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How Can I Keep From Singing
Rene Marie
How Can I Keep From Singing
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

The national arrival of Virginia-Washington, D.C. singer René Marie is a major event in the jazz vocal ranks. She has passion and technique to spare, and she's willing to try unusual material and fresh approaches. A b...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Rene Marie
Title: How Can I Keep From Singing
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: MAXJAZZ
Original Release Date: 5/2/2000
Re-Release Date: 5/16/2000
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Traditional Jazz & Ragtime, Vocal Jazz, Oldies, Vocal Pop, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 601614019220

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The national arrival of Virginia-Washington, D.C. singer René Marie is a major event in the jazz vocal ranks. She has passion and technique to spare, and she's willing to try unusual material and fresh approaches. A ballad like "The Very Thought of You" shows her in command of all the traditional virtues, unfaltering pitch and articulation, subtle inflections of her sound, and a personal approach to reshaping melody. She even takes some signature songs and makes them her own, recasting "God Bless the Child" at a fast tempo that takes it out of Billie Holiday's exclusive orbit. She has a sense of a lyric's strength, too, whether it's the potent protest of Nina Simone's "Four Women" or the whimsy of Harold Arlen and Truman Capote's "A Sleepin' Bee." The musicians are superb, working hand in glove with Marie well beyond the usual accompanying roles, from the Afro-Cuban modal powerhouse "Afro Blue" to the township groove of the title song. Pianist Mulgrew Miller surrounds her voice with the most apt chords, while bassist Ugonna Okegwo, solid throughout, makes a compelling duet of "Motherless Child." "Tennessee Waltz" picks up jazz harmonies from Marie's voice and a strong country-blues infusion from Marvin Sewell's slide guitar, while "Afro Blue" has Marie soaring with Sam Newsome's soprano saxophone, effectively imitating a flute in the process. Marie's also an affecting songwriter, as the uptempo "I Like You" and the sultry "Hurry Sundown" make clear. René Marie is a classic jazz singer, one who sets her standards by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan but still makes her own statements. --Stuart Broomer

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CD Reviews

How Can I Keep From Listening?
Kenneth Hugh Burton | ATLANTA, GA United States | 07/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Rene'Marie when she performed at the emerging artist stage at the Atlanta Jazz festival in May 2001. Sometimes life offers us the most pleasant surprises,and this was one. I had decided even before Rene' had finished singing that if her CD was available,I had to get it. For her closing number Rene' did a medley that started off with "Dixie",and my first impression was, "What is this woman from Virginia doing?". Then she started singing "Strange Fruit". She Turned It Out! I ran and got the CD right after the show, and from that day to this my ears are full of bright moments. The MaxxJazz CD "How can I Keep From Singing ?" is a masterful effort from Rene' Marie. As I listened, I was in awe,with the thoughtfullnes of her repertoir and arrangements. It would be totally unfair to compare Rene' with any other jazz singers. For when you include new arrangements on "traditional" jazz standards (What A Difference A Day Makes and The Very Thought of You) with her arrangements of songs like "Tennesee Walts" now a nice blues tune, and a medley of Motherless Child-Four Women", plus the songs "I Like You" and "Hurry Sundown" (which she wrote) and "Take My Breath Away"(which she co-wrote)there is no comparison. Rene' is quite accommodating to the musicians, and frequently provides an interlude to showcase their talents.Also included in this CD is a bonus video track "Thanks But I Don't Dance" which will you an idea of what here live performance is like. How can I keep from listening? I can't."
New Star Rising
William D. Campbell | Encino, CA USA | 07/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard René Marie (formerly René Croan) singing "Comes Love" (from her 1998 album "Renaissance," now out of print) from my car stereo while on the road in Los Angeles. I literally pulled off the freeway to let her magnificent voice warm me all over.So, of course, I rushed to put my ear to her new CD "How Can I Keep from Singing," and I am hooked. Not only does René Marie have the chops, but she is so inventive and entrancing it sends chills down the spine. Don't believe me? Then listen to her yodel midway through her bluesy take on "Tennessee Waltz" -- it's perfect!And grab a look at the CD-ROM video clip of "Thanks, But I Can't Dance" included on the disc. You'll be watching a marvelous vocalist not just singing a song, but playfully discovering it, freshly savoring it. She simply radiates talent. It's truly hypnotic.To absorb René Marie's artistry is to bear witness to the rising of a new star. Get this disc so you can say you knew her back when..."
Amazing Sound
Eric Thorsen | Cincinnati, OH USA | 12/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Rene Marie sing 'I Like You' on a local Jazz station. I was hooked! Rene could sing the alphabet song and make it sound great. Her style and tone are smooth and delightful to listen to. The instrumentation backup supports her and holds its own level of quality. My favorite tracks are the classic 'What a difference a day makes,' 'The very thought of you,' the soulful 'Four Women', and a stimulating 'How can I keep from singing?' How can I stop from complimenting?? The entire disc is fantastic. Rene's solid voice will remind you of Ella and Sarah, but she stands on her own with this disc."