Denise Donatelli - Whistling in the Dark - The Music of Burt Bacharach

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:26
Size: 95,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:43) 1. Whistling in the Dark
(4:20) 2. The Look of Love
(5:18) 3. In Between the Heartaches
(4:47) 4. Toledo
(4:24) 5. Anyone Who Had a Heart
(4:19) 6. Walk on By
(4:50) 7. In the Darkest Place
(4:37) 8. Mexican Divorce
(4:04) 9. A House Is Not a Home

The Burt Bacharach canon has always been fertile ground for artists of all kinds to explore. Stan Getz devoted an entire album to his fare. The big Bacharach hits are branded deep in the cultural psyche. Thus, the challenge that Grammy-nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli and producer Larry Klein have here is how to use a different ladle to invite you to imbibe from their recipe for Bacharach's musical champagne. The session offers four Bacharach/Hal David hits three hits with Dionne Warwick and one with Dusty Springfield and two lesser-known Bacharach and Elvis Costello pieces. If there's a theme across Bacharach's popular hits, it is romantic love and the boundless range of emotions love brings. However, on this session the mood is somewhat somber and less idealistic than the originals that flowed on AM frequencies decades ago in a different societal-cultural landscape.

The title track, originally done with a C+W sprinkle by Bacharach and Daniel Tashian, launches the session on a darker, "Twin Peaks"-tremeloed tone. "The Look of Love" is taken as original presented, albeit slightly reharmonized with a textural modality and a fine Anthony Wilson guitar solo. "In Between the Heartaches" is poetically darker than the 1966 Dionne Warwick take. "Toledo," and "In the Darkest Place," both Bacharach-Costello collaborations, are deeply dramatic items. "Mexican Divorce" is a Bacharach Brill Building classic that was originally recorded by "The Drifters" in the late 1950s (with pre-Bacharach Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston's Mom, Cissy included on backup vocals).

On each of these and throughout the album, Donatelli is a rhapsode, a tale-teller and artist of the highest order. She has always been a singer of vocalized intimacy. Here, as is her trademark, she's being intimate with our ear (and, ensuingly, our hearts) via the poetry she delivers. Her diction and pitch are pure and her phrasing is almost instrumental. She carries her lines to the end where, based on the lyric, they either wring out every drop of emotional juice or just plain ring out. As for her all-around artistic chops, she could make Bacharach's "Beware of the Blob" become a lusciously seductive love song.

Interestingly, there are no up-tempo selections on the date. Leading one to further confirm there are "concept" elements at play. "Casino Royale" and "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" stayed home. The studio musicians are world class and the arrangements are such that the spotlight is on the vocalist. All are reserved in a minimalistic, yet colorful way. Think a beautiful Japanese watercolor. Whistling in the Dark may not appeal to listeners who prefer their Bacharach as originally birthed. However, in terms of vocal and production excellence, this take provides as all great art should an intelligent, involving, emotion-delivering perspective. Knowing Bacharach, he will assuredly raise a goblet and drink up. By Nicholas F. Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/whistling-in-the-dark-the-music-of-burt-bacharach-savant-records

Personnel: Denise Donatelli: voice / vocals; Larry Goldings: piano; Thomas Dybdahl: synthesizer; Anthony Wilson: guitar; Larry Klein: guitar, acoustic; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums.

Whistling in the Dark - The Music of Burt Bacharach

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Denise Donatelli - Find A Heart

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2015
Time: 57:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 134,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:16) 1. Big Noise, New York
(5:24) 2. Love And Paris Rain
(4:21) 3. Spaced Out
(3:55) 4. Practical Arrangement
(5:30) 5. Find A Heart
(4:08) 6. Not Like This
(5:08) 7. Eyes That Say I Love You
(5:36) 8. In This Moment
(5:29) 9. Troubled Child
(6:19) 10. Midnight Sun
(5:35) 11. Day Dream

Multi Grammy nominee vocalist Denise Donatelli, unveils another gem of an album with the much-anticipated Find A Heart, collaborating once again with producer/arranger, pianist Geoffrey Keezer documenting a surprisingly new direction for the singer as she ventures into the non-standards area. The Great American Songbook will always be with us, here to stay forever as new re-interpretations of classics emerge every day. This project finds the vocalist and pianist exploring new territory as they take the music of modern pop and jazz masters like Sting, David Crosby and Russell Ferrante among others, and ask the question, Isn't it time for new standards?

