Search - Denise Donatelli :: What Lie Within

A Luminous Jazz Singer is 'What Lies Within'!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Denise Donatelli hits her stride with his new fully polished and professional CD simply titled WHAT LIES WITHIN - and a more perfect title would be hard to find. The first song on the CD (of eleven varied and fascinatingly blended stylistic variations) sets the tone for this beautiful and gifted artist - 'My Shining Hour' - describes her current stature in the jazz world. Donatelli elects to incorporate her voice within the context of her ensemble: Bob Sheppard, Carl Saunders, Geoffrey Keezer (amazingly fine on keyboards), Carlos del Rosario, Peter Sprague, Hamilton Price, Melvin Smith, Alex Acuna, and Giovanna Clayton. So often vocalists tend to dominate the sound. Not Donatelli - she emerges from it and integrates the caress of the intros and riffs into her interpretation.



Of the many superb cuts on this CD among the best are 'Beloved' (this singer can scat with the best of them) and 'Sails', but then one quickly wants to add the other nine songs as there is something special about each one. Denise Donatelli owns a magnificent voice with a very wide range and is so at home in every style she approaches that she both excites and soothes with every note she sings. She is definitely in her shining hour!

Grady Harp, September 08"

Simply great music!

Peter Kastelan | 02/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a pleasure to enjoy this collection of great music from Denise Donatelli. Her voice is warm, and is full of feeling, and balances perfectly with the liveliness of the outstanding musicians performing alongside. The songs touch on many different emotions. My favorite is "I love it when you dance that way" - so upbeat with a great rhythm that makes your whole body smile. Simply great music!"