Janet Seidel & William Galison - Love Letters

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:23
Size: 131,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:06)  1. Love Letters
(4:10)  2. Small Fry
(4:10)  3. Lazybones
(4:23)  4. Baltimore Oriole
(3:24)  5. True Love
(5:11)  6. Nature Boy
(4:15)  7. Rockin' Chair
(4:16)  8. Stardust
(4:53)  9. The Nearness Of You
(4:36) 10. In A Sentimental Mood
(4:27) 11. It Ain't Necessarily So
(5:07) 12. Everytime We Say Goodbye
(4:18) 13. Moon River

With her clear, cool voice, Janet Seidel successfully combines the fluencies of such singers as Chris Connor, Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee, and Doris Day into a style that focuses on delivering the story of the lyrics rather than making her vocal faculties the message. This is the Australian's eighth album for the La Brava label, and reflects her ability to make each new release as fresh and as captivating as the one that preceded it. Each new release has something novel. Here it is William Galison's harmonica, with the haunting, sensuous tone only that instrument can produce. The musical agenda is made up of songs that bring out the best in the combination of voice and harmonica, recalling Toots Thielemans' work with the likes of Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Elaine Elias, to name just a few. Songs like "Baltimore Oriole," "In a Sentimental Mood," and "Stardust," classic standards all, fit perfectly within the feeling of soul created by Seidel and Galison. Add a generous helping of Chuck Morgan's guitar and the delicate drumming of Adam Pache, and out comes a different approach to these oft-saddled warhorses. 

On a lighter side, Seidel takes on a girlish tone (which she does very well) with another Hoagy Carmichael gem, "Rockin' Chair." One of the album's many good tracks is "Nature Boy," where Galison creates images of exotic places and landscapes. Galison shows a light but pleasant voice as he joins Seidel on a tender duet of "Every Time We Say Goodbye." Seidel has earned admission into that select cadre of singers who accompany themselves at piano, like Sarah Vaughan, Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Nina Simone. One thing that stays the same is Seidel's affection for strings, which have shown up on earlier albums. But, on this session, she limits their participation to just two tracks. Love Letters is another fine production by Janet Seidel  with lots of help from her friends and is highly recommended. ~Dave Nathan

Personnel: Janet Seidel - Vocals/Piano/Conductor; William Galison -Harmonica/Vocals; Chuck Morgan - Guitar; David Seidel - Bass; Adam Pache - Drums; Michelle Kelly, Kate Morgan, Fiona Ziegler, Leon Ziegler, Phillip Peipman - Strings; Kevin Hunt - Piano; Len Barnard - Drums

Love Letters

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Janet Seidel - The Art of Lounge 3

Styles: Vocal, Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:49
Size: 132,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:40)  1. Moonglow
(2:16)  2. If They Asked Me I Could Write a Book
(4:01)  3. Always
(4:13)  4. Midnight Sun
(3:32)  5. Miami Beach Rhumba
(4:30)  6. Canadian Sunset
(4:00)  7. Whatever Lola Wants
(3:45)  8. Lullaby of Birdland
(5:11)  9. Cow Cow Boogie
(3:32) 10. Trolley Song
(4:28) 11. Cry Me a River
(3:46) 12. The Breeze and I
(5:43) 13. Somewhere over the Rainbow
(5:06) 14. Dream

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year. Seidel did not have great range, but she used the tools she possessed with great skill and effectiveness. With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel was one of those vocalists who was as much a story teller as a singer. 

The way she handled the music came off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she was somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall, she often doubled at the piano.  From the turn of the millennium through the decade of the 2000s, Seidel recorded prolifically, releasing such albums as Love Letters (2000), Doris & Me (2001), Don't Smoke in Bed (2002), Comme Çi, Comme Ça and The Art of Lounge, Vol. 3 (both 2003), Dear Blossom and Hooray for Christmas (both 2004), Moon of Manakoora and Delovely (both 2005), and We Get Requests and Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook (both 2007). In addition, her Live in Taipei DVD was released in 2011. Janet Seidel died from ovarian cancer in Sydney in August 2017; she was 62 years old. The numerous recordings she made evince an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice that honored each tune she sang, from classic standards to pop songs and novelties. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/artist/janet-seidel-mn0000420852/biography

