jazz2love

Album:  Sweet Invitation Artist:  Beveley Church Hogan Label:  Café Pacific Records Website:  www.beverleychurchhogan.com Jazz vocalists like the sassy 92 year old Sheila Jordan and the peppy 86 year old Beverley Church Hogan never quite reach their prime.  They go on and on, always resonating an opulence and loftiness in their vocals that is ageless.  Hogan's sophomore effort Sweet Invitation is produced by Mark Winkler and arranged by John Proulx, and sees her imbuing emotion into the lyrics without being melodramatic.  The balance she achieves gives the tracks a genuine human quality that enables audiences to relate to her instantly. Hogan applies the smokey texture of her timbres to a selection of romantic songs from the Great American Songbook like the slow, contemplative stride she uses on "Here's That Rainy Day," penned by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, as the rhumba sway shrouds her vocals in a soft light with the bright flicker of her voi...

Album:  Say It Artist:  John Proulx Label:  Artist Share Website:  www.johnproulx.com   Say It , the 4th CD from pianist/vocalist John Proulx, is fraught with cool jazz tunes and easy listening brews.  From the bopping groove blues steering "I Don't Worry about a Thing" to the classic pop propulsion towing "Both Sides Now," the recording straps listeners in and takes them for an uplifting ride. The smooth jazz musings of Larry Koone's guitar strings saunter leisurely along the title track, putting listeners in a relaxing state of mind as Proulx's vocals elevate the track to a heavenly lilt. The peppy cantor in Proulx's vocals gives "Scatsville" a catchy dance beat that subsides along "Something To Live For," paddling along with ruminating strokes.  The candlelight ambience of "Stained Glass" highlights the vocal harmonies of Proulx and Melissa Manchester, penetrating audiences with their clarion sound. The delicate...