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Denise Donatelli: When Lights are Low

By Nicholas F. Mondello
October 20, 2010
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A recent news photo depicted pop singer, Lady Gaga, accepting an MTV Video Music Award bedecked in a gown of raw meat. While reactions to that stunt went to understandable extremes—condone as art or revolt as d��class��—it's easy to wonder what women jazz vocalists might have thought of it. Based upon the marvelously entertaining and stylistically brilliant CD, When Lights are Low, it might not be a surprise to envision

Denise Donatelli

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Denise Donatelli heading up on stage come Grammy time. And, the only "chops" she'd be wearing would be the ones she carries wherever she appears.

When Lights are Low is a knockout, an outstanding, beautiful CD on all fronts—Donatelli's, the tunes, the ensembles, and the soup-to-nuts entire production. In a descriptively admirable way, it is a stellar, one-dimensional showcase, where Donatelli shrewdly fits in perfectly with the entire textural approach, devised here by pianist

Geoffrey Keezer

keyboards
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Geoffrey Keezer—who, in addition to performing on the album, is both producer and artistic director.

Donatelli's is a vocal instrument of classic beauty, impeccable diction, dynamic nuance, phrasing and emotion. She turns a lyric with taste and passion, and has great respect for both ("Hush Now"). Donatelli can swing heavy, too ("It's You or No One"). As a youngster, Donatelli shared car rides to piano lessons with

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett; here, with wunderkind Keezer at the keyboard, Donatelli shows instrumental experience through her voice, and interplay with—forgive the homonym—"Keez."

The Donatelli-Keezer team works in such wonderful, respectful compatibility. Her rhythmic approach is framed by Keezer's deft touch—classic and swinging. He's a very sly partner, too, a "Have You Met Miss Jones?" five-note quote introducing his solo on "It's You or No One." Their beautiful takes on "Why Did I Choose You?" and "Forward, Like So" are duo perfection.

Sting

bass, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Sting's "Big Lie, Small World," done bossa-style with neat vocal backgrounds provided by

Julia Dollison

vocals
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Julia Dollison and

Kerry Marsh

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Kerry Marsh engages. "Enchantment (Firm Roots)" cooks at multiple temps with terrific solos by guitarist

Peter Sprague

guitar
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Sprague and Keezer.

The incorporation of chamber strings and voices, arranged by Keezer, are a beautiful, romantic touch, as is

Ingrid Jensen

trumpet
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Ingrid Jensen's haunting flugelhorn solo on "Hush Now"—perhaps the CD's only drawback being that this is the only cut to feature Jensen's terrific talent. The rhythm section, comprised of Keezer, bassist

Hamilton Price

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Hamilton Price, Jon Wikan and Sprague, meshes perfectly.

While there might not be electricity there, When Lights Are Low is powerhouse, desert island stuff.

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Track Listing

It's You or No One; Don't Explain; When Lights are Low; Big Lie, Small World; Why Did I Choose You?; I Wish I Were in Love Again; Kisses (Cantor Da Noite; Forward, Like So; The Telephone Song; The Bed I Made; Enchantment (Firm Roots).

Personnel

Denise Donatelli

vocals

Denise Donatelli: vocal; Geoffrey Keezer: piano/Rhodes; Peter Sprague: guitar;Hamilton Price: bass/electric bass (10); Jon Wikan: drums/percussion; Jon Wikan:pandeiro (9); Susan Wulff: double bass (2, 7); Giovanni Clayton: cello (2,7); Roland Kato: viola (2, 7): Alma Lisa Fernandez: viola (2,7); Matthew Duckles: viola (2, 7); Julia Dollison: vocals (4, 10); Kerry Marsh: vocal (4, 10); Ingrid Jensen: flugelhorn (2); Phil O'Connor: bass clarinet (4, 10); Ron Blake: soprano sax (7).

Album information

Title: When Lights are Low | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Savant Records

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