Personnel:  Vocals, Piano – Janet Seidel ; Bass – David Seidel;  Drums – Adam Pache; Guitar – Chuck Morgan; Piano – Kelvin Hunt; Saxophone – Ben Jones

The Art of Lounge 3

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Janet Seidel, Tom Baker - Doodlin'

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:32
Size: 128,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:23)  1. Doodlin'
(3:23)  2. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(3:49)  3. Lady Be Good / The President
(3:39)  4. Lonely One
(3:01)  5. The Best Thing For You
(3:05)  6. Baby It's Cold Outside
(3:04)  7. In A Gypsy Tea Room
(3:41)  8. I Was Doing All Right
(4:30)  9. Stairway To The Stars
(4:22) 10. Where Or When
(3:52) 11. Jitterbug Waltz
(4:45) 12. Dedicated To You
(3:01) 13. I've Got Just About Everything I Need
(3:16) 14. You And I
(4:35) 15. Two Sleepy People

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year. Seidel did not have great range, but she used the tools she possessed with great skill and effectiveness. With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel was one of those vocalists who was as much a story teller as a singer. The way she handled the music came off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she was somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall, she often doubled at the piano. From the turn of the millennium through the decade of the 2000s, Seidel recorded prolifically, releasing such albums as Love Letters (2000), Doris & Me (2001), Don't Smoke in Bed (2002), Comme Çi, Comme Ça and The Art of Lounge, Vol. 3 (both 2003), Dear Blossom and Hooray for Christmas (both 2004), Moon of Manakoora and Delovely (both 2005), and We Get Requests and Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook (both 2007). In addition, her Live in Taipei DVD was released in 2011. Janet Seidel died from ovarian cancer in Sydney in August 2017; she was 62 years old. The numerous recordings she made evince an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice that honored each tune she sang, from classic standards to pop songs and novelties. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/artist/janet-seidel-mn0000420852/biography

Personnel:  Janet Seidel and Tom Baker, vocals ; Paul Williams, tenor sax and clarinet ; Ian Date, acoustic guitar ; Glenn Henrich, vibraphone ; David Seidel, double bass ; Billy Ross, drums ; Janet Seidel, piano.

Doodlin'

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Janet Seidel - Little Jazz Bird

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:23
Size: 142,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:28)  1. September In The Rain
(3:12)  2. 42nd Street
(4:00)  3. Embraceable You
(4:22)  4. Skylark
(4:32)  5. Willow Weep For Me
(3:18)  6. Slow Hot Wind
(5:10)  7. My Ship
(4:07)  8. Cheek To Cheek
(2:33)  9. Them There Eyes
(3:33) 10. Like Someone In Love
(4:59) 11. Lush Life
(3:18) 12. I'm Old Fashioned
(3:47) 13. Sooner Or Later
(3:01) 14. That Black Magic
(3:42) 15. In The Wee Small Hours
(2:22) 16. Come Back To Me
(2:52) 17. Little Jazz Bird

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year.  Seidel did not have great range, but she used the tools she possessed with great skill and effectiveness. With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel was one of those vocalists who was as much a story teller as a singer. The way she handled the music came off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she was somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall, she often doubled at the piano.  From the turn of the millennium through the decade of the 2000s, Seidel recorded prolifically, releasing such albums as Love Letters (2000), Doris & Me (2001), Don't Smoke in Bed (2002), Comme Çi, Comme Ça and The Art of Lounge, Vol. 3 (both 2003), Dear Blossom and Hooray for Christmas (both 2004), Moon of Manakoora and Delovely (both 2005), and We Get Requests and Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook (both 2007). In addition, her Live in Taipei DVD was released in 2011. 

