Wow!
Two reviews ago I was tossing around adjectives like nuance and
balance. Add subtlety, innately pitch perfect intonation and phrasing
and toss in a pinch or three of swing and rubato. Whaddya get? A
great jazz vocal record by local area musician and singer Jan Findlay,
who had the dubious distinction of being the first guest ever on
my radio program fourteen years ago. She was terrific then and the
intervening years have only served to accrete an ever greater sense
of musicality to her art. Jan is the real deal with a terrific song
selection, a great group of players behind her who support and enhance
like the greatest of lieder accompanists and a propulsive joie de
vivre that pushes these versions into the realm of the definitive.
Jan's so good she could cow everyone else but the best singers from
hanging up their performing shoes and applying themselves more assiduously
to their day jobs. Do I sound like a fool in love? You bet. With
this record. Check this out and where you can catch Jan live at
the Garage in NYC. Go to Google. Figure it out. It's worth the effort.
John Hammel, WNTI radio
Oh, yes! Jan Findlay
knows how to deliver a song. And as terrific as her CD is, she absolutely
owns the audience in her live performances. I love her natural stage
presence, her song selections, her gorgeous voice and her ability
to touch the sensibilities. She is a first class singer with panache!
Jan would be the first to say that much of her success is credited
to the Jay D'Amico Trio, who collaborated with Jan a few years back
and continue to inspire her and the audiences through their consummate
talent and creativity. This is outstanding jazz."
The Golden Gup, WMTR radio
"I love your CD
"OLD DEVIL MOON". Great vocal performaces, and Jay puts
in his usual excellent performances. Congrats on a great disc!"
-- John Anello Jr., President, CEXTON RECORDS
"I can't stop listening
to your CD! You have an amazing voice! What a gift!" -- P.P.,
East Boston, MA
"This morning I
went to the dentist and had a root canal. It was fun....(for the
dentist). But it's a good day, very good. Because I got my Jan Findlay
CD in the mail. Listened to it for the third time. I'm not used
to finding new artists who actually have talent. Nowadays singers
are about 60/40 hype and talent. Ms. Findlay is all talent. Really
strong voice. My
favorite cut is the last one, "What Are You Doing the Rest
of Your Life", a special favorite I discovered almost 20 years
ago on an Abby Lincoln album. And I've liked "My Funny Valentine"
since I first heard it on a Chet Baker album in 1953 (8th grade).
Thanks for the music; I love it. And thanks for making what should
have been a terrible day a fun one after all." -- P.L., Urbanna,
VA
"A friend recently
let me hear your music! I only needed to hear the first song on
your CD when I was sold on it!!! Old Devil Moon is fabulous!! Jan
sounds like you just walked into a jazz club in New Orleans with
that great voice and wonderful musicians to complete the picture!!!"
-- C.A.R., Tempe, AZ
"My wife Mary and
I really enjoy your CD. You sound fantastic! Mary enjoys it so much
that she won't give it back. So, I need one for myself. We're planning
on coming to NY to hear you live! Wishing you every success."
-- D.B. Newmarket, NH
"Last summer 2004,
we met Jan (a fellow passenger) while on our Mediterranean cruise.
We soon found out that she liked to sing the same kinds of music
that we enjoy! Who would have thought that this petite woman could
really belt out those tunes with such heart and soul. When she sang,
I felt chills! As it turned out, she was the best entertainment
on that cruise (and she volunteered)! Needless to say, I continue
listening to Jan's CD, and when I'm not listening to it, the richness
of her voice rings in my mind throughout the day!" -- R.D.,
San Francisco, CA
"Jan's CD is among
my favorites in my 300 plus jazz CD collection. That collection
includes Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall
as well as John Coltrane and Miles Davis." -- H.B., San Mateo,
CA
"Jenna and I think
your CD is absolute PERFECTION!!" -- K.B., North Reading, MA
"I was delighted
to receive Jan's marvelous CD --- love it!" M.M. New York,
NY
"I just got your
CD and it is great. It arrived the same day as a Diana Krall CD
that I had ordered and I have to say that it is pretty close to
a toss up as to which one I like best. You did a marvelous job on
this. Thanks for making such wonderful music. Keep me posted on
your musical adventures." D.D., Spring, TX
"Just wanted you
to know how much we are enjoying your CD...GREAT JOB...Don't think
we can wear it out by overplaying it...but we're trying!!!!"
B&M, Chester, NJ
"What a great CD.
I was very impressed." S.L., Cleveland, OH
"The CD is FABULOUS!!!
Your voice has gorgeous refined and complex qualities. Your renditions,
especially of My Funny Valentine and What Are You Doing the Rest
of Your Life are top-notch! You oughtta be on Broadway. I hope there
are many more CD's to come in the future." J.O., Palm Springs,
CA
"Your voice is like
dark chocolate wrapped in honey." K.C., New York, NY
"What a great CD!
Jan, you are terrific and should be very, very proud of the final
product. We can't believe this won't lead to bigger and better things,
if that is what you want. For people who drive to Florida several
times a year, CDs are treasured and ranked. This will go to the
top of our line...Thanks for the wonderful entertainment that we'll
enjoy over and over." M.H., Toms River, NJ
"Thanks for sending
the CD. It sounds so wonderful. I wish I could sing like you. Maybe
in my next life." B.K., Whitefish, MT
"These are some
of my all-time favorites done as beautifully as I have ever heard
them -- Beautiful musicianship all the way 'round." D.W., Lock
Haven, PA
"What a GREAT CD!!
We love it. We had guests over for dinner and we had you in with
Ella, Billie and Frank and they asked who that was...It was a proud
moment!! That last note on "Devil" would make Barbra herself
proud. We gave it 4 stars ****!!" J&S, Hoboken, NJ
"I very much enjoyed
your CD and enjoy listening to it on my way to work. Great group
behind you." J.T., Tucson, AZ
"I've listened to
the CD 5 or 6 times more. It gets better everytime...I can't decide
what my favorite song is, so I guess I'll keep listening."
M.H., Toms River, NJ
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