CD Review: Domi Edson, "Stories From Solitude"

Bassist and Composer Domi Edson has recently released her second album featuring her talented Jazz trio.  The Album titled "Stories From Solitude" was created by Domi as a result of the inspiration she finds from being alone with her thoughts in picturesque natural places.   "Stories From Solitude" contains an entertaining mixture of great Domi Edson arrangements of Jazz standards along with six original Jazz compositions.  

After listening to Domi Edson's skills on the Bass and her creative and new Jazz compositions,  you will be surprised that she is only 25 years old.  She plays and composes like a seasoned andd skilled Jazz professional! Domi explains, "I gain inspiration from being alone in nature (usually skiing). Most of the songs have stories behind them/are about something very specific".  It is so satisfying that so many young and talented musicians are still committed to the traditional American Jazz. 

Domi is joined by two other highly talented young musicians who complete her trio.  Spencer Zweifel plays wonderful Piano and Bobby Wiens provides perfect rhythm support.  In my opinion this is one of the best traditional Jazz Trios performing today.

I have attached an Domi Edson original composition titled, "Crocos" that showcases her immensely talented composing skills.  The second attachment is a Freddie Hubbard composition titled "Up Jumped Spring".

PLAYLIST:

1. Shiny Stockings

2. Domi's New Blues

3. In Waltzed Minnie

4. Panoramic

5. Killarney Glen

6. You and the Night and the Music

7. Lush Life

8. Crocos

9. When You're Smiling

10. For Col Tom Blue

11. Up Jumped Spring

PLAYERS: 

Domi Edson- Bass, Compositions and Arrangements

Spencer Zweifel- Piano

Bobby Wiens- Drums 

                                                                          "Crocos"

                                                                    "Up Jumped Spring"

CD Review: Roberta Donnay, Blossom-ing!

  

Vocalist, Composer and Producer,  Roberta Donnay celebrates Blossom Dearie on her 10th album,"Blossom-ing!".  Donnay has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry and has toured through the US and Internationally.  She has received many awards including the ASCAP composer award for her song "One World".    

Donnay became a Blossom Dearie fan many years ago for Dearie's ability to produce simple but swinging  storytelling.  Roberta Donnay has exhibited the same musical characteristicss in her large body of work but adds her own sassy, bluesy interpretations that her audiences love.  She has created a wonderful sound and when combined with her superb phrasing makes anything she sings perfect for the listener.

Donnay has selected 16 songs associated with Dearie for this album that our perfect.  The song written by of the greatest and most honored composers and lyricists in America.   Some of the songs will be familiar to you and others will quickly become new favorites for you.   I honestly enjoyed every minute listening to this Album and its wonderful playlist of songs.  

The musicians that Donnay selected for this Album also greatly contributed to the high level of this musical product.  Great vocalist, great songs and great musicians is always a winning combination for any album. 

Picking two songs out of the 16 classic songs on this CD was difficult.  The songs on this album will  satisfy even the most selective Jazz vocalist fans. Want-to-be Jazz vocalists should use Roberta Donnay's "Blossom-ing!" as one of their learning master classes.  The quality of Donnay's voice is amazing and her phrasing is Sinatra-like.  The song I have attached is titled "Roberta's Blues" was written by Billie Holiday and later adapted by Blossom Dearie.  The second song, "Unless It's You" was written by Johnny Mandel and Morgan Ames.   I was not familar with this Mandel song but after hearing it the first time, it has become one of my favorite songs.  Johnny Mandel is a giant talent and yet, in my opinion, never gets the attention and adoration of the general public he truly deserves. The music and lyric for this song is superb and Donnay's storytelling phrasing is perfect! 

PLAYLIST:

1. Roberta's Blues

2. Peel Me A Grape

3. Just One Of Those Things

4. Inside A Silent Tear

5. Plus Je T'Embrasse

6. Someone To Watch Over Me

7. Moonlight Savings Time

8. A Paris

9. The Party's Over

10. If I Were A Bell

11. Spring In Manhattan

12. Unless It's You

13. You Fascinate Me

14. I Wish You Love

15. It Amazes Me

16. Put On A Happy Face

PLAYERS:

Roberta Donnay- Vocals, Producer, Co-Arranger

Mike Greensill- Piano, Arranger

Ruth Davies- Bass

Mark Lee- Drums

Jose Neto- Guitar

David Sturdevant- Harmonica on "Spring In Manhattan"

MB Gordy- Percussion on "Inside A Silent Tear"

  

 

 

                                                                      " Roberta's Blues"

                                                                       

                                                                    "Unless It's You"