CD Review: Mette Juul - Change

Mette Juul (vocals, guitar); Ulf Wakenius, Gilad Hekselman, Per Mollehoj (guitars); Lars Danielsson (bass, cello, cymbals); Heine Hansen (piano, Rhodes, celeste, harmonica).

(Review by Ann Alex)

Mette Juul, a native Scandinavian songwriter, guitarist and jazz singer releases her fourth CD. And what a delightful listening experience it is! 

Five original songs and eight standards based on the theme of 'change'. The music was recorded in Juul's own home and also in New York and Sweden in an informal fashion, though anchored by Juul's voice and guitar. There are just 2 or 3 musicians on each track, giving the music an intimate 'feel' with genuine emotion. Ms Juul's voice is a pleasing expressive alto and every word is clear.

1/ Beautiful Love:  A sensuous, intimate interpretation with some pleasant wordless vocalisation.

2/ At Home (There is a Song): An original. 'This is a joyful place, come as you are', she sings and adds

 some gentle scat.

3/ Get Out Of Town: A difficult song to interpret (I've tried!) and Ms Juul does it with a touch of menace from bowed bass and cello, very exciting and atmospheric.

4/ It Might Be Time To Say Goodbye:  An original about ending a love affair but having last minute doubts, with a suitably contemplative piano accompaniment.

5/ Double Rainbow: A Jobim tune, a bossa featuring both acoustic and jazz guitars.

6/ Just Friends:  A sad love song, sung touchingly, with guitar soloing and a bass accompaniment.

7/ I'm Moving On: A song about spreading your wings, with a bright airy, starry feel provided by the celeste.

8/ Dindi: Another Jobim Latin number with light percussion which sounds like lapping water, and also guitar.

9/ Young Song: An original with a rather hymn-like tune and featuring a harmonica solo and interesting lyrics 'What is perfect love? Is it just a picture in a magazine?'

10/ Without a Song: I've always considered this a rather trite lyric unworthy of the tune but our singer manages to make it 'live'.

11/ Northern Woods: An original about finding peace among trees, and the guitar echoes the vocal line.

12/ The Peacocks (A Timeless Place): Lyrics by no less a person than Norma Winstone (music Jimmy Rowles). Love as an illusion, with voice and guitar, and also bass at the end.

13/ Evening Song:  An original which is very suitable as the last track. All about the close of day, contemplative.

This CD is highly recommended and it was released on September 6^th by Universal Music.

See www.mette-juul.com

Ann Alex