With crisp, catchy, intelligent arrangements by Frank Mantooth, Kansas City vocalist Margaret Carlson floats through a play list of 13 familiar standards and traditional pop tunes. This album was originally issued in 1996, but was refurbished for re-release in 2001.Carlson possesses a strong (but controlled) seasoned set of pipes as distinguished from the light voice of a naïve ingénue. Her personal vocal style marries the best of cabaret and jazz singing. The storytelling faculty of the former meshes nicely with the strong musicality of the latter. This expressive ability brings to each song an outlet for the emotions embedded in each of the tunes on the program. Her interpretation of "You Don't Know What Love Is" is poignant and yearning, at the same time accusatory that anyone could fail to understand the strong feelings which create the basis for love. Of the many outstanding tracks the CD offers, "That's All" is one that stands a jot above the others. Accompanied by mercurial fluting by Kim Park, Carlson takes this oft-played standard on an exciting up-tempo roller-coaster ride. On the Doris Day-made-famous "Secret Love," she engages in some Major Holley-type scatting as she sings into the bass of Bob Bowman. All of the players with Carlson make their respective marks at this session. Kim Park works on alto, as well as flute and guitarist Danny Embrey has his moments. In addition to his arrangements, Mantooth provides just the right touch at the piano, whether as accompanist or on his frequent solos. His sparkling playing helps to set the overall luminous tone for this CD, which is recommended without reservation. ~ Dave Nathan
Reviews of live performances and her first CD, 'Once in a Blue Moon' Singer's first CD is "Once in Blue Moon""Once in a Blue Moon" is an appropriate title for Margaret Carlson's debut album after 10 years away from the music business. But than again it's not.
Fans of Carlson's smooth mellow jazz music will hope she records much more often then that. ..." "Once in a Blue Moon" vocalist Margaret Carlsonmakes her mark on collection of jazzstandards with her debut album"Trying to catch a performance by jazz vocalist Margaret Carlson of Batavia in the past decade has been almost as tough as pinning down a shooting star, but thanks to the release of her debut album, the pleasure, though still rarefied, is within one's grasp. ..."Carlson's appealing voice breathes rich interpretation into her lyrics, making each number sound fresh. With consummate control, her voice glides effortlessly from the soaring range of a 'A Sleepin' Bee' with lyrics by Truman Capote into the sultry territory of 'Come Rain or Come Shine.
' ..."The album's selection of songs reflects a sophisticated balance in tempo and mood. For a change of pace, some of the songs are accompanied sparely by piano and guitar. 'I'm very happy with how it turned out,' she said. ..." "Music for People Who Need People"benefit concert matches best of jazzwith the best of causes "First-rate jazz and a first-rate cause are the harmonious pairing behind 'Music for People Who Need People,' a benefit concert this month for TriCity Family Services. ...... Slipping into character for each of the songs, the award-winning Carlson has a silken voice and polished delivery that put her personal stamp on every number. It turned out to be a memorable night of music that ranged from mellow jazz, sultry sambas and high-flying scat and pure romance all the way to deep-down blues." Mantooth, Carlson jazz it upat private benefit for TCFS"... It was not difficult to see why Mantooth sees such promise in the vocalist. Her style was the perfect fit for the mixture of melancholy love songs and be-bop fun on display through the night. ..." West Michigan Jazz Society - The year in Review"'Delicious ... delightful ...de-lovely!' She didn't sing Cole Porter, but vocalist Margaret Carlson certainly brought those lyrics to mind in her captivating performance at our 11th Annual
Email a Friend
