CD Music
Lyn Stanley: "Lost in Romance"
August 2013
The Ultimate Album about Love
A.T. Music 3101
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
The mellow flugelhorn from Gilbert Castellanos sets an elegant and sophisticated tone for "Change Partners," the opening cut from Lyn Stanley's Lost in Romance, a mood to which the rest of the album adheres. Stanley's vocals are so voluptuous and assured that I was surprised to learn that this is her first album. I had thought it was probably another in a string of successes.
Randi Tytingvåg: "Lights Out"
August 2013
Sorrow As Life’s Twin
Ozella SW 513 EP
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
A true international sensation, Randi Tytingvåg is a Norwegian singer who records in Germany and sings in English. She has a style that is completely her own. You simply can't peg it, since it contains elements of jazz, cabaret, and pop put together in a unique and effective manner. Her first album, Red, was a huge hit, and it brought her to the attention of American listeners through Ozella Music, a German audiophile recording company.
Vincent Cross: "A Town Called Normal"
July 2013
Not Quite Bluegrass, but Very Good Nonetheless
Self released
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
A good 90 percent of the indie albums we receive for review come from agents that have only indie clients. SoundStage! Network writers recommend about five to seven percent. Then about two to three percent come from the artists themselves. A Town Called Normal is one of the latter. That's sort of ironic, because it sounds like it could have been recorded in West Virginia, where I live.
Nancy Harms: "Dreams in Apartments"
July 2013
Nancy Harms -- A Star Ascending
Gazelle Records GNH-002
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
Nancy Harms hails from small-town Minnesota and has developed a sophisticated performing style that couples nicely with a sweet, direct personality. She has a marvel of a voice that will do anything she asks of it. It can be sweet and simple or sultry and dark. She colors her voice to suit whatever a particular song demands. She has a sure sense of both rhythm and pitch and can float some high notes that would make an opera singer jealous.
Abigail Riccards: "Every Little Star"
June 2013
Sweet and Neat Jazz for a Good Cause
Self released
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
This is Abigail Riccards's third album. Perhaps that's why its 12-song playlist seems so comfortable and secure. I like her voice and interpretations, and I surely like her choices in picking repertory. It's been a long time since I've had "I've Told Every Little Star" pass my way, and it's a first that it keeps company with "Circle Game" and "Waltz for Debby."
George Shearing & Don Thompson: "George Shearing at Home"
June 2013
“Just for Fun” Recordings Have Become Treasures
Jazzknight Records JKR001
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
George Shearing became practically a household word when the pianist was under contract with Capitol Records. His recordings comfortably crossed the line between pop and jazz and sold exceptionally well. He was often backed by strings, and did some significant duo albums with Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson. No doubt, album titles such as Latin Lace, Latin Affair, Beauty and the Beat! (a duo album with Peggy Lee), White Satin, and Black Satin (with voluptuous female models on the cover) helped ease the public's fear that they might be buying a jazz album.
Matthew Morrison: "Where It All Began"
June 2013
Suave Vocals and the Ghost of Billy May
222 Records 222RO1
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
I'm a great fan of TV's Glee and have admired Matthew Morrison and his character, Will Schuester, from the first episode. Musically, the show has sometimes gone off the rails, but then it miraculously gets back to center with Morrison and the cast doing what they do best -- show tunes. Remember that tribute to "Make 'Em Laugh," from Singin' in the Rain? One of the most entertaining bits on television in a while.
Thisbe Vos: "Under Your Spell"
June 2013
Impeccable, Sophisticated Singing
Prime Productions
Format: CD
Musical Performance
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Overall Enjoyment
The title of the first album by Thisbe Vos was Sophistication, and that might well describe the mood and manner of Under Your Spell, her second CD. As she sings five timeless classics and seven new tunes that she authored, Vos gives the impression of a singer-songwriter who has arrived at the top and who needs only more exposure to comfortably stay there. I can't imagine anyone who loves music not loving Vos. And that's both as singer and songwriter.
Mustered Courage: "Powerlines"
May 2013
Virtuoso Bluegrass from Down Under
Self released
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
Folk music will never die. It will be revisited and reinvented by each new generation. Mumford & Sons are the latest and most recognizable incarnation, mixing rock and a few drum sets in with the banjos and guitars, resulting in sold-out arenas. Miley Cyrus has even touched on country and folk lately, and the result might surprise you. I believe there's folk music in the heart of every great performer. America is so rich in it that it's hard to ignore.
Denise King & Olivier Hutman: "Give Me The High Sign"
May 2013
Bold Singing from Denise King
Cristal Records CR 209
Format: CD
Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment
Talk about successful hands-across-the-sea unions! Denise King was born in Philadelphia and got her first singing experience in clubs in the City of Brotherly Love. Olivier Hutman was born in France and has quite a lengthy resume as bandleader, sideman, and film-music composer, having made over 200 recordings. The two met, toured together, and now have released Give Me the High Sign, their second album together. It sounds like they have known each other for a long time when actually their association has been very brief. But based on what I hear on this dynamic CD, their partnership should go on for a very long time.
