CD Review: Audrey Silver, "Oklahoma"

"Oklahoma" has always been one of my favorite musicals and it Jazz Vocalist and Song Writer, Audrey Silver also has a deep love for this classic American musical.  Therefore her lastest CD release, "Oklahoma" is a special present for me and my readers.   Silver's "Oklahoma" is her fifth CD as leader. Audrey Silver studies every lyric in the same way an anthropologist studies newly discovered ancient bones.  She wants to get the full understanding of what the lyricists are saying.  As you listen to the two songs from this CD that I have attached, I think you will agree with me.

Audrey Silver is a professional Jazz Vocalist in everyway!  She is always looking for great music and lyrics that put forth a story and then she performs these songs by adding her own Jazz interpretations.  When you combine with Silver's ability to sing with her clear, creamy voice, the results are always spectacular.  She brings are own special phrasing to each familar song that causes a rebirth of pleasure for listeners young and old.

I want you to read a quote from Christopher London which was published in the JazzTimes, "If a name ever fit a performer, it is Silver's, for her voice is like pure sterling.  Her phrasing is exquisite, her clarity and enunciation on par with the great Jo Stafford and her breath control-a talent so often, and so wrongfully, overlooked-rivals Sinatra's".   London's quote is exactly how I feel about Audrey Silver.

                                                             "Oh What A Beautiful Day"

                                                                     "Out Of My Dreams"
PLAYERS:

Audrey Silver- Vocals, Native American Flute, Producer

Bruce Barth- Piano, Arrangements

Peter Bernstein- Guitar

Adam Kolker- Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet

Kahlil Kwame Bell- Percussion

Sarah Zun- Violin

Adda Kridler- Violin

Kaya Bryla-Viola

Maria Jeffers- Cello 

All songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 

PLAYLIST:

1. Oklahoma

2. Many a New Day

3. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin

4. I Cain't Say No

5. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top

6. Out of My Dreams

7. People Will Say We're in Love

8. Kansas City

9. Boys and Girls Like You and Me

10. Oklahoma (Reprise) 

 

 

CD Review: Allegra Levy, "Lonely City"

Allegra Levy is a young, but remarkably talented Singer/Songwriter that has just cut her first CD, "Lonely City".  The fact that Allegra likes to sing standards is not what makes her unusual but the fact that when she writes her own music, she writes them in the tradition of the "Great American Songbook" is!  Her voice and phrasing inspiration comes from her love of Carmen McRae and Betty Rodgers and her writing inspiration come from Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne and Henry Mancini.  If a singer/songwriter is looking for inspiration, what better group than this would one pick?  According to Allegra, "Their melodies have lasted for so long and are still so beautiful.  My goal was to retain that timeless sound with modern lyrics. Bring standards into now".   

The 24 year-old New York based vocalist and composer has written 11 original songs for her first CD and each one of them expresses her personal life experiences.  "These are real experiences that I've had, and I want somebody else to know that they're not alone!  

Supporting Allegra on this CD is an all-star cast of musicians: Richie Barshay, Drums, Jorge Roeder, Bass, Adam Kolker, Tenor Sax, Steve Cardenas, Guitar, John Bailey, Trumpet, Carmen Staaf, Piano and Mark Feldman, Violin. This CD was produced by Trumpeter/Composer John McNeil.

"Lonely City" is an excellent and mature first effort from Allegra Levy and will put the music world on notice that she is a musician that has established herself as a winner and future superstar.

I found a "Youtube" of Allegra Levy singing "Lonely City" in a Jazz club.  Unfortunately,  the quality is less than what I heard on her CD, but I still wanted my readers to get a taste of her sound. 

               Playlist 

1. "Anxiety"                              2. "I Don't Want To Be In Love"

3. "Everything Green"             4. "A New Face"

5. "Why Do I"                           6. "A Better Day"

7. "I'm Not Okay"                    8. "Clear-Eyed Tango"

9. "Lonely City"                       10. " Our Lullaby"

11. "The Duet"

                                                   Allegra Levy Sings "Lonely City"