A true heir to the tradition of the great female Jazz singer
Basil J. Whiting | Brooklyn, New York United States | 02/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My wife and I saw Paula live at the Firebird Cafe in New York City last spring during one of her rare swings to the East. She got a sensational review in "The New York Times" and merited every word. She opened her set with "Who Will Buy," which opens this CD, and it took only seconds for us to realize we were in the presence of a rare talent in mature command of her gifts. "Who Will Buy" is one of those songs that Streisand "did" years ago and others rarely try--now Paula has made it jazz and made it her own. "Fly Me To the Moon" swings, and "Don't Fence Me In" is a gas. After the show, we wrote in her guest book that we had grown up on Ella, Carmen, Sarah, and the other greats--and the their tradition was in her good hands (which got us a teary hug). Try Paula; you'll love her!"
Simply stunning.
Laura LeBleu | San Francisco, CA | 03/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't been touched this deeply by an artist in a long, long time. Her version of Waters of March is nothing short of brilliant... as is the rest of the album. She doesn't so much sing, as channel emotion. If you can catch her live, don't hesistate. I was taken to see her show as a Valentine's Day surprise, and both my boyfriend and I were astounded. Five minutes into the show, we knew that we were witnessing an extraordinary talent."
Support Paula - This disc is great
mwmyers | Portland, OR USA | 10/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"My wife and I first saw Paula West at the Plush Room in San Francisco on Valentines Day 1998. She played a knockout set, and even though we are serious jazzers - it takes a really good female vocalist to satisfy us these days for some reason.The arrangements are witty, sultry and they swing hard. Paula's band is tight. Pick up this and her second disc. This disc is worth the price for her interpretation of Fly Me To the Moon alone. And this is a Sinatra fan talkin`.This album is more refined than her first disc, and is a great addition to any cabaret-jazz fan's library. Buy the disc and recommend it to someone else, but hey - see her live."
West redefines the jazz standard Idiom w/ talent
mwmyers | 08/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Paula West an emerging jazz singer has hit the mark with her new CD RESTLESS. The 15 songs chosen are a mixture of ballads and sultry new and rarely performed standards that highlight her smoky assured tone. Backed by 10 musicians, such standouts are Who Will Buy - sung as an anthem of hope and euphoria, Waters of March- the Jobim chestnut - never performed better than by West, Some Cats Know- a sly Leiber & Stoller tune that West purrs all over it Lover and Witchcraft- two often done gems that swing with controlled abandon and expertise under Ms. West's tenure, and a Hoagy Charmichael tune- Bread & Gravy- introduced by Ethel Waters. West sings it in homage to Waters but brings us in to the new age with her assurance. A fine listen from an artist who is one of the finest at her craft!"
Great interpretation, great swing!
mwmyers | 12/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Paula West is my favorite of the almost three dozen new jazz vocalists I've listened to in the past year or so, and this, her second album, is even better than her first CD. I've never heard "Who will buy?"(from Oliver!) swung before, and it's a complete delight. Hard swingin'?--listen to "Fly Me to the Moon" with the amazing timing she brings to bear in her third chorus. This is a disc I've listened to again and again, and my favorite cuts keep changing. More! More! More!"