Lola Haag - A Tribute To Billie Holiday (2002)

Tracklist

01. Lover man
02. he's funny that way
03. Am I blue ?
04. (I don't stand) A ghost of a chance
05. Good morning heartache
06. Darn that dream
07. In a sentimental mood
08. Crazy he calls me
09. Just one more chance
10. You don't know what love is
11. Come rain or come shine
12. (I'm afraid) the masquerade is over
13. Travelin' light
14. I'm glad there is you
15. God bless the child

Big Chair Records recently released Lola Haag's third CD entitled "Good Morning Heartache, a Tribute to Billie Holiday". Containing 15 classic jazz tunes identified with Lady Day, the CD delights the ear with Lola's unique interpretations of songs familiar to the jazz world. Lola has an unusual ability to get inside of a lyric and transform it into a very personal expression. Her version of "He's Funny That Way" illustrates clearly how Lola finds the core of the song and makes it her own. The playful style she delivers in "Darn That Dream" and "Am I Blue?" contrast effectively with the reflective soulful renditions of "Lover Man" and "You Don't Know What Love Is". Particularly delightful is Ms. Haag's sexy version of "Come Rain Or Come Shine". She does save the best for last when she closes the CD with a moving version of Billie Holiday's composition "God Bless The Child".

Lola grew up singing with her family along to the records of Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers and there is a little Bing in her style. She caresses the lyric with relaxed, delicate buoyancy and with rich, sensual low tones that are uncharacteristic of many singers of contemporary jazz, especially female singers. It is not unusual during one of her performances to see couples make eye contact, take each other hands and move their chairs a little closer together. Her live performances seamlessly blend hot swinging jazz with sensual ballads and bluesy melodies and remind one of the intimate mood reminiscent of an after hour's club.

In a recent interview, Lola was questioned about her approach to her music. She responded, "I attempt to get inside the head and the heart of the woman telling her story through the song. The lyrics are the most important thing for me. I try to be true to them. The melody seems to just fall into place when I focus on the message of the words and the woman's story becomes my story." Lola laughed when asked what personally drew her to the blues of Billie Holiday. "Email me privately and we'll talk", she said with a smile.

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