Customer Reviews

A Good Day

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was hard to imagine that Jessica Molaskey could pull off a follow-up album to 2002's "Pentimento" that would truly measure up.

It's certainly not that Molaskey hasn't proven herself in the past, from her rich and vibrant performances onstage in musical theatre, to her vivacious concert performances--most notably at Feinstein's at the Regency. But "Pentimento" was such a rare gem of an album--steeped in nostalgia and yet modern and relevant all at once--that capturing that magic again seemed unlikely.

But "A Good Day" instead confirms that "Pentimento" wasn't just a fluke. This time Molaskey brings her unique blend of modernity and retro fashion to an album drenched in Peggy Lee's influence and yet stunningly original. What a thrill to hear Molaskey bring new life to standards like "Everything Is Moving Too Fast" and "Somebody Loves Me"... and who knew "Small World" from Gypsy could ever sound so longing, so sexy? Molaskey is an expert at getting to the heart of a lyric and melody, and always finding ways to make the past sound new again.

But "A Good Day" has much more to offer than just the past. The sharply-written originals penned by Molaskey and her husband John Pizzarelli are completely at home mixed amongst the standards. "Adam & Eve" and "The Girl With His Smile and My Eyes" particularly sparkle, but there's not a disappointing track on the album.

Hopefully Molaskey will continue recording albums for years to come. I can't wait to hear what she takes on next.

Crisp and friendly vocal styling will put a spring in your step and convince you to the obvious truth in the track-inspired title of Jessica Molaskey's second album "A Good Day." This Broadway belle is no stranger to the smooth jazz standard, and will welcome and endear you immediately with her emotive zip in selections like "I Love The Way You're Breaking My Heart" and this reviewer's personal favorite, " "How Come You Ain't Got Me."
If a listener is clever enough to know who Jessica Molaskey is, then they may be a little surprised that the musical choices on "A Good Day" include surprisingly little in the way of show tunes and Broadway standards. If that's what you seek here, then enjoy a smart rendition of "Small World" and move on to the meat of this mix of originals and not-so-standard standards. Lindy dancers who fancy a smooth sound should enjoy "All The Gats Join In," and "Everything Is Moving Too Fast." This reviewer was convinced he'd heard enough versions of "Somebody Loves Me," but apparently here's another one that is indeed a winner. There's a nice nod to the music of Peggy Lee on this album, whose husband, like Jessica's, is a guitarist (and present in the composition and production of the recording). If this parallel is unintentional, then it sure is a wild coincidence.
Stage singers always seem to have the best sound quality in their studio recordings, and Pizzarelli, along with the talented ensemble of musicians who participated on Jessica's first album, provide a friendly path for the vocals to skip down on a day that is anything but bad. This album is a slight departure from what is best known about Jessica Molaskey, but it's a welcome one.

Jessica Molaskey has graduated from being the femme fatale inside her husband, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli's album cover to being an incredible solo artist in her own right and conquering the jazz medium. With her second solo album, A Good Day, she tackles the song stylings of Peggy Lee and effectively channels the sultriness and smokiness of the singer. Jessica herself has said that as a Broadway performer, it is easier to get up and sing loudly than it is to sing quietly, and she performs the transition deftly and admirably. Her renditions of "I Don't Know Enough About You," "How Come You Ain't Got Me," and "Small World" resonate long after listening to them, "Adam and Eve" never fails to crack me up, and "The Girl With His Smile and My Eyes" touches my heart and brings me to tears simultaneously. Again, she collaborates with her husband, John Pizzarelli (similar to Peggy Lee collaborating with her guitarist husband) and his band, and they are an added bonus to this already wonderful album.

So, when's the third one coming out?

Jessica Molaskey's "Pentimento" is a wonderful album exploring Depression-era songs. For her follow-up album, Jessica tackles a different era, the 1950s. This is not, however, a collection of sock hop hits. Using the music of Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour (Lee's husband and guitarist) as an inspiration, Molaskey tackles some lesser-known tunes of the era and brings them splendidly to life.

