I Honestly Can't Get Enough of This CD
B. Kaplan | New York, NY | 12/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered this album while at a dinner party event I recently attended, and had to ask what we were listening to before I left.
Jacqui's voice is insanely unique and calming to listen to, and this record is versatile and full of surprises. She changes it up from great covers (like what I think is an absolutely unparalleled take on the Bee Gee's "How Deep Is Your Love" and a sweet, breezy version of REM's "Losing My Religion" among others), to even better originals, to her brilliant "acoustic smashes" (AC/DC's "Back in Black" playing on strings behind Jacqui singing Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine"-- musical genius!).
Something else I think is pretty incredible- I noticed from the tour schedule on jacquinaylor.com that she's playing at NYC's renowned jazz venue Blue Note on 12/16, and then Philly's big pop/rock club, World Café Live on 12/21. I was amazed to see a jazz artist have crossover appeal like that.
It's not often I find a CD I like, where everyone I turn it onto agrees with me. This is one of those few cases. For true jazz lovers, "This Is The Spot" and "Black Coffee" are for you. Though this is actually Jacqui's seventh record, it's the first album of hers that I've come across, and thankful I did. I sincerely recommend it!!
"
I love the music of Jacqui Naylor and her band
Robert G Yokoyama | Mililani, Hawaii | 11/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jacqui Naylor and her band sound great on this disc. This album is a mix of new songs and some of Jacqui's older recordings with new musical arrangements. "City By The Bay" is a tribute to Jacqui's hometown of San Francisco. This is a lovely song. The violin featured on this track sounds really good. "Shelter" is a subtle love song. This song has a very laid back sound. "How Deep is Your Love" is a pretty track. I love Jacqui's take of this classic song. The organ playing gives this track a romantic quality. "Black Coffee" is one of the best tracks by Jacqui. Her band plays in perfect unison on this track. I love all the performers on this track. Art Khu really jams on the piano on this song. The bass and drums on this track are fantastic here. Another highlight is "Rise Up". This song is a reminder that everyone has a voice in the community. This is a groovy track that gets me moving. Another highlight on this disc is the track "This is the spot". This song is a tribute to jazz clubs and the people who love jazz. The piano playing by Art Khu is so engaging on this track. Art Khu shines playing the electric guitar on "Tell More Me And Then Some" Jacqui sounds so sensual singing this song. Jacqui's version of "Miss You" is so brooding and sexy. This is an excellent cut. "Dreaming Big With You" is a beautiful new song. This song is dedicated to all the new born babies born this year. The violin playing by Yoon Ki Chai is goregous on this track. Jacqui's covers Gershwin's "Summertime". Jon Evans gives this track a smooth slick sound playing bass here. I love this tune. There is an unique version of "My Funny Valentine" on this disc. I have never heard a violin featured in this tune before. "Yoon Ki Chai" makes the violin sound so sexy on this song. I love it. Jacqui sounds so seductive on the track "Ain't No Sunshine". I really like the piano playing on this song too. "Something Cool" is a very relaxing track. The piano playing is perfectly suited to Jacqui's vocals here. This is a very entertaining disc of music from a talented singer and song writer."
"You Don't Know Jacq," But I Do
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 05/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Naylor can serve up classic covers with the best of them, deliver top-draw originals, and inspire with the musical marriage she calls acoustic 'smashing'." ~ Jazz Times ~
"You don't know Jacq," but I do. Yes, I do know that she has an impressive vocal flair and style. I do know that she is passionate about her art. I do know her musical sensibilities. I do know her love and dedication to her craft and it shows in all her recordings. And I do know that she's one of the best modern-day female singers.
"You Don't Know Jacq" is the latest offering from Jacqui Naylor and the sixth album from her discography where she showcases her versatility as an artist. She's not only a great singer, but also a perceptive songwriter.
This program opens up with a Bee Gees classic and one of my all-time favorites, "How Deep Is Your Love" and wraps up with one of her originals, "City By The Bay." Sandwiched between the notable opener and ender are fourteen tracks that are cool and listener-friendly. With the exception of a few new original songs, most of the tracks are taken from her first five albums and re-recorded with fresh and creative twists.
George and Ira Gershwin's "Summertime" and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "My Funny Valentine" are the best tracks and my top favorites from this set. These are two of the most recorded standards, but with Ms. Naylor's fresh renditions, these songs are even more delightful to listen to. She described the arrangements written by Jon Evans for "Summertime" and Art Khu for "My Funny Valentine" as "the grooviest arrangements." The contemporary twists that the singer and her long-time band infused in each song made them more attractive to my ears. These are the perfect examples of her musical concept called "acoustic smashing." The result is such a novelty and it will never wear off.
My favorite from her originals is "This Is The Spot" which she ingeniously co-wrote with Art Khu. How I loved its jazzy and rhythmic melody and astute lyrics as well. It was especially written as a "thank-you to jazz radio stations that have supported her music and depended on funding from the community." On its lyrics, she made reference to the legendary jazz icons such as Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Les McCann, Morton Feldman, Anita O'Day, Astrud Gilberto, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.
She refreshes a Billie Holiday original song "Tell Me More And More And Then Some" giving it a bluesy treatment with contemporary flair that makes it a very welcome revival.
I'm also greatly impressed with her emotive take on Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" highlighting a charming piano bridge by Art Khu, who himself a multi-talented musician who plays piano, organ, acoustic and electric guitar. He also arranged most of the tracks along with bassist Jon Evans, drummer and percussionist Josh Jones, and Tony Kaye for one of the best songs, Bill Barnes' "Something Cool" rendered with only a piano accompaniment by Art Khu where Jacqui Naylor's charming vocal art blended tunefully with his terrific piano chops. The rest of the fine musicians are violinist Yoon Ki Chai and guitarist Michael Romanowski.
In case "you don't know Jacq" yet, this album will introduce you to her impressively unique artistry as a singer and a songwriter. And for her existing fans, this is a welcome addition to your collection.
In closing, I had a satisfyingly wonderful musical outing where every minute was time-well-spent. And I would like to share it to the music world!"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1