A cynic doesn't stand a chance.
Indie-Music.com | 01/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I melted into this CD. Harry Connick Jr. should have this in his collection. Beat Kaestli is a native of Switzerland, now living in NYC, who has taken American jazz standards and imprinted them with his own enveloping, seductive vibe. His voice is satin and moonlight. Kaestli could ask me to rob a bank, and if he sang the request, I'd be out the door with a stocking cap and .357 magnum.
He opens with Hayward and Gershwin's "Summertime," breaking it down to just gentle percussion and his warm voice. The song slowly builds, adding electric piano. The tempo builds from a smooth, shuffling beat to a wild, summer frenzy. This steadily rising approach has a breathtaking effect and is the perfect introduction to the CD.
Kaestli covers Cole Porter with a sparking and snappy version of "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and a wild musical abandon approach on "So in Love." His version of "My Funny Valentine" has a funk/soul flavor. I'd like to know how he'd sound doing soul classics.
Adding French to the mix with "Les Feuilles Mortes/Autumn Leaves" only adds more steam to the project. Kaestli is the master of quiet elegance and has created a gloriously romantic album. A cynic doesn't stand a chance.
-- Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com"
The very best male jazz vocalist in recent times !!!!
Mark A. Goral, PhD | Sharpsville, PA USA | 09/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I do not have enough WONDERFUL things to say about this particular recording. Beat Kaestli's voice is absolutely perfect for the wide array of tunes on this CD. The accompanists are superb. This recording should be honored by jazz purists and if Beat's management is smart, Beat should be promoted and helped to continue to grow as one of the most talented and unique artists to yet hit the U.S. jazz scene. Beat Kaestli has a unique sound and can do anything in the most subtle ways when it comes to creativity and originality. This recording must go down as one of the most prolific that the jazz field will hear from any vocalist. Thank you so much, Beat Kaestli, for the joy and hard work that you and your combo have obviously offered to all of us."