Louise Isackson - Feels Right (2008)

feels Right...
The timing? The sound? The repertoire?
All of the above! The debut album from singing sensation Louise Isackson does feel right. It pushes the right buttons, stirs the right emotions.

Produced by Raymond Silva, a highly acclaimed former Atlantic Records producer who has worked with Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Charles Mingus, Stanley Clarke, Roy Buchanan and Peter Gabriel. This album is a selection of timeless compositions, with a sound that is clearly Jazz influenced. From the opening swing of “Exactly like you”, to her thoroughly modern version of “Summertime”, to the funk and swagger of Jimi Hendrix’s “Wind cries Mary”, each song tells a story of an emotional path to feeling right.

When you hear Louise’s strong, sweet and sensual voice, the journey is
complete for those listening.

BIOGRAPHY - Louise Isackson

Born in Sydney Australia, but raised in Brisbane, Louise spent much of her early childhood listening to her parents’ piano playing and singing. “My mother was a huge fan of Nina Simone.” Piano lessons commenced at age five and by her teenage years, Louise found herself studying vocal technique at the Brisbane Conservatorium of Music with a range of teachers, both male and female. Over the period of 10 years Louise journeyed with her voice through classical, rock, and jazz contemporary styles. Regular duo and group gigs followed before she was offered a six month contract in Japan as part of a jazz cabaret band. “The experience was unreal. The Japanese people were very accommodating. Knowing how much they love Jazz, I had a blast singing for them.”

There’s something quite fascinating about how Louise arrived into music, having started her creative career in the visual arts. Louise completed a degree in visual arts at Griffith University in 1994, She lived and worked in Brisbane throughout the 90’s, establishing herself as an artist, having several successful exhibitions in range of reputable Brisbane galleries, to her credit. She continues her art practise in her spare time and has many works for viewing and sale on the ‘other side’ to her website.

“Emotions can drive me to making a painting in a cathartic way, but with music, it’s in the moment with emotion at it’s peak. It’s an impulse completely dependant on emotional interpretation with lyrics and melody\".

After Japan and once back in Brisbane, Louise grew restless and in a bold move, headed to New York to further her knowledge of American Jazz. “Nothing could have prepared me for it. The music, the people, the culture.” It was on the upper west side of New York city that she first met former Atlantic Records AR man Raymond Silva. “He took me to all the best jazz hangouts; Birdland, The Jazz Standard, The Villiage Vanguard. I went to see the artists that would become my greatest influences, Rene Maree, Jane Monheit and Tierney Sutton. I also had the opportunity to sit in with local groups at jam nights and gigs.” So inspirational was her stay, Louise has returned annually since 2004.

“Meeting Ray and getting to know his genius and encyclopaedic knowledge of music of all genres (especially jazz) a whole new world was opened to me. He encouraged me to sing professionally, and although I’ve been guided by his knowledge, he’s paved a road for me to believe in myself, and most importantly to discover music for myself.”

Her collaboration with Raymond became her driving force and in mid 2008, Louise released her debut album, “Feel’s Right”. “Being a producer, he was able to tailor the songs to my voice and style. I specifically wanted modern pop tunes on the album, but I gave them my own slant. These, I felt, along with the jazz standards, represent who I am as a singer entirely.”

Repertoire and Inspiration
“Whilst leaning on the classics of the Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin etc.) I like to take on a variety of musical ideas in my repertoire. I enjoy singing swing standards and popular, whilst interpreting modern songs by pop, folk and rock artists such as Sting, Leonard Cohen and Jimmy Hendriks. I don’t really think there is a bad song… it’s all in the interpretation with mood, melodic and rhythmic ideas you want to play around with. This process I feel is a part of re-contextualising what jazz is in the modern or post modern world. Considering this question reminds me of art college days and in the continual quest for defining what Art is.”

Her desire to create art and music stems from an unwavering belief in musical, theatrical and artistic principles.

Feels Right was recorded in Brisbane Australia.
With the release of her debut album, she has assembled a Brisbane based rythmn section, hand picked from the Brisbane Jazz scene. Musicians are Peter Walters (Bass), Steve Newcomb (Piano), Dave McGuire (guitar) and John Parker (drums).

The album was launched with a full quartet at the Brisbane Powerhouse in early June, 2008, to a hungry anticipating audience.