Janet Seidel died from ovarian cancer in Sydney in August 2017; she was 62 years old. The numerous recordings she made evince an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice that honored each tune she sang, from classic standards to pop songs and novelties. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/artist/janet-seidel-mn0000420852/biography

Little Jazz Bird

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Janet Seidel - You Are There

Size: 128,9 MB
Time: 55:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Younger Than Springtime (3:03)
02. I Wish You Love (5:58)
03. Darn That Dream (6:23)
04. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (2:52)
05. The Very Thought Of You (5:13)
06. Days Of Wine And Roses (3:26)
07. It Might As Well Be Spring (5:07)
08. I Hadn't Anyone Till You (5:01)
09. Tennessee Waltz (2:45)
10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (5:37)
11. Night And Day (8:13)
12. You Are There (1:53)

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year.

Seidel did not have great range, but she used the tools she possessed with great skill and effectiveness. With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel was one of those vocalists who was as much a story teller as a singer. The way she handled the music came off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she was somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall, she often doubled at the piano.

From the turn of the millennium through the decade of the 2000s, Seidel recorded prolifically, releasing such albums as Love Letters (2000), Doris & Me (2001), Don't Smoke in Bed (2002), Comme Çi, Comme Ça and The Art of Lounge, Vol. 3 (both 2003), Dear Blossom and Hooray for Christmas (both 2004), Moon of Manakoora and Delovely (both 2005), and We Get Requests and Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook (both 2007). In addition, her Live in Taipei DVD was released in 2011. Janet Seidel died from ovarian cancer in Sydney in August 2017; she was 62 years old. The numerous recordings she made evince an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice that honored each tune she sang, from classic standards to pop songs and novelties. ~by Dave Nathan

You Are There

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Janet Seidel - Songs in the Key of Peggy Lee

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:25
Size: 155,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. Blues in the Night
(3:17)  2. You do Something to Me
(2:48)  3. He's a Tramp
(2:22)  4. Things are Swingin'
(5:18)  5. Fever
(4:14)  6. Johnny Guitar
(4:06)  7. It Takes a Long Train with a Red Caboose
(5:47)  8. Black Coffee
(2:43)  9. Why don't ya do Right
(3:12) 10. I Don't Know Enough About You
(4:34) 11. Bella Notte/La La Lu
(3:48) 12. Mr. Wonderful
(2:23) 13. Bye Bye Blues
(3:02) 14. The Folks Who Live on the Hill
(4:22) 15. Street of Dreams
(3:46) 16. Don't Smoke in Bed
(3:02) 17. Lover
(3:22) 18. Golden Earrings

Lounge and cabaret performer and all-around ace singer Janet Seidel's Don't Smoke in Bed honors the important contributions of Peggy Lee to the vocal art. Australia's Seidel doesn't stop at entries from the Great American Songbook that Lee liked to sing, and includes her significant contributions to that document as a composer. In addition to the title tune, "Don't Smoke in Bed," there are five more Lee pieces on the play list. Through her personal appearances and many recordings, Seidel is a virtual institution in that country down under. This album is understandably somewhat jazzier and a lot torchier than her previous release, which was a nod to another one her favorites, Doris Day. Thus, you have a swinging, lilting "Street of Dreams," a sassy "I Don't Know Enough About You," and a very smoky version of a Lee classic, "Black Coffee." Kevin Hunt and Chris Morgan on piano and guitar, respectively, add just the right amount of the jazz feel for this cut, especially Morgan's intense, smoldering guitar. Another interesting element added by Seidel and cohorts is that the songs are not just limited to Lee's big recordings, such as the always enduring "Fever," but those she sang in her early days with Benny Goodman and some from her movie work, such as the films The Lady and the Tramp and Johnny Guitar. As always, Seidel is backed by top musicians. In addition to Hunt and Morgan, reed player Don Burrows is on a couple cuts. Her brother, David Seidel, carries on with his usual bass duties, helped along by Adam Pache on drums. Seidel by no means replicatesLee's way of doing this material, but presents it Seidel style. So this release offers the best of two worlds, literally: Peggy Lee and Janet Seidel. ~ Dave Nathan

Personnel: Janet Seidel (vocal,piano);  Kevin Hunt (piano);  Chuck Morgan (guitar);  David Seidel (bass);  Adam Pache (drums);  Ian Bloxson (bongos), Special Guest: Don Burrows (flute, aito sax cralinet)