One thing clearly evident on this album is, the superb cast of players that make the instrumentation such a pleasure to hear which features an all-star personnel listing that includes Brazilian guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, Cuban bassist Carlitos del Puerto, drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith and Canadian saxophonist Christine Jensen among them. The evolution of The Great American Songbook begins with the Donald Fagen composition "Big Noise, New York" featuring an opening blast from saxophonist great Bob Sheppard before the sparkling vocals of the leader take over on what is a burning beginning to a heck of an album.

The singer finds her softer side on Ferrante's beautiful love ballad, "Love and Paris Rain" with a little help from guitarist Amuedo then jumps into a lively tempo on Keezer's own "Spaced Out (En Babia)" before returning to a gentler mood on the absolutely gorgeous "Practical Arrangement" accompanied by the magic horn of Chris Botti and the soft guitar work from Amuedo. Keezer's arrangement of the Crosby title track, turns this pop tune into a true jazz number with a touch of the Latin flavor.

Keezer and Donatelli draw on a small string section of cello and violas to convey the trials and tribulations of a "Troubled Child" and call on bassist del Puerto and percussionist Walter Rodriguez to weigh in with brisk haunting solos as the singer's crisp voice reaches and beckons the child with a little help of background vocalists Yutaka Yokokura, and Julia Dollison.

Interestingly enough, while the mission of this venture is still, to offer different songs from more recent times as possible new standards for the future, Donatelli closes the album with heartfelt emotion paying humble respect to current standards with superior renditions of "Midnight Sun," and Billy Strayhorn's "Day Dream." Find A Heart is simply put, an outstanding vocal recording that takes Denise Donatelli's performance to another level.By Edward Blanco
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/find-a-heart-denise-donatelli-savant-records-review-by-edward-blanco

Personnel: Denise Donatelli: vocals; Geoffrey Keezer: piano, arranger; Leonardo Amuedo: guitar; Carlito Del Puerto: bass; Marvin "Smitty" Smith: drums; Walter Rodriquez: percussion; Chris Botti: trumpet; Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone; Christine Jensen: soprano saxophone; Michael Thompson; guitar; Giovanna Clayton; cello; Alma Fernandez: viola; Matt funes: viola; Darrin McCann: viola; Yutaka Yokokura: background vocals; Sy Smith: background vocals; Julia Dollison: background vocals.

Find A Heart

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Denise Donatelli - When Lights Are Low

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:52
Size: 122,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:45)  1. It's You or No One
(6:01)  2. Don't Explain
(4:49)  3. When Lights Are Low
(6:32)  4. Big Lie, Small  World
(4:46)  5. Why Did I Choose You?
(3:27)  6. I Wish I Were In Love Again
(7:06)  7. Kisses
(4:21)  8. Forward, Like So
(2:32)  9. The Telephone Song
(4:18) 10. The Bed I Made
(5:11) 11. Enchantment

A recent news photo depicted pop singer, Lady Gaga, accepting an MTV Video Music Award bedecked in a gown of raw meat. While reactions to that stunt went to understandable extremes condone as art or revolt as déclassé it's easy to wonder what women jazz vocalists might have thought of it. Based upon the marvelously entertaining and stylistically brilliant CD, When Lights are Low, it might not be a surprise to envision Denise Donatelli heading up on stage come Grammy time. And, the only "chops" she'd be wearing would be the ones she carries wherever she appears.  When Lights are Low is a knockout, an outstanding, beautiful CD on all fronts Donatelli's, the tunes, the ensembles, and the soup-to-nuts entire production. In a descriptively admirable way, it is a stellar, one-dimensional showcase, where Donatelli shrewdly fits in perfectly with the entire textural approach, devised here by pianist Geoffrey Keezer who, in addition to performing on the album, is both producer and artistic director. Donatelli's is a vocal instrument of classic beauty, impeccable diction, dynamic nuance, phrasing and emotion. She turns a lyric with taste and passion, and has great respect for both ("Hush Now"). Donatelli can swing heavy, too ("It's You or No One"). As a youngster, Donatelli shared car rides to piano lessons with Keith Jarrett; here, with wunderkind Keezer at the keyboard, Donatelli shows instrumental experience through her voice, and interplay with forgive the homonym "Keez."

