Carol's breakthrough! Billiantly sung and delivered. Almost
Jazz for the dappers | 08/19/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Carol's fifth album is a must for anyone who loves and has a deep passion for beautiful, soulful bossa novas and jazz ballads.
She is an extremely talented, sultry, sassy young lady who sings and writes jazz for lovers - and lovers lost - with a penchant for Latin grooves.
Carol has a superb writing ability: she has writtens the songs "Precious" by Chanté Moore, "I Would Never Do You Wrong" by Stephanie Mills and "Slow And Gentle" by Ricky Lawson & Friends amongst many others.
She delivers some of the legendary composer Bacharach's best known hits in a way very few jazz stars could. One track "My Melody" is written by Duboc.
I don't mind artists doing cover versions - but some songs can only ever belong to other artists.
Well, this time, after I listened to it for the first time, all songs sounded so new, new, current to me, I totally forgot Dionne Warwick, Timi Yuro, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Jackie DeShannon and The Carpenters.
For instance, "Close to You" has a groovy Brazilian treatment, and the over worn "Walk On By" sounds like it has been composed by bossa nova inventor A.C.Jobim.
They get a good groove going, and my one regret is that they do not appear on more of the tracks. Yet the way Carol plays through those tunes, it is with deep respect for Bacharach's music, all added with Carol Duboc's own emotional playing.
The album is different, challenging, emotional, playful and accessible.
Burt Bacharach will be so proud and will love it!
It is her voice that commands centre stage from start to finish: it is crystal pure, smooth as silk, sexy and astounding, whilst her swinging style and phrasing is the best that I have heard in a very long time, since Diana Krall came out.
Indeed, Diana Krall should listen to this album carefully and learn how to sing bossa novas in the right way.
She has a unique style and quality that make her a one of a kind diva.
At times, she reminds me of some fantastic North Europe jazz vocalists, like Silje Nergaard, completely unknown in US, or the best Stacey Kent.
"Laidback and emotionally-charged, Carol Duboc sings of love and all of the sentiments that accompany it..." The Jazz Nations.
"In the zone where jazz meets R&B singer and composer Carol Duboc is already a behind-the-scenes fixture.."Kansas City Star
"I was first astounded by Carol's very unusual profoundly yet satisfying composing ability. This motivated me to attend one of her live performances where I witnessed her live charismatic vocal performance. I then began to wonder why she has not been recognized by the world as she deserves. She is truly an unsung heroine". Hubert Laws
The small jazz ensemble is tight, and the musicianship and instrumentantion are flawless.
The jazz iconic flutist Hubert Laws lends a hand on few tracks in a sublime fashion.
Carol's heartfelt and restrained performances are breathtaking.
THAT voice!
I do believe and really hope that this album will put her to the top of the Jazz Charts.
My favourite highlights: the self- penned, gorgeous, samba-tinged "My Melody" and her rendition of "Always Something There to Remind Me".
If you haven't bought it, get it and support her to make an excellent 5 stars album, next time.
Quiet Nights
Bossa Nova
Nightwatch
Breakfast on the Morning Tram"
Intimate, emotive and appealing
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 10/14/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Carol Duboc does great justice to Burt Bacharach with her tribute album of his songs despite a slight misstep here and there; her own song entitled "My Melody" is very beautiful and creative as well. Carol never skips a beat on these tracks with their somewhat jazzy, bossa nova flavor; this is fine, high quality control music and that's very impressive. Hubert Laws does a fine job on the flute on several of these numbers; Danny Embry, Bob Bowman, Tim Cambron, Luis Conte and Joe Cartwright don't sound all that bad, either! These musicians never try to steal the show from Carol; her voice is squarely in the spotlight which creates a very intimate feeling for the album.
Whether you're listening to "What the World Needs Now," "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "Wives and Lovers" or any other tune, Carol's voice is in excellent form and this thrills me to no end. Unfortunately, however, there are some parts of a musical arrangement here and there that don't quite do it for me; and that's a shame because Carol's voice is just so good. For example, ""What the World Needs Now" just doesn't sound one hundred percent right; the number is mildly disappointing perhaps because the music doesn't fit completely with Carol's singing, or maybe they played a little too much with the arrangement. "Always Something There To Remind Me" also comes up just a tad short in my book. On the other hand, at least I can say that the tempo and key changes do let Carol put her own stamp on these ballads.
"My Melody" gets the royal treatment from Carol who delivers this perfectly--what skill she displays on this track! She never lets go of a single superfluous note and I love it. True, it's not a Burt Bacharach tune; but it fits in with the rest of the music on the album.
"Anyone Who Had a Heart" sounds quite sweet when Carol performs it; this is easy on the ear and that music fits in perfectly with Carol's singing. "Walk on By" works particularly well; and listen for "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" which sounds quite a bit like the original arrangement for this number. "The Look of Love" is very jazzy; and other gems include "A House Is Not a Home" and "Close To You." The two closing numbers, "Always Something There to Remind Me" and "I Say A Little Prayer," have a jazzy/bossa nova flavor that works very well to make them strong and memorable.
Carol Duboc turned out a very good CD with this release even though one or two numbers are slightly less than perfect due to minor trouble with the arrangements. I still recommend this album for Carol's fans; and people who enjoy Burt Bacharach songs would do well to consider adding this to their collections."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1