Customer Reviews

Modern Antique

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

 

 

It's old news that when it was released in 1982, Steve Miller's "Abracadabra", with the icy fire of his loud whisper, and the obvious innuendo of the lyrics created a mild sensation. Twenty six years later, Robin McKelle's jazzy remake is the only choice for leading off her interesting recording, Modern Antique. That catchy lead-off was really all I needed to want this recording, but on the whole, I find the entire CD exuberant and invigorating. Robin's sound is as attractive and flowing as the pretty pink dress in the liner notes, and her professional approach can be appreciated even in the absence of a single defining characteristic of her music. She's scats with enthusiasm, takes a pleading tone, mocking tone, or whatever each song calls for. She's multiple muses all in one. Seriously, she's efficient and accurate, and when singing the jazz standards that make up most of the rest of this recording, like Comes Love, Lullaby of Birdland, Lover Man, and Cheek to Cheek, that is really what demanded. It also helps that she has the equivalent of a big band supporting her, which keeps the excitement level high and the music robust and full throughout. I suppose Robin will never be accused of being a genuine imitation, even if she almost exactly duplicates some of the original copies of other singers that came before her. But that's why when other performers are found missing, Robin can act naturally and pull off a terribly pleasing piece of vocal jazz.

It seems to me that with many of the talented 'standards' singers we have now, the songs are about only their voice or sometimes you're left thinking, "Didn't much care for the singing, but the band was very good." With Ms. McKelle who has an outstanding voice and wonderful excitment in her enterpretations, I say no either/or here! It's as close as we're going to get to those great Big Band moments that our grandparents were lucky enough to experience. On both of her CDs, Ms. McKelle shares the space with some outstanding musicians who make these tunes more than a great time. So, it's a two-fer, and a grand listening experience. Swing on!

Jazz Times, August 2008

She's a Berklee grad and a Thelonius Monk Vocal Jazz Competition
finalist. She often sounds a lot like Anita O'Day, except when she
sounds eerily like Nancy Wilson. She's blessed with O'Day's
indefatigable verve as well as her innate sense of swing, and echoes
Wilson's relaxed authority. Two years ago, she delivered a dynamite
debut disc, Introducing Robin McKelle, embracing a retro big-band vibe
with the ease and intelligence of a softer-edged Bette Midler. Now
she's back with a second big-band effort even better than the first.
Willie Murillo, who steered much of the previous album, again serves
as principal arranger. But Chris Barron, Gordon Goodwin, Randy
Waldman, pianist Alain Mallet and McKelle herself also contribute
arrangements; and remarkably, considering the number of cooks stirring
the pot, the results are not only consistently good but also
seamlessly consistent. For fans of gorgeous standards lovingly
nestled in ideal settings and sung with impeccable beauty and style,
Modern Antique is essential listening. But McKelle and company go a
few captivating steps further: first by transforming rocker Steve
Miller's '80s chart-toppet "Abracadabra" into three-and-a-half minutes
of pure, inventive jazz pleasure; then by doubling the strength of
the Nina Simone anthem "Go to Hell" by defusing its anger and
replacing it with assured wisdom; and, finally, by exiting on tiptoe
(just McKelle on vocals and piano, supported by a gentle wave of
strings) with the tenderly reflective, self-penned ballad "Remember."

Robin McKelle seems to be attempting to be something she's not, a bad singer. Here's a case of someone whose introductory CD showcased a nice sense of timing and style. With Modern Antique she's gone way overboard in what seems like an exaggerated effort to carve out her own style. It didn't work for me, and while I loved Introducing Robin McKelle, I dumped Modern Antique.

I was wandering through a local bookstore the other day and heard this amazing music playing in the background. I immediately stopped in my tracks and asked the first employee that I saw who it was. I was directed towards the music section and was shown this CD of Robin McKelle.

I had never heard of this singer before, but after listening to just a couple of the tracks I was immediately hooked. I remember telling the sales clerk that the "vibe" I was getting was simply intoxicating.

If you're into vocal jazz or big band music, you will not be disappointed!

Great album. Very clever arrangements with "sounds" of the past and new sounds from this very talented artist

This is a great album and a fantastic follow-up to Robin's 'Introducing...' album. I caught her at the Dubai Jazz festival in 2007 and have been a fan ever since. Personal favourites on this new album are Robin's version of 'Abracadabra' and 'Comes Love'.

Robin if you are reading this please come back to Dubai at some point. Otherwise I shall have to wait until I visit Europe and catch you in France.

Like something magic Robin Mckelle turns back the clock and makes the wild, swinging days of The Rat Pack come back to life. Get out your pencil slacks and skinny ties and find a lady who isn't a tramp and head for Romanovs. This is the answer for all of those who have been waiting in vain for Renee Olstead's new and yet again postponed CD. Not that Robin is anything like Renee, no, unique and special but able to take the tunes of yesterday and spin them up in a new and yet respectful way. This is music when words were part of the spell and screeching sopranos were banished to the opera house and velvet and honey poured from Julie London and Peggy Lee. Listen in the dark on a stormy winter night and shiver from soemthing other than the cold and then pick up the phone and call all of your friends. Even over the tinny speakers on most handsets Robin will make them beg you not to hang up. This is an essential CD, don't let time go by.

I'm so tired of singers who possess a certain level of chops but seem incapable of connecting to the lyric that they're singing. It's tiresome. No matter how fine the musicians, arrangements, no matter how good a person looks, it doesn't matter if there's little actual connection to the music. Another disappointment.