This Year's Kisses

Houston-based jazz singer Danielle Reich has been performing for a number of years, and now she’s put out her first album. Her voice (a warm mezzo-soprano) and style (relaxed & natural, no diva nonsense here) are ideal for this selection of well-known pop songs, show tunes, and jazz standards. This won’t knock you over; but it’s quite enjoyable. Trumpeter (and the record’s producer) Carol Morgan gives several really nice solos.

No FCC issues.

1. * Up-tempo reading of a Lerner & Loewe tune from “My Fair Lady." Good trumpet & sax solos. (3:47)
2. Slow, breathy take on a song by Rodgers & Hammerstein from “Carousel.” Elegant bass & drums accompany. (4:54)
3. No, not the 70s soft-rock hit by Ace, but rather a George & Ira Gershwin classic. I'd play Sarah Vaughan’s version instead. (4:43)
4. * Artie Shaw made this into a jazz standard. Danielle sings it slow & soulful. Nice. (6:16)
5. * A lovely Spanish language slow dance. Sexy vox. Tasty trumpet solo. (4:35)
6. Billie Holiday did this slow ballad, and that’s a high bar. Reich clears it nicely. (5:23)
7. * A Kurt Weill number done up-tempo and syncopated. More good trumpet. (3:07)
8. * Nina Simone & Billie Holiday each did this Irving Berlin number. This version is bright & happy sounding. Tap your toe to the drums; nod your head to the piano solo. (2:14)
9. Oft recorded Jacques Brel song. A real downer. Looking for foreign? Go with #5. (4:09)
10. Lots of recordings starting with Sinatra’s. Nothing real special about this one. (5:37)
11. For the better vox & the elegant accompaniment, perhaps superior to Janis Ian’s own. (4:47)
12. ** Interesting medley of a Thelonious Monk number and an Oscar Hammerstein show tune. Nice singing, another good trumpet part, tight rhythm section. This is excellent. (5:13)