Julie Kelly: Into The Light

Julie Kelly.."Into The Light"...CMG Release.. It was a Sunday evening a few months ago, when I walked into the 66 California jazz club and heard Julie Kelly sing for the first time. I was immediately taken with the hipness of her style, the choice of tunes and most of all the slick scatting. I came for a beer and stayed for the whole gig. This CD reflects all of the artistry I heard that night. The musicians who accompany Miss Kelly were obviously chosen with care, they are among jazzdoms finest: Bill Cunliffe..Arranger and Piano Tom Warrington..Bass Joe La Barbera..Drums Larry Koonse..Guitar Brad Dutz..Percussion Jeff Clayton..Tenor Saxophone Holly Hoffman..Flute '"Love For Sale"..Julie Kelly brings visions of a Parisian night with a haunting, yet brightly done version of Cole Porter's tale of decadence. Cunliffe's backing makes it work beautifully. "Hooray For Love"..Clever hipness prevails as Kelly and the rhythm section swing nicely on this reflective lament of a lady having a couple perhaps, and reminiscing. (my interpretation).Sophistication reigns supreme in Cunliffe's piano solo. "Folks Who Live On The Hill"..This is a tune for the distaff side, The ladies always love it. Again a fine song selection and a tender mood enhancer. "Flor De Lis".. Kelly mixes Portugese and English in this interesting foray into Djavan and Werneck's musical endeavor. Bill Cunliffe weaves his magic as he adds his artistry to this unique composition. "Don't Be That Way".. Everyone came "striding" in on this one. This is a smile maker, and besides "honey" is a sweet and comforting word.... "Into The Light"..The title tune is beautifully done. A mesmerising bass solo by Tom Warrington adds to its misty blues quality. "Heart's Desire"..I hear Bill Cunliffe tenderly embellishing Kelly's vocal, again the words are pure poetry and Kelly is superb. "Sonny's Bounce".. The great Sonny Stitt tune with Julie Kelly's lyrics becomes hipness personified . Fine unison scatting with the band, and the ad lib vocalese showcases this vocalist at her absolute best. Larry Koonse's guitar solo was, as always, inventive and swung to the max. Jeff Clayton really got off the ground with his tenor work on this tasty blues number, it brought out a "yeah!" from this writer. "Kisses".. The song title itself evokes the cute sensuality that is ably interpreted vocally by Kelly on this one. "I've Got The World On A String"..Good version. New treatment. Nice 4 bar chases by Piano and Drums "His Eyes, Her Eyes".. Legrand/Bergman's composition from "The Thomas Crown Affair" will, after two drinks, if you are the least bit romantically inclined, put you where you want to be. "They Say It's Spring"..Ah yes, what a melody, what lyrics. This offering will make you smile and do a few rhythm steps. Holly Hoffman's flute solo is an attention getter, it lopes along gracefully and jazzily............ Julie Kelly has selected first class musicians, great tunes with great lyrics, and as always, Miss K. delivers a swinging performance......This CD is a definite keeper Julie Kelly.."Into The Light"...CMG Release.. It was a Sunday evening a few months ago, when I walked into the 66 California jazz club and heard Julie Kelly sing for the first time. I was immediately taken with the hipness of her style, the choice of tunes and most of all the slick scatting. I came for a beer and stayed for the whole gig. This CD reflects all of the artistry I heard that night. The musicians who accompany Miss Kelly were obviously chosen with care, they are among jazzdoms finest: Bill Cunliffe..Arranger and Piano Tom Warrington..Bass Joe La Barbera..Drums Larry Koonse..Guitar Brad Dutz..Percussion Jeff Clayton..Tenor Saxophone Holly Hoffman..Flute '"Love For Sale"..Julie Kelly brings visions of a Parisian night with a haunting, yet brightly done version of Cole Porter's tale of decadence. Cunliffe's backing makes it work beautifully. "Hooray For Love"..Clever hipness prevails as Kelly and the rhythm section swing nicely on this reflective lament of a lady having a couple perhaps, and reminiscing. (my interpretation).Sophistication reigns supreme in Cunliffe's piano solo. "Folks Who Live On The Hill"..This is a tune for the distaff side, The ladies always love it. Again a fine song selection and a tender mood enhancer. "Flor De Lis".. Kelly mixes Portugese and English in this interesting foray into Djavan and Werneck's musical endeavor. Bill Cunliffe weaves his magic as he adds his artistry to this unique composition. "Don't Be That Way".. Everyone came "striding" in on this one. This is a smile maker, and besides "honey" is a sweet and comforting word.... "Into The Light"..The title tune is beautifully done. A mesmerising bass solo by Tom Warrington adds to its misty blues quality. "Heart's Desire"..I hear Bill Cunliffe tenderly embellishing Kelly's vocal, again the words are pure poetry and Kelly is superb. "Sonny's Bounce".. The great Sonny Stitt tune with Julie Kelly's lyrics becomes hipness personified . Fine unison scatting with the band, and the ad lib vocalese showcases this vocalist at her absolute best. Larry Koonse's guitar solo was, as always, inventive and swung to the max. Jeff Clayton really got off the ground with his tenor work on this tasty blues number, it brought out a "yeah!" from this writer. "Kisses".. The song title itself evokes the cute sensuality that is ably interpreted vocally by Kelly on this one. "I've Got The World On A String"..Good version. New treatment. Nice 4 bar chases by Piano and Drums "His Eyes, Her Eyes".. Legrand/Bergman's composition from "The Thomas Crown Affair" will, after two drinks, if you are the least bit romantically inclined, put you where you want to be. "They Say It's Spring"..Ah yes, what a melody, what lyrics. This offering will make you smile and do a few rhythm steps. Holly Hoffman's flute solo is an attention getter, it lopes along gracefully and jazzily............ Julie Kelly has selected first class musicians, great tunes with great lyrics, and as always, Miss K. delivers a swinging performance......This CD is a definite keeper