Search - Ilona Knopfler :: Live the Life

A gorgeously produced affair

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 10/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the past few months I've heard more c.d.'s by relatively young, relatively unknown jazz chanteusses who, based on their freshman or sophomore efforts, will remain relatively unknown, possibly soon to be criminally underrated.



Based on what I hear here, Ilona Knopfler has a bona fide chance to break out of that pack.



Ms. Knopfler has a pure, rich straight tone that remains pure, rich and straight no matter where she is in her register. And she interprets lyrics beautifully; her phrasing is second to none.



But I can say that about a number of the above-referenced jazz singers with whom you may be unfamiliar. What separates her from them are two things:



First, this is one of the most gorgously produced c.d.'s I've heard in years. Major kudos to Jay Ashby and Al Pryor, the producers. I don't know how they got such good musicians as Paquito D'Rivera, Antonio Hart, Alain Mallet, and the New York Voices' Kim Nazarian and Darmon Meador to play and sing on an album of a relatively unknown artist on "Mack Avenue" (the recording label here), but whatever favors they pulled were worth it. More importantly, this whole album has a lush sounding feeling to it, without ever getting goopy. I highly recommend this c.d. to anybody with a killer sound system.



Secondly, Ms. Knopfler has found a niche. She sings about half of the songs in French, including French translations of "Girl Talk" ("Dansez sur Moi") and "Windmills of my Mind" ("Les Moulins de mon Coeur"), and with the lush orchestrations, they really come across as atmospheric.



With Ms. Knopfler's stunning good looks and voice, it wouldn't surprise me at all if some indie film producer discovered this album and featured it and her in some well-acclaimed film of the future, and raised her stock considerably. If that happens, well folks, you read it here first. RC"

Two Thumbs Up

KlewJazz | 11/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just listened to "Live the Life" and I really liked it. Ilona performs a rich collection of classic songs penned by greats such as Thelonious Monk, Thomas A. Dorsey and Claude Nougaro. I think it's kind of cool how she mixes the English lyrics with her native French because I don't hear that too often. I really think this album is worth buying...it's extremely enjoyable!"

Songbird

TAK | Cleveland, OH | 08/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The cd is chockfull of uplifting music. I had the opportunity to attend a performance of Ms. Knopfler and I must say I enjoyed her show. She sings in both English and French. Even though you may not understand French, just the melodies will reel you. If you're into jazz vocalists, please add this to your collection."