Jessica Molaskey John Pizzarelli - A Good Day (14 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

A Good Day From Morning 'Til Night

Amy M. Spalding | St. Louis, MO United States | 07/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was hard to imagine that Jessica Molaskey could pull off a follow-up album to 2002's "Pentimento" that would truly measure up.It's certainly not that Molaskey hasn't proven herself in the past, from her rich and vibrant performances onstage in musical theatre, to her vivacious concert performances--most notably at Feinstein's at the Regency. But "Pentimento" was such a rare gem of an album--steeped in nostalgia and yet modern and relevant all at once--that capturing that magic again seemed unlikely.But "A Good Day" instead confirms that "Pentimento" wasn't just a fluke. This time Molaskey brings her unique blend of modernity and retro fashion to an album drenched in Peggy Lee's influence and yet stunningly original. What a thrill to hear Molaskey bring new life to standards like "Everything Is Moving Too Fast" and "Somebody Loves Me"... and who knew "Small World" from Gypsy could ever sound so longing, so sexy? Molaskey is an expert at getting to the heart of a lyric and melody, and always finding ways to make the past sound new again.But "A Good Day" has much more to offer than just the past. The sharply-written originals penned by Molaskey and her husband John Pizzarelli are completely at home mixed amongst the standards. "Adam & Eve" and "The Girl With His Smile and My Eyes" particularly sparkle, but there's not a disappointing track on the album.Hopefully Molaskey will continue recording albums for years to come. I can't wait to hear what she takes on next."

Broadway Belle

F. Hagan | Raleigh, North Carolina, USA | 07/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Crisp and friendly vocal styling will put a spring in your step and convince you to the obvious truth in the track-inspired title of Jessica Molaskey's second album "A Good Day." This Broadway belle is no stranger to the smooth jazz standard, and will welcome and endear you immediately with her emotive zip in selections like "I Love The Way You're Breaking My Heart" and this reviewer's personal favorite, " "How Come You Ain't Got Me."
If a listener is clever enough to know who Jessica Molaskey is, then they may be a little surprised that the musical choices on "A Good Day" include surprisingly little in the way of show tunes and Broadway standards. If that's what you seek here, then enjoy a smart rendition of "Small World" and move on to the meat of this mix of originals and not-so-standard standards. Lindy dancers who fancy a smooth sound should enjoy "All The Gats Join In," and "Everything Is Moving Too Fast." This reviewer was convinced he'd heard enough versions of "Somebody Loves Me," but apparently here's another one that is indeed a winner. There's a nice nod to the music of Peggy Lee on this album, whose husband, like Jessica's, is a guitarist (and present in the composition and production of the recording). If this parallel is unintentional, then it sure is a wild coincidence.
Stage singers always seem to have the best sound quality in their studio recordings, and Pizzarelli, along with the talented ensemble of musicians who participated on Jessica's first album, provide a friendly path for the vocals to skip down on a day that is anything but bad. This album is a slight departure from what is best known about Jessica Molaskey, but it's a welcome one."

Incredible

Ginevra M | Oceanside, New York United States | 07/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jessica Molaskey has graduated from being the femme fatale inside her husband, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli's album cover to being an incredible solo artist in her own right and conquering the jazz medium. With her second solo album, A Good Day, she tackles the song stylings of Peggy Lee and effectively channels the sultriness and smokiness of the singer. Jessica herself has said that as a Broadway performer, it is easier to get up and sing loudly than it is to sing quietly, and she performs the transition deftly and admirably. Her renditions of "I Don't Know Enough About You," "How Come You Ain't Got Me," and "Small World" resonate long after listening to them, "Adam and Eve" never fails to crack me up, and "The Girl With His Smile and My Eyes" touches my heart and brings me to tears simultaneously. Again, she collaborates with her husband, John Pizzarelli (similar to Peggy Lee collaborating with her guitarist husband) and his band, and they are an added bonus to this already wonderful album. So, when's the third one coming out?"

Fantastic follow-up!

M. Rhone | San Jose, CA USA | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jessica Molaskey's "Pentimento" is a wonderful album exploring Depression-era songs. For her follow-up album, Jessica tackles a different era, the 1950s. This is not, however, a collection of sock hop hits. Using the music of Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour (Lee's husband and guitarist) as an inspiration, Molaskey tackles some lesser-known tunes of the era and brings them splendidly to life.Mixed in with the vintage tunes are songs co-written by Molaskey and her own Dave Barbour, husband (and jazz guitar great) John Pizzarelli - and other than a few modern references you'll be hard-pressed to figure out which are which. As with her last album, she's backed up by the Pizzarelli trio (husband John, bassist and brother-in-law Martin, pianist Ray Kennedy) plus guest work from father-in-law Bucky Pizzarelli, completing the "first family of cool".Molaskey's theater background shows in that she knows what it means to inhabit and interpret a lyric. No vocal tricks here, just straightforward singing with beauty and meaning. She also knows how to adapt her voice to the style she's singing so she sounds perfectly at home with these songs (just as she did singing music from 30-40 years earlier on her previous album). Music fans who enjoy the Great American Songbook sung by a great American singer could hardly do better than picking up "A Good Day"."

Fantastic!

M. Rhone | 07/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't know how Ms. Molaskey could follow up PENTIMENTO, but this cd does it incredibly. The song selection, the musicians and the arrangements all compliment each other and refer to the "sound" of the early recordings made by Dave Barbour and Peggy Lee. The original songs are spot on too. My favorite is HOW COME YOU AIN'T GOT ME. Larry Goldings's(currently with James Taylor) organ playing is great and the lyric had me replaying the song to check the rhymes!
Ms. Molaskey is making her own voice thats beyond category. She doesn't seem to try to be anything she isn't. She sounds wonderfully natural, sexy and swinging."

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