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Barbara King - PERFECT TIMING:
We all know the old saw about the DJ who doesn't "look" like he/she "sounds"... well, on this splendid musical outing, Ms. King doesn't "sound" like she "looks"... though her album picture is very flattering, you would never guess the TOTAL deepness in her vocals from that picture... I mean, it's just astounding... heavy-duty spirit flows through every line she sings, and she'll capture your heart & soul by the end of the very first track!
She'll have you reminiscing about Sarah Vaughn or Ella type performances in no time... 11 tracks, 4 of which are originals... in fact, it's the title track (an original, track 7) which immediately took my pick as favorite... some really nice rhythmic shifts, & Barbara is right out there in front of it. Your Smile http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/barbaraking-08.m3u, with it's gentle Latin persuasion, came in a close second. Her debut CD is flawless... recording is excellent and her performances are full of soul and verve.
If you're looking for a perfect gift for your music lover whose prime attraction is energetic jazz vocals, you'll find it's "perfect timing"... the CD release is 11/25/2008, so get that gift NOW!
I give this one a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Get more information at http://www.barbarakingjazz.com.
IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION
BARBARA KING/Perfect Timing: Interesting juxtapositions going on here. King sounds like she’s paying homage to Diana Krall paying homage to all the great black vocalists that came before. Of course, King is a black vocalist so the first pass might be a little jarring to contemporary ears that just aren’t that familiar with the classic singers. Get past all that folderol and you have a solid debut from a jazz vocalists that is in the tradition and can wear that mantle without it being a cop out. Straight down the middle, but with all the trimmings, the classic jazzbo will be unknowingly knocked out by this until reading the small print and finding King surrounded herself with nothing but the best. Clearly one of the classier debuts in quite a while.
(CCC Music Group)
MIDWEST RECORD
A first recording for Barbara King. Could have fooled me. There’s a kind of confidence, I think, that you can gain over time. And then, there’s the kind of confidence you’re born with. Ms. King sounds as if she’s been doing this forever.
The press blurb says Ms. King is, “…lighting the path for a new generation of fans by advancing the confluence of jazz and inspirational music.”
Fancy talk.
Neither Jazz nor inspirational music is worth a hoot if the music doesn’t get the toe tapping, the head nodding, or the fingers snapping. I’ll just bet the Choir Director at the church where Ms. King says she developed a “passion for singing at the age of seven” knew that a whole lot better than me.
What’s really cool (well, for me) is that several of the tracks are written by Ms. King, and yet they sounded so familiar, I could have sworn they were covers. The opening track, “Miracles,” is track with a positive message - “My miracle is on the way.” The track, “Perfect Time” seems to play off Ecclesiastes, urging patience and faith. (Perhaps that’s why the message sounds so familiar.)
The point is - if the music isn’t listenable, one doesn’t get the message in the first place. And Ms. King and her band are very, very listenable. Oh my, yes.
With some of New York’s finest musicians backing her, including Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, John DiMartino on piano, Rodney Jones on guitar, and flautist Dave Valentin - this is a very strong debut for Ms. King.
It’s a perfect choice for the spiritual side of any jazz lover. This disc is highly recommended.
GIRL SINGERS |