From blues to scat to ballads
William Noel | Sapporo, Japan | 06/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Along with Jimmy Scott, Kevin Mahogany is the male jazz singer I find myself listening to most often these days. This CD showcases his wide range, from his scatting on West Coast Blues to his blues singing on Next Time You See Me (In the liner notes,Gene Lees compares his vocal coloration here to Sarah Vaughan.) Mahogany addresses ballads like The City Lights, Jim's Ballad, My Foolish Heart, and When I Fall In Love as well as the Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento's Songs and Moments. Mahogany had been playing baritone sax professionally since the age of 12 when he decided to try for a church scholarship for baritone singers when he was a senior in high school. He got the scholarship and later started a jazz choir when he was in college. The singer's reed playing background is evident in his singing especially when he scats, which he does wonderfully on Caravan, Red Top, Take The A Train and West Coast Blues for instance. On ballads, Mahogany sometimes sounds a bit like Johnny Hartman. The beautiful vibrato is what I notice most on Mahogany's ballads. Listen to When I Fall In Love to hear fully what Kevin Mahogany can do with a ballad."
Underappreciated, Fantastic Jazz/Blues Singer
Chicago Indoor Soccer | chicago, il USA | 05/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Kevins first recording. Listen to the Coaster, West Coast Blues, Red Top, WOW!!! My favorite ballad is My Foolish Heart. I gave a copy of this CD to a musician who performs regularly in Chicago. He is still trying to get up the courage to sing My Foolish Heart after hearing Kevin. It just blows you away. Before I forget the version on here of Caravan is incredible. Marvin "Smitty" Smith does a mind blowing drum solo. Once you buy this CD of Kevins you will want to own everything he has done and you should!! They are all good. My personal favorite is this one and the Big Band, Kevin Mahogany."