Search - Christine Hitt :: You'd Be Nice to Come Home to

Off To A Good Start

Bob Monica | Columbus, OH | 05/23/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Christine Hitt's first album, "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" is a strong debut work for this clearly talented artist. Her interpretive piano skills are excellent, with a genuine sensitivity for the form. Her voice is bright, and lyrical and best served on the faster paced and lighter selections such as the title song, "Sitting In A Tree", and "Thou Swell". Given the overwhelming previous success of Diana Krall in this genre, comparisons are unavoidable. Hitt lacks the vocal and emotional resonance of Krall, and is apparently unable to connect with the soulful dark edges of ballads like, "What'll I Do" and "What Is This Thing Called Love". This is an area that either needs additional attention or avoidance in the future. However, her choice of Moonlight (The theme to the recent remake of Sabrina) is intriguing and her performance of it is marvelous. The backup musicians are well chosen, for their performance is flawless. This is not surprising when artists such as the exciting Jeff Hamilton are involved (interestingly he performs on Krall's albums as well, along with longtime friend and legendary bassist Ray Brown). I look forward to following Ms Hitt's progress and purchasing her next album."

Quality recording of an outstanding jazz vocalist and band.

Chris Halvorson (halvorson@brainer | Brainerd, Minnesota | 09/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Included in this recording session are fifteen tracks of some great jazz. There a well known standards as well as some less familiar tunes that are laid out with nice variety. This is a talented group of musicians that perform very well together. Vocalist Christine Hitt has a great voice and displays skill, versatility and tasteful interpretations of the different styles presented in this recording. To me, I can hear the influence of Frank Sinatra and Chris Conner. Others may hear something completely different. If you enjoy great vocal jazz and want a fresh new vocalist to check out, then this recording is for you. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it."

A strong debut

Chris Halvorson (halvorson@brainer | 03/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a strong debut album from a vastly talented singer and pianist. although she can remind a listener of diana krall, she seems an antidote to the much over-hyped krall sound. hitt has a supple and subtle voice which she swings as smartly as krall, but allows to soar and move alongisde her fleet-fingered piano. (krall, because of limitations imposed by her voice, her imagination, or her record label's greed, does not.) hitt is a singer who attends to melody and lyric, but can also improvise with the lyric or with scat. her voice's quiet power is well-supported by a sympathetic band (kudos to drummer hamilton and bassist kennedy) and her own intelligent piano interjections. here's hoping that she can tackle even more adventurous material her next time around. if she is unable, then she will be trapped in the krall rut -- a jazz lite jukebox at the mercy of a passionless audience. here's hoping hitt gets to do what this album points to -- play music!"