Lisa Maxwell Continues the 30 Year Love Affair

By: Harriet Goldsmith, Senior Editor

Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be standards changes over time. Songs included in major fake book publications (sheet music collections of popular tunes) and jazz reference works offer a rough guide to which songs are considered standards.

Not all jazz standards were written by jazz composers. Many are originally Tin Pan Alley popular songs, Broadway show tunes or songs from Hollywood musicals – the so-called “Great American Songbook.”  A commonly played song can only be considered a jazz standard if it is widely played among jazz musicians. The jazz standard repertoire has some overlap with blues and pop standards.

So the introduction of jazz standards vocalist Lisa Maxwell, who seems to have had a 30 year love affair with jazz.  The wife of famed composer and arranger, pianist George Newell - together the two have chosen to create a recording that focuses on songs that speak directly to their close knit loving collaboration Return to Jazz Standards.

Lisa’s voice is very endearing; a non-affected delivery gives the listener a pleasing experience.  Husband George Newell provides all the instrumentation except for guest artist John Alfred on trombone.  All equally contribute to the beautiful fabric of the release.  A traditional take on the swinging classic “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” is a perfect way to open a CD, one of my all time favorite jazz CDs by Cheryl Bentene adopts this same approach.  Maxwell and Newell complement each other quite well; Newell creates a perfect pad for Maxwell to sell the listener on the lyric.

“Lazy Afternoon,” a classic standard that seems to be getting a lot more focus lately, is given a string treatment by Newell creating a dreamy mood for Maxwell to easily maneuver.   A truly stellar rendition, this is the track Maxwell really shines on.  Her matter of fact delivery is quite effective and transcends the listener to a late night supper club where Maxwell is front and center and the spotlight is firmly fixed on her.

Return to Jazz Standards offers a classic intimate sound and the opportunity to hear the standards as the writer intended, with a focus on the lyrics and the uncluttered simplicity of the catchy melodies, which is why standards continue to shine through generation after generation.

Jessica Simpson, Do You Know

By: Kaitlyn Sierra


I've always been on the fence when it came to Jessica Simpson's music as her previous albums have been okay, but nothing stellar. This album, however, is without a doubt my favorite of hers. I'm not a country fan by any means of the word and hesitated when I opened the package.  But, after listening to Do You Know, I think Jessica is on her way to changing my mind.   

Her single "Come on Over" is an upbeat toe-tapper and Simpson brings it home. The hit of the album, in my opinion, is the emotional and poignant "Sipping on History," it's beautifully written and emotionally performed by Jessica, a wonderful showcase for her talent. "You're My Sunday" and "Pray Out Loud" are also wonderful songs, both seem much more mature and deep than her previous albums and are among my favorites, and why I think she is definitely on the right path for the future.

On "Do You Know", Jessica has certainly grown and reveals much of her personal overtone of trials and rewards. The music itself is very relaxing but the message is deep at the same time. It will quickly have you tapping your fingers and wondering how you became a Jessica Simpson fan. 


Kudo's Simpson, you are truly onto something with Do You Know.

Michael Bublé, Let it Snow

By:  Belusha Dornin


The Adult Standard vocalist of the millennium is Michael Buble, with shades of Connick, Darin, Sinatra and Torme, all rolled into one nice neat package this youngster had certainly studies his predecessors. 


Just in time for the holidays Buble has released Let It Snow!, featuring an unforgettable youthful style that takes you back to the Christmas' of yesterday, when times were simpler and the strip was bright (Vegas that is).  


Listening to this five track compact disc, brings back memories of Bing Crosby in "Holiday Inn", where Bing first sang the Irving Berlin classic song of these special times "WHITE CHRISTMAS" 


"THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE)", composed by Mel Torme/Robert Wells and debuted by Nat "King" Cole (one of the greatest entertainers of all time), but Michael nails this classic tune with his own signature and makes it his very own 


"LET IT SNOW!", wonderful arrangement by Johnny Mandel, is masterfully executed by Buble, he sings with flair and conviction.  "GROWN-UP CHRISTMAS LIST", is a beautiful, almost music box tune written by David Foster (producer of this album), the verse brings a tear to your eye as Michael pours his heart out, this track alone is worth the price of the album.

The classic Christmas song is "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS", is a befitting song for our troops who are so far away from home.  Buble takes the David Foster and Jeremy Lubbock arrangement along with heartfelt lyrics and brings it home, just listen quietly and see if you don't agree.

A first class vocalist, a classy album a definite addition to your Christmas collection!

