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April Hall: Fun Out of Life

By Jim Santella
August 2, 2009
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The songs that April Hall has selected for Fun Out of Life contain an emotional pull that combines with memories from nearly a century of heart throbs and goose bumps. These songs send a chill down the spine simply because they're favorites and because each one contains a message that shines through comfortable musical elements.

Hall treats each selection with carefully chosen instrumentation, coloring each with appropriate hues. "You Must Believe in Spring" evokes a Spanish classical setting as guitarist Jon Damian accompanies the singer in a slow-moving dance. "Foolin' Myself" adds two saxophones to the piano trio to give Hall a traditional, New Orleans appeal, while "Please Send Me Someone to Love" carries out a purebred gospel scene with tenor saxophone and piano trio kickin' it in.

Originally from Florida, Hall demonstrates roots that are tied to the Deep South: a sincere blues feeling, an emphasis on telling stories through song, and a dedication that gets her all wrapped up in what she's interpreting. No wonder she earned the

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong Performance Award while she was at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Her most expressive venture comes with a gospel-drenched interpretation of "Please Send Me Someone to Love." Offered with tenor saxophone and piano trio, Hall's rendition oozes warmth and a genuine love for the song's message.

Similarly, she interprets "I'm a Fool to Want You" slowly with piano trio and opens her heart to its power.

Billie Holiday

vocals
1915 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Billie Holiday,

Sheila Jordan

vocals
1928 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Sheila Jordan, Sammy Davis, Jr., and

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra each gave that song a touch of class; here, Hall delivers with honey-coated phrases that melt gracefully while she upholds the tradition.

Closing with her title track, she adds baritone saxophone and guitar to the piano trio for a swinging party. "When we want to sing, we sing / When we want to dance, we dance," she sings, to remind her audience that the music embarks on a journey that refreshes and revitalizes. April Hall is having fun all right, and it's contagious.

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Track Listing

Personnel

April Hall

vocals

April Hall: vocals; Joe Mulholland: piano; Kenny Hadley: drums; Mark Poniatowski: bass; Jon Damian: guitar (4, 12); Tom Hall: tenor saxophone (2, 3), baritone saxophone (3, 12); Amadee Castenell: tenor saxophone (7), flute (6).

Album information

Title: Fun Out of Life | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Bee Boy Records

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