Andrea Wolper Parallel Lives Jazzed Media 2011
Street Date 09/06/2011
In the age of the digital download we are losing touch with ourselves as well as our art. I am old school and start with the lost art of the album cover and move on from there. From the ironic humor of the sea gull cover to the beautiful photographs gracing the inside and back cover, it is hard to imagine this is Wolper's first release since her widely acclaimed 2005 effort "The Small Hours."
"Parallel Lives" is an evocative sound scape collection ranging from Broadway to jazz beatnik to bebop and it is this very proud collection of music that defies standard categorization that makes it so captivating to enjoy. Wolper is backed by a fine working band with Michael Howell on guitar; Kris Davis, piano; Ken Filiano, bass and Michael TA Thompson: soundrhythium and together they present an eclectic collection of organic music for the most discerning of tastes.
"Pottery Barn Jazz" - you may not know the tune at first or at all but the sheer artistry combined with a special musical honesty makes you really not care. The tunes range from Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer to Joni Mitchell to three Wolper originals and all done in an incredibly inventive and engaging fashion.
Wolper transcends the "traditional" jazz vocalist in favor of a more "unplugged" story teller. The way in which Wolper plays what I call "catch and release" with each note combined with a pristine yet warm earthy quality to her voice makes this release such a delight. The cover of the classic "Skylark" and "Something Good" are but two highlights of an incredibly solid and well thought out presentation.
"Parallel Lives" is a celebration of musical diversity at its very finest. A vocal master class for where jazz vocalists should be heading today!
As always special thanks to Michael Bloom Media Relation and check out http://www.andreawolper.com/
Enjoy this You Tube video from 2010
