Janet Seidel - Comme Ci Comme Ca (2003) 320kbps

For her sixth release, Australian singer Janet Seidel continues to mine gems from the huge lode of popular music, this time focusing on tunes with a Gallic bent. Several of the tunes on the play list have a French origin, such as "A Man and a Woman" from the 1966 classic French film of the same name and "I Will Wait for You" from the soundtrack to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Virtually all of these, including the American pop tunes, are sung in French (like a native) and English. For those who need translating help, the lyrics are printed in both languages in the liner notes. The use of French helps set the intimate tone that is the hallmark of this session. As in all of her albums, Seidel brings some of Australia's finest jazz musicians to the studio with her. The impressive alto and tenor saxophones of Bob Jeffery are present on nine of the 14 tracks. Seidel's favorite piano player, Kevin Hunt, continues his sympathetic support, and brother David Seidel's bass lays down the foundation along with drummer Billy Ross, who's especially adept with the brushes. That this album has a decidedly jazzy flavor throughout is in small part due to Jeffery's sax on such tunes as "Tout Doucement" and "J'attendrai." Whatever language she sings in -- English, French, or anything else -- Janet Seidel makes any song sound better than it should. This album is another winner for her and is recommended. ~Dave Nathan