Mike Z. said: June 9, 2009 11:49 am PST
Jazz Baby Hits Her Stride: The first thing I noticed is how lovely and sweet your voice sounds, from the CD's beginning to its end. A natural warmth, colored by that jazzy little lilt of yours, comes across with sincerity, bespeaking the lifetime in music that has been your blessing -- and your audience's blessing, too.
I like your songwriting a lot. Among the six originals on the CD, my favorite is the ballad "Now That I've Seen You at Sunrise." I love the interplay of your piano and vocals, with punchy chord changes dancing around the natural vocal pulses that animate and interpret the song's thoughtful lyrics. The image of seeing the moon in your lover's glass of wine is really something, Amy. I think it is my favorite line among all your original songs.
Of course I also have to give a special nod to "The Caravan Lounge," which lets you have fun and features an audience in the background clearly doing the same. I also enjoy the lighthearted and recognizable imagery of "Bring Back My Heart" -- we have all been there, a good thing in a song. Another memorable track is the opening song, "Tioga Moon," your ode to the locale of our upbringing.
Anyway, those are my favorites, of the originals. The covers are well chosen and performed, as well. â??Lullabye of Birdlandâ? is particularly convincing to my ears. You really make that much-heard classic your own. It fits you.
Your piano work is a delight to listen to, across the whole CD. It reminds me of fond memories I have of going with my dad to hear you play live in/around Binghamton back in the 80s. I especially recall the flier you gave me, the one with that enormous songlist on it. Boy, you know the tunes, Amy, and can both sing and play them with style.