Customer Reviews

Haunted Heart

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My wife and I have seen Hilary Kole perform live on several occasions and have consistently enjoyed her performances as a very good singer of the American Pop Standard. This debut performance however reveals her to be more than that. She is a terrific singer and talented musician.

Haunted Heart, of couse, includes, some excellent performances of the standards but the surprise is the beauty of her performances on lesser known songs.

Especially moving is her poignant rendition of "Blackberry
Winter." On this track, her voice evoked memories of Nancy Lamott and this is no small compliment. "What'll I Do" is moving and at times sultry. Seductiveness ooozes from The Snake, an old Oscar Brown Jr. composition."Better than Anything" shows off Hilary's talent with a clever lyric. And "Old Boyfriends" reveals her to be an excellent story teller. It is interesting to hear this quality from someone so young. I would love to hear her sing when she has reached age 70. I can only imagine what life experiences will add to her talent.

The depth of her performance is even present with the old standards. "It's Love" is sung by someone who definitely sounds like she's in love.



One surprise here is that Hilary is also a fine musician. Credit here is given to the arranger-Ms Kole herself and her own piano accompaniment on "Blackberry Winter" is wonderful. Her choice of songs, perfect enunciation and respect for the work of the lyricist is exemplary.

So is her choice of partners. Tedd Firth (piano) Mark Mclean (drums) and Paul Gill (bass) as well as the inclusion of John Pzzarelli complement the singer's jazz repetoire on songs like "Deed I Do" and particularly on "You for me."



The last time we saw Hilary Kole perform (February) we were both suprised that she had not recorded but looked forward to the April CD release. "Haunted Heart " was most definitely worth the wait. We hope that her next CD will not take as long.


Jerry M.

Hilary Kole's musical voice and style fit the timeless quality of all good ballad singers. Two songs particularly embody the best in musical storytelling. "Blackberry Winter" will make you cry and make you want to play it again. "The Snake" is a cautionary tale for all ages that brings a shudder and a chuckle. The Title song is sung almost as well as Jo Stafford sings it, and that is high praise indeed. This CD is one that you will try to wear out by replaying it.

Hilary Kole played backed up by Bucky Pizzarrelli at a club in Brighton on the charles river. She was fantastic and my date bought the record for me. What is amazing is that she is first class singer, musician, performer and a real beauty. Her taste in sogs on this record show a wide range of styles. "Blackberry winter" by alec wilder was one of my favorites.

I am notoriously much too kind to young singers' first recordings. A few of you have called me on it. I like to encourage young talent to keep on. And one look at Ms. Kole's presence on the cover and liner notes, and I want to give her five stars anyway, on principle.

However, I shall suppress my inner horndog and write a legitimate review.

Legitimately, five stars.

Yes, these are standards that have been performed 5 zillion times before. But Hilary Kole interprets these songs like a seasoned old pro.

Check out the genuine heartache of "What'll I Do"; or the bitterness of "Old Boyfriends"; or the drama of "Blackberry Winter"; the sardonic tone of Oscar Brown, Jr.'s metaphoric "The Snake"; or the highlight, or the operatic feel (though not operatic sound) of the title track.

But all good jazz singers gotta swing, and Ms. Kole swings her butt off on "How Am I To Know" and "Deed I Do."

The accomplished singer-guitarist, John Pizzarelli, expertly produced this c.d. With Tedd Firth sounding great on piano, this simply does not sound like a debut c.d. Outstanding work; now I must check out her follow-up c.d.! RC

I love her voice! She really nails it and I hope she gets wider recognition and vaults to the upper ecelon of female jazz singers.

I'm fond of cabaret singers -- I confess. Hilary is now part of that library, and a very welcome addition! A good investment, indeed. Well done.