Customer Reviews

Be Cool Be Kind

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Seven years between CDs is too long for a talent as imaginative,
as poetic and as sophisticated as Carla Helmbrecht's. She's hip
without being frenetic, laid-back without sounding haphazard and, best of all, the lady swings without sweating.
Helmbrecht has a benignly swinging voice, small of range but big of sentiment. She knows how to tell and sell a story, her voice
ranging from whimsy to irony. With her clarity, she's the lyric writer's best friend. Good thing: She writes excellent words herself that hold up well in competition with the Bergmans, Betty Comden, Yip Harbug and Ray Noble. Her writing is like her singing: cool and kind."

This music sets a very strong mood in me. I listen to it at work. Very relaxing. I find it is one heck of a "Dr. Feelgood shot." I give Carla my best regards and hope she has a long successful career.

Thanks, Carla

One of the best CD's I've purchased this year. "The Party's Over" is upbeat, end of an affair of a strong woman. "How I Remember You," another cut that reminds us to remember the good part of the relationship. I guess one could say this CD takes us from the beginning to the end of an affair in a healthy way.

All I can say is that I hate it when it is over. I was so excited to hear after Carlas hiatius she had recorded a new album. As soon as it arrived I played it over and over again. This feels like a voice that I have known for a long time, a voice that knows love, a voice that knows life. Her words carry my mind to new places, it makes me fall in love over and over again! Just in it's self her voice is an insturment. This group is a great compliment to one another. I am on my way back to California in a couple of months and hope to catch up with Carla. I look forward to seeing her performance. I had the pleasure of knowing her . I still think of myself as her number one fan! I enjoy sharing her music with my friends and family. Watch out world here she comes.

Like a mini-vacation for your ears! Great mix of tempos, excellent jazz interpretation by a singer who knows how to swing as well as smolder. And what a truly LOVELY lady she is. If you find yourself in San Francisco, you may be lucky enough to hear her perform in person. Her talent will delight you.

I have been a Jazz lover for 50 years. I love all the female
Jazz Singers. If you like Dianna Krall, you will love Carla. I highly recommend this CD.

Hmmm. Are there any women out there who don't try to be smooth jazz singers? It sure seems that there are limitless numbers these days. Carla is one of the best, though. Anyone who has suffered through Diana Krall's last two somnolent albums and increasing boredom with singing, can get a lot of Krall's turf covered much better here. Carla doesn't give much jazz,despite the tendency to call all singers like this jazz singers, but she has commitment to what she is doing, clarity and focus, and a pleasing, rich voice. Bye, bye Krall. Monheit's not close. Try Carla--she's for real.

"she exudes warmth in spades...An unusually gifted vocalist, impeccable phrasing...steeped in a swinging jazz sensiblity that reminds me of Mel Torme....Ernie Watts' eloquent saxophone lines. Keep an eye and ear on Carla Helmbrecht; hers is a voice that we're destined to hear in the future." - Carol Archer, R & R Magazine

Before everyone boos me for giving this cd a one star rating, please allow me a chance to defend this rating.

To start with, Carla has a real smooth and exciting voice. It is really what I would call a great voice. Carla will definately entertain you with this voice, if you give her a chance.

The whole reason for such a benign rating was because of her repertoire and not her performance. You see, Carla is like most artists, she wants to write original songs and perform them. This to me is a big turn off. I am of the old school that requires old standards. For this project there were not very many old standards offered.

Carla definately has a bright future and I will buy more of her cds when they become available, but I will be looking forward to her recording more old standards.

..otherwise, you may or may not like it. I didn't have real strong feelings either way. She's a nice girl with a nice voice, I can say that much.