The Donatelli-Keezer team works in such wonderful, respectful compatibility. Her rhythmic approach is framed by Keezer's deft touch classic and swinging. He's a very sly partner, too, a "Have You Met Miss Jones?" five-note quote introducing his solo on "It's You or No One." Their beautiful takes on "Why Did I Choose You?" and "Forward, Like So" are duo perfection. Sting's "Big Lie, Small World," done bossa-style with neat vocal backgrounds provided by Julia Dollison and Kerry Marsh engages. "Enchantment (Firm Roots)" cooks at multiple temps with terrific solos by guitarist Peter Sprague and Keezer.  The incorporation of chamber strings and voices, arranged by Keezer, are a beautiful, romantic touch, as is Ingrid Jensen's haunting flugelhorn solo on "Hush Now"perhaps the CD's only drawback being that this is the only cut to feature Jensen's terrific talent. The rhythm section, comprised of Keezer, bassist Hamilton Price, Jon Wikan and Sprague, meshes perfectly. While there might not be electricity there, When Lights Are Low is powerhouse, desert island stuff. ~ Nichollas F.Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/when-lights-are-low-denise-donatelli-savant-records-review-by-nicholas-f-mondello.php
 

Personnel:  Denise Donatelli: vocal;  Geoffrey Keezer: piano/Rhodes;  Peter Sprague: guitar;  Hamilton Price: bass/electric bass (10);  Jon Wikan: drums/percussion;  Jon Wikan:pandeiro (9);  Susan Wulff: double bass (2, 7);  Giovanni Clayton: cello (2,7); Roland Kato: viola (2, 7):  Alma Lisa Fernandez: viola (2,7); Matthew Duckles: viola (2, 7);  Julia Dollison: vocals (4, 10);  Kerry Marsh: vocal (4, 10);  Ingrid Jensen: flugelhorn (2);  Phil O'Connor: bass clarinet (4, 10);  Ron Blake: soprano sax (7).

When Lights Are Low

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Denise Donatelli - What Lies Within

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:19
Size: 133.5 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:17] 1. My Shining Hour
[5:15] 2. Sails (Velas Icadas)
[6:29] 3. Crystal Silence
[4:41] 4. I Love It When You Dance That Way
[6:17] 5. We'll Be Together Again
[7:24] 6. Like An Old Song
[3:51] 7. Beloved (Daahoud)
[5:22] 8. Four Walls
[4:25] 9. Be Cool
[4:53] 10. Make This City Ours Tonight
[6:19] 11. This Lament

Denise Donatelli: vocals; Bob Sheppard: soprano saxophone (3), alto saxophone (2,4), tenor saxophone (1,6,7), flute and alto flute (3); Carl Saunders: trumpet (4,9), flugelhorn (4); Geoffry Keezer: piano, marimba (6), vibraphone (9), percussion( 4,6); Carlos Del Rosario: organ (8), Viennese gong (6); Peter Sprague: guitar (1,2,4,7,8,10); Hamilton Price: bass (1-10); Marvin "Smitty" Smith: drums (1-10); Alex Acuna: percussion (2,8); Giovanna Clayton: cello (8).

It is refreshing indeed to hear a lovely voice fronting a superb cast of musicians, and then combining to forge one exceptional recording, which is what Los Angeles-based singer Denise Donatelli has done in What Lies Within. As she voices the lyrics of Harold Arlen's "My Shining Hour"—the opening tune in a selection of eleven uncommon standards—the words "this will be my shining hour," should refer to the magical performance on an album that may well be her finest hour of studio work yet. Not content to be seen as just another "chick singer" among the plethora of female jazz vocalists releasing albums these days, Donatelli distinguishes this recording by the assemblage of musical talent, and the guidance from pianist/producer Geoffrey Keezer who also produced the album. The singer is backed up by some of the best West Coast musicians performing in L.A. such as saxophone great Bob Sheppard, trumpeter Carl Saunders, percussionist Alex Acuna and guitarist Peter Sprague to name a few.

Suffice to say, What Lies Within is one splendid recording of elegant light jazz vocals from Denise Donatelli; a jazz singer who belongs in the upper echelon of modern jazz vocalist. Her performance, along with the accompaniment from an ensemble of first-call players makes this a first-rate recording. ~Edward Blanco

What Lies Within mc
What Lies Within zippy

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Denise Donatelli - In The Company Of Friends

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:02
Size: 126.0 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:36] 1. On Green Dolphin Street
[3:57] 2. The Thrill Is Gone
[7:44] 3. 'round Midnight
[3:56] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is
[7:13] 5. A Sleepin' Bee
[4:41] 6. Send In The Clowns
[4:27] 7. This Is New
[3:58] 8. If You Could See Me Now
[3:16] 9. Dream Dancing
[4:42] 10. A Roarin' Borin' Alice
[6:27] 11. When Summer Turns To Snow

Denise Donatelli - vocals, Tom Garvin - piano/arranger, Clay Jenkins - trumpet, Bob Sheppard - reeds, Andy Martin - trombone, Tom Peterson -tenor, Brian Scanlon -alto flute, Peter Woodford - guitar, Tom Warrington - bass, Steve Houghton - drums, Brian Kilgore - percussion.

