Customer Reviews

Sophie Milman [IMPORT DIGIPAK]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When this c.d. hit American release, it came with a lot of hype. "The Next Diana Krall" was the proclamation. Perhaps because of the hype, this is one of the top jazz c.d.'s on I-Tunes, and has been so for awhile.

It didn't take me long to get past the hype. Sophie Milman, like Diana Krall, is an attractive blonde singer who sings standards in a jazzy style. And like Ms. Krall, she calls Canada home (although Ms. Milman was born in the U.S.S.R., and emigrated to Canada by way of Israel as a teenager).

There the similarities end. Actually, Ms. Milman has a rounder, fuller singing voice than Ms. Krall, although Sophie does have a tendency to scoop and croon a lot. But she also has a tight, tremelo vibrato which comes out when she's singing a loud note in her chest voice, and I like it.

But here's the thing: when Mme. Krall hit the scene 10 years ago, there weren't that many attractive standard-singing young jazz chanteusses. She came along at the right time. Now, the scene is saturated with them.

And as a result, if that's how you're making your mark, you have to do something to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. For example, you could mix some killer songs of your own with the standards. (e.g., Rene Marie, Jackie Allen or Erin Bode) Or, you could mix a fair number of well-done European art songs with the standards. (e.g., Ilona Knopfler, Jackie Ryan or fellow countryman, Madeleine Peyroux). Or, you could mix in some nods to more current fare, so as to gain the interest of baby-boomers and gen-x'ers. (e.g., Karrin Allyson, Lizz Wright, Janis Siegel or Lea DeLaria). Or, you could become proficient on an instrument in addition to voice (e.g., Ms. Krall, Dena DeRose, Patricia Barber, or Luciana Souza).

Or, you could do the standards in truly unique ways never attempted before. (e.g., Tierney Sutton, Cheryl Bentyne or Cassandra Wilson--back when Ms. Wilson did standards, that is.) These standards are pretty standard. In fact, outside of the jazzy read of "I Feel Pretty" and the "Goldfingerish" variations on "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," there's nothing here that especially piques my interest.

It seems that most jazz singers start with an album of standards. The really talented ones figure out where to grow from there. All of the above-mentioned singers have grown since their beginnings. Hopefully, that will be true of Sophie Milman as well. RC

Heard this CD online and immediately ran out to get it. Sophie Milman has a sophistication and depth to her voice that belies her age. While she evokes the spirit of the great jazz singers of the '40s and '50s, she has a fresh approach to the old songs and a contemporary sound for the more modern cuts. Her voice has a rich, satisfying quality that will only get better with age. She has done her homework on the great smoky-jazz singers of the '50s, capturing the quality of those singers while bringing her own style to her singing.

She even makes the three least interesting songs--"I Feel Pretty," "Ochi Cherney," and "This Time of the Year"--listenable with her easy-swinging style. The band is great and provides smooth accompaniment.

I look forward to her future releases.

I had the pleasure of going to the CD release party for Sophie's debut CD. This young woman has everything needed to become a star - looks, personality, and lots of talent. This is a great CD, incorporating jazz, cabaret, and good old-fashioned torch songs. As well, she has the backing of some of the best jazz musicians in Canada. The more I hear it, the better it sounds.

I heard about her on the radio and I had a hard time finding her album only a few days after it launched, but I was not disapointed. What a refreshing voice and lots of feeling. Sureley she will go a long way. For those comparing her to Krall, she isn't in the same category at all. I love Krall and have everything she made, audio/video. I love Sophie for completely different reasons. If you love smooth jazz, this is a very good album to add to your collection.

I wonder why people are comparing Sophie Milman to Diana Krall. Aside from both coming from Canada, their styles are very different. I think of Krall primarily as an outstanding jazz quartet-type lounge pianist with incidental warbling, and of Milman as a great big-band jazz vocalist. Any comparisons should be with the divine Ella Fitzgerald, and I'm not sure which of the two I like more - Ella's jazz sense is unsurpassed but I prefer Milman's voice.

