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Rating:
THE REVIEW
The paths leading to discovering an album or an artist are often unpredictable. A friend's recommendation, a review, a chorus heard fleetingly on the radio. In the case of Holly Cole, I discovered her existence because I was fascinated by her rendition of "Soldier's Things" by Tom Waits (Album: Temptation 1995), heard at a friend's house. Having developed an interest in the Canadian artist, I continued to listen to her records in the following years. Therefore, even though I didn't feel the need for an album of jazz standards, I gladly purchased her latest album recently released by Trad & Moderne.The album kept me company for a week, especially in the car under the annoying rain of these past days. But it never crossed the threshold of my home, and now it risks being forgotten for a long time in some compartment of my vehicle. This is because the album, although well-played and meticulously produced in every aspect, never really excited me. The Canadian singer indeed has a beautiful voice, and the musicians accompanying her, among whom Aaron Davis on piano stands out, consistently do their part.
Additionally, some tracks are genuinely enjoyable, like the second track "Something Cool" and the ghost track "Mad About A Boy". In short, one could say that Shade is an honest album. It might be appealing. But it's not for me because I find the boundary between the pop and jazz that Holly Cole offers too thin. Perhaps she should further develop her efforts in one of the two directions, seeking less certain, but certainly more fascinating paths.
Given her vocal talents, I believe that greater artistic courage would be rewarded. For now, we have an album that is neither remarkable nor disappointing.
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Summary by Bot
This review reflects on Holly Cole's album 'Shade', discovering it via a Tom Waits cover. The album is well-produced with strong vocals and musicianship but ultimately lacks excitement. It straddles jazz and pop without committing fully, resulting in a decent but unmemorable experience. The reviewer suggests greater artistic risk could enhance future works.Tracklist
Holly Cole
Canadian jazz singer known for blending jazz and pop and for notable covers (including Tom Waits material); active since the 1980s.01 Reviews
