Daria: Just the Beginning

Joel Roberts

CD/DVD Reviewer since 1999

Joel Roberts has been contirbuting to AAJ since its earliest days.

Recent articles (244 total)

Published: November 1, 1998

Just the Beginning is the first recording from the West Coast vocalist who goes by the single name of Daria.

An expressive singer with a clear, crisp voice and excellent range, Daria is at her best when she keeps things simple, as on a stripped down version of Ellington and Strayhorn's "Daydream," with the vocals backed only by Bill Douglass' bass and Sheldon Brown's bass clarinet. She shows an affinity for breezy, tropical sounds on a solid reading of Jobim's "Double Rainbow" (with words by author/lyricist Gene Lees). She also does well on a more slickly produced pop-jazz original, "Japanese Love Affair."

Daria is less successful on the opening number, the beautiful standard "Angel Eyes," which is marred by her rather overwrought unaccompanied scatting. Readers should note that this CD clocks in at just around thirty minutes.

Record Label: Jazz'm Up Productions
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream