CD Review: Chloe Jean: "Fairy Tale Fail"

                

Jazz Vocalist and Songwriter Chole Jean has just released her new CD, "Fairy Tale Fail".  The CD playlist is very interesting because it combines five original compositions, covers of four classic standards and a latin arrangement of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy".  The playlist illustrates Chloe Jean's ability to perform across many music styles with the same high level of vocal skills.  Chloe lyrics are very personal and give us insight into her own life and experiences. Success in the music business environment today is beyond hard for artist. It's brutal and Chloe's title song, "Fairy Tale Fail" warns us that life does not have Disney endings.  "Prince charming may "pick you up, but eventually lets you down."Musicans performing today need unbelievable strength to keep pursuing their musical dreams.  Chloe like all musicians  experienced times when she questioned her motives about pursing music as a career.  Fortunately for us, she has worked through these dark periods and now has published proof of her skills as a Vocialist and Composer.  Her voice is strong and clear with a sort of bluesy quality to it.  Her phrasing is at times R & B inspired, but in her CD she proves without a doubt that she can handle time honored standards also with no problem.

Guitarist Ray Oviedo did a wonderful job producing and arranging this CD.   The supporting cast of musicians contributing to this CD are all seasoned musicians and performed at the highest level.  All and all, I found this CD very enjoyable and accessible.  I love Chloe's music and lyrics and thought she handled the standards perfectly.  If you are a fan of exceptionally good Jazz vocals make sure you buy this CD, and I am positive Chloe Jean will quickly become one of your favorites.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you to listen to that will present Chloe's talents clearly to you. The first is a cover of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy" that I found interesting. The second is an original titled "Crazy" that speaks to the insane behavior that one echibits when in love. 

                                                                    "Bad Guy"

                                                                        "Crazy"

PLAYLIST:

1. Black Sheep

2. Cry Me A River

3. Fairy Tale Fail

4. I Left My Heart in San Francisco

5. Don't Know Why

6. Bad Guy

7. Free

8. Where Love Began

9. Crazy

10 First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

11. Blue Skies

PLAYERS:

Chloe Jean-Vocals, Compositions

David K. Mathews-Keyboard

Marc Van Wageningen-Bass

Peter Michael Escovedo-Percussion

Peter Horvath-Piano

Dan Feiszli-Bass

Billy Johnson-Drums

Jason Lewis-Drums

Mike Olmos-Trumpet

Norbert Stachel-Tenor Sax

Charles McNeal-Tenor Sax

CD Review: "From The Heart" by Anya Malkiel

Anya Malkiel released her debut album, "From The Heart" in late August of 2013. Anya has an interesting story to tell that proves that the allure of Jazz music can capture the hearts of individuals no matter how controlled the musical environment. Now living in California, Anya grew up in Russia where at the time, Jazz was considered taboo.  The music that she heard in her house was classical, and she was given lessons in violin and piano. But her fascination was always on singing. Anya was first introduced to Jazz in St. Petersburg's only Jazz club. Once hearing the freedom that it allowed performers, Anya was hooked. From here, Anya got her hands on a bootlegged Ella Fitzgerald album and listened to it until she could visualize every vocal move Ella made. Anya went on to collect other albums of artists that she just fell in love with like Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong and Carmen McRae and other American Jazz greats.

When Anya was able to move to the United States, the Jazz music opened up to her and she embraced it with body and soul.

On her new CD, "From The Heart", Anya has selected 10 rather diverse songs that all have a couple of things in common.  First, they are all American Jazz classics and second, Anya had a deep love for all of these great songs. So "From The Heart" contains songs that truly are part of Anya's heart. The Album starts with the classic Billie Holiday tune "Fine and Mellow" and immediately the listener can feel the emotional lesson of the lyric. It's one of the best cuts on the album. Anya brings this same emotional interpretation to the other 9 songs on this album. My favorites was: cut 4, "Lullaby of The Leaves" first sung by Ella Fitzgerald. It's always dangerous for a singer to cover a song made famous by one of the greats, but Anya handles the task by presenting her own unique interpretation to this great song. I loved the arrangement that Anya wrote for the classic "I Thought About You". Two other cuts that I thought were outstanding were "There'll Will Never Be Another You" and a great ballad, "Beautiful Love" that had a terrific arrangement by Christian Tamburr.

The supporting group of musicians Anya collected for this album fit her singing style perfectly. Randy Porter, Piano, John Whtala, Acoustic Bass, Jason Lewis, Drums, Jim Schneider, Tenor Sax & Flute, Christian Tamburr, Vibraphone. 

Congratulations to Anya for producing a great first album with her true and unique approach to the music that fills her heart.

CD Review: Sylvia Herold and the Rhythm Bugs Sing "The Spider and the Fly"

Sylvia Herold, Jennifer Scott, Jason Lewis, Ed Johnson and Cary Black

Jennifer Scott, Sylvia Herold and Ed Johnson

This CD takes the listener back to the best music of the 40s and 50s.  How great is it that today we can still get great new music that has its roots in swing and folk? Sylvia Herold has been singing professionally since she was 16 when she fell in love with traditional folk songs and began singing, collecting songs, and honing her guitar skills. The title of this CD comes as a result of the title song, "The Spider and the Fly" a song written by Fats Waller.  Sylvia Herold's voice is smooth, silky and always in perfect pitch.  The vocal arrangements are new and terrific, and yet still true to the best three part harmonies of past years. Jennifer Scott's and Ed Johnson's voices fit perfectly with Sylvia's voice and at times it sounds almost like one voice singing three part harmonies.  If you were a fan of the Pied Pipers or the Boswell Sisters, then you will love this CD. The three great voices of Sylvia Herold, Jennifer Scott and Ed Johnson are supported by a highly skilled rhythm section of bassist Cary Black, drummer Jason Lewis and  Sylvia Herold also joins in on guitar with Jennifer Scott playing piano and Ed Johnson playing guitar. There are some special guests that also add greatly to the final sounds on this CD, Christian Tamburr, vibraphone, Charlie Hancock, accordion, John Worley, trumpet and Flugelhorn, Evan Price, violin, Orville Johnson, dobro and Tony Marcus, voice.

All and all, this is one highly talented group of skilled musicians, and I would like to personally thank Sylvia Herold and her group for keeping these wonderful sounds of yesteryear not only alive but fresh and new.  Sylvia Herold produced this CD with skilled experience, resulting in a fine and musically wonderful product.