Customer Reviews

Lucky Girl

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have reviewed Jacqui Naylor albums before, so I don't know why it took me so long to figure out the similarity: With Jacqui's low, sultry, growly-purring voice, she is jazz-pop's answer to Amy Winehouse. Except for this: From "Back to Black," the late Ms. Winehouse seemed to be influenced by '60's Motown. Here, Ms. Naylor's muse appears to be more '70's pop.

Much of this album consists of original songs, penned by Ms. Naylor and her long-time pianist/guitarist, collaborator and co=producer, Art Khu. Listen to track 2, "Nothing Could Be Better Than You" or track 15, "Beautiful," and see if you don't hear echoes of Carole King. Likewise, in track 4, "Since I Love You," I hear traces of James Taylor. Likewise track 7 , "Dreamin'Prayin'Wishin'" and Jim Croce. Track 9, "Sunshine and Rain," has distinct traces of Seals and Croft. And track 10, "I Promise," could have been material for David Gates and "Bread."

Even in the standards, "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top," the counterpoint is George Benson's "Breezin'." And "Angel Eyes" is sort of informed by a four-chord lick from the Doobie Brothers' "Without Love."

Then there are the covers of tunes from the '70's themselves. The cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is heavenly. And the topper of all is Ms. Naylor's cover of Teddy Pendergrass' "Close the Door." Damn, this cut is sexy! Nearly that sexy is "I Can't Make You Love Me."

The longtime band of Khu, Jon Evans (bass) and Josh Jones (drums) sounds very tight, especially on "Angel Eyes."

Recently, Christopher Loudon of "Jazz Times" labelled this as a career highlight for Ms. Naylor. Based on the albums I've heard, I agree. Recommended. RC

What can one say about such a syrupy heartfelt voice as Jacquis? She has done the most amazing thing of late in the jazz world by straddling many borders in a tasteful fashion. Her renditions of jazz classics fused into pop music metal icons is truly unique. She brings a sense of traditional sensibility and experimentation which has always been at the root of famous jazz solos forever and delivers in a whimsical light way that leaves one smiling.

Jacqui is genuine. The real deal. When I purchased a CD directly from her after one of her shows and it proved to be defective she immediately Fed Ex expressed me another one in time for my birthday. Now that's Customer Service!

In this CD she really explores the range of her amazing voice and delivers an emotional performance along the lines of Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, and other talented Divas. You will not go wrong having this collection of songs

for your own personal exploration of one of the true female singer talents of our current times. Her band is top notch and builds an fantastic four foundation - whether Art Khu is flying all over the keyboard or Josh Jones keeping the beat along with beefy acoustic bass accompaniment by Jon Evans - one never tires of this talented ensemble.

We are the Lucky ones with the release of this album. Jacqui's voice just keeps getting better and better. The band is tight; the original songs amazing, the covers clever. Jacqui covering "Close the Door", simply HOT.

Jacqui's rich smoky alto caresses every word and nuance of the melodic line. Her partnership with arranger, pianist and guitarist Art Khu is one of the greatest of all time, in my opinion. It is also very rare for a great vocal artist to be a world class song writer.

Without doing anyone a disservice through comparison, in my opinion Jacqui ranks with the very best current jazz stylists. I do not lightly include vocalists in the company of Karrin Allyson, Tierney Sutton or Diana Reeves, but Jacqui deserves it. All are total originals with their own sounds and concepts, and all of them are enthralling artists who completely inhabit the material to the point that standards come across as songs you have not heard before.

If this is the first disc on which you check Jacqui out, be prepared to shell out for all her recordings!

Jacqui's rich, sultry voice is addictive. As usual, this CD is a combination of old standards and her best original music yet. The cover song, "Lucky Girl", is strong, fun, and upbeat. The fabulous Art Khu on piano is impressive. Josh Jones on drums, and John Evans on bass make this a winning combination.

"Lucky Girl" is Jacqui Naylor's best work. I love listening to her sing. Her voice conveys such warmth and sensuality. The lyrics of her original songs are meaningful. The songs she covers sound fresh. Jacqui is the total package. She is a talented singer and song writer. The title track is a song that reminds me of all the blessings in my life. The blessings are the things in my life that do not involve money. Some of my blessings are my family and my friends. Josh Jones provides a a groovy beat on the drums on this track. All the musicians playing on this album are so talented. "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" is another gem of a song. Art Khu plays the guitar on this track. His guitar playing reminds me of George Benson. The musical arrangement comes Benson's classic hit "Breezin". This track puts me in a relaxed mood. "Sunshine and Rain" is a song that reminds me to live each day to the fullest. The guitar playing sounds groovy on this track. Jacqui sings about being in love and falling out of love equally well. "Since I Love You" has a romantic smooth tone. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a song that reminds me that a broken heart is not the end of the world. This song features a musician named Chloe Scott playing the flute. Jacqui covers the Teddy Pendergrass soul classic "Close The Door". Chloe Scott plays the flute on this track too. Her flute playing gives this track a laid back tone. Her playing is absolutely lovely. "I Promise" is a beautiful love song. This song is so sweet. "Nothing Could Be Better Than You" is a song about having a friend to lean on in hard times. I like this song a lot. "You're My Favorite Person" is an upbeat song about celebrating a special someone. The organ playing by Art Khu is slick and smooth. I love this cut very much. "Dreamin' Praying Wishing" is another highlight. This is a song about all the good things that a friend would want for another friend. I like the hopeful sentiment of this song. Jacqui covers the classic "Moon River". This song is the perfect song to listen to after a hard day. It simply puts my mind at ease. "Lucky Girl" is a very enjoyable album to listen to.

I have been a major fan of Jacqui for years now, own all her albums & have seen her live on both coasts in countless different venues - she never fails to deliver!

Her newest Album Lucky Girl is no different, containing numerous new tunes (composed with her incomparable, keyboardest, Art Khu) interspersed with some new takes on the old Classics.

A must have!

Then, be sure to go see her live - you will not be disappointed!

Louis Armstrong once said " There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind".

Friends, this is not just a good CD by Ms. Naylor, it is positive, hot, and simply put, excellent. If there was any justice in the music world, she would be a household name. You can't go wrong with any of her cd's, but this one is, I think, her finest work. All the tracks are sublime and her band is totally tight, but standouts include her own compositions Lucky Girl, Nothing Could Be Better Than You, and Beautiful. There is also an amazing version of the Neil Young tune Only Love Can Break Your Heart. Just buy it. You can thank me later.

I'm a lucky girl to have discovered Jaqui Naylor, and her latest album 'Lucky Girl'. She has a fantastic voice, and delivers brilliant cover versions of well known tracks, along with new songs. We love her! Buy this and you won't regret it! We saw her and her band in New York, at the Blue Note Jazz Club. The album lives up to her live performence and we can't wait to see her again.Lucky Girl

Heard Jacqui Naylor for the first time years ago at Triple Door in Seattle. She quickly became one of my favorite singers / songwriters. I love everything she creates, including her great holiday mashups. Be Lucky too, and listen to this new CD (and definitely go hear her live if she hits your town!)