Nichola Miller – Live at the
Dakota
2004 (No label)
The Band:
Nichola Miller
is a popular Twin Cities jazz singer who has assembled a fantastic trio to back her up on
this CD.
You will enjoy
this CD very much if you are a jazz lover. Miller
has great phrasing and a quite pleasing voice. Her
voice is reminds me of Anita O’Day, a sassy yet sultry vocalist.
Miller covers Lullaby
of Birdland, You Turned the Tables on Me, What is This Thing Called Love, Old Devil Moon,
What Can I Say (After I Say I’m Sorry), Solitude, The Thrill is Gone and As
Long as I Live.
The Wolverines
Jazz Trio is exceptional, as usual. Rick
Carlson on piano is a genius. His Basie-like
approach is heavenly. Keith Boyles on bass is
one of the best in the business, keeping great time and swingin’ throughout. Dick Bertolucci on drums swings hard and keeps
everyone on the same page. Each of the three
compliments the others to create a great feel to the music.
As for dancing,
I tend to like You Turned the Tables on Me (130 bpm), Old Devil Moon (163
bpm) and the peppy What is This Thing Called Love (242 bpm). Other good danceable tunes include Just
Friends, As Long as I Live and What Can I Say….
Dancers are
going to like this CD because it has a good amount of swingin’ dance tunes at a
variety of tempos. Jazz lovers are going to
love this CD because it has top notch musicians backing a very talented, easy to listen
to, vocalist in Nichola Miller.
Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. BUY - A great addition to your music library! You will need to contact Nichola Miller at NicholaMillerJazz@yahoo.com.