An album of re-imagined Cole Porter songs, skilfully performed and accompanied pleasingly by piano, bass, and drums. I say re-imagined but that is perhaps too strong a term. The arrangements are still very much jazz, with hints of R&B, soul and bossa. What is This Thing Called Love? and Just One of Those Things are soul/R&B influenced and Ms Koller includes herself as a chorus of backing singers.
The title track is a bossa with Latin hand-drumming, sung in
an intimate sensual style. In the Still of the Night is a very
atmospheric ballad, sung to a steady note from the piano and gentle playing
from the bass. Every Time we Say Goodbye is highly original, with Ms
Koller's ukulele being the only accompaniment, which gives the song a 1920's
feel.
There are two Porter songs which are rarely heard: Greek to You, a heartfelt love song, and Why Don't we Try Staying Home?, a real swinger which should be performed more often. Ms Koller discovered these songs in a copy of an 'Unpublished Cole Porter Songbook' so that explains why we don't normally hear them. This is our singer's third album which is a very enjoyable listening experience.
Ms Koller grew up just outside of New York City. She is a songwriter and arranger as well as a vocalist and she performed in musical theatre and alt rock as a teenager. She also did some opera and art songs, completed her musical education, and became involved in the New York jazz scene. She is also engaged in community projects.
The album is not being released generally on CD so I assume it is only available digitally. See www.kristinakoller.net. Ann Alex
Get Out of Town; What is This Thing Called Love?; Greek to You; It's All Right With Me; Why Don't We Try Staying Home?; In the Still of the Night; Just One of Those Things; Every Time we Say Goodbye.
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