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Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge

By Dave Nathan
March 1, 2001
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Performing since she was 17, Janet Seidel is now one of Australia's more prominent vocalists. Despite the title of her latest effort, this is by no means an album of easy listening, lounge type music. Even though there's the presence strings on several tracks, they are offset by musicians steeped in the jazz tradition like Tom Baker on tenor sax. Also having a jazz flavor, "I've Got Crush on You" is done in a small group setting with Paul Williams providing a mellow background with his clarinet contrasting nicely with Seidel's simple, straightforward rendition of this popular classic. Even on those tunes where the strings are present, there is still a feel for jazz. A slow paced arrangement of The Sweetest Sounds mixes the strings with Kevin Hunt's melodic piano playing.

With a voice that combines the good features of Blossom Dearie with some Peggy Lee and Doris Day stirred in for seasoning, Seidel is at home in a number of styles. She can lull you with a sentimental ballad and then get naively erotic with a blues. She gets together with Col Nolans's Hammond B3 organ for a version of "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" which blends innocence with allurement. The Latin beat gets a nod with "Mas Que Nada". There's a touch of soulful regret on "Don't Let the Sun Catch you Crying" behind Tom Baker's wailing tenor sax while there's a come hither quality in her interpretation of "Love for Sale with Baker :taking up his cornet. Seidel takes on a poetic bearing on "Fools Rush In" which, as much as any track, reveals her ability to convey the essence of the story embedded in the lyrics she sings. Irrespective of their genre, all the tunes are delivered in a delightful, ear catching, engaging manner.

Backed by Australians musician of the highest caliber, this CD of more than 60 minutes of varied vocalizing is highly recommended.

Track Listing

The Very Thought of You; To Say Goodbye; Comes Love;I've Got a Crush on You; I Got Lost in His Arms; At Sundown; The Sweetest Sounds;Fools Rush In; Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You; Mas Que Nada; Love for Sale; I Had the Craziest Dream; Don't Let the Sun Catch you Crying; Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair

Personnel

Janet Seidel

piano

Janet Seidel- Vocals/Conductor/Piano; Kevin Hunt - Piano; Col Nolan - Piano/Hammond B3 Organ; Paul Williams - Tenor Sax/Clarinet; Tom Baker - Tenor Sax/Cornet; David Seidel - Bass/Guitar; John Morrison - Drums/Percussion; Hamish Stuart- Drums; Ian Blosom- Percussion; Len Barnard - Drums; David McLeod - Vocals; Mirka Rozmus, Rebecca Daniel, Rebecca, Michelle Kelly - Violin; Virginia Comerford - Viola; Rachel Valentine Rachel- Cello

Album information

Title: The Art of Lounge | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: La Brava Music

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