At first Julie Kelly's voice may sound a bit jarring to some, but her singing on this CD will win most listeners over. Kelly slides between notes, sometimes speaks part of the lyrics (as on "Some Other Time"), and she takes chances, especially harmonically. Her repertoire on this Chase CD is filled with unusual choices, such as two obscure Chick Corea tunes ("Highwire" and "Sounds"), Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover," Dave Grusin's "Bahia," and Nat Adderley's underrated c   [ read more ]

CD $15.18

This CD finds singer Julie Kelly in prime form. With the assistance of Bill Cunliffe on piano and synth, either Tom Warrington or John Clayton on bass, drummer Joe LaBarbera and several guests (guitarist Larry Koonse, tenorman Bob Sheppard, trumpeter Clay Jenkins and percussionist Brian Kilgore), Kelly creates fresh interpretations of such songs as "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "Long Ago and Far Away," "A Sleepin' Bee" and a boppish "Royal Garden Blues." Most unusual    [ read more ]

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Into the Light builds on the solid foundation of Julie Kelly's two previous albums for Chase Music Group and is a strong testament to her artistry. She engages in what would be called risk taking for a less experienced and knowledgeable singer, but it's water sliding off a duck's back for Kelly. The selections she chose for this album also reflect her experience and on all of them she uses her musicians wisely. The play is filled with a diverse set of tunes from a diverse group of composers. Old   [ read more ]

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No discussion of '40s and '50s cool jazz would be complete without some mention of June Christy. Like Chris Connor and Julie London, the Misty Miss Christy (b. 1925, d. 1990) was a vocal equivalent of tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, or trumpeter Miles Davis -- her singing was characterized by subtlety, restraint, and economy instead of aggression or forcefulness. Although Christy was the essence of cool jazz, one doesn't have to be a full-time member o   [ read more ]

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Everything seems to work for Julie Kelly on Everything I Love. Her voice is in excellent form, the backup provided by the Mike Wofford Trio with occasional spots for tenor-saxophonist Bob Sheppard are tasteful and sympathetic, and the material is consistently rewarding. The songs range from Julie Kelly's own to Larry Goldings' "Moonbird," some Brazilian pieces, two Joni Mitchell songs, to a variety of veteran standards. The interpretations are heartfelt and there is variety in tem   [ read more ]

CD $15.18