Holly Cole brings her own dimension to the tradition of cabaret, a strong voice that's still capable of nuance, an ear for quirky repertoire, and a light touch that keeps some of these performances floating just at the edg... more »e of irony. Her delivery of more traditional fare shines on Cole Porter's witty "Get Out of Town" and Kurt Weill's torchy "Je Ne T'aime Pas," while she brings clarity, power, and anthemic passion to the surprising treatment of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." Some of her inspirations are less successful, such as aiming for jazz depth on the lightweight pop of "Que Sera Sera," but Cole is never less than interesting. She's generally well supported in this intimate art by pianist Aaron Davis and bassist Davd Piltch, while there's sparing and effective use of strings. There are fine guest spots by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, on "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," and David Lindley, whose steel guitar contributes to the strange country music of "Don't Let the Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart." --Adam Rains« less
Holly Cole brings her own dimension to the tradition of cabaret, a strong voice that's still capable of nuance, an ear for quirky repertoire, and a light touch that keeps some of these performances floating just at the edge of irony. Her delivery of more traditional fare shines on Cole Porter's witty "Get Out of Town" and Kurt Weill's torchy "Je Ne T'aime Pas," while she brings clarity, power, and anthemic passion to the surprising treatment of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." Some of her inspirations are less successful, such as aiming for jazz depth on the lightweight pop of "Que Sera Sera," but Cole is never less than interesting. She's generally well supported in this intimate art by pianist Aaron Davis and bassist Davd Piltch, while there's sparing and effective use of strings. There are fine guest spots by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, on "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," and David Lindley, whose steel guitar contributes to the strange country music of "Don't Let the Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart." --Adam Rains
M. Saunders | Hermitage, TN United States | 07/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, I'll admit it. It's not every day or every hour that I want to be tantalized by a sultry voiced, talented, dynamic female vocalist with a set of sidemen who can flat out play: Tuesdays just seem to be the wrong day. But the rest of the week? Hook me up. Holly may not be vocally "perfect" (when she goes high she gets a touch brittle), but she has to me the far more important quality of knowing how to carry a song, and how to impart a mood to it. She also has just a flat out gorgeous, stunning lower-middle register, and she is a powerfully dynamic singer who I'm sure could blow your speakers out if your system was good/and turned up too loud, and can caress your ears with the soft notes as well. Song wise, I initially liked "I can see clearly now", "Everyday will be like a holiday" and "Get out of town", but as I listen more, I'm drawn in, and other tracks speak to me now. Musically, her supporting musicians are absolutely first rate, including the insanely good Howard Levy on harmonica on a few cuts. Technically, this CD is among the very, very few pieces of recorded work that merit a near-perfect rating from me. There are a few recordings as well recorded, but none better. If you're into the Diana Krall/Jane Monheit and others scene, you might just find a different style/voice similar but not cloned of the others. 5 easy stars from me."
What I wanted to say Has Long been Said...
S. Antonio Arch | Toronto & Grand Cayman | 01/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The previous reviewers of this album have taken the words right out of my mouth; but actions can speak as loudly as words and I will say that everyone that I care for has received a copy of this CD. I have had to stop giving them as gifts after being accused of buying them in bulk. Holly Cole's voice and phrasing are breathtaking. Sometimes you could swear that she is holding something within her back so as not to take our breath away. Then she does it anyway; she pulls out all the stops, as on Everyday Will be like a Holiday, and takes your breath away anyway. The whole album is a pleasure to listen to and you might find yourself forever attracted and connected to songs that you vowed never to listen to as they were the songs of your parents' youth. This is truly an extraordinary collaboration and I recommend it anyone and everyone.I'll sum her up by saying that Holly Cole almost makes you want to try smoking in bed, just to see what might happen. Rest assured you won't fall asleep listening to this album."
Another strong artistic statement from one of jazz's finest
John Jones | Chicago IL | 08/22/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Effortlessly blending pop, soul, and jazz, "Don't Smoke in Bed" finds the Holly Cole Trio at the height of their powers. "Get Out of Town" and "So and So" are among the most swinging recordings from Holly and company, and her renditions of the standard ballads "Blame it On My Youth" and "Don't Smoke in Bed" are simply exquisite. But it's her musical excursions that shine the brightest here: the jazzy soul of Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday Like a Holiday," the stark pop balladry of "Don't Let the Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart," and the incarnation of "I Can See Clearly Now" into an earthy pop tune are nothing short of breathtaking. And for proof of Holly's interpretive skills and her gift for arranging, look no further than "Que Sera Sera," the corny song even Doris Day herself couldn't stand, transformed here into a downright sexy blues number. Anyone who thinks the most talented singers write their own material need to listen to "Don't Smoke in Bed." Holly proves that a gifted artist doesn't always use a notebook and pen."
What music and singing were meant to be...
Mark | Buffalo, NY USA | 12/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It would be hard to further embellish on what John Jones (customer review August 28, 1998) said about this incredible album. Regardless of your normal musical tastes, you will find something on this album to relish (and mostly likely, the whole album). Holly Cole is a powerful and musical singer. Her vocals are crisp, clean, and precise. Cole has a wonderful voice: soulful at times, popish at others, but always sexy and seductive. She sings with a tremendous dynamic range, a refreshing change from the so often over amplified and "processed" singers of today. Cole demonstrates her versatility on this album with a variety of sounds from the soulful ballads, to the pop sound jazz renditions. If you like music, you will love this album. It is a fine sample of true musicality. If you like Jazz, then your collection should not be without this album."
The better your stereo, the more you will love this one.
Mark | 02/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great sounding recording that can put Holly and her trio right in your livingroom. Her voice and the musical arrangments are outstanding and riveting. Jazz, pop, blues, it's all there! This cd will become one of your favorites right from the first playing and not one that you'll tire of soon. FIVE STARS PLUS!"