Reviews for "Once In A Blue Moon"

“Once In a Blue Moon”
Various Artists
PHD
4 stars (out of five)

Portland has a national reputation as the home of top-notch jazz musicians, and it is certainly deserved.

While listening to “Once In A Blue Moon,” it becomes clear Portland has a world-class song writing talent as well. Ellen Vanderslice wrote each of the 12 love songs on this compilation display of several resident vocalists.

Her compositions range from the bossa treatment the polished Amandah Jantzen lays on “One Minute More” backed by Tall Jazz, Lee Wuthenow and drummer Mike Snyder to a pair of country flavored tunes.

Jantzen’s sultry style and her phrasing are reasons enough to purchase this. She also contributes “Come On Back, Anytime” and “Reflection In Blue.” On the latter, she is backed by Randy Porter, Phil Baker, Ron Steen and Dan Faehnle.

That same ensemble accompanies Rebecca Kilgore’s offering of “Moonshadow Dance.” Kind of sad that the talented Kilgore gets only one track but she is perfect on it.

Marilyn Keller sings her five tracks in a straight-forward manner, including the title tune, “Once In A Blue Moon,” and she gets excellent support from Tall Jazz and Wuthenow.

The country flavor emerges as Johnny Martin sings “Twilight Of Blue.” Yet another singer, Nicole Campbell, delivers a pop-smooth tune “All I Ever Wanted,” with Randy Cannon on piano and Kurzweil PC88, Phil Baker on electric bass and Mike Snyder, drums.

Got to hand it to Vanderslice. She writes fine tunes and isn’t stuck in just one groove.

- Dick Bogle

The Love Songs of Ellen Vanderslice
Various Artists

3 stars (out of five)

Portland architect Ellen Vanderslice called upon a lengthy roster of Portland-based jazz artists to interpret her always good, sometimes outstanding melodies and lyrics. Most of the vocal work is handled ever so nicely by Amandah Jantzen and Marilyn Keller. Contributing one vocal each are Rebecca Kilgore. Nicole Campbell and Johnny Martin. I found Moonshadow Dance to be the hippest number on the disc, and Rebecca Kilgore’s vocal is A+.

Amandah Jantzen shines on the lightly Latin opener, One Minute More, and on a wistful ballad called Reflection In Blue. Marilyn Keller delivers the goods on the sincere title tune, Once In a Blue Moon and is at her jazzy best on Love Takes a Walk. On these and others, some of Portland’s finest step-up solo-wise. Included are Mike Horsfall, vibes and piano; Lee Wuthenow, tenor; Randy Porter, piano and Dan Faehnle, guitar. Give Ms. Vanderslice due credit. She has a nice way with melodies, some of which have a timeless quality. The same may be said for her lyrics. I’ve said it many times, but it always bears repeating: We’re surely blessed with loads of jazz talent living right here in Rose City.

PHD Music
2000
Playing Time: 50:23

WHAT A RECORDING!!!!!

All the gals/players/tracks are good, but that Amandah is sump’n else!

Even though I’ve been (reasonably) happily married for 46+ years, her delivery on “Come On Back, Anytime” made me want to hop the next plane to Portland. Not only is her diction the greatest, she can bend a note in JUST the right place, but the feeling/passion she puts into it - W-O-W! It’s more than just phrasing. The sensation is like it’s late in the evening, at the Country Club, a lot of the couples have left, the lights are low, the band is great, you’re dancing close, and she’s singing in your ear, just to YOU!

In fact, the mix/balance on this is superior to her initial album. On “Some Other Time”, the players, while excellent, tend to dominate. Whereas on Ellen’s CD, the players are ALSO excellent, very supportive, the tempos are “Basie-perfect”, but the singers are not straining to sing over the players. EXCELLENT job on mixing!

What would we do without Al Julian! What a guy. He’s sent another winner!

Played it on the show yesterday, and look forward - eagerly - to the April release. It will get a lot of airplay, and I’ll try to get a review in JAZZNEWS.

What else can I say but............ thanks!