Customer Reviews

Melissa Kassel Quintet "Live At The Acton Jazz Cafe"

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

 

 

All of the musicians on the Melissa Kassel Quintet CD are true artists. It is a pleasure to finally hear a vocalist using her voice as an instrument, playing in and out of the rhythms and melodies of the other musicians. The original pieces are quite beautiful. Overall I find this CD a pleasure to own.

I found this CD to be a real treat. I love jazz vocals BUT I'm so tired of hearing the same renditions of the same songs over and over. If your like me and are looking for something different then Ms. Kassel is the answer. She's not avante garde but she does take chances. She also has an amazing ability to take tunes that I have heard hundreds of singers sing and give it a twist I had never heard. I'm also am enjoying Ms. Kassel ability to bring out the essence of a song through her interpretation of the lyrics. She really can give a song a special character.

The breathy, warm and soulful sounds you hear on this album come from Melissa Kassel, one of the most supurb vocalists I have heard in years. Being a student of Melissa's, I know she sings from the heart, with a great passion for her technique and quest for vocal perfection. Her calm and soothing voice rings proudly on this album, which will be a keeper for many years. Outstanding.

If you're intrested in real jazz, this CD is great for YOU! Melissa is such a talented person. She really uses her voice as an instrument. I commend her on such a work well done and wish her much luck in the future.

Melissa Kassel is the single-most important jazz vocalist of our time, this cd is a must-have addition to any serious collection of contemporary jazz.

The smokey, soulful vocals combined with the talent of the band - take me away to another time and place. The atmosphere of this CD makes me feel like I'm out with good friends. It has a variety of deep emotions running through it, so it fits many moods. Excellent.

What an amazing feat Melissa Kassel and her ensemble have acomplished with this brilliant c.d. Melissa's lines are imaginitive and sophisticated. This c.d comes as great refreshment to many bland, uncreative c.d's that seem to be popular lately. The band sounds splendid, and if you've never heard Melissa Kassel sing, be sure to check this out!

It's rare and thrilling to find a quintet that awakens you to possibilities you never dreamed of in a song. Melissa Kassel, with her gorgeous voice and stunningly original take on standards, elicits amazing ensemble work and solos from her quintet -- from a brilliant,funky piano solo by Tim Ray on "Honeysuckle Rose" to scintillating Latin drumming by Bob Gullotti on "You Don't Know What Love Is." Kassel's originals are mesmerising as well. In her passionate "Little Tune" she implores: "Have the courage to reveal the depth of love one's meant to feel." Kassel certainly exemplifies such courage -- taking great chances with her emotions and her music. What a gift to her listenters! Bravo!

This CD is wonderful. I've bought one for me, one for my grandparents, and copies for my friends. It's a wonderful album.

great musicians, but vocals so overly stylized that the whole project becomes boring. Jazz IS improvization, but too much of a good thing is just plain way toooo much.