"Listen!" was recorded live in 1980 when the original L.A. Jazz Choir returned from a tour of the European Jazz Festivals, including Montreaux and North Sea. It was released in 1983 as an lp and nominated for a Grammy the following year. Guest soloists Sue Raney and Carl Anderson had previously appeared with the group, and graciously offered to participate in this recording. Pianist Dwight Elrich provides solid accompaniment and contributed the haunting arrangement of "I Only Have Eyes for You." But the real stars of this recording are the 18 men and women who lived with this music for many months, seasoning and shaping it until it became a unified artistic expression. 10 songs, from "Bye Bye Blues" and "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid" to "Here's that Rainy Day," "It Had to Be You" and a scattish "Woodchopper's Ball." Nor can we forget a sweet "Let There Be Love," the style-switching "Hurry On Down," a joyous, romping "Sweet Georgia Brown" and a smoky, bluesy "Everything I Have Is Yours." Let's see‹we have the great jazz classics, one of the greatest jazz choirs of all time in their prime, singing their tails off, live‹just back from blowing away some of the great European jazz festivals, and you've got the Grammy nomination. But if you really want to know how exceptional this CD is, Listen!