Destination Moon

Clairdee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 17, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 17, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Declare Music
• ASIN: B000055X7S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,764 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

(Billy Higgins, master drummer)

"A star on the horizon. A beautiful singer; beautiful phrasing." (Billy Higgins, master drummer (CD cover))

Product Description

Got romance? Get swept away by Clairdee’s romantic voyage, DESTINATION MOON. With moonlit romance in her voice, she "delivers an exquisite reminder that classic tunes with their timeless beauty last forever," writes Dan Ouellette, Down Beat. Listeners will delight in Clairdee’s luminous and soulful approach to the lyric. "The songs I sing speak to my experience. They are personal vignettes," the San Francisco-based jazz vocalist says with a smile.

Influenced by the joyful storytelling of Nancy Wilson and the warm tones of Nat Cole, Clairdee’s rich contralto takes you on a sensuous expedition with such classics as "I’ve Got The World On A String," "Star Eyes," and "Moonglow." Most of the songs date from the 1930s and ‘40s, but Clairdee isn’t particularly interested in nostalgia. She says, "My arrangements often place familiar tunes in unfamiliar rhythmic settings. For example, we’ve decanted the Gershwin’s ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me,’ and poured it into a new context with a contemporary rhythm while maintaining the classic swing elements."

Describing her unique approach to the American Songbook, Clairdee says, "I personalize these beautiful, durable songs without making them unrecognizable — telling each story in a setting that I believe today’s listeners can identify with. The wonderful truth is that the lyric has as much meaning today as seventy-five years ago."

With soothing, alluring vocals that become soft and whisper-like in pockets, Clairdee offers a sexy, come-hither request as she sings "When Lights Are Low." The title song, "Destination Moon," beckons an out-of-this-world trip for two, while "My Future Just Passed" recalls the thrill of love-at-first-sight. The disc concludes with "Beautiful Friendship," a tale of falling in love with a friend and the joyous discovery of reciprocal love.

So, light the candles, slip into something comfortable and get romanced with Clairdee and DESTINATION MOON.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Falling in love with jazz, July 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

Clairdee has a magical way with words and music that bring these jazz classics to life. It is the best way I know to set the mood for a romantic evening -- or even to unwind after the kind of tense day that seems to defy romance. The instrumental support for the lyrical voice is equally luxurious and romantic.

5.0 out of 5 stars Destination Moon, Stars & the Universe!, March 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

Clairdee's voice is magical! For the die-hard romantics, this CD belongs in your collection. The title song on most CDs is usually the only one worth listening to...Clairdee brings new life to the classic oldies on all the songs! If she was reaching for the moon, she has far surpassed her goals! My only question....When Can We Expect More From Her?!!

5.0 out of 5 stars You gotta take this Lunar Trip!, March 18, 2001

By 

Daniel Halperin (Belmont, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

I believe Amazon has a $-back guarantee? If so, you have nothing to lose by giving this CD a shot. I doubt anyone would want to return it anyway, once they hear the luscious vocals, beautiful instrumental stylings, and tasteful arrangements on every track. (As one of many examples, listen to pianist/arranger Ken French's soulful vamping for the intro. to "They Can't Take that Away from Me...")

This is truly fantastic music. Although Claredee's voice is deliciously unique, the closest analogy to the classic jazz vocalists would perhaps be Ella, in that Claredee never strains to show off her (well-developed) technique -- instead letting the tight-knit group's wonderfully and poetically-selected repertoire of great American songs work their magic. And there is (much) magic in this music...Check it out!