contemporary pop covers, the standout track is \"Porto Allegre\"; composed by Lee himself. As evident in the name of the city the song is named after, it is a song with strong Brazilian influences, with a thumping samba back beat, and bossa guitar rhythms and string arrangements. The most recognizable song on the album to non-jazz ears is Lee's beautiful cover of Billy Joel's classic \"Just The Way You Are\". The song begins with a near perfect rendition of the flanger Rhodes present on the original song (a moment which made me do a double take).
Lee had worked with such internationally known jazz names as Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Joe Pass, George Shearing, Bud Shank, Luiz Bonfa, Liberace, and even cut a song with Willie Nelson on one occasion. A 94 year old Lee gained international fame in 2018 after a viral video of him - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBMNTEtfUfM&ab_channel=JamesMorrison performing \"After You've Gone\" with James Morrison was spread among social media. Lee quietly passed away on December 3rd, 2020.
