Customer Reviews

Come Dream With Me

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This year there have been two major female jazz vocalist releases, Jane Monheit's "Come Dream with Me" and the much hyped CD by Diana Krall's "Look of Love" on Verve. This one is as delightfully good, well sung, full of energy and finesse as Diana Krall's latest is static, lackluster, boring, especially disappointing as compared with her earlier CD's (see my reviews). Also, this is much better than Ms Monheit's previous CD, this one is clearly the best female Jazz vocal of the year.

Romantic, this one will warm the room this winter! Ms Monheit "sells" the songs, acts sexy, kittenish, then convincingly sad as each song calls for. Background, lead by Kenny Barron, Stan Getz longtime favorite pianist, is sympathethic and coy without being obtrusive. She includes the introduction to "Over the Rainbow" and "Hit the Road to Dreamland" that I had never heard. My only complaint, is song selection, she could have let out Jobim's pesty "Waters of March", but that's a very minor criticism.

You'll listen over and and over.
Good technical recording.

Should be a bestseller, if it isn't already. A CD worthy of 5 stars under my tough grading system. Highest recommendation.

Twenty-three-year-old Jane Monheit is a wonder. I first read about her in The New York Times Magazine, and while I thought the article was condescending, I bought her first CD. I loved the lovely, unforced elegance of her singing. This is a naturally rangey voice, its surface without a blemish, the vibrato natural-sounding, her musicianship impeccable (she received excellent training). Yes she reminded me of a young Ella, but with a smokier, more womanly sound. The singer I most thought of was Doris Day (who also credits Ella as an influence). But this new CD reveals a singer who is growing up very fast. She's got jazz chops, no doubt about it. "Blame it on my Youth" and "Hit the Road to Dreamland," are first-rate jazz vocals. But she also sings a deeply felt "A Case of You," a Joni Michell tune I'd never heard. So her folk chops are equal to her jazz. And she can torch eloquently as listeners will hear from her freshly minted performance of that hackneyed tune, "I'll Be Seeing You." There's also a splendidly realized Antonio Carlos Jobim tongue and breath twister, "Waters of March." Monheit's handlers have surrounded the young singer with a great musical group. Best cut on the CD "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most." Like so many young singers who learned music through their parent's record collections, Jane Monheit's versatility should not limit her to jazz alone. Watch out--this kid's singing is pushing her into "classic" status. Warmly recommended.

I fail to see why beauty and age should be factors in a review of any singer. Billie Holiday and Carmen Mcrae were not too hard on the eyes either, and they are legends of vocal jazz. Jane has a beautiful and very emotive voice. She has great phrasing and a stellar group of musicians accompanying her. Personally, I like my singers to be a little more bluesy and rough around the edges. Give me Cassandra Wilson (another beautiful woman), the late great Terri Thornton, or even the sweet and sassy relaxed vocals of Shirley Horn anyday. But I have no problem giving my kudos to Jane Monheit. A Case of You is one of my favourite Joni Mitchell songs, and I doff my hat to Jane's rendition. Diana Krall faced the same criticism that she was too young and good looking to be talented. Listen to the cd, if that voice of liquid honey backed by the great Kenny Barron, among others, does not move you , check for a pulse.

I first learned about this vocalist from an article in the Wall Street Journal, which extolled her singing. I agree-she has a bell-like, clear, in-tune voice (reminding me of Weslia Whitfield, a Cabaret type singer), sings the melody, enunciates lyrics clearly, and stays away from gimmickry, too common among modern jazz singers. Her backup musicians are outstanding, Kenny Baron and company; another plus for this CD. However, I have some reservations about the CD. There are some producer "enhancements" including violin background and dubbed electronic duets which I found distracting and unnecessary for a singer with this talent. The unencumbered cuts are excellent. Her first CD, "Never,Never Land" is first class (5 stars and no gimmicry or add-ons). I have compared her to Stacy Kent (the "Tender Trap", which is excellent, but her voice is too nasal for my liking) and Tierney Sutton (who hasn't reached her peak as yet). Both of these CDs are worth having because of the first class talent displayed. But if I were to choose only one, "Never, Never Land" gets my vote. My background: I am an old jazz collector that goes back to the 40's.

As a relatively new listener of jazz (about 2 years) I don't have much to offer by the way of criticism. My main interest recently has been the jazz giants such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. However, similar to the way I immediately loved Davis' Kind of Blue and Coltrane's Giant Steps, I have instantly fallen in love with Come Dream with Me. Don't misunderstand, I wouldn't be so bold as to say this is an all-time great recording. I am simply saying that I have listened to it several times and I liked it from the first, and I like it more and more with each listen. Monheit has a beautiful voice and the music is beautiful. Her supporting cast is a talented and experienced group. She especially shows off her talent in the songs Waters of March and Something to Live For and she brings a fresh sound to Over the Rainbow.

