Reviews for "My Secret Love"
LA Jazz Scene Magazine
October 2004
Review By Scott Yanow
AMANDAH JANTZEN
MY SECRET LOVE
(Starfire)
The third CD by singer Amandah Jantzen (who is from Portland, Oregon) might very well be her best. Her voice is very warm and friendly, her choice of notes on this set of standards is tasteful and subtle, and there is a happiness to her singing that is difficult to resist. She makes such tunes as "Secret Love," Ella Fitzgerald's "Rough Ridin'," "It Could Happen To You" and "Gone With The Wind" sound as if they were written for her. Ms. Jantzen's backup group, which ranges from a duo with bassist Rick Kilburn on "Bye Bye Blackbird" to a quintet, usually has pianist Chris Sigerson and features a few guest appearances from the Eddie Lockjaw Davis-inspired tenor Al World. The musicians all complement the singer's expressive voice and inspire one of her best performances on record so far. This set, available from www.amandahjantzen.com, is well worth acquiring. Amandah Jantzen, who in recent times has been performing long engagements in Asia, is a singer who deserves to be much better known in the U.S.
The Scanner Newspaper - Portland, Oregon
April 21, 2004
“Dick’s Picks”
FOUR STARS (out of five)
by Dick Bogle
Vocalist Amandah Jantzen is one of those super-talented Portland residents who has spent the last several years working elsewhere. She's kept the important stuff - like her impeccable diction and soothing tones - but has enhanced her phrasing so that each of her offerings carries even more of an emotional impact. Jantzen also has superb taste in choosing her sidemen. Her favorite pianist, Chris Sigerson, is on hand again. Guitarist Ron Thompson adds important licks on "Round Midnight." Bassist Rick Kilburn is a key ingredient on "Bye, Bye Blackbird," when it's just Jantzen and him turning in a nice version. Other tunes include, "Rough Ridin'," "My One and Only Love," "It Could Happen to You,' "But Not for Me," "My Old Flame" and more.
Jazzscene "Oregon's Jazz Magazine"
2004
FOUR STARS (out of five)
By George Fendel
Although Amandah Jantzen has spent considerable recent time gigging away from the Rose City, I still consider her "one of us." Hopefully, she agrees that "the road" has simply taken her elsewhere, but that indeed Portland remains home. In any case, I've always considered her one of our city's finest singers. She sings on key, stays nicely within her range, and delivers melodies with a subtle jazz feeling, never pushing the issue or overdoing it. On this album she appears with a lineup of skillful players, the names of whom are unfamiliar to me. Most likely they hail from that road of which I spoke earlier. In any case, listen to Amandah easily wend her way through dependable fare like It Could Happen To You, But Not For Me, When Lights Are Low, Gone With The Wind and Morning. She's equally comfortable and effective on ballads like My One And Only Love, 'Round Midnight and My Old Flame. My favorite tune of the bunch was the rarely heard Rough Ridin'. Amandah is at her best on this medium tempo evergreen and adds a clever second set of lyrics which I presume are her own creation. One of these days you're going to spot her name in Jazzscene's calendar section. When that happens, it's a signal she's returned to Portland, so get out and hear her in person. In the meantime, this CD is well representative of her considerable vocal talent. Visit her at www.amandahjantzen.com
More reviews when available...
