CD REVIEW: Clara Landau - Watch Me Dance
By Ben Ohmart - 05/21/2007 - 10:34 AM EDT
Artist: Clara Landau Genre: Jazz CD Review: Are you a dancer, Clara? I like your jazz-influenced tunes and I Think you're a good song constructionist. But I'm not utterly sure. I do however think there is an audience for everyone. And I think you've found yours - after all, you've been playing for audiences for years. But in terms of someone - like me - hearing this for the first time, I'm not sure what to make of it. You have the voice of Leena Horne in her 70s. A woman with power and presence. But unless you're already a Leena fan, you're probably going to start with something earlier. That's just my opinion.
She plays the piano/keyboard herself, like an old settled blues player that knows just what works. Helped out by a good sax by Bob Knapp in 'If I Should Forget About You'. Tunes like 'Playing to Win' will certainly stick with you (even if the keyboard is a little..). She knows how to write a tune though!
It's an album quickly growing on me. I would suggest it to songwriters, to learn from the experienced. Also, if you like old black woman jazz singers, this white woman is for you.
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