Pentimento

Jessica Molaskey

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B000065DVR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,290 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jessica Molaskey is probably best known for Jason Robert Brown's 1996 revue, Songs for a New World, in which she sang the Weillesque "Surabaya Santa" and the irresistibly snappy "Stars and the Moon." Six years later and stylistic worlds away, Molaskey's solo debut, Pentimento, is in its own way equally irresistible. It's filled with songs from the 1920s and '30s that hoped to brighten the Depression, and she delivers them in a soft, airy voice with a trace of Blossom Dearie-type naiveté. She's accompanied by a wonderful band that includes her husband, John Pizzarelli, and father-in-law, Bucky (both playing guitars and ukuleles), bassist brother-in-law Martin, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and violinist Johnny Frigo. Molaskey and John Pizzarelli also contribute two originals in the flavor of the era, "I Tried Too Hard for Too Long" and "Sail Away," and John joins her on the vocals for "With Plenty of Money and You/We're in the Money." We could single out favorite moments, such as Irving Berlin's luscious "What'll I Do" or anything with Peplowski, but why commit ourselves when we'll have a different favorite tomorrow? --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm just wild about Pentimento, June 18, 2002

By	"annetam23" (Pawtucket, Rhode Island United States) - See all my reviews

From the opening track, "Oh You Beautiful Doll," to the last bars of "Sail Away," Jessica Molaskey has earned more than five stars for an electric recording of some of the most well-known jazz standards, as well as two originals ("I tried Too Hard for Too Long" and "Sail Away"). Both Molaskey and the Pizzarellis (her husband John's trio accompany her as well as Johnny Frigo, Ken Peplowski, Larry Goldings, Ray Kennedy, Tony Tedesco, and Jesse Levy) show their distinct passion for music of the Jazz Age and strong ties to their pasts. There is a re-discovering, as Molaskey puts it in her liner notes, of the cheerful songs on the recording (written at the time of the Great Depression) that shows a darker underbelly to them because of what they don't say.

There is a charm to Pentimento that I rarely see in recordings anymore, a certain je ne sais quoi that puts this album over the heads of others and earns it my highest recommendation. Jessica's beautiful voice revives an era all but gone, and John Pizzarelli's cameo appearances are a welcome addition. Don't hesitate to buy this album, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music we need now, September 19, 2002

By	Stephen M. Noonan (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

While driving into town one Sunday afternoon this summer, I heard the most spectacular version of "Waiting for the Train to Come In" on the radio. Almost wrecked the car reaching for a pencil with which to write down the name of the singer. No paper. Jonathan said her name and I repeated it over and over and remebered it all the way through the Lincoln Tunnel. Then my memory failed. Raced uptown to the record store to get it before it was gone forever. Aisle after aisle, ignoring my favorite cabaret singers, lest I be distracted. I Finally found it - Jessica Molaskey. This album is a magnificent gift of music, one that demostrates the grace, charm and wit that Ms. Molaskey brings to these classics of the American songbook. I felt as if I were hearing many of these songs for the first time, hearing new depth, joy and meaning. I will not forget Jessica Molaskey's name again and will wait impatiently until her next gift of music reaches us.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pentimento - Gets to The Heart, September 16, 2002

By	Robert Ray (Decatur, GA. United States) - See all my reviews

In her long-awaited solo turn, Broadway performer and song stylist, Jessica Molaskey scrapes away decades of "Vegas-style arrangements, sloppy piano bar interpretations and even sing around the piano renditions, that first introduced us to theses Depression Age Jewels, by getting right to the "Heart"...or perhaps one should say "by getting right to the bare bones".

Brava to a singer who's voice can bounce off the back wall of any Broadway house for choosing to let the the melancholy, the hopefullness and even the ... of a bygone era shine through...augmented by nothing but what must be "the purest, the truest and most unaffected" vocal performance on any CD in years.

One can just imagine an unflappable-Flapper from the wrong side of the tracks, moving from gangster to gangster in an effort to survive. Constantly being knocked down and dissappointed - but always getting back up and heading toward another door, even if to only meet - the next gangster. YES...Miss Molaskey makes you hear all of that and more in classics like, "I"m Just Wild About Harry" and "You Made Me Love You". Miss Molaskey's inner heroine is truly a "Beautiful Dreamer".

Jessica's talent as a singer/actor allow us to hear a standard like "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" as it was intended. Not as an "Ain't Misbehavin" style rendition but a heartbreaking anthem to the times - with an ironic twist of humor.

"Sail Away", written by Molaskey and Guitar Virtuoso - Hubby, John Pizzarelli is destined to be a "blue chip" song recorded by "Everyone". They will probably be able to retire on that one!

Let's just hope they don't stop making music, both seperately, and as a team.

If you have a Grandparent who perhaps lived through the Depression, please let them hear "their" music one more time or if you have a teenager who you'd like to know a little bit more about this special time in Americana - forget the History book.
Just give them a chance to listen to "Pentimento" - it gets right to the "Heart of the Matter".