Search - Chris Connor :: Everything I Love

Creative Chris Connor Still Shines!

B. Scott | New York, NY United States | 09/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chris Connor has always been known for her amazing breathing and phrasing, which she learned from playing the clarinet for many years during her childhood. This recording was done with a comfortable and relaxing small jazz group, and demonstrates Chris' great ability to interpret a song.



It opens with her remake "Lullaby Of Birdland" from her 1954 Bethlehem period, and still has the pep and appeal of the original recording. "Like Someone In Love" is sung tenderly and Chris' voice sounds husky and muted. Chris' version of "My Shining Hour" is enjoyable. In 1955 "Cry Me A River" introduced the world to Julie London, and Chris's interpretation reminds us just how painful love can be. The finger snapping song "I've Got You Under My Skin" is one of my favorites on the CD. I like the way Chris plays with the tempo and changes the mood of the song throughout. "That Old Feeling" is another example of how Chris is able to take a song and make it her own. "Everything I Love" from Cole Porter's 1941 wartime show "Let's Face It", it's loose, upbeat and swinging, and remains another favorite of mine on this recording.



This composition of "Baltimore Oriole" introduced by Hoagy Carmichael in the 1942 film "To Have and Have Not," is tailor made for Chris' ability to take you on a journey when she sings, with all the highs, lows and stops in between. "The Shining Sea" is a sad song, but Chris has always been able to emote when she sings, making the listener often reflect on life in general. Many remember Doris Day's rendition of "Sentimental Journey" with Les brown, however, Chris takes it in a different direction and it is well worth the ride. Her recording of "Im A Fool To Want You" from Billy Holiday's "Lady In Satin" CD is in essence a tribute to Lady Day herself, who Chris had a lot of respect for. She manges to deliver the song with the pain, pathos and a sense of forlorn that often accompanies a broken heart. The CD closes with the upbeat "I'll Remember April" from Aboott and Costellos 1941 film "Ride Em Cowboy."



Chris Connor is one of a kind and if you enjoy hearing a great singer sing standards, then this is the CD for you. Although her range and power may not be what it was in 1955, she still manages to make any song beautiful, because not only is she a song stylist, but a singer's singer.



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