(DMJ-1030)
"With a Little Help From My Friends" (EAR-1022)
"Suzanne Cloud has a husky and expressive voice that is powerful yet subtle. On this set, she performs songs that mean a lot to her, three of which she wrote or co-wrote herself. The music is atmospheric, moody, sometimes brooding, but always swinging in its own way. Most importantly, Cloud's interpretations are heartfelt and never lose one's interest. A highlight is one of the most rewarding versions of 'Never Never Land' that has been recorded. This underrated and understated set is well worth checking out."
- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide"'Never Never Land' and 'Autumn Leaves' are sung with more heartfelt poignancy than usual and 'Imagine My Frustration,' originally an R'n'B tune, is recast as an impressionistic song about loneliness...'Do I Hear a Waltz?' is a charming showcase for Cloud's stark vocals and Jim Miller's active drums while 'Two Lost Souls' is a cool late night duet for Cloud and her mother with fine baritone sax from Denis DiBlasio. This is more personal than the normal Jazz vocal album but it's stirring in its own way and it makes compelling music."
- Cadence"Suzanne Cloud's last release, 1996's 'With a Little Help From My Friends,' delight(ed) the listener through irony and a liberal political view upon current events. Her current release, 'Looking Back,' draws the listener into her heart. Cloud has abandoned for now the mordant wit and has concentrated on personalized expression.
Supported by an outstanding group of Philadelphia-based musicians, 'Looking Back' offers varying approaches to Cloud's theme of reminiscence...slowly revealing truths through the musical unwinding of emotional fragility and questioning.
Starting out her career as a soprano, Cloud's alto voice now seems to have deepened with perhaps an extension of range...Suzanne Cloud is front and center as the conceptual and musical leader on 'Looking Back.'"
- All About Jazz"'Autumn Leaves'...reaches an emotional level with pianist Jim Ridl that gives fresh force to a well-trodden song.
...aching...fabulous...heart-stopping...sassy...
She owns the songs she sings, and that makes her a storyteller and a conjurer of her own life. This recording is full of artful shadings by saxophonist and flutist Denis DiBlasio and trombonist Dale DeVoe, as well as sympathetic comping from Ridl and fellow pianist Eddie Green.
...She also dares to do a duet with drummer Jim Miller on Richard Rogers and Stephen Sondheim's 'Do I Hear a Waltz?'...Cloud bares herself in the tradition of jazz chanteuses of yore."
- Philadelphia Inquirer"Suzanne Cloud brings some lovely torchlight jazz vocals to her CD release, 'Looking Back,' and it is an entertaining collection of enjoyable music.
Suzanne Cloud is accompanied by many talented musicians, and each one is flawless in performance. Pianists include the always enjoyable stylings of two well-known jazz pianists: Jim Ridl and Eddie Green. Dale Devoe appears in performance on trombone.
What sets this collection of vocals apart is its color and sensitivity of emotion. Billy Strayhorn's 'Imagine My Frustration' is beautifully done by Cloud as is the extraordinary 'Joshua.'
If you have never heard Suzanne Cloud sing, this is a fine introduction to her great talent! 'Looking Back' is a winner, a fine showcase for jazz vocalist Suzanne Cloud." - JazzReview"The musical support and arrangements are what you expect from the best. Selections range from such charming but rarely heard gems as 'Just My Imagination' to the often-rendered but freshly interpreted 'Autumn Leaves'...it also includes several very interesting original numbers by the participants, such as the title song by Cloud and 'Maybe, Just Maybe' by Eddie Green and Morris Bailey."
- Metro
SUZANNE CLOUD: "With a Little Help From My Friends" (EAR-1022)
Twenty of Philadelphia's finest musicians team up with vocalist/lyricist
extraordinaire Suzanne Cloud for a satirical look at '90s
culture...Jazz with an attitude! Contains controversial material highly
unusual
for these conservative times. |
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