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CD REVIEW
By Charleston Hepston

Nichola Miller – Live at the Dakota
2004 (No label)

The Band:  Pipes:  Nichola Miller; Keys:  Rick Carlson; Bass:   Keith Boyles; Drums:  Dick Bertolucci

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.