Born To Swing

Nancy Kelly | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: AMHERST RECORDS
• ASIN: B000FGFUOA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,406 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Where Has This Lady of Song Been....., June 17, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born To Swing (Audio CD)

Nancy Kelly. What a stylist and what a voice and what a communicator! Never having heard her sing in person in the clubs or in festivals, this superb recording serves as an introduction for this listener. And from the very first downbeat Nancy Kelly steps into that blue-tinged smoky spotlight that has been focused on the greats such as Etta James, Billie Holiday, etc etc etc.

Kelly is backed by Houston Person on tenor sax, Dino Losito on piano and Fender Rhodes, Mark Taylor on drums and Neal Miner on bass - each of whom is a first class soloist on his own. But the magic that happens when they collaborate with Kelly is staggering. Kelly has a finely trained voice, one that knows exactly the middle of a perfect pitch, one that is wrapped in a lush and rich vocal production that, as with all fine blues and swing singers, is not classifiable as a soprano or a mezzo - just a widely ranging, near pianistic spectrum of color. Her style finds her holding a straight tone as long as the mood can bear before allowing her sexy vibrato to overtake the atmosphere.

The selection of songs on this generous, very well produced recording (credit engineer Michael Brorby) contains such special experiences as 'Didn't we', 'Like Someone in Love', 'Come Rain or Come Shine', 'More Than You Know' and includes a deeply touching rendition of 'New York State of Mind' - a song Kelly has been including in her gigs since 9/11. In all of the songs Nancy Kelly not only caresses the ear with gorgeous music making, but she also is a fine communicator. The words, music and atmosphere blend into an experience not often heard.

This is one of those new releases that hopefully will climb on the charts and bring notice to other novices like this listener that Nancy Kelly is a major talent. This is 'old music' - the kind of music we were afraid was gone - beautifully performed by a brilliant ensemble of gifted artists. Just try and not get nostalgic when you spend time with this fine recording. Grady Harp, June 06

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singing JAZZ, November 7, 2010

By 

Thompson 64 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born To Swing (Audio CD)

In my humble opinion (I'm 64 and started listening to jazz at age 15) Nancy Kelly is the only living vocalist actually SINGING JAZZ. I don't mean by that someone with a decent instrument singing a straight-ahead-from-the-chart melody line over a jazz quartet (or whatever configuration of instrumentalists one might choose). Ms. Kelly sings jazz, period. I've had the privilige of listenig to Nancy perform live many times and as many times have been simply floored by her incredibly intelligent phrasing, three octave range, and her Ella's-wet-dream scats......Her New York State of Mind is simply the BEST version of that tune I've ever heard. Would I recommend any lover of REAL jazz's buying Born to Swing? Absolutely, and without a nano-second's hesitation.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner, August 17, 2006

By 

A Fan (Painted Post, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born To Swing (Audio CD)

I simply second the comments of Ms. Harp. I have the CD and I have heard Nancy in person a couple of times. Furthermore, I hear the pianist, Dino Losito, on a regular basis at a local club. This is top notch, straight ahead, world class jazz. Nancy's voice is peerless, crystal clear, swinging and beautiful. The band, especially Dino and Houston, is excellent.