CAROL WELSMAN: LANGUAGE OF LOVE

CAROL WELSMAN
A pianista e cantora canadense CAROL WELSMAN (mais uma), na mesma linha de sua compatriota Dianna Krall, da brasileira Eliane Elias e da americana Karrin Allyson, para citar apenas algumas, faz parte dessa geração de mulheres maravilhosas que, além da beleza física, esbanjam talento como cantoras, pianistas e arranjadoras. Carol esteve no Brasil, gravou com Djavan, aprendeu português e adora bossa-nova, como prova neste álbum produzido pelo grande OSCAR CASTRO NEVES.
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CAROL WELSMAN
Carol Welsman is an extraordinarily talented musician and one of Canada's finest vocalists and pianists. Carol ha been internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold over 60,000 CDs in Canada alone, something few jazz artists in Canada have experienced. Award Winner for “Album of the Year” at the 2008 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, and nominee for “Best Female Vocalist”, Carol’s musical career is soaring to new heights. She has released seven CDs to date, and four have received Juno Award nominations, the Canadian equivalent to the Grammy Award.
Fluent in French and Italian in addition to her native English, Carol blends languages and rhythms with a versatile repertoire including Latin, R & B, pop and swing. She delivers a mix of classic standards and original compositions in a style that ranges from sensuous and warm to infectiously energetic. An elegant and sophisticated performer, this six foot strawberry blonde beauty exudes charm and delights fellow musicians and audiences alike. Music is in her soul and she is greatly influenced by the diverse musical tastes exposed by her own family. Her passion for jazz led her to Boston's Berklee College of Music in the 80s, where she majored in piano performance. She later traveled to Europe, and studied voice with Christiane Legrand (sister of Michel) in Paris. In 1990, armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Carol returned to Toronto where she started her own music production company and record label (Welcar Music) and launched a serious career as a performer. Since then, she has performed around the world to adoring audiences.
(Source: Carol Welsman website, edited by CB)
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ALBUM REVIEW
I love Welsman's voice (shades of Peggy Lee!), but what makes her truly special is the extremely high quality of overall musicianship, reflected in her tasteful piano playing, arrangements, and impeccable choice of sidemen. There are a couple of weak tracks on this album, but most are excellent, and the best ("Slow Boat to China", "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", "Can't Help Falling In Love") are as good as pop-jazz vocals can get.
By Allen Minton (Bethesda, Maryland)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - arrepio no corpo inteiro e descompasso do coração foram as minhas reações ao ouvir a MARAVILHOSA versão de "Senza Fine". Carol "desconstrói" a divisão e flutua por uma re-harmonização esplendorosa e um arranjo elegantíssimo, pontuado pelo naipe de flautas. De tirar o fôlego. E o que dizer da lindíssima "Chanson de Maxence" (a.k.a "You must believe in Spring") de Michel Legrand, versão em bossa-nova, lindamente re-harmonizada e arranjada com uma delicadeza sutil e elegante. E o balanço de "Just one of those things?", obra-prima de Cole Porter, devidamente convertida ao samba. De quebra, uma singela e econômica versão de "Coração Leviano" do grande PAULINHO DA VIOLA, só com a voz e o piano de Carol, e o seguro e preciso violão do meu amigo - o grande OSCAR CASTRO NEVES. Haja coração!

(*) Concordo em parte com o comentário do Allen Minton, quando se refere ao fato de que no álbum existem "faixas fracas". Mas elas se tornam desimportantes, diante da qualidade das "faixas fortes".
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CAROL WELSMAN: LANGUAGE OF LOVE
Label Savoy Jazz
Orig Year 2003
Producer Oscar Castro-Neves

PERSONNEL
Carol Welsman - vocals, piano, Clavinova, background vocals
Arnold McCuller - vocals
Alex Acuna - drums, percussion
Kate Markowitz - background vocals
Charlie Bisharat - violin, viola
Ramon Stagnaro - electric guitar
Dave Carpenter - bass
Gary Meek - flute
Carlos del Rosario - percussion

Also: Oscar Castro-Neves:guitar, spanish guitar, arrangements.

TRACKS/FAIXAS
1. Taking a Chance on Love
2. You Take Me Away
3. On a Slow Boat to China
4. Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, A
5. I Can't Help Falling in Love
6. Just One of Those Things
7. Coracao Leviano
8. Every Breath You Take
9. Fool I Know, A
10. There's No Such Thing as Love
11. Man I Love, The
12. Chanson de Maxence (You Must Believe in Spring)
13. Senza Fine

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