'Watch what happens' when you listen..........
Judith M. Smith | Modesto California | 11/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lisa Gay has an incredible range, both in vocal capability and in style. This versatile compilation of music is a delightful collection of older (Watch what happens, Smile), contemporary (Let's stay together, Scarborough Fair, Feel like makin love) and new music (Land of me and you, I need you now) that you will find yourself humming long after you turn off the CD player.Lisa's voice is an incredible blend of sweet, jazzy and saucy vibrato (reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan), fiery, forceful with added clarity (Streisand-ish), and sensual, bluesy, and melodious (shades of Ella), but with a definitive flair for her own obvious love of life itself. Lisa brings an awesome blend of her skills to the table on this CD. Her voice is an unforgettable experience and her talent is a true blessing to all that hear her sing. I am anxiously waiting to hear her sing live! She has a truly unforgettable voice that smoothly blends with the music to make your heart sing. And the music is astonishing. Tony Drake is outstanding on guitar, he makes it talk out loud, cry, whisper sweet nothings, and takes me 'higher' with his flair and compassionate playing. If I had to use one word to describe his music I think I would chose smokin! He is truly a master of this instrument!Adding to the sound is keyboardist/pianist/organist Greg Cook, who is nothing short of marvelous! He knows just how to make the melodies work and blends his skill and talent into a fantastic performance. You will understand only when you have heard him play, he makes it sound like more than one man is performing!The music is well rounded with the additional sounds of electric violin, acoustic bass, drums, string synthesizer, flugelhorn, and an array of other instruments played by various artists.Mark Cargill and Tony Drake did a brilliant production job. Recording, mixing and editing is excellent. Lisa herself co-penned music and lyrics for some of the songs herein such as 'Believe in love' with Clarence J. Matheny, 'Day by day' with Rodney Friend, "Land of me and you' with Greg Cook and Tony Drake. My personal favorites consist of Lisa's rendition of Al Green's 'Let's stay together,' which I find myself hearing replays of Lisa singing it in my head. I also love her styling of Roberta Flack's 'Feel like makin' love,' hmmmm, that's the time! One of the most heart-wrenching numbers is 'Why did I chose you,' because if you have ever been in love you will feel this song deep inside your soul.All in all Lisa Gay is a very talented lady working with equally talented musicians and artists to produce a highly desirable CD, you just gotta have it for your collection! All I can add is a big thank you to Lisa for sharing yourself with us!
Judi Smith"
Listen to "Watch What Happens"-Get a REAL musical THRILL!
Debra S. Walker | Chicago, IL USA | 08/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hey, folks... If you are yearning for a contemporary music release with some REAL SANGIN' (from Miss Lisa
Gay), REAL musicians, and REAL instruments, then "Watch What Happens" is the ONE for you! Lisa Gay & Thrill also cover SO many bases, in terms of music genres, with this CD. In my opinion: These days, one does not often find current music where singers SING (ON-KEY, AND enunciate the lyrics, as Lisa does...) and the band is composed of REAL, talented musicians (Thrill). Well, to me, "Watch What Happens" is an exception to that "rule", so to speak.My favorite cuts, so far, are "Scarborough Fair/Feel Like Makin' Love", "Land of Me and You", and "Smile". But, I think that there is SO much more to love and appreciate, as one listens to "Watch What Happens". To me, it's simply MARVELOUS, overall!I highly recommend purchasing this CD, folks :)..."
Sophisticated Classic Jazzy Soul
acural53 | Torrance, CA United States | 11/06/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lisa Gay & Thrill are a LA based group composed of Lisa Gay (vocals), Tony Drake (guitars), Greg Cook (keyboards) and Mark Cargill (violin). It's a refreshing and unique group with a lot of style, sensitivity and pure groove. They do it ALL here! Phyllis Hyman, Patti Austin, Barbara Striesand and Sarah Vaughan heavily influence Lisa's soprano vocal style. She has toured with Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis (of Fifth Dimension fame) and performed studio background vocals for many well-known recording artists. There is obviously a ton of musical experience with these players. Nice, very well done covers, and a few very good originals. A great late night "groove" CD but also has some infectious up-tempo surprising "killer" tracks included. Standouts are "Day by Day", a very soulful and funky gospel-tinged original; "Why Did I Choose You?" a stunning and haunting ballad; a slow burn version of "Feel Like Makin Love" (the Roberta Flack classic); an "Urban Groove" track called "I Believe In Love" and a pleasantly surprising, jamming and infectious update of the Spinners' classic "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love?" (a REAL crowd-pleaser LIVE!).This is truly a breath of fresh air for the MATURE listener who recalls a time when music was performed in intimate "Supper Clubs" with panache, soul and a lot of heart. The musicians never overpower Lisa's sultry but heartfelt soprano voice; in fact, they wrap her like a custom blanket complimenting her excellently. This group executes these tracks with simultaneous warmth, precision and a lot of Classic Soul.This CD will assuredly grow on you with repeated listenings. I wholeheartedly recommend it! They just don't have music like this available anymore! Take a "memory Lane" stroll with an Adult Contemporary edge witha great new singer!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1