I am excited to review Joel Fleisher's new CD, "Love Has Called Again" because from the first time I heard Joel singing live at AJ's on the Green in Cathedral City, CA, I knew he was a vocalist with something very special! What's special about Joel is that he sings with a strong emotional connection to lyrics. Many singers with a good voice simply sing the lyrics of great songs. Not Joel, when he sings a great lyric, he makes his audience forget he is singing someone else's words and paints his own picture of the emotional story these lyrics tell. I believe Joel's Opera experience helped him acquire this talent. His vocal phrasing and his stage presence are delightful and his love of music and lyric are immediately clear to anyone listening. Joel never plays it safe when singing live. In the true sense of all great Jazz singers, he is not afraid to improvise above, below and inside the medley. The result is his vocal performances are never exactly the same and that is what makes Jazz singing so special.
Joel has been singing his entire life. His father was a big-band reed player and his mother studied classical piano and Joel has fond memories of her playing Rachmaninoff. Classical music and Opera were Joel's first loves but as time went he began experimenting with singing Do-Wop harmony while at the same time singing in the "Mambo King" band in Philadelphia. After serving in the Vietnam war, Joel resumed his musically education at Monterey Peninsula College. While at Monterey Peninsula College, Joel started doing music-theater as well as doing Opera workshops, performing principal roles in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", "Roar of the Paint", "House of Blue Leaves" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". After moving to San Francisco, Joel continued his degree at San Francisco State and sang the leading roles in "Cosi Fan Tutti" and "La Traviata" Operas. Even though Joel had much success singing in many schools of music including Theater and Classical Operas, his love for Jazz never left him and he now is where he always wanted to be, a successful Jazz Vocalist.
In putting together the supporting band for this amazing CD, Joel selected a group of the finest musicians performing today. I personally know everyone of these outstanding musicians and they all have A-list resumes. Joel's first election was the remarkable and much sought after Jazz Pianist Tamir Hendelman. Tamir Hendelman is always busy and would never agree to do a CD with any Jazz vocalist who didn't bring something special to the table; a great compliment to Joel. Tamir also did all the arrangements that are perfect for Joel and this group. Joining Tamir is one of the most talented Guitar players in the country Doug MacDonald. On Woodwinds is Canadian Tom Keenlyside who is considered and is one of the finest Sax and Flute players performing today. Multi-talented Jim Watson is on Drums and also produced the CD. Bill Saitta performs perfectly on Bass. Bill has a huge following of admirers in the Southern California area. On Trumpet is Will Caviness who also is a Southern California favorite who often joins Bill Saitta on gigs. And last but not least the remarkable Peter Curtis performs on Acoustic Guitar. Peter plays Acoustic Guitar with the same emotional feel for music and lyrics that Joel does.
I have attached two YouTube videos from Joel's new CD. The first tune is "Love Walked In" and the second is a beautiful song written by Ann Hampton Callaway " You Can't Rush Spring". I know you will enjoy both and the entire CD for that matter!
"Love Walked In"
"You Can't Rush Spring"
Players:
Joel Fleisher- Vocals
Tamir Hendelman-Piano
Jim Watson-Drums
Bill Saitta-Bass
Doug MacDonald- Electric Guitar
Tom Keenlyside- Sax and Flute
Will Caviness- Trumpet
Peter Curtis- Acoustic Guitar
Playlist:
1. Gotta Go
2. Love Walked In
3. Better Than Anything
4. Barquinho
5. Celia
6. You Can't Rush Spring
7. Devil May Care
8. I'm All Smiles
9. Spring Can Really Hang You up
10. Love Has Called Again
11. E Luxo so
12. My Romance
13. If I Should Lose You
14. At Long Last Love
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