Artist: Renee Olstead Album: Skylark

Released Date: 27 January 2009 Label: Reprise Records

Tracklist:

01. Midnight Man 02. Lover Man

03. Stars Fell On Alabama 04. My Baby Just Cares For Me

05. When I Fall In Love (featuring Chris Botti) 06. Thanks For The Boogie Ride

07. Hold Me Now 08. Skylark

09. Midnight In Austin Texas (special guest Robert Randolph) 10. Hit The Road Jack

11. You’ve Changed 12. Ain’t We Got Fun

13. Nothing But The Blame

There are some classic songs that you’ll get in the album delivered in Renee’s way.

Skylark, a song written by Johnny Mercer and brought for the very first time by Gene Krupa & His Orchestra and has been covered by hundreds of famous artists over the years. Renee said on stage when she performed in Java Jazz Festival 2008 last year that this song meant really special to her. You could feel her feeling and emotion attached deeply with this song. A very romantic song delivered in the most prettiest way a song can be.

Ain’t We Got Fun, the foxtrott signature classic back from 1921, popularized by Doris Day. This song really captured her fun and playful side. Renee’s version, by far, is the best rendition of this song I’ve ever heard.

Stars Fell On Alabama, a jazz standard from 1934, that always reminded me of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and later covered by many legendary singers such as Frank Sinatra, Billy Holiday, Anita O’Day, Stan Getz, Dean Martin and many more, now brought back again sweetly by Renee. Nice sweet swingy classic that renewed, but still keeping all the aspects that made this song timeless. I love the old tunes in the beginning, I love her version!

When I Fall In Love, the all time hit that has been brought by many singers from generation to generation, from Nat King Cole to Celine Dion, now has Renee’s signature on it. She sang this song tenderly, you’ll get drawn in your most romantic dream when you listen to this. Featuring Chris Botti on trumpet.

My Baby Just Cares For Me, another song from the late 20′s that later popularized by Nina Simone. Also covered by George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and many more. Renee’s version, again, is one of the best rendition of the song I’ve ever heard. The fun, playful and naughty side of the song are all over inside her version.

Thanks For The Boogie Ride, a song from 1941 originally brought by Gene Krupa & His Orchestra with Anita O’Day on vocal, brought back again gloriously. Nice swing on this one!

You’ve Changed, another famous song that was known through the vocal of Billie Holiday, George Michael and Keyshia Cole now appeared again in the most romantic way in a slow swing version. Her voice character really built the feeling of the song perfectly.

Hit The Road Jack. Remember the classic Ray Charles song? Try Renee’s version, you’ll love this one instantly better than any other version you’ve heard in many decades.

Lover Man, a famous Billie Holiday track, now arrived in sweet 5 minutes version. Renee’s interpretation is drop dead gorgeous.

Plus 4 original songs written by Renee herself, together with David Foster, the producer, completed the album strongly.

Nothing But The Blame, a deep soul and blues touch that will make you fall in love with the song from the first phrase you hear. Great song.

Midnight In Austin Texas, featuring Robert Randolph, the steel guitarist with his deep blues touch. This song shows the best of Renee’s blues side. The roaring tunes of Robert’s guitar in this song is amazing.

Midnight Man, swingin’ in blues song, is just amazing. It’s a delicious blend of swing and blues that will make you tap your feet right away.

Hold Me Now, a ballad that I’m sure will become a radio hits very soon everywhere around the world. Lovely, beautiful, sweet, romantic, smooth and tender. Enough said.

Originally submitted by Riandy K for Jazzuality.com on February 3, 2009.