Everything about In The Company of Friends is first class. For one thing, there is a sense of balance: between comfortable material and challenging reinvention, between brilliantly conceived arrangements (never cluttered) and sparse backgrounds, between ensemble playing and soloing, between singer and accompanist. Each tune is a fresh scenario with its own message, especially in the rhythm department. I've been playing the CD over and over since I got it, and I'm still not tired of it.

Denise Donatelli moved to Los Angeles recently from Atlanta. This is her first CD, and it came out of a working relationship with Tom Garvin. Her natural sound is out of the classic tradition of interpreting lyrics, but she sings about life in the new millennium. I cringed when I noticed yet another "Send in the Clowns, but it turned out to be my favorite cut. Instead of treating it as a dramatic showstopper, Donatelli and Garvin give it a subversive feel, possibly not far from Sondheim's original intent, with Donatelli floating wonderfully over the insistent rhythm and bending notes for meaning.

There is also humor (the broader variety) in "A Roarin' Borin' Alice, a Dave Frishberg-like original by Garvin and Pat Cooper. "If You Could See Me Now, a contrast to the ironic feel of some songs, features intimate storyteller Donatelli in a three-way dialog with Garvin and Brian Scanlon. A completely overhauled "Green Dolphin Street over a simmering modern tango rhythm is maybe the most interesting piece musically, with a new harmonic scheme and frequent key changes. An up-tempo "Dream Dancing also has a Latin backdrop, more evolved than the usual Cole Porter bolero, and there's a hint of "Pent-up House. Donatelli's marvelous sense of swing is front and center on "This is New, a cut that also features burning solos by Clay Jenkins and Bob Sheppard. She creatively recomposes the melody on a blues-tinged "Sleepin' Bee, generating some tension and urgency in the process. The band, premier musicians all, plays with particular conviction and crispness. There are no throwaway solos. ~Craig Jolley

In The Company Of Friends

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Denise Donatelli - Soul Shadows

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:13
Size: 115,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:12)  1. All or Nothing at All
(6:11)  2. No Better
(4:20)  3. Another Day
(4:45)  4. A Promise
(5:29)  5. Soul Shadows
(4:26)  6. Ocean
(5:52)  7. Postcards and Messages
(3:41)  8. When I Looked Again
(4:17)  9. Ange
(5:54) 10. Too Late Now

A late bloomer due to her focusing on parenthood and an earlier career with CNN, vocalist Denise Donatelli has continued to develop with a depth of feeling and a broad musical palette open to exploring many styles of jazz. Her fourth CD (and third for Savant) finds her again with pianist/music director Geoff Keezer and guitarist Peter Sprague, with a supporting cast that varies from track to track. Donatelli puts a new twist on the standard "All or Nothing at All," buoyed by Keezer's catchy, Afro-Peruvian arrangement, and potent solos by Keezer and acoustic guitarist Ramon Stagnaro. The other standard, "Too Late Now," is a lush duet by Donatelli with Keezer as her sole accompanist, where the vocalist's adept phrasing and use of space conveys its lyric perfectly. Two songs were penned by jazz veterans. 

The scoring of Wayne Shorter's "A Promise (Someplace Called Where)" (with a lyric by Dianne Reeves) utilizes strings and soprano saxophonist Tim Garland to provide an intricate backing for the singer. Donald Brown's "Ange" is a demanding, Brazilian-flavored work which Donatelli performs flawlessly as if it had long been part of her repertoire. From there, Donatelli expands her scope to contemporary jazz, pop, and works by singer/songwriters. She shows her playful side in the light-hearted "Another Day," scatting along with Sprague's guitar, followed by Keezer's spry solo, and takes flight in her hip, Brazilian-tinged rendition of Joe Sample's "Soul Shadows." Donatelli captures the essence of "When I Looked Again," a collaborative effort by Christian McBride and Sting that was recorded by them but unissued, with effective overdubbed harmony vocals judiciously used in Keezer's arrangement. With so many jazz vocalists competing for attention, Denise Donatelli easily stands out from the pack with her versatile, creative repertoire and strong voice. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-shadows-mw0002406654

Soul Shadows

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