Search - Weslia Whitfield :: My Shining Hour

Whitfield has soul to burn

B. Sloane | Los Angeles, CA USA | 05/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone in love with the wonderful Harold Arlen and the venerable tradition of jazz-art women singers of the 30's and 40's (think Jeri Southern, Dinah Shore, Sarah Vaughn, June Christy) is going to flat-out love this album. Ms. Whitfield is, if it's not sacrilege to suggest, the best of the bunch. Need convincing? Listen to her swing on "Out of This World" (ignore the previous reviewer who said this arrangement was "out of tune" -- it's a delicious arrangement with original harmonies on the piano and a tasty jazz interval), get soulful on "Moanin' in the Morning", have fun on "As Long as I Live". She's pitch-perfect like no other singer I've heard and still gets bluesy when the occasion demands. Arlen never had it so good."

A splendid effort by a dazzling jazz diva

Tom Ono | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not many singers are worthy of that phrase "jazz diva", but Miss Whitfield is, she delivers all of her songs(which are jazz standards), with thier original verses. She always is backed by tasteful small jazz combos, and she improvises lighly, and has a bell like clarity to her singing. She has a style all her own, those who appriciate good caberet singer, or jazz singers will enjoy this fine set."

She has the voice, AND ALL THE RIGHT songs too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie Wong | Rowland Heights, CALIF. | 11/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Voice alone is not a qualifier for a good cd, but what a combination when you have a good voice and the greatest songs ever writtten. There are many people with good voices that flop(Harry Connick, Jr). There needs to be many other factors to go along with that voice. Now for the cd in review, I first would like to say that Weslia has a romantic voice(so waht), her voice is so much more than romantic, it's feeling, warm and touches your solu, it swings, it understands every word. This is good one!For the real reasons to buy this 10 star cd we have two parts. First, the repertoire that Weslia performs IS what I would call romantic and she doesn't just sing typical standards, she unearths the forgotten gems, making her a jazz musicians singer. It's not one of those stupid standard romantic tunes albums taht Natalie Cole did, that we have come to know and cherish, and have heard way too many times(talk about making me want to throw up).Secondly, the band REALLY plays in a romantic, jazz based, retro and modern at the same time style. It appears that the band plays in a MAGNIFICENT style. the band hits some hot jazz chords and that helps Weslia be more adventurous in her approach to the music. The way it appears to me, Weslia is having a great time singign with her husband/pianists jazz combo. If this is the case then I think Weslia might continue recording with Grinsell's group forever, I hope thay always perform as a team, no two people on earth or in history ever sounded better or more perfectly matched musically then Wesla & Mike. I feel like tese are the PERFECT arrangements. Also, there is so much variety to the tempos of the songs from song to song so eventaully the songs will all run together. That's why variety is so, so important, and taht's why this is the perfect cd.Recommendation: I can not honestly give a buy signal for this cd. Not only that buy one for every memebr of your family, they'll thank you for it."