Sophie Milman's voice draws you in with its smooth tone, and demonstates great character throughout every song. Jazz vocalists in general often fall into two categories: great character at the expense of sounding hard, or incredibly smooth at the expense of being bland. Sophie Milman blends the best of these two elements with incredible finesse. I can't wait to see more from this incredible artist

An ultra hip, swinging song stylist; and this time I'm not talking about Mark Murphy. Sophie Milman is a revelation, by way of Russia, Israel, and Canada. She sings the hell out of a song here. Want proof? Check out "My Baby Just Cares For Me." "I Feel Pretty," and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." For a great change of pace, there's "La Vie en Rose" in French and "Dark Eyes" in Russian. Want more? The band includes some exceptional talent, and is a perfect fit for Milman. This is a great cd by a beautiful, brilliant young singer.

Her album covers suggest high, jazz-diva glamour - you'd almost want to use an old fashioned word like 'swanky' to describe the Gershwin-era sensibility at work. Her voice has it, too, curling out like a memory of smoke-and-martini-fuelled cocktail parties, though sometimes transforming itself into a claim on all that is blithe and innocent." ~ Toronto Life Magazine, December 2007 ~

"Sophie Milman sings sublimely and she does sultry with impeccable, classy style. ~ Q Magazine ~

This is my very first Sophie Milman CD and most definitely will not be the last! I'm truly impressed with her outstanding vocal flair and style. She has an extensive vocal range and her phrasing is crisp and crystal-clear. She's now among my newest favorite jazz singers whom I call in my jazz vocabulary the second generation jazz divas, next to the original divas - Ella, Sarah, et al.

Released in 2004, this self-titled debut album of Sophie Milman is utterly charming and stunningly beautiful with an impeccable choice of material that represents some of the greatest composers and lyricists of all-time, from George and Ira Gershwin, Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields to Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

All the tracks are sure winners! Her heartfelt take on my all-time favorite "La Vie En Rose" alone is enough reason to own this elegant CD. Listen closely with your undivided attention as she sings this lovely song in its original setting in French with its enthralling instrumentation especially the striking bridge solo. To make it short, it is simply splendid!

"Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas
Je vois la vie en rose
Il me dit des mots d'amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ca m'fait quelque chose"

She does more than justice to Jobim's "Agua de Beber" with a jazz fusion arrangement but still remains true to its Bossa Nova rhythm. While she's jazzing it up with "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," she slows it down with two meaningful songs, "Guilty" and a classic from George and Ira Gershwin, "The Man I Love" featuring an ear-candy harmonica solo by Guido Basso. Then she does a sparkling rendition of "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," one of my favorites tracks.

The exceptional talents of the musicians involved in this recording cannot be left unnoticed -- Bill King and John Sheard (piano), Alan Hetherington (percussion), Marc Rogers and Artie Roth (bass), Davide DiRenzo (drums), Pat La Barbera (alto sax), Phil Dywer (tenor sax) and Guido Basso (harmonica), among others. I would say that Ms. Milman is a "musician's singer" for she displays a very good rapport with her back-up team, who all show a great interplay amongst themselves.

Listening to this CD is equivalent to having my favorite dessert -- every song is a sweet delight! So adorn your jazz collection with this elegant and irresistible CD. I will certainly recommend her sophomore CD, Make Someone Happy, which after its initial release hits the # 4 spot in the Billboard Jazz charts.

Have a lovely listening experience!

I just received the new "linus" Sophie Milman CD and have been playing it over and over again.

The visualization of a fantastic playful jazz angel on the other side of such a beautiful voice is not hurt by the reality that she is one. Her harmonic rythmic voice makes the heart happy just to listen to it and entertains the mind with frequent smooth variations that make other overcomplicated musicians just seem dull and nervous. She also has a great bunch of excellent jazz musicians that accompany her and they echo the mood perfectly. Great job Sophie Milman and "LINUS"!

Ms. Milman is not only not the next Diana Krall, she is in no way attempting to be. This album is nothing like any of Diana Krall's work which I also enjoy. Indeed, if you are looking for more Diana Krall then buy more Diana Krall but when you have them all? Then maybe strike out and give this a chance!

This album makes for wonderful listening. Ms. Milman's voice is very pleasant, the music is wonderful and I, for one, will certainly be buying her next effort too.

I play Ms. Milman alongside, for instance, Jane Monheit and Katie Melua and I am sure that Diana Krall too would fit in nicely. It's a good album and if you like any of the above artists I encourage you to give it a try. I did and am quite satisfied with the results.