Laura Noejovich (voice); Takeshi Asai
(piano)
(Review
by James Henry)
Laura Has New Standards is a
clever play on words, and in this debut album Laura Noejovich gives us a
mixture of old standards in new ways, and other less familiar songs that might
become new standards.
Laura Noejovich has an unusual background
for an aspiring jazz singer. Originally trained as an opera singer, she then
completed a degree in neurosciences in Skidmore College, NY, where she is
currently a laboratory associate. In
this debut album Laura Noejovich is accompanied on piano by Takeshi Asai,
originally from Japan but now based in New York, and an alumnus of Berklee
College. Restricting the accompaniment to piano without a conventional rhythm
section is a bold thing to do on a debut album, and Noejovich’s classical
training and presence help her carry this off.
Noejovich has a strong vocal presence, with
incredible power and dynamic range, as well as a phenomenal vocal range: she is
able to hit long low dusky notes and then soar to great heights without
becoming shrill. Takeshi Asai matches Noejovich’s vocal strength with an
intense but sensitive piano accompaniment.
There are some lovely surprises in this
selection. Why Don’t You Do Right by Kansas Joe McCoy is a hard times
blues from the 1930’s which Noejovich begins confidently a capella and rubato,
to be joined after six bars by Takeshi.
Noejovich is at her best in the more bluesy numbers, and Dreamer’s
Ball (Brian May/Queen) is an utter treat. She also has a feel for show
tunes, and Funny Honey from Chicago gets the full theatrical
treatment. Quieter and more lyrical moments include a folksy interpretation of
Lennon and McCartney’s The Fool on the Hill, with a quirky accompaniment
by Asai. Once Upon A Dream (Wildhorn, from Jekyll and Hyde) and On
My Own (Les Miserables) get the full wistful but hopeful stage
treatment. Standards don’t get much more
standard than Gershwin tunes, and there is a huge powerful version of Summertime
balanced by a lyrical and at times operatic Someone to Watch Over Me.
Laura Has New Standards is an impressive debut album. It is
difficult to classify in many ways. Bits of it would be jazz in anyone’s book,
some of it has to be musical theatre, and some of it is frankly operatic.
Likewise, Noejovich’s vocal range is so huge I can’t decide whether she is an
alto or a soprano. But does it matter if
we can’t slot music into pigeonholes?
Not a bit: just enjoy it for what it is.
Eclectic and classy sums this album up best of all.
James
Henry
Enchanted Meadow Records, November 2019
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