Irene Atman - Irene Atman (2007)

Tracklist

01. Summer Me, Winter Me
02. Shall We Dance
03. If I Love Again
04. That's All
05. The Very Thought of You
06. The Nearness of You
07. If I Were A Bell
08. What Are You Doing the Rest of Our Life
09. Les Parapluies De Cherbourg
10. Simple Life
11. The Shadow of Your Smile
12. My Foolish Heart

From Toronto, Canada, vocalist Irene Atman releases her self titled debut album presenting eleven time-honored classics from the Great American Songbook. Most definitely one of the best jazz vocals recordings I’ve ever heard. Possessing a voice that brings to mind some great singers, I asked myself where has she been and why has she not let the world hear her sooner.
I concluded that if the legendary Barbra Streisand ever decided to sing jazz, she would sound like Irene Atman. That’s how good I believe this lady’s voice really is, truly mesmerizing. Let me add, that I have had the privilege of seeing Streisand live in concert (October, 2006, Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise) so I know of what I speak.
Making this album so special is the selection of wonderful tunes like the Rodgers/Hammerstein “Shall We Dance,” Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You,” Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You,” “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life,” and Johnny Mandel’s immortal “The Shadow of Your Smile,” just to name a few.
Atman interprets these classics with a stylish graceful elegance that leaves a memorable impression. The singer reaches with each song carrying the lyrics in warm fashion and hitting the high notes with ease. She even includes a Michel Legrand/Jaques Demy composition (“Les Parapluies de Cherbourg”) voiced in French.
She begins the album with one of the best renditions of “Summer Me, Winter Me,” recorded and ends with the romantic Victor Young/Ned Washington love ballad of “My Foolish Heart.”
Atman pulls off this musical treasure with the assistance of a fine sextet that includes co-arranger and producer Danny McErlain (piano), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Steve Heathcote (drums), Rob Piltch (guitar), Bob DeAngelis (sax and clarinet), John Macleod (trumpet) and Gary Binsted (bass) on selected tracks.
An enchanting musical statement from Irene Atman. This release should garnish critical acclaim and calls from everyone who hears it, for more.

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