Reviews
“I’m old-fashioned . . .” sings Vancouvouver vocalist Melinda Whitaker to open her debut disc The Touch of Your Lips, and there can be no arguing the fact. Whitaker, blessed with a rich alto, sings in the jazz tradition: she puts her stamp on the standards, swings hard and embellishes a melody to put her own stamp on it. Backed by the solid trio of pianist Miles Black, vbassist Rick Kilburn and Tommy Doran, Whitaker rolls through a baker’s dozen of familiar jazz tunes, giving the a tweak here, a twist there.
Her take on George and Ira Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me contains subtle changes, as Whitaker plays with the line, “I’m a little lamb who’s lost in the wood,” and performs a vocal calisthenic as she slides into the last verse. She reponds in kind to Miles Black’s blues touch on Buddy Johnson’s Save Your Love for Me, turning the chorus into a flat-out testimonial, and does a complete renovation of the bridge of It Could Happen to You. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was double-times for Black’s piano solo, which measures up to his high standards.2005/ REVIEW
Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun
Quotes
“Make no mistake, Melinda Whitaker is one of North America’s premiere jazz vocalists. Her rich dark voice, her understanding of the lyrics, and her jazz phrasing are impeccable. And what’s more, she swings!”Gavin Walker, The Jazz Show,
101.9 FM Vancouver (UBC)
“The first time I saw Melinda Whitaker I was knocked off my feet by the sheer warmth of her personality and presence. Anyone who has heard Melinda’s voice knows its smoky brilliance, the seductive, electrical charge that this wonderful performer can bring to a song.”Dr. Peter Gouzouasis, Music director,
JAZZ90/WRTI (1983-1988)
Playlist
~ Click to play ~
I'm Old Fashioned
Besame Mucho
There Will Never Be Another You
The Way You Look Tonight