Search - Lisa Markley :: The Sky is Blue and Sometimes Cries

Lisa Markley turns her talents to the jazz genre with this release, which features the lush and present sound of each individual instrument alongside her acclaimed vocals. The Sky Is Blue and Sometimes Cries is a jazz album that includes standards, original songs, and songs by North Texas songwriters Lisa hopes to share with a wider audience. Songwriters appearing on The Sky Is Blue and Sometimes Cries include Grammy-winner Jeffrey Barnes of Brave Combo; KERA's J. Paul Slavens, formerly of Ten Hands; and Little Jack Melody of Little Jack Melody and the Young Turks. Several of the songwriters and a talented array of studio musicians lend their talents on piano, guitar, clarinets, saxophone, and percussion. On songs like The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines and the Latin-flavored Eve Takes the Fall the deft interplay of the musicians creates engaging grooves that carry the listener through the song. But half the songs on the record are duets for voice and one instrument, where the expressive range of Lisa's voice and the simple elegance of the songs shine. Lisa hoped to stay out of the way and serve the songs with these closely recorded arrangements, and engineer and producer Graham Duncan worked to create an intimate club performance feel.