If you want to add some beauty to your day, listen to this CD. I am looking forward to a long and successful career out of Monheit. I hope she stays with jazz and doesn't sell out to Pop, although I am sure she can sing anything and make it sound beautiful.

I hardly write reviews for Amazon, but on this occasion, I wish to spread the joy of Jane Monheit. She is one of the most talented singers I have yet to come across, and this project shows her talent to an astounding degree. Ms. Monheit sings not only with style and grace, but with compassion coupled with technical mastery. Whether she just happened upon the luck of a great voice or trained it is not clear, but what is clear is that her voice is nearly flawless.

This album has two tracks worthy of Grammys. Track six (her rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You") is the BEST recording of that wonderful song that I have EVER heard. Second, don't neglect to listen to track eleven. It is Jane at her best vocally.

Well done, Jane. Your album is WONDERFUL. You band sounds fantastic, and your voice is angelic!

What a pleasure it is to be able to watch a superstar career in the making. Jane Monheit is a young but true talent. Her second CD is beyond being a pleasurable listen. Her voice approaches greatness at times, and I can't help but think that she could become one of the best jazz singers ever. She has a voice that is a musical instrument, fluid and mellow. Few voices ever captivate me, but hers is an exception. But voice is only one dimension. Monheit knows music and sings it with both understanding and deep emotion.

I hope Monheit's career is carefully and properly managed. I look forward to future CDs, appearances, and who knows what else could be in store.

I recommend this CD without hesitation to anyone who loves vocals and jazz.

I was so impressed with "Never Never Land" that I couldn't wait to hear this recording. I wanted to love it, but I have to say I was overall left pretty disappointed. For sheer beauty of sound, I don't think it's an overstatement to say that there is no more beautiful voice in all of music today. Jane has a clarity, maturity, agility and polish to her sound that few singers of any age can touch. And yet, each track on this CD seemed to emphasize that beauty over the substance of the melody and lyrics. At age 24, she still has a long way to go before life experience and personal maturity are reflected in her singing. Jane is in way over her head with tunes like "Waters of March" and "Spring Can Really Hang You Up" that are lyrically and emotionally too mature for her. Yes, she can negotiate the musical demands with ease, but still leaves the listener cold. And "A Case of You", while lovely, doesn't give any impression that she understands what it's really about. If Jane wants to interpret pop tunes, fine, but there are many finer songs out there than "If" (maybe I've heard it at too many weddings, but I don't think there's much that can be done with it). Clearly she has possessed great levels of musical skill her entire life; the hidden final track of "Over the Rainbow", which I am assuming is Jane as a small child, shows that she could sing on pitch from the time she was no age at all. There comes a point in the professional development of every singer where skill alone doesn't cut it; there has to be an equal measure of substance present. I remain optimistic that Jane, though I wouldn't be at all surprised if she eventually heads in a pop direction and away from jazz, is headed in that direction and will yet be one of the great voices of our time. Meanwhile, "Come Dream With Me" is like a beautiful and delicious confection - a little bit is divine, but any more is just too much. I'm hoping her next recording is more substance and less style (and maybe fewer poses in the booklet).

I first learned of Ms. Monheit on CBS's "Sunday Morning" program and went right out and bought her "Come Dream with Me" CD. My favorite on this CD is the title of this review "So Many Stars". A song I have long associated with Lani Hall, of Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 fame, from the "Look Around" album, now on CD. The moodiness almost Belero like of the music and clarity of her voice really pushed my buttons. The classic Antonio Carlos Jobim "Waters of March is also another favorite. I read the reviews of others claiming she is not a Billie, Ella,...what is wrong with that, she is original although there is an influence of all the great ladies of Jazz coming through that clear voice. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up" and "Something to Live For" are really gems also. The WWII song "I'll Be Seeing You" is treated to a new treatment also. Thank you Jane, and thanks to your grandparents for exposing you to the great music of Jazz.

Russell Windle

After "Never, Never Nand" this CD was a disappointment to me. Miss Monheith sings beautifully, but some of her interpretations do not convey the feelings expressed in the lyrics. Please, try to listen how "Blame It On My Youth" is rendered by Holly Cole, "Somewhere Over..." by Jacintha, or "The Case Of You" by Diana Krall in the live performance during Joni Mitchell tribute concert. In my opinion Miss Monheit should put her heart into singing more optimistic songs to avoid the clash between the dim and dreary repertoire and the power and joy of her beautiful voice. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful singing - that's why I give it three stars.