Calabria Foti - When A Woman Loves A Man

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 42:23
Size: 69,4 MB
Scans: Front

(3:57)  1. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
(5:01)  2. Fever
(2:46)  3. Like Someone in Love
(4:38)  4. When a Woman Loves a Man
(2:59)  5. A Fine Romance
(5:26)  6. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right out of My Lif
(3:58)  7. When Your Lover Has Gone - The Man That Got Away
(5:09)  8. All the Way
(4:40)  9. This Nearly Was Mine
(3:45) 10. By Myself

Every so often we stumble upon an artist who delivers the goods while displaying star-like qualities. In some or dare we say many instances, these artists receive the backing and financial support from giant conglomerates and their huge marketing budgets. Target marketing, sales ploys and return on investment are just ways and means of doing business while striving for that sometimes elusive profit margin in the sky. With that, we introduce someone who may represent somewhat of an antithesis to the norm or commonplace promotional initiatives as West Coast based vocalist Calabria Foti has quietly or unassumingly assembled a thoroughly enjoyable set of popular standards. Ms Foti’s charming seductiveness, crystal clear voice, acute jazz vernacular and charismatic presence shines on When A Woman Loves A Man. The vocalist’s peppery, yet smooth-as-silk delivery comes to the forefront on the swinging opener and standard, “I Hadn’t Anyone ‘Till You” which features an up-front and richly melodic tenor sax solo by West Coast sharpshooter Pete Christlieb. The musicians’ bouncy rendition of “Like Someone In Love” is further enhanced by strong solos from pianist Matt Henry and tenorist Christlieb yet it’s Ms. Foti’s endearing and quite soft tonalities along with near flawless diction that provides the excitement and joyous sentiment. 

Ms Foti’s understated warmth, relaxed groove and sensuous yet meaningful rendition of the lovely classic, “When A Woman Loves A Man” emits a contemporary feel. The magnificent trombonist Bob McChesney adds a delicately soft string arrangement that accentuates Ms. Foti’s lush incantations on “I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life”. On this piece, McChesney also counterbalances Ms. Foti’s harmonious vocals with a mid-toned trombone solo that casts a somber yet altogether positive vibe to the subtly cheerful proceedings. Ms. Foti and pianist Matt Henry perform sincere and tender lines with grace and passion on “All The Way” as McChesney once again summons the unidentified string section to furnish the appropriate tonal color and shade towards the coda. 

Here, McChesney works the arrangement as if he were a painter providing the dainty brush strokes to a canvass depicting a portrait or scenic landscape.....In summary, When A Woman Loves A Man is on the upswing, wonderfully recorded and an altogether well rounded affair, featuring the lovely vocals of Ms. Foti who really knows how to turn a lyric or two into something meaningful and impressionable. Based upon talent alone Calabria Foti’s star is seemingly on the rise......... Recommended. ~ Glenn Astarita  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/when-a-woman-loves-a-man-calabria-foti-faccia-bella-records-review-by-glenn-astarita.php

When A Woman Loves A Man

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Calabria Foti - In The Still Of The Night

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:09
Size: 115,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:07)  1. Just one of those things
(3:40)  2. Miss Otis regrets
(4:09)  3. Anything goes
(5:14)  4. What is this thing called love
(4:35)  5. Night and day
(5:22)  6. I concentrate on you
(4:43)  7. Ev'ry time we say goodbye
(3:18)  8. Get out of town
(4:14)  9. It's alright with me
(5:41) 10. So in love
(4:01) 11. In the still of the night

With In the Still of the Night, vocalist Calabria Foti joins the ranks of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson, and many others -vocalists and instrumentalists who have dived deeply into the Cole Porter canon. It takes a very special talent to deftly probe the poetic and pithy romantic lingo that the Classic material offers. So, while that ocean is Trench deep, how is one to pluck new musical perspectives and give old ones a novel patina? Foti, along with a cadre of musicians of same mind, does so and strikes it rich here. Launching into things with a marvelous Latin-tinged send-up of "Just One of Those Things," we get the immediate idea that this run-through of Porter's material 11 of his greatest from Broadway and Hollywood -is going to be a fine and unique ride. Whether it is a "fabluelous" send up of "Miss Otis Regrets" or any of the rest, the selections here are delivered with an elegantly restrained texture that's spearheaded by Foti's marvelously versatile and in-command chops.  While Foti's voice is pitch-perfect and liquid gold, the keen thing about her effort stylistically is her extraordinary rhythmic and dynamic sense and the manner in which she plays with the beat ("Anything Goes," "Night and Day"). A careful listen yields an almost Chet Baker-esque approach to time. Key words in each lyric line are subtlely emphasized and de-emphasized with an instrumentalist's flair ("What is This Thing Called Love," "Every Time We Say Goodbye" with neat cello quotes of "Goodbye" and "My One and Only Love" -and "Get Out of Town"). There's no saccharine served at this table. That's no surprise, since Foti is a heralded violinist, as well as a premier chanteuse. Ever get that sense you're experiencing a memorable musical candlelight dinner conversation? You will here. ("I Concentrate on You," "In the Still of the Night"). It's luscious stuff. The ensemble on the session all crème and superb throughout includes producer/arranger pianist Michael Patterson (an outstanding job), guitarist Gene Bertoncini, bassist Ike Sturm, cellist Richard Locker, and drummer Jared Schonig. Cameos across the date by clarinetist Eddie Daniels and trombonist Bob McChesney add savory fill material always in perfect synch with what's going on. There's no stepping on heels in this dance. In the Still of the Night is certainly a fine addition to those aforementioned classic Songbook albums of the Greats and one that entices and enthralls with sublime taste. It is indeed the genuine turtle soup. ~ Nicholas F.Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/in-the-still-of-the-night-calabria-foti-moco-records-review-by-nicholas-f-mondello.php

