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From Me
to You
Armonica | Lonewolf Records
~ Roger Crane
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0703_063.htm
The word “armonica” has two meanings, both relating to music. An armonica is a glass harmonica (which, interestingly, was invented by Benjamin Franklin) and it is also the Italian word for “harmony.” So Armonica, the Portland-based singer, has the perfect name to accompany her marvelous singing. By the way, this is not a name that she chose to enhance her musical career. Her parents so named her.
Armonica opens her stellar debut CD with a bouncy reading of Peggy Lee’s noted song, “I Love Being Here With You,” and she sounds like she means it, singing with much naturalness and joy. Some of the best cuts on this debut album are just Armonica’s lovely rich alto and Dan Balmer’s guitar. One example is the delightful reading of Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You,” and one of the best versions of the newest of standards, “Estate.” But the centerpiece, at least to my ears, is the five-minute “After Hours,” a noirish ballad of love and obsession, by Roz Gordon. Armonica goes beyond the notes and uses her musical understanding to bring an after-hours feline grace and relaxed ambience to this lovely but lonely song. She brings impassioned identification to Gordon’s lyrics, making it poetry, all aided and abetted by Balmer’s sublime guitar. This cut alone is worth the cost of the CD. However, Armonica shows that she can also swing on a wonderfully arranged “Lullaby of the Leaves.” Each selection is a gem but mention should be made of Abbey Lincoln’s “Bird Alone.” The song and Armonica’s interpretation are both works of pristine beauty.
Armonica is surrounded by gifted fellow musicians, many from the Portland area, including the previously mentioned Dan Balmer, who is arguably the premier guitarist in the Northwest jazz scene. Bassist Ben Wolfe is known nationally for his work with Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall, just to cite two well-known collaborations. Pianist Tony Pacini has played with reedman Bud Shank and vocalist, Rebecca Kilgore amongst many others. Together, these consummate artists provide wonderful support for Armonica’s debut.
Like the very best of jazz singers, Armonica does not try to be a horn, but rather phrases and swings with the suppleness of a horn, while giving attention to the text and telling the story. Her technique, luminous and lovely voice, and her interpretive depth should give her great staying power. I look forward to many more CDs from Armonica, a young artist of considerable stature.
From Me To You; Armonica, Vocals
George Fendel, JAZZSCENE (Oregon's Jazz Magazine)
My thanks to Portland jazz pianist Mark Simon for hipping me to Armonica, a singer I plan to go out and hear once I get my life back. She clearly brings a jazz singer's phrasing and feeling to her work, sounding at times just a bit as though she's studied great singers like Betty Roche, Betty Carter and Carmen McRae. For this, her first CD, Armonica wisely utilizes a wellspring of Portland-based jazz talent in Dan Balmer, David Evans, Tony Pacini, Ben Wolfe, Dave Captein, and Ron Steen, not every guy on every cut. And she shows great taste in her selection of tunes with such winners as Shall We Dance, The Nearness Of You, I'll Take Romance, Desafinado, Emily and an album highlight, Billy Strayhorn's haunting Lotus Blossom. Armonica is up to the task, weaving her vocal spell through these memorable tunes and allowing her musicians room to breathe solo life into them as well. It's my hope that she calls Portland "home" for a long time to come.
Reviewed by: Donna Kimura , http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=5551
Featured Artist: Armonica
CD Title: From Me To You
Year: 2003
Record Label: Distributed by Lonewolf Records
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Armonica (vocals), Dan Balmer (guitar), David Evans
(saxophone), Tony Pacini (piano), Ben Wolfe (bass), Dave Captein (bass) and Ron
Steen (percussion)
Review: Armonica is a Portland, Ore.-based jazz vocalist with a fresh,
easy style.
Her debut CD, “From Me to You,” features 11 songs, mostly standards plus a few lesser-known numbers that highlight her gentle touch with a lyric.
The CD kicks off with “I Love Being Here With You.” Armonica manages to inject some new energy into the familiar tune. No easy task. She delivers the line, “I love good wine” with cheerful, good flair. You can practically see her winking.
Armonica has a rich, low voice that is backed by a laconic style. Unlike other singers, she doesn’t try to overpower a tune. A veteran of local jazz clubs, she has a relaxed, confident manner that proves less is more.
She’s chosen a strong lineup of songs for her first release. Songs on the CD include “Shall We Dance,” “I’ll Take Romance,” and “Lullaby of the Leaves.” Armonica, who has been compared to Abbey Lincoln, closes the CD with Lincoln’s “Bird Alone.”
The vocalist has a solid group of musicians behind her, including bassist Ben Wolfe, who has played with Harry Connick, Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall.
Armonica delivers an enjoyable, heartfelt debut.
Tracks: I Love Being Here With You, Shall We Dance, The Nearness Of You,
Estate, I'll Take Romance, Lotus Blossoms, After Hours, Desafinado, Emily,
Lullaby Of The Leaves and Bird Alone
Wow, Armonica, thank you for writing back! I'd love to jam with you! Anytime!
I always enjoy hearing you sing and would be honored to have the privilege of
playing with you under any circumstances! I especially love your rendition of
"Social Call". I've seen you several times over the years and you are always
better and better. I really like the way you draw people into your world when
you sing.
Thanks and all the best to you,
Eddie Parente (world-class jazz violinist)