Miracle on 34th Street

By:  Clay Roberts


A delightful Christmas fantasy of a charming old man who believes he is Santa Claus, and the wonderful change he brings to the people around him. This perennial holiday classic adorns many short-lists of Christmas viewing and is one of the all time great Christmas movies. 


The film just oozes with warm-hearted humor. A very young Natalie Wood sparkles as Susan, who learns to stop being so grown up, and enjoy childhood, with all its wide-eyed wonder. Edmund Gwenn plays Kris Kringle, and brings the role to life.  He totally connects with the kiddies who visit "Santa" at Macy's department store. 


The brief scene with the little Dutch refugee girl is a definite emotional high point in this movie. The combined reaction of relief and wonder in the child's face as she visits Santa and finds he speaks her language is memorable. Gene Lockhart as the harried judge, and William Frawley as his street-wise political advisor provide the needed comic relief to keep the court-room segments from becoming too overwhelmed by lawyers and their tactics. 


Even Jack Albertson shows up as an ingenious postal clerk who helps Kringle solve his legal problem. The on-location scenes filmed on the streets of New York assist the viewer in suspending disbelief. An enthusiastic cast, crisp direction by George Seaton, a sentimental holiday message, and great humor make this movie a solid holiday treat for the entire family. Multiple viewing only enriches the rewards. 

Katharine McPhee, Christmas Is The Time

By: Dottie Sikes

This is a classic and elegant Christmas album. A perfect recipe for the holidays. One part Katharine Mcphee's vocals, add equal parts of Christmas songs and you have a delightful taste of magical perfection! 


Christmas Is The Time is destined to become one of my favorite Christmas albums! There is indeed a certain quality to Mcphee's voice that sets her apart from other vocalists. I love every track in this album, no exception! A different take on "Jingle Bells", gives the release just the right appeal. Her original Christmas composition, "It's Not Christmas Without You" is a beautiful song. 


The title track, "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You", is purposely approached in an ethereal high register of her voice, which I truly love.  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", features trumpet icon Chris Botti, it is bound to be a classic. Her voice resonates and is crystal clear on the poignant album closer,"Who Would Imagine A King".  A sure Christmas playlist topper every year!

Olivia Newton-John, Christmas Collection

By: Darma Selmis


This Christmas cd is a bit of a patchwork, which Olivia owns up to in the liner notes. But mixing material from a Hallmark Christmas cd she did last year, along with tracks from Kenny Loggins "December" TV special, does not lessen the effect of the presentation.  


Olivia has put together a satisfying collection of holiday standards. Despite being dismissed at times as a 70's pop star, Olivia's voice has grown in strength and assurance with age, as evidenced on her beautiful version of "Ave Maria." Her tracks with the London Symphony Orchestra are rich, and her more country flavored holiday tracks give the cd a nice variety. The only mis-step is "Let it Snow!" with Kenny Loggins and Clint Black, which worked better on TV when you could see the 3 singers goofing around a bit.

Christmas Collection is targeted at Olivia's mainstay fans, who will delight in its offering.  If you're looking for something special to slip into your cd player this season, you'd do well to make it Olivia's Christmas Collection, which you just might find yourself continuing to play once Christmas has come and gone

Wilson Phillips, Christmas in Harmony

By:  J Bags

Christmas in Harmony is Wilson-Phillips first Christmas CD - and their first album in six years.  Reconnecting with their original producer Glen Ballard, Christmas in Harmony is the modern Christmas music masterpiece we were hoping for. For those who like their Christmas music on the familiar side, there are plenty of standards to be found here like "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silver Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" that are elevated to a celestial level thanks to Wilson Phillips' incredible harmonies. Like the Everly Brothers, their sibling harmony is unmatched.  They even recreate Spector's production of The Ronettes' "Sleigh Ride" right down to the "ringa linga linga ding dong ding" backgrounds. 

What makes this Cd a standout in the myriad of Christmas releases is the stellar quality of the original tracks "Warm Lovin' Christmastime" (written by Carnie's hubby Rob Bonfiglio), "Christmastime" (penned by Chynna Phillips and producer Glen Ballard - the same pairing that wrote Wilson Phillips' first hit "Hold On") and the appropriately joy-filled "Joy" (composed by all of the gals, Rob and Glen). 


The  does have its one aberration.  It leads off with a noisy revival of `70s glam rockers Wizzard "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day." Once you get past the fuzz it is Happy Holidays - and a Merry Christmas for all.