Customer Reviews

The Color Five

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jacqui Naylor's acoustic smashing creates a complex listening experience: with each play, there's something new to discover about each song. Even Jacqui's weighty, soothing voice by itself recreates jazz standards, but in the smashes, like losing my religion, intense lyrics are magically infused with a new soul, a bluesy, unique soul.

"The Color Five represents a bringing together of the richness of my life and the celebration of my spiritual, musical and emotional communities. While I refer to the number five in many ways on this recording, perhaps the most significant to me are the five who made it happen. Art Khu and Michael Romanowski worked tirelessly to make sure the music tells the whole story with all its color. Jon Evans lent his impeccable taste and wisdom and Josh Jones always laid down the tightest groove. Add the sublime strings of my Buddhist sister Yoon Ki Chai and the five are complete." ~ Jacqui Naylor ~

"Naylor's voice is precise, languorous and very sexy. She has all the elements together...talent, looks and presence...I just don't think anyone can learn to sing like this; it must be a natural, organic thing that comes from the heart, from the soul." ~ Los Angeles Jazz Scene ~

Since I haven't heard any of Ms. Naylor's recordings, I thought I might not be able to give this CD a five-star treatment but after listening to it in its entirety with a few repeats on the tracks that impressed me most such as "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Summertime," "Blue Moon" and her original song "Easy Ride From Here," I came to a conclusion that this is a five-star material. She may not be a big star yet but she's very promising and has the qualities of becoming a great singer with her powerful yet charming and captivating voice, songwriting talent and a terrific style of singing that speaks of elegance and confidence.

After four remarkable CDs to her credit, Jacqui Naylor came up with a new-released "The Color Five," which offers a variety of classic rock, some standards from the Great American Songbook and five of her original songs which she co-wrote with her guitarist/pianist Art Khu. To me, the most notable and impressive from among her original songs are "Easy Ride From Here," "Drive On" and "Sit And Rest A While." This CD is a fusion of jazz, soft rock and pop music with outstanding arrangements. On all the tracks, she is ably backed up by her fabulous band: arranger Art Khu (piano/organ/guitar), Jon Evans (bass), Josh Jones (drums/percussion) and Yoon Ki Chai (violin), Zoe Ellis and Caitlin Cornwell (background vocals).

Ms. Naylor is such a versatile singer and she can render it like an ace whether she's singing Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs" or jazzing it up with Gershwins' gem "Summertime," which is superbly arranged by Jon Evans and Rodgers & Hart's treasure "Blue Moon" or simply mellowing it up smoothly on her take on Raye & DePaul's "You Don't Know What Love Is," a song made popular by Billie Holiday and covered by other artists, one of them is the talented George Benson. I think this is my absolute favorite here. She sings it so mellow and the arrangement by Art Khu is so splendid and typical of the technique invented by the singer called "Acoustic Smashing," where she sings a timeless standard with a rock-sounding arrangement and vice-versa.

"You don't know what love is
Until you've learned the meaning of the blues
Until you've loved a love you've had to lose
You don't know what love is. . .

You don't know how hearts burn
For love that cannot live yet never dies
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes
You don't know what love is."

Well, what else can I say but I'm a new fan! ;)

I wholeheartedly recommend this CD for your listening pleasure, you will never be disappointed and since a portion of the proceeds from this recording support organizations that promote healing and empowerment for women and children, it's such a worthy cause.

There's a rich and accomplished line of female vocalists throughout jazz history. So legendary that often we just need to mention their first names to ring a bell ... Ethel, Bessie, Billie, Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Anita, Peggy ... And my favorite contemporary jazz vocalist, Jacqui, keeps the spirit and heritage alive. I love her musical experimentation, creatively meshing pop and rock classics with jazz standards. She's also has a knack for writing some excellent original material. If you get the opportunity, I encourage you to see her live in concert; there's nothing better than a live jazz performance.

I've got all five colors now and this one may just be the best! It's a terrific mix of new, original stuff along with some very tight covers of some classics. A must have for all music lovers!

Jacqui's voice and arrangements on this album are amazing. If you like Diana Krall or Norah Jones you will adore this album. I find it soulful and her voice so sultry and sexy. I feel sexy listening to it. The original writing on this album is 'Carole King' good. I have enjoyed her earlier albums but this one ought to win a Grammy- it is that good.