Songs in the Key of Peggy Lee

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Janet Seidel - Comme Ci Comme Ca

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:50
Size: 125.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:19] 1. And The Angels Sing
[4:05] 2. Dance In The Old Fashioned Way
[4:22] 3. I Wish You Love
[4:07] 4. Once Upon A Summertime
[2:52] 5. Smile
[3:47] 6. Windmills Of Your Mind
[6:03] 7. These Foolish Things
[3:29] 8. C'est Si Bon
[5:41] 9. L'eté 42 (Summer '42)
[3:21] 10. I Will Wait For You
[2:49] 11. A Man And A Woman
[3:22] 12. Tout Doucement
[2:51] 13. Padam
[4:38] 14. J'attendrai

For her sixth release, Australian singer Janet Seidel continues to mine gems from the huge lode of popular music, this time focusing on tunes with a Gallic bent. Several of the tunes on the play list have a French origin, such as "A Man and a Woman" from the 1966 classic French film of the same name and "I Will Wait for You" from the soundtrack to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Virtually all of these, including the American pop tunes, are sung in French (like a native) and English. For those who need translating help, the lyrics are printed in both languages in the liner notes. The use of French helps set the intimate tone that is the hallmark of this session. As in all of her albums, Seidel brings some of Australia's finest jazz musicians to the studio with her. The impressive alto and tenor saxophones of Bob Jeffery are present on nine of the 14 tracks. Seidel's favorite piano player, Kevin Hunt, continues his sympathetic support, and brother David Seidel's bass lays down the foundation along with drummer Billy Ross, who's especially adept with the brushes. That this album has a decidedly jazzy flavor throughout is in small part due to Jeffery's sax on such tunes as "Tout Doucement" and "J'attendrai." Whatever language she sings in -- English, French, or anything else -- Janet Seidel makes any song sound better than it should. This album is another winner for her and is recommended. ~Dave Nathan

Comme Ci Comme Ca mc
Comme Ci Comme Ca zippy

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Janet Seidel - The Way You Wear Your Hat

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 95:08

Size: 217.8 MB

Styles: Cabaret, Jazz vocals

Year: 1998

Art: Front

[4:02] 1. Lazy River

[2:57] 2. Pick Yourself Up

[6:51] 3. My One And Only Love

[4:55] 4. Poor Butterfly

[5:53] 5. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)

[4:43] 6. My Foolish Heart

[3:35] 7. Tenderly

[5:59] 8. Manha De Carnival

[5:20] 9. Someone To Watch Over Me

[5:16] 10. They Can't Take That Away From Me

[5:14] 11. The Way You Look Tonight

[5:34] 12. Hymee A L'amour

[3:59] 13. Le Chateau De Ma Mere

[5:49] 14. I Love Paris

[8:35] 15. Secret Love

[6:06] 16. Them There Eyes

[4:56] 17. Comes Love

[5:13] 18. I Love Being Here With You

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She appeared frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues beginning in the early '80s, often working with bassist brother David Seidel. Janet Seidel also performed at jazz festivals in the U.S., working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and with her brother, she has made numerous albums for the LaBrava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly a finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year.

The Way You Wear Your Heart                

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Janet Seidel - Moon Of Manakoora

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 46:06

Size: 105.6 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals, Easy Listening

Year: 2010

Art: Front

[2:37] 1. When Lights Are Low

[3:41] 2. No Moon At All

[3:25] 3. Twilight Time

[2:51] 4. Delicado

[3:28] 5. Breeze

[2:58] 6. Till There Was You

[3:10] 7. The Moon Of Manakoora

[2:21] 8. Don't Be That Way

[4:41] 9. Tres Palabras

[2:38] 10. Deep Purple

[2:15] 11. Linger Awhile

[2:36] 12. Dream A Little Dream Of Me

[3:24] 13. April In Portugal

[3:19] 14. Falling In Love Again

[2:33] 15. Whispering

"Moon Of Manakoora" was originally produced for a Japanese record label and released there in July 2005, where it reached Number 1 on the prestigious jazz vocal chart of Japan's Swing Journal. It features Janet Seidel's warmest ever vocals in a dreamy jazz repertoire, with the amazing Chuck Morgan on ukulele and guitars, David Seidel on bass, with Billy Ross and Laurie Bennett sharing duties on drums and percussion.

Moon Of Manakoora  

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Janet Seidel - The Art Of Lounge, Vol. 2

Size: 130,8 MB
Time: 55:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001/2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Poinciana (4:07)
02. Lonesome Road (3:10)
03. Agua De Beber (4:02)
04. Oh How My Heart Beats For You (2:05)
05. They Say It's Wonderful (3:51)
06. You're A Lucky Guy (3:07)
07. It Had Better Be Tonight (3:05)
08. Perhaps (2:35)
09. Slow Boat To China (3:10)
10. Spanish Harlem (4:29)
11. Skylark (4:01)
12. Always Something There To Remind Me (3:37)
13. Button Up Your Overcoat (3:24)
14. You Belong To Me (4:04)
15. Can't We Talk It Over (3:08)
16. Sentimental Journey (3:46)

Australia's Janet Seidel continues to work magic on popular songs of the past, many of which have become standards. Like her first volume honoring the art of sophisticated swing and ballads, Seidel chooses to work in small-group settings, sometimes with sax or cornet added, other times with strings. When the sax is in control it adds a jazzy tingling. On "Poinciana," tenor saxman Paul Williams sneaks in jazz figures behind Seidel and the strings, creating interesting counterpoint. Another highlight track is "Lonesome Road," where the singer, Maree Steinway's piano, and Chuck Morgan's guitar framed by the rhythm of David Seidel and John Morrison beget a version of this tune that is bouncy but also as relaxed as one could expect to encounter. Seidel's unapologetic admiration of Doris Day is evident with "Sentimental Journey." But there is no big band cum Les Brown here. Rather, it's another laid-back small group rendering, this time with bass, guitar, and drums. Seidel is the vocal counterpart of alto sax player Paul Desmond, who was renowned for his comfortable playing style and respect for the melody line. The closest to vocal gymnastics is on "Slow Boat to China," where the ambidextrous Baker switches to cornet. Seidel has cut eight albums paying tribute to great popular music for the La Brava label. Each is a testimony to her vocal artistry and this does no less. Highly recommended. ~by Dave Nathan

Personnel: Janet Seidel - Vocals/Conductor; Col Nolan, Maree Steinway, Kevin Hunt - Piano; Chuck Morgan - Guitar; Paul Williams - Tenor Sax/ Clarinet; Tom Baker - Tenor Sax/Cornet/Vocals; Ben Jones - Alto & Tenor Sax/Vocal; David Seidel - Bass; Billy Ross - Drums; Ian Bloxsom - Percussion; John Morrison - Drums/Percussion; Mirka Rozmus, Rebecca Daniel, Michelle Kelly, Anne-Louise Comerford; Rachel Valentine - Strings

The Art Of Lounge, Vol.2      

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Janet Seidel - The Art Of Lounge, Vol. 1

Size: 149,6 MB
Time: 64:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Very Thought Of You (5:43)
02. To Say Goodbye (3:32)
03. Comes Love (4:11)
04. I've Got A Crush On You (4:51)
05. I Get Lost In His Arms (6:23)
06. At Sundown (4:35)
07. The Sweetest Sounds (4:47)
08. Fools Rush In (4:29)
09. Gee Baby (3:27)
10. Mas Que Nada (3:10)
11. Love For Sale (5:28)
12. I Had The Craziest Dream (5:38)
13. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying (4:52)
14. Black Is The Colour (2:57)

Performing since she was 17, Janet Seidel is now one of Australia's more prominent vocalists. She records exclusively for the La Brava label. Despite the title of her latest effort, this is by no means an album of easy listening, lounge type music. Even though there's the presence of a heavy cadre of strings on several tracks, they are offset by the presence of musicians steeped in the jazz tradition, such as Tom Baker on tenor sax. Also having a jazz flavor, "I've Got a Crush on You" is done in a small-group setting; Paul Williams provides a mellow background, and his clarinet contrasts nicely with Seidel's simple, straightforward rendition of this popular classic. Even on those tunes where the strings are present, there is still a feel for jazz. A slow-paced arrangement of "The Sweetest Sounds" mixes the strings with Kevin Hunt's melodic piano playing. With a voice that combines all the good features of Blossom Dearie with some Peggy Lee and Doris Day stirred in for seasoning, Seidel is at home in a number of styles. She can lull you with a sentimental ballad and then get naively erotic with a blues. She gets together with Col Nolan's Hammond B3 organ for a version of "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" that blends innocence with allurement. The Latin beat gets a nod with "Mas Que Nada," and a touch of soulful regret is heard in "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" behind Tom Baker's wailing tenor sax. There's a come hither quality in her interpretation of "Love for Sale," featuring Baker on cornet. Seidel takes on a poetic bearing on "Fools Rush In" which, as much as any track, reveals her ability to convey the essence of the story embedded in the lyrics she sings. Irrespective of genre, all the tunes are delivered in a delightful, ear-catching, engaging manner. Featuring Australian musicians of the highest caliber, this CD of more than 60 minutes of varied vocalizing is highly recommended. ~ by Dave Nathan

The Art Of Lounge, Vol.1

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Janet Seidel - Winter Moon

Size: 146,1 MB
Time: 63:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Seems Like Old Times (4:19)
02. Just You, Just Me (2:50)
03. Nuages (4:35)
04. For Heaven's Sake (4:43)
05. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (3:12)
06. Golden Earrings (4:22)
07. Cocktails For Two (4:34)
08. Change Partners (4:20)
09. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (3:01)
10. Prelude To A Kiss (4:53)
11. Down With Love (2:58)
12. Big Bad Bill (2:58)
13. There I Go Again (4:44)
14. Harlem Nocturne (3:32)
15. Winter Moon (4:11)
16. Fascinatin' Rhythm (3:39)

Born in Australia's bush country, Janet Seidel has emerged as one of that country's leading cabaret and jazz vocalists. She has been appearing frequently at Australia's top jazz and hotel venues since the early '80s often working with bassist brother, David Seidel. Janet Seidel has also been featured at jazz festivals in the U.S. working with such jazz notables as Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Dave McKenna, and Michael Moore. Her first venture into cabaret came in 2000 when she put together and starred in Doris and Me, a tribute to Doris Day's singing career. Often working with saxophone player Tom Baker and always with her brother, she has made eight albums for the La Brava label. Her double album The Way You Wear Your Hat was named vocal album of the year by Australia's national newspaper and was a finalist for the prestigious ARIA award. Her The Art of Lounge, Vol. 2 was similarly as finalist for that award for the AIRA Jazz Album of the Year.

Seidel does not have great range, but she uses the tools she possesses with great skill and effectiveness. With her intimate style, great feel for the lyrics of songs she sings, Seidel is one of those vocalists who is as much a story teller as she is a singer. The way she goes about handling the music comes off as a fortuitous blend of Blossom Dearie and Doris Day with an occasional nod to Julie London, although she is somewhat jazzier than the latter two. Like Jeri Southern, Shirley Horn, and Diana Krall, she often doubles at the piano. Seidel has an exquisite, gentle, and agile voice and honors each tune she sings, irrespective of whether it's a classic standard, pop, or novelty song.

Winter Moon

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Janet Seidel - Doris And Me

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:46
Size: 161,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:55)  1. Somebody Loves Me - Blue Skies
(2:54)  2. Sentimental Journey
(3:34)  3. Secret Love
(4:12)  4. I'll String Along With You
(3:24)  5. My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time - Let's Be Buddies-I May Be Wrong
(2:18)  6. I've Got the Sun In the Morning
(3:06)  7. Embraceable You
(4:11)  8. It's Magic
(2:59)  9. Canadian Capers
(2:29) 10. Too Marvelous For Words
(0:58) 11. I Know That You Know
(1:52) 12. Crazy Rhythm
(3:19) 13. Tea For Two | Do Do Do
(2:55) 14. The Very Thought of You
(1:33) 15. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:09) 16. Lullaby of Broadway
(3:16) 17. Love Me Or Leave Me
(3:21) 18. Ten Cents A Dance
(2:03) 19. Close Your Eyes
(2:40) 20. Perhaps
(1:36) 21. Windy City
(3:48) 22. Pillow Talk - Please Don't Eat the Daisies - Teacher's Pet
(2:08) 23. Que Sera Sera
(2:54) 24. Please Don't Talk About Me

Doris Day recorded more than 600 songs over a lengthy and successful career in the movies and recording studio. She was smart enough to quit while she was ahead. But neither she nor the special way she sang a song is forgotten. Tribute and commemoration albums abound. This latest from one of Australia's premiere singers, Janet Seidel, focuses on more sophisticated material Day sang in movies, like Young Man With a Horn and her film portrayal of vocalist Ruth Etting, as well as tunes she did with bands led by Les Brown and Bob Crosby and others. While not jazz, these performances certainly have a jazzy feel about them. Seidel wisely does only one track of vocal trivia that Day had to do in such movies as Pillow Talk. Seidel has long been an admirer, not an imitator, of Day, creating a cabaret show around Day's material. Like that singer, she has perfect pitch, clear diction, and a convincing feel for the beat. "Close Your Eyes," where she works with guitarist Chuck Morgan, is just one of the many tracks where she demonstrates her vocal skills. Unlike Day, Seidel backs herself on piano, a la Jeri Southern and Shirley Horn, with help from brother David Seidel on bass and Morgan. One of the real pleasures here is that there's no dubbing the voice on top of the instrumentation. What you hear is precisely how it was recorded in the studio very unusual in these days of high-tech wizardry where too often younger artists are less and less concerned with what they're playing and how they're playing it. This is Seidel's ninth album for La Brava, and it joins the ranks of her long line of excellent output. ~ Dave Nathan http://www.allmusic.com/album/doris-me-mw0001192154

Doris And Me

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Janet Seidel - Dear Blossom

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:34
Size: 138.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
[2:32] 2. Deam Blossom
[3:05] 3. I'm Shadowing You
[3:57] 4. Hey John
[2:15] 5. I Like You, You're Nice
[2:58] 6. Comment Allez Vous
[2:29] 7. Once Upon A Summertime
[4:18] 8. Peel Me A Grape
[3:04] 9. I'm Hip
[3:01] 10. A Paris
[2:35] 11. It's Too Good To Talk About Now
[3:33] 12. Bruce
[3:17] 13. Moonlight Savin' Time
[4:02] 14. My Attorney Bernie
[3:05] 15. You Fascinate Me So
[3:12] 16. Figure Eight
[5:19] 17. Pro Musiqua Antiqua
[3:48] 18. My Gentleman Friend

The tribute show encapsulates the best tunes from the repertoire of the late Blossom Dearie and has has been performed by Australia’s “first lady of jazz singing” (Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD) in theatres, concert halls and clubs all over Australia and abroad. For those not familiar with Blossom suffice to mention she was something of a cult favourite from Paris to New York to London particularly. Even after her passing in 2008 she is championed by those in the know as a quirky and funny artist of the highest standard not just for her clever compositions and unique vocal artistry, but also for her exquisite jazz piano styling. Number 1 celebrity Blossom fan is Australia’s international pop icon Kylie Minogue, who shares co-incidently, the same birthday as Janet (albeit in a very different year!)

Dear Blossom

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Janet Seidel - Don't Smoke In Bed

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:38
Size: 138.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2002/2016
Art: Front

[5:07] 1. Blues In The Night
[3:11] 2. I Don't Know Enough About You
[4:33] 3. Bella Notte La Lu Lu
[3:47] 4. Mr Wonderful
[2:22] 5. Bye Bye Blues
[3:01] 6. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
[4:20] 7. Street Of Dreams
[3:42] 8. Don't Smoke In Bed
[3:17] 9. You Do Something To Me
[2:48] 10. He's A Tramp
[2:22] 11. Things Are Swingin'
[5:16] 12. Fever
[4:13] 13. Johnny Guitar
[4:04] 14. It Takes A Long Train With A Red Caboose
[5:48] 15. Black Coffee
[2:42] 16. Why Don't Ya Do Right

