Customer Reviews

American Dreams

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Laurie Antonioli is a singer who evokes images, like savoring a vintage wine in a private railroad car on the Orient Express. Laurie's singing takes you to exotic places that few know of. And yet, there is something in her rich voice and the complex way that only she has with a phrase in a lyric that magically tells you that you are home, you belong. It is pure joy to explore the eclectic collection of songs on Laurie's latest album, "American Dreams."

Jazz singer and educator Laurie Antonioli is a protegee of Joe Henderson, Mark Murphy and Pony Poindexter, (now, there's a trio to draw to). She has toured extensively in Europe, taught jazz theory in Austria and is currently the Director of the Vocal Jazz studies program at the Jazzschool Institute in Berkeley, CA. "American Dreams," Ms Antonioli's most recent album, was recorded in 2009.

Laurie Antonioli has a clear, warm contralto voice, tipped a little toward the alto end of the scale. But what sets Ms Antonioli apart from many other vocalists is her talent as a lyricist and her unique arrangements - nobody sings a song the way Laurie Antonioli does. "American Dreams" is proof positive of both these points.

"American Dreams" is a set of 12 songs, nine of them with lyrics by Ms Antonioli. I'll wager next month's rent that you've never heard "Moonlight in Vermont," "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" or "America the Beautiful" sung the way Ms Antonioli sings 'em. Now that's not necessarily a good thing - if you're not ready to accompany Ms Antonioli on her musical journey, you'd best stay at home, (and not buy the album). But if you're ready for some musical twists and turns, Ms Antonioli will reward your patience with some lovely stuff - her version of "America the Beautiful" is jaw-dropping.

The other nine songs on the album are all Ms Antonioli's own lyrics, five of them with music composed by Fritz Pauer. These nine pieces are all over the musical map - from jazz to jazz inflected folk, country and - well, let's call it "Antonioli-music" - some of it is melodious, some of it angular and edgy, some of it is mellow and some of it will punch you right in the eye, (check out "Stimulus Plan").

The band is outstanding: pianist Matt Clark, guitarist Dave McNab, John Shifflett on bass, drummer Jason Lewis, and Sheldon Brown on tenor and soprano sax, bass clarinet and harmonica. Mr Brown's work is particularly good, but nobody just mails it in.

The sonics are good: Ms Antonioli's voice is front and center and there's plenty of air under the individual instruments.

Independence Day weekend seems a perfect time to comment on Laurie Antonioli's most recent CD. American Dreams is an exceptional accomplishment. Each song, in its own way, speaks to a love of America and our dreams. Anybody with even a trace of red, white and blue in his or her veins will be moved by this master work.

In American Dreams, I like Laurie's breadth of American music, everything from our beloved America the Beautiful to Moonlight in Vermont to The Dreary Black Hills. Please listen and decide which genre is addressed in each number; genres blend in speaking to our culture.

Some bias may be expressed here since I know Laurie and have enjoyed her magnificent talent in concerts, and her prior CDs, before this wonderful release.

Amazing talents support her in the American Dreams Band and her beautiful and expressive voice brings out the best in them.

Laurie and the American Dreams Band will be appearing at Yoshi's in San Francisco on Monday, August 23, 2010. See [...] for more information.

Richard "Mack" Harris

I absolutely love this album. Although I've recently become passionate about jazz, my listening tastes are eclectic. One of the things I particularly like about American Dreams is that the distinctive jazz idiom of the tunes is colored with other forms of musical expression - folk, pop, even a hint of country. In the same way, Antonioli's gorgeous voice is at the center of richly layered harmonic accompaniments, with lovely instrumental colors that shift from tune to tune.

Every time I listen to the CD (fortunately it's not possible to wear it out!), I hear something new. Sometimes I just sit back and let the music wash over me. Sometimes I marvel at a beautiful lyric or haunting melodic line. And sometimes I sing along, because Antonioli's clear articulation, impeccable phrasing, and deeply felt interpretation make singing seem irresistible. My only hope is that we won't have long to wait before she releases the next CD. Consider me a fan!