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For the price of a decent lunch, you get to listen to her over and over on this fine album. This is one sweet album. Jessica Molaskey has the voice of an angel. The vocals are superb, the arrangements very palatable, and the songs taste like dessert.
Her signing has a quality that is as sweet and individual that once you hear her, you will always know who she is. Not since Natalie Wood, has there been, such sexy ness mixed with such Innocent sweetness, and when they sign together,.its the story of love in Music. The only sad thing is that she only pulls her signature ding-a-ling stunts once or twice during the whole C.D. of hers, had severalof his. I still grab it when ever I'm in Radio range. Been listening to John Pizzzarelli, for some time, then caught up with the radio show they do together. After listening to them cut up, I became addicted to their shared personalities, and been hunting for a C.D. However that is not to say this ain't a great C.D.
Thumbs up on your elegant and classy black outfit, Jessica. It is also one of the featured songs in the movie soundtrack of "Sleepless In Seattle." One of my very favorite tracks is a unique medley version of "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby/Baby Face" from songwriters Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren/Benny Davis and Harry Akst. Here, she is at her very best singing a relaxed and reflective rendition of the title track and one of the greatest songs from the pen of Oscar Hammerstein who co-wrote it with Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby in 1935. Molaskey's heartfelt and sincere reading of its lyrics---such as the following lines that can always make the listeners sing along with her. There were no set lists, no rehearsals, just four musicians, with various sized pieces of wood, with strings attached and two sets of vocal cords, a family calling tunes that we loved, and existing for 60 minutes to create a joyful noise." ~ Jessica Molaskey ~While Jessica Molaskey is building a dream in "A Kiss To Build A Dream On," she's also saying goodbye to the bluesy blues in "Bye Bye Blues" and she's definitely welcoming the bright sun in "Hello Sunshine Hello." And of course, she "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "she doesn't stay out late, she doesn't care to go, she's home about eight, she's saving her love for that special someone." She has called this recording a "joyful noise." It is indeed the most pleasant "noise" I've ever heard in my entire listening adventure.
"Baby face, you've got the cutest little baby faceThere's not another who can take your placeBaby face, my poor heart is thumpin'You sure have started somethin'." The rest of my highlights that you'll also love include "Breezin' Along With The Breeze," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" and a romantic and dreamy duet with John Pizzarelli, "Tea For Two." She was right all along.it is truly a "joyful noise."P.S. It was recorded in 1951 by jazz icon Louis Armstrong who popularized it and made it a big hit in the early Fifties. The beauty of this album is that it was inspired by the great sound of Django Reinhart and Stéphane Grappelli whose recordings Jessica Molaskey fell in love with when she was in college. "Wouldn't it be great to make a CD like this. Joining her in making a "joyful noise" are Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Aaron Weinstein (violin), Larry Fuller (piano) and her better-half, John Pizzarelli (guitar/vocal duets).I discovered the singer's inimitable vocal art through her most remarkable album, Pentimento, which is one of the most charming offerings from the Broadway actress that I enjoy listening to every so often.
It's such a delight listening to its brilliant solo intro, bridge, and most of all Ms.
I have several of her husband's CD's and wondered what hers would be like, and I was pleasantly surprised.I may get some of her other ones.It has a great jazz beat, and features the Pizzarelli family. I liked this CD very much. It came within a week of ordering.
Molaskey falls in the latter category. The lyricism required to do the standard repertoire justice is largely absent.I give the CD 3 stars for some terrific instrumentation and playing, and for its generally breezy, lighthearted, pleasant feeling. John is a powerhouse talent, Jessica is a middling vocalist who was making a living doing understudy and ensemble parts in musical theater. Her tone is often nasal, her breath control is poor and her range and command of the vocal line are limited. I'm glad I heard it "on loan" before wasting my money.Compare Molaskey's pedestrian skills to those of artful, classic singers who had the basics down pat and then some: Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford. There's a huge difference between great singing and passable singing. John didn't need her, but she sure needs him. Jessica's vocal style is haphazard.
It would make excellent background music at a cocktail party, for instance. Ms. That day in 1997 when Jessica Molaskey met John Pizzarelli was a lucky day for her indeed. Together, they built a career for her as a headliner that she never could have achieved on her own. But it's not something I have the desire to sit and listen to again.
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