Renee Olstead - Skylark
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Free Music Notes for Skylark
Free Music Review: If it sounds good, It IS good
Hit: 5 Stars
As of this posting, there were 81 other reviews of this album, some of which were obviously very knowledgeable about jazz and jazz artists... While most only sung Renee's praises, some mentioned an untrained voice that "makes my ears bleed"... Well, to those I say, as Count Basie said, "If it sounds good, it IS good." ...
I for one will not disparage this talented young singer because her music is not perfection to the trained musical ear... I'll just say that for me, Count Basie had it right... Renee Olstead's voice is as easy on the ears as her appearance is on the eyes; this assortment of new tunes (4) and jazz standards (9) is as refreshing an offering of music as a rose in the desert...
I sincerely hope this effort also foretells the entry of more youth into REAL music, instead of the rap and hip-hop garbage that gives REAL meaning to "makes my ears bleed"...
If you love music, all genres of music, you'll most likely want to add this mesmerizing and hypnotic, sultry and sensuous young voice to your collection... You won't be able to listen to it just once!
Free Music Review: A Gem by a Classic Singer
Hit: 5 Stars
The United States has produced more than a dozen great songwriters including George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Richard Rogers with his partners Larry Hart and Oscar Hammerstