Customer Reviews

Make Believe

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On her 3rd CD effort, Jessica Molaskey reaches back to her Broadway beginings and puts a Spin, a Shine and a Swing on such old chestnuts as "I Can't Say No", "Guys and Dolls", "Hey Look Me Over" and my persoanl favorite, "Stepsister's Lament".

And when she joins with hubby/producer/guitarist John Pizzarelli, the two go after the brilliant arangement of "Cloudburst/Not Getting Married" as if they were trying to set an Olympic record for "lyrics per minute." It cooks!

Her rendition of "All Tha Jazz" is reminiscent of the Depression Era pathos that surfaced in her 1st hit CD, "Pentimento"...only this time Molskey gets to show off a touch of that marvelous high-belt voice that has keep her employed on Broadway for years. But make no mistake - this is no "I can outsing all the other Divas"...no this is pure Hip, pure Cool and pure Jazz.

"Cradle and All" not only proves Molaskey's prowess in turning a phrase, but is to this writer the most poiginant omage to adolescent dreams and family disappointments to be penned since A Chorus Line's "At the Ballet".

"Make Beleive" hasn't been out of my CD player for a week - give it a listen - you won't be sorry!

And a terrific singer! I'm so glad to have learned about Jessica Molaskey and am enjoying all three of her CDs. She has a delightful style - a singer who "acts", or vice-versa. It's a quality that made Barbra Streisand so special and extraordinary - well, that and her fabulous voice. Jessica Molaskey can do those things and she can really swing, too and has a sweet jazzy side. Her husband, John Pizzarell and father-in-law Bucky have long been favorites,but Ms Molaskey is a new discovery for our family and we like her! Bucky's other son/John's brother is also a standout musician in the "family business" - what fun family gatherings must be in that family!
This CD, and her others, are great - you find yourself dancing, singing along,or being quiet and listening closely, just really enjoying music. By the way, I think Jessica Molaskey's version of "Goodnight My Someone" is stunning.

There are two categories: jazz singers who do Broadway tunes; and actresses who sing jazz. Examples of the former category would be Janis Siegel ("Sketches of Broadway") and Mel Torme ("Swings Shubert Alley"). Examples of the latter would be Lena Horne, and more recently, Jessica Molaskey with this album.

Frankly, I'm partial to the former category, basically because the arrangements are more interesting. (Listen to Tierney Sutton's "Show Me", for example, or Rene Marie's "Where or When", and you'll hear what I mean) But Jessica Molaskey, who for years has been a singing actress, is at the top of the latter category and creates a very fine album with "Make Believe".

Frankly, I'm stuck between a "high four" and a "low five" with this; but I wouldn't be if every cut were as good as the album's highlight, or a medley featuring Jon Hendricks' "Cloudburst." Here, John Pizzarelli does the vocalese honors of the famous jazz song, while Ms. Molaskey matches him lickety-split lick for lickety-split lick on Sondheim's "Getting Married Today." Together, they make the tune a wonderful "Do/Don't Get Me to the Church on Time" duality at warp speed. A terrific performance of a terrific arrangement.

But there's other good stuff here, too. "So Many People" and "Cradle and All" are wonderful ballads, while "Stepsister's Lament" and "You're a Builder Upper" are witty uptunes. And Ms. Molaskey shows her considerable dramatic chops with reads of Ado Annie's "I Cain't Say No" as the set-opener, and Marian the Librarian's "Goodnight My Someone" as the set-closer.

So, here's the bottom line: if you like show tunes, you should love this. If you like jazz singers, this one will grow somewhat on you. Either way, it's worth at least a listen. RC

I typically have little patience with Broadway vocals, but three things make this CD appealing to me: the original interpretations of the songs, the jazzy backup of husband John Pizzarelli and group, and the utter charm of Jessica Molaskey. "Hey, Look Me Over" and "All That Jazz" are my favorite songs on the album, offering fresh but not forced takes on two classics. Molaskey has a sweet voice and a charming delivery. A fun CD.

My first Jessica Molaskey CD is "A Good Day". That particular CD stayed in my player for a long time. The arrangement is very understated and cool. The touch of John Pizzarelli is very obvious.

Prior to listening to the Cd, and seeing the selection, it was difficult for me conceive WHAT ELSE can they do with most of the songs (difficult to listen to the preview). Except for the original composition, most of the songs are pretty set. For instance, the Sondheim songs are pretty straightforward. It would be difficult to restructure it and the same time, maintain the songs' original intent.

However, I was in for a surprise. Most of the songs sound original. The arrangement gave the songs a new lift. And most of all, the instrumentation made me listen and concentrate on the lyrics. I was gladly surprise with the interpretation of So Many People, such simplicity and sincerity. Cloudburst/Getting married today is a perfect marriage of songs and singers. The craziness of the two songs are perfectly merged. Also, the interpretation of J Molaskey is very good. The comic timing is not pushed.

Another favorite as well is Stepsisters' Lament. In this song, the singer revealed a range I havent heard from her other recordings. I became familiar with J Molaskey with Songs for A New World, and I must say that the sound engineer of the CD performed a grave disservice to her. In this CD, her simple acting and no-drama style of singing is perfectly captured.

In terms of instrumentation, I must say that the greatest surprise for me is All That Jazz. I think it is the perfect approach to tackle the message of the song.

It would be very fair to say that many singers are perhaps better than J Molaskey (e.g. Ann Hampton Callaway, Janis Siegel), but she compensates her shortcoming with comic sense. Also, it does not hurt to have the support of the wonderful Pizzarelli clan (she herself acknowledges them on the liner notes).

This is a very good CD. One of the best jazz CDs around.

"Make Believe," a collaboration of husband and wife American musical team jazz-pop guitarist John Pizzarelli (son of famed jazzman Bucky Pizzarelli, who's still around, and in the groove), and pop/jazz/Broadway-oriented vocalist Jessica Molaskey, functions as a sampler of all their individual and joint virtues. It's lighter than air, swinging, bouncy, and very, very enjoyable. The pair, individually and collectively, is witty, in speech and song. Pizzarelli has had a long career for a young man; he's released 23 albums of his own, plus albums with his father, James Taylor, and Rosemary Clooney. He is often compared to Harry Connick Jr; his only rival in popularity among younger performers.

Pizzarelli's trio originally consisted of Ray Kennedy on piano--he's heard here on "Hey Look Me Over," and "Cloudburst/Getting Married Today." Dad Bucky shows up too, on this record. Brother Martin usually plays bass; Tony Tedesco is frequently found on drums, as he is here. Larry Fuller now often joins the trio on piano. As to Molaskey's talent, famed Broadway director/producer Hal Prince once said," My favorite singers are actors with voices. Jessica Molaskey is one of those. A musician who appreciates words, and has the taste, brains and quirky wit to make the most of these wonderful show tunes." In this she follows in the footsteps of the great Barbara Cook, surely one of the most superb singing/actresses, and a woman who can present every song "in the moment."

Molaskey describes this album as "42nd Street meets 52nd Street," and says "With this recording, I hope to transform sketches of those musical theater memories to fit the life that I now inhabit with my wonderful, soulful, jazz-influenced family." It does serve up a good helping of theater standards, "I Can't Say No," "Guys and Dolls," "Glad to be Unhappy,""Hey Look Me Over," and quite a few more.

I've been lucky enough to catch John Pizzarelli's entertaining shows twice, once down here, in Wilmington, N.C.'s Thalian Hall. And once, in an utterly charming afternoon, performing with Molaskey, at a benefit for P.S. 334, the Anderson School, at 84th Street and Columbus Avenue, on New York's Upper West Side. That concert was held in the auditorium of the school that welcomes kids from Kindergarten through 8th grade, where their own kids go. And kids sure did run in the aisles; they certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. On that occasion, Molaskey remarked that she often felt a kinship with the late Mary Ford, as both are singers married to guitar players: Ford was married to ground-breaking guitarist Les Paul; Pizzarelli's playing is often compared to the virtuosity of Paul's, in its light touch and velocity. Taken all in all, they are quite the musical family.

Recently I had the pleasure of listening to this marvelous CD at work. Ms. Molaskey is a recent discovery of mine (though I have been well acquainted with the music of her equally talented spouse, Mr. Pizzarelli) and the song selection, arrangements, etc. are first-rate. A sweet treat to these ears!

as good a cd that can be made of these songs. bar none. thanks jessica.

One can tell this is an experienced theatre singer. Her pizazz shows through on every song. Very cool CD. Jessica is as smooth as silk, a performer you just have to hear!

I was not aware of Jessica, and only found her as result of other Amazon reviews, and what a terrific surprise. Wonderful sound and wonderful standards. I have since purchased 4 more of her CDs.