Mixed in with the vintage tunes are songs co-written by Molaskey and her own Dave Barbour, husband (and jazz guitar great) John Pizzarelli - and other than a few modern references you'll be hard-pressed to figure out which are which. As with her last album, she's backed up by the Pizzarelli trio (husband John, bassist and brother-in-law Martin, pianist Ray Kennedy) plus guest work from father-in-law Bucky Pizzarelli, completing the "first family of cool".

Molaskey's theater background shows in that she knows what it means to inhabit and interpret a lyric. No vocal tricks here, just straightforward singing with beauty and meaning. She also knows how to adapt her voice to the style she's singing so she sounds perfectly at home with these songs (just as she did singing music from 30-40 years earlier on her previous album). Music fans who enjoy the Great American Songbook sung by a great American singer could hardly do better than picking up "A Good Day".

I didn't know how Ms. Molaskey could follow up PENTIMENTO, but this cd does it incredibly. The song selection, the musicians and the arrangements all compliment each other and refer to the "sound" of the early recordings made by Dave Barbour and Peggy Lee. The original songs are spot on too. My favorite is HOW COME YOU AIN'T GOT ME. Larry Goldings's(currently with James Taylor) organ playing is great and the lyric had me replaying the song to check the rhymes!
Ms. Molaskey is making her own voice thats beyond category. She doesn't seem to try to be anything she isn't. She sounds wonderfully natural, sexy and swinging.

I got this CD as a Christmas gift a year ago, and I love it. I did not know who she was, but I was sold after the first track. She knows her own voice, and does not try any vocal acrobatics. But that suits these songs just fine -- I want to hear the real melody and I want to hear all the lyrics with all the rhymes. And she delivers.

I love hearing the real instruments in all the arrangements. In contrast, someone loaned me a copy of Rod Stewart's "Standards" album recently, and while there were a few good tracks, too many of them used string pads which were obviously synthesized, and not that well done at that. There's none of that on Jessica's CD! Real instruments all the way. What a pleasure. Makes me want to look up all the instrumentalists' names and see what other CDs they have been a part of.

If you like traditional-souding jazz, in the vein of Sinatra or Ella, or even Peggy Lee, as many other reviewers have referred to, you won't go wrong with this CD.

I also love Jane Monheit, but Jessica seems to have something Jane needs more of: a sense of humor. But both ladies are excellent.

The quality of this lady's voice and styling, as well as the musicians accompanying her really got to me. After hearing "A Good Day", I bought "Pentimento" and I fear that I will wear them out. "All the Cats Join In" and "I Love the Way You're Breaking my Heart" are particularly fresh.

Can't wait for the next CD

This is a truly wonderful collection and my Wife and 4 kids love to listen to it nearly everyday. It gets better and better with every listen. I love both of her albums and will collect everything she does. Along with Diana Krall, Stacey Kent, and Michael Buble', Jessica is at the top of our CD collection. It's music that makes you feel good. If you've had a bad day, put this CD on and feel good again. It's delicious!

I love this CD! I have only just recently discovered Jessica Molaskey, although I have long been a fan of her husband and father-in-law's music. I have purchased all three of her CDs and hope she will be doing more. This one is just terrific. The first song is cool, jazzy joy and you'll be snappin' your fingers! It's all good. More, Jessica!

Prior to this CD, I only know Jessica Molaskey through her solo in "Stars and the Moon". After hearing this CD, I know that I would definitely enjoy it. To start, the arrangement of the songs is simple but cute. Very minimal instrumentation is used, but the sound and the individuality of the instruments are clear. This is no great surprise since John Pizzarelli is involved in the recording. Also, the instrumentation worked well with the voice of Jessica Molaskey.

With respect to the voice, no typical vocal acrobatics (e.g. scatting) was used. The singer's attack is simple. She is very good with the slow songs. Also, the blending of the instrumentation and the songs is very effective. The instruments are not obstrusive with the singing of Jessica Molaskey.

The songs are not new. However, Jessica Molaskey is able to make the songs sound new and fresh. It is a well-done tribute album to Peggy Lee. Jazz music lovers will definitely appreciate this CD.