I love this new CD from Jacqui Naylor. The Color Five is a delightful mix of original tracks and covers of classic songs. The title of the CD is a reference to all of the musicians who assisted Jacqui in making this album. Every track is superb on this disc. The piano playing is beautiful on the track Blue Moon. Jacqui's voice is filled with hope on this song. Jacqui sounds feisty and confident on the track Hot Legs. Art Khu's guitar playing is very energetic on this song. Easy Ride From Here is an optimistic song about a person taking charge of their own life. Summer time is an upbeat engaging rendition of a classic song. This track really gets me moving. Love For Sale and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For are two upbeat engaging songs Jon Evans provides a groovy bass on both tracks. I love the subtle romantic violin playing by Yoon Ki Chai on the track Angel Of Mine. This song is about saying good bye to a loved one. Sit And Rest A While is a simple song about slowing down and enjoying life. I like the violin playing on this track too. I love the beat of the track Drive On. The guitar playing by Khu is slick and cool on this song. Here's To Life is a celebration of life. Jacqui sounds so sensual on this track. The piano playing accompanies her vocals so well on this song. History of Our Love and You Don't Know What Love Is are two soothing sounding tracks. Jacqui Naylor is a talented jazz singer and song writer. The Color Five is her best effort to date.

Whoo, Boy. I come on to this c.d., listen to it once, and am hit with a solid, unshakeable 4-star opinion. On second listen, it's an even more solid 4-stars. I then go to review this, and see that it has received 10 5-star ratings in a row.

Should I keep the score perfect, and suck up for more helpfuls that way? Or should I tell it how I feel, and risk the ire of the Ammyland neggie monsters?

Ah, to hell with it. Just tell it like I feel.

I reviewed Jacqui Naylor's "East West" and gave it a soft 5, basically because that was a 2-disc recording and I could pick out about half of it and turn it into a 5-star album for me. This c.d. strikes me the same way--but it's a one-disc release.

The issue is Ms. Naylor and her band's eclectisism. Does Jacqui Naylor want to be a rock singer, a jazz singer, or a soul singer? She can't seem to decide, and that's an issue. There are very few singers who can pull off such a combination. The one who readily comes to mind is Cassandra Wilson; but Ms. Wilson is truly one-of-a-kind. Most can't do it.

Ms. Naylor has a deep voice--not as deep as Ms. Wilson, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jackie Ryan or Janis Siegel, but deep and alluring enough. I really like some of these covers (e.g., the Kinks' "Lola"; the reflective read of "Blue Moon"; the funkified "Love for Sale", with Bill Withers' "Use Me" riffed over Cole Porter's tome to prostitution; and a sexy "Hot Legs"). I'm not as crazy about some of the others ("Summertime", "Losing My Religion", "You Don't Know What Love Is", or "Here's to Life.").

Actually, what I like best are her originals--and that was true on "East West" as well. "History of Love" is my favorite on this c.d., and merits becoming a standard of its own someday.

I'd like to hear Ms. Naylor and Art Khu, her long-time piano and guitar accompanist, record a c.d. of just originals, with varying versions. They are talented; and if they are going to insist upon being eclectic, that might be the most impressive way to display their talent. RC

The skill, style and musicality of Jacqui and her troupe continue to improve and overwhelm

I recently saw Jacqui perform in person and was very impressed with both her vocal abilities and her beauty. This CD captures some of the magic of her performance, minus the eye candy. Very tasteful arrangements of pop songs, standards and original songs. The perfect music for a quiet evening with someone special.

I love this album. My girlfriend and I saw Jacqui at Yoshi's in Oakland late in 2006, just after this album was out. The wonderful thing about the album is that it gets better and better with each hearing. "Easy Ride from Here" is my favorite; some say its optimistic, although I think there is a bit of tongue in cheek cynicism in the song, but still very light hearted. "Hot Legs" and "Lola" are interesting covers, but Jacqui makes them work. There is not a bad cut on the album, and it is, in my opinion, the most approachable album overall that she has ever done. I look forward to her next album with great enthusiasm, and to seeing her perform live as often as I can.