Madelein Peyroux - Changing All Those Changes (Video)

Madeleine Peyroux returns on March 5, 2013 with The Blue Room, an artistic rendering of a tribute to Ray Charles' ground breaking Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music.  The album is not a straight cover project, as Peyroux hand picks tracks from the Ray Charles classic to interpret in her own inimitable style.  She also includes takes on tunes by Randy Newman, Warren Zevon, John Hartford and Buddy Holly.

The lead single is Holly's "Changing All Those Changes", and Peyroux does more than just take the song for a walk; she makes it her own.  Check out the video below, and keep your eyes and ears open for a lot more of Madeleine Peyroux this spring!

Monika Borzym - Girl Talk

Monika Borzym - Girl Talk
2011, Sony Music

Monika Borzym’s heroes have always been trumpeters:  Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Terrence Blanchard were her gateway into Jazz.  While there, Borzym was captivated by the divergent voices and styles of performers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae.  The Poland-born crooner studied in the United States at Miami’s Frost School of Music, furthering her love and knowledge of jazz and classical forms under teachers such as Lisanne Lyons, Larry Lapin, Ira Sullivan and Shelly Berg.   During her time at Frost, Borzym met guest lecturer Matt Pierson (Joshua Redman, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny), who is Borzym’s primary collaborator on her debut album, Girl Talk.

 Borzym opens with a cover of Amy Winehouse’s "You Know I'm No Good", showing off a sweet and sultry voice that would be right at home in a 1930's gin joint. Monika Borzym delivers crisp lines with a polished presence that belies her 19 years, and her instrumental accompaniment is first class. "Extraordinary Machine" finds Borzym taking on a manic, talk-sing lyrical barrage in conjunction with a minimalist arrangement. The result is an intriguing tune that will leave you dizzy yet satisfied. "Even So" stands out from a string of exceptional performances, with Borzym imparting a mature presence and seasoned melancholy in dulcet tones that will have you quietly on the edge of your seat.

The opening cadence of "American Boy" (Estelle) carries vague suggestions of Jobim's "Girl From Ipanema". This is no retread, however, as Borzym launches into a modern jazz tune that remembers its classic heritage. Borzym digs into a 1970's singer/songwriter pastiche for "Field Below", which bears a vague musical resemblance to Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale". The song is elegant and refined, with a gorgeous melody, and Borzym walks it home like a pro. “Appletree” (Erykah Badu) shows a more modern, soulful jazz sound. It feels as Borzym is a bit rushed by the arrangement here, but it all works out well in the end. "Down Here Below" (Abbey Lincoln) is a gorgeous, blue recitative that drips with regret. Borzym's voice is never lovelier, taking on a reserved air that is full of an eloquent and desolate beauty. "Gatekeeper" (Feist) is cut from similar cloth, but woven with more subtlety.

 Borzym goes Vegas on "Dry Cleaner From Des Moines", a frenetic little tune that borders on the vestiges of bebop. "Abololo" (Marisa Monte) slows things down, with a tentative piano leading the way for Borzym's lush vocal line. "Possibly Maybe" (Bjork) is well intended, but becomes something of an undirected mess in spite of Borzym's attempts to save it. Girl Talk closes on a positive note with an unconventional cover of Pink's "Thank You" that is true to the original but puts Borzym's distinctive stamp on the song.

Monika Borzym has a captivating voice, and a presence that's bewildering in one so young. This is the sort of album you simply can’t put down; Borzym’s call is like that of a gentle Siren, relentlessly pulling you in.  Girl Talk is one introduction you won't soon forget, as Borzym appears poised to become one of the next big names in vocal jazz.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.monikaborzym.com or www.myspace.com/monikaborzym. 

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Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.

The Best Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman

The Best Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman

2009, New West Records

Cy Coleman, née Seymour Kaufman found success in the classical and jazz worlds before finding his true calling - Broadway. He didn't let being late to the game stop him from having a stellar career, however, garnering 5 Tony Awards, 3 Emmy Awards and 2 Grammys before his untimely death in 2004. Coleman gave birth to the scores and songs of such shows as Sweet Charity, City Of Angels, The Life, The Will Rogers Follies, and Barnum. In the process, Coleman, created songs and shows that continues to have an impact on Broadway even today. It's not surprising, then, that Coleman would be honored with a compilation such as The Best Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman.

The voices here might surprise you. Artists as diverse as Patty Griffin, Madeleine Peyroux, Sam Phillips, Fiona Apple, Nikka Costa and Jill Sobule offer up their talents in a stunning, stealthy collection that will take you by surprise. Griffin surprises with a wonderful sultry and soulful take on "The Best Is Yet To Come", while Fiona Apple lights up the night with "Why Try To Change Me Now" and "I Walk A Little Faster", showing off an impressive upper range in the latter that you might not suspect from her more alt-pop oriented originals. Madeleine Peyroux and Sam Phillips turn in solid outings on "I Live My Life" and "You Fascinate Me So", respectively, and Nikka Costa is a pleasant surprise on "The Rules Of The Road".

The true gems here, however, are the ones you don't see coming. Julianna Raye brings an amazingly earthy and tonally buoyant voice to "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life", while Sarabeth Tucek hits all the right notes on "Where Am I Going?” Even Jill Sobule shows a surprising versatility on "I've Got Your Number". The highlight of the disc, however, is the closing performance of "(I'm) In Love Again" by Missy Higgins.

Cy Coleman left an indelible mark on American Musical Theater. The songs presented on The Best Is Yet To Come - The Songs Of Cy Coleman, are the proof in the pudding. This is perhaps one of the most inspired composer collections to emanate from Broadway in some time.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Cy Coleman at Notable Music.

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Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.