Lounge and cabaret performer and all-around ace singer Janet Seidel's Don't Smoke in Bed honors the important contributions of Peggy Lee to the vocal art. Australia's Seidel doesn't stop at entries from the Great American Songbook that Lee liked to sing, and includes her significant contributions to that document as a composer. In addition to the title tune, "Don't Smoke in Bed," there are five more Lee pieces on the play list. Through her personal appearances and many recordings, Seidel is a virtual institution in that country down under. This album is understandably somewhat jazzier -- and a lot torchier -- than her previous release, which was a nod to another one her favorites, Doris Day. Thus, you have a swinging, lilting "Street of Dreams," a sassy "I Don't Know Enough About You," and a very smoky version of a Lee classic, "Black Coffee." Kevin Hunt and Chris Morgan on piano and guitar, respectively, add just the right amount of the jazz feel for this cut, especially Morgan's intense, smoldering guitar. Another interesting element added by Seidel and cohorts is that the songs are not just limited to Lee's big recordings, such as the always enduring "Fever," but those she sang in her early days with Benny Goodman and some from her movie work, such as the films The Lady and the Tramp and Johnny Guitar. As always, Seidel is backed by top musicians. In addition to Hunt and Morgan, reed player Don Burrows is on a couple cuts. Her brother, David Seidel, carries on with his usual bass duties, helped along by Adam Pache on drums. Seidel by no means replicatesLee's way of doing this material, but presents it Seidel style. So this release offers the best of two worlds, literally: Peggy Lee and Janet Seidel. ~Dave Nathan

Don't Smoke In Bed

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Janet Seidel Trio & Friends - Far Away Places

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 58:40

Size: 134.3 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal

Year: 2013

Art: Front

[3:58] 1. La Paloma

[3:07] 2. Love Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere

[5:33] 3. Suzukake No Michi

[3:16] 4. Recado Bossa Nova The Gift

[4:27] 5. Sand In My Shoes

[3:54] 6. Historia De Un Amor

[3:09] 7. Too Darn Hot

[5:22] 8. Autumn In New York

[4:16] 9. Take The A Train

[4:09] 10. La Javanaise

[3:13] 11. Kiss Of Fire

[4:25] 12. Midnight Sun

[1:33] 13. Maui Holiday

[4:59] 14. Far Away Places

[3:12] 15. Golden Slumbers

Far Away Places is the latest in Janet Seidel’s long discography, spanning over eighteen releases so far. The album pulls together a wide collection of songs form all across the world, including Cuba (La Paloma), Japan (Suzukake no Michi), and America (Take The A Train). Every track on this album is realised in a similar stripped down, soulful iteration. Seidel is surrounded by a host of talented musicians here. Aside from the trio regulars Chuck Morgan and David Seidel, Fabian Hevla and Hamish Stuart both contribute some solid percussion work across half the tracks. ~Sam Gilles

Far Away Places

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Janet Seidel - Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook

Album: Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:58
Size: 123.5 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:08] 1. Dreamsland
[3:25] 2. Slow hot wind
[3:30] 3. Straight to baby
[3:30] 4. Whistling away the dark
[4:14] 5. Days of wine and roses
[3:27] 6. Charade
[3:25] 7. Dear heart
[2:32] 8. Loss of love (sunflower)
[4:47] 9. Mr. Lucky
[6:27] 10. Moment to moment
[5:55] 11. Crazy world
[2:23] 12. (I love you) Don't you forget it
[6:08] 13. Two for the road

This Australian CD, ---"Charade"--- is a songbook of 14 Henry Mancini works exquisitely performed by Janet Seidel (vocals), featuring Joe Chindamo on piano, along with David Seidel (double bass), Chuck Morgan (guitar), and Fabian Hevia (drums/percussion). The Mancini songs are pretty well known and are nicely discussed in the liner notes which list the musicians involved with each number, the lyrics of each, and a brief historical discussion for each.

Janet Seidel's singing and interpretation of each number is, of course, crystal clear and (my opinion) very nice, while the piano and the other instruments are very impressive, making the entire CD a very good listen. ~Al/amazon

Charade: Henry Mancini Songbook

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