Customer Reviews

Where Is Love?

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

 

 

Kelley Suttenfield is a jazz vocalist unafraid to breakdown a few barriers. Coming to this first CD - WHERE IS LOVE? - with a strong background in theater arts as well as classical piano and more, Kelley easily takes to the jazz field with an intense musicality that serves her well in every song in this collection. She feels right at home with the relaxed, effortless production of a dusky soprano that explores the lyrics of her songs, bringing more to the words than most stylists. This is mirrored in the excellent backup of musicians who provide unusually sophisticated backdrops for each song: Michael Cabe piano and Fender Rhodes, Jesse Lewis electric guitar, Tony Romano acoustic guitar, Matt Aronof bass, and Brian Adler drums and tablas. Nowhere is their contribution more evident than on the extended version of 'Nature Boy'.

Another aspect of Kelley Suttenfield's style that makes her unique (in addition to her phrasing and her exactly tune scat) is her decision to use the lyrics as written. Example, 'And I love Her', and 'Open the Door': she leaves the door open as to the receiver of her tender longings - female or male - and that is so warmly refreshing. But in addition to all of the aspects that make her an artist to notice on her first album, simply melt away with her duet with Michael Cabe's piano in her soulful 'I Fall in Love Too Easily.' Or join her and her fellow musicians in a one of the best versions of 'Ode to Billy Joe' ever recorded.

The quality of recording is superb with a clarity too rarely heard these days on soft jazz CDs. Kelley Suttenfield has arrived! Welcome to a hungry audience. Grady Harp, October 09

Released in 2009, "Where is Love?" is jazz singer Kelley Suttenfield's debut album.

Ms Suttenfield has a well-trained, warm, smooth, mid-register voice and a relaxed, swinging style - although she can also kick up her heels a little - check out her version of Betty Carter's "Open the Door."

"Where is Love?" is a set of standards - songs like the title tune, "Charade," and a lovely version of "My One and Only Love - mixed with some surprises - Lennon and McCartney's "And I Love Her," an exceptional, almost six minute long rendition of "Ode to Billy Joe," and the old Platters' hit, "Twilight Time."

The band includes pianist Michael Cabe, (who doubles on the Fender Rhodes), guitarists Jesse Lewis and Tony Romano, Matt Aronoff on bass and drummer Brian Adler, (who also adds some nice tablas work). These are solid guys and nobody just mails it in.

The sonics are excellent: Ms Suttenfield's voice comes through clear and clean and there is plenty of instrumental separation.

This woman has a lovely sound and her interpretations are warm and sensitive. The production is great, with no superfluous or trite instrumentation. This is a joy to listen to.

She has a good voice, but it is wasted by her too cool, too flippant, too self-indulgent approach. Rarely have I heard a greater wasting of talent. Someone should tell her how good her voice is and how woeful her singing is. But unfortunately too many reviewers have already said the opposite, as her website attests.

I bought the cd for her voice. I played it once, and I never want to play it again. So who would I recommend? For a start, the two present day giants - Rebecca Kilgore and Lorraine Feather. And then Michelle Nicolle, who's 7 cds can be hard to find. See her website for more information. And finally, from left field, Johanna Grussner. She has a lovely voice, but has some pitch issues so she is still a work in progress.