Personnel: Calabria Foti: vocals; Michael Patterson: piano; Eddie Daniels: clarinet; Gene Bertoncini: guitar; Richard Locker: cello; Bob McChesney: trombone; Ike Sturm: bass; Jared Schonig: drums. 

In The Still Of The Night

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Calabria Foti - A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:06
Size: 114,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow
(5:27)  2. The Touch of Your Lips
(6:08)  3. Do It Again
(4:22)  4. When Lights Are Low/Linger In My Arms
(3:54)  5. All Of You
(4:40)  6. I Am Woman (You Are Man)/You Fascinate Me So
(5:13)  7. I Wanna Be Loved
(4:27)  8. Close Your Eyes
(4:32)  9. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
(6:19) 10. For All We Know

Three especially sparkling ingredients shine through this exceptional CD. One is the singer, another is the well-chosen song selections, and the third is the stellar arrangements. The singer is the lovely, very talented Calabria Foti, she with a warm honey voice, a thoroughly musicianly voice. Foti phrases with feeling, emotes with intensity but always with taste. She has technique but it is always in service to the material, which brings me to the second ingredient, those romantic, sensual songs.“I am woman you are man” and “I wanna be loved starting tonight” and then “do it again. “Love me as though there’s no tomorrow;” why shouldn’t we surrender when “lights are low.” Calabria Foti is telling a story in this exceptional CD and it is a sexy story featuring a woman spending “a lovely evening” with a man who “fascinates her so.” 

Unlike many CDs, there are no weak songs, no throw aways in her selections. From beloved standards such as the exquisite “For All We Know” and Cole Porter’s “All of You” to lovely but lesser knowns, such as Herb Magidson’s “Linger In My Arms," each song is an emotive, polished gem. The dozen selections include two songs by the team of Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson, including the title song, “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening” on which Foti wisely chooses to sing the rare verse. The second by this collaborative duo is the lovely “Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow.” which Foti performs as a beautiful bossa.Perhaps the highlight of this most satisfying CD is, Gershwin’s “Do It Again,” which is often done up-tempo and “tongue-in-cheek. But Foti’s slow version - complete with the well-written verse  takes the lyrics seriously and brings an intended erotic glow to this text. If this is not the definitive version, then it is certainly a most unforgettable rendition. But then, maybe the highlight is the unjustly overlooked Jule Styne song “I Am Woman” which Foti cleverly works into a medley with Cy Coleman’s “You Fascinate Me So." (Anyway, these cuts alone are worth the price of this CD.) And that third sparkling ingredient, the arrangements. 

At a time when charts seem to be growing more like obstacle courses, the beautifully crafted arrangements by Bob McChesney, Matt Harris and Foti are tasty, illuminating and in support of Foti’s soft-focus vocals. There is insufficient space to mention each of the superlative musicians, but it should be noted that McChesney enhances certain songs with most lovely and interesting trombone solos. Matt Harris is at the piano, Trey Henry at the upright bass, Dick Weller at the drums, the always lyrical Larry Koonse is the guitarist and some selections are enhanced by a string section. A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening elegantly explores an evening of love and is certainly one of the best jazz vocal recordings in many years. Since this CD has done quite well, thankfully my enthusiasm is shared by others. ~  Roger Crane  

www.thesongscout.com/.../Calabria_Foti_-_Lovely_Way_to_Spend_an_...

Personnel: Calabria Foti, vocals, violin solos; Matt Harris, piano, electric piano; Larry Koonse, guitars; Trey Henry, bass; Dick Weller, drums; Luis Conte, percussion; Bob McChesney, trombone solos; Rob Lockhart, tenor sax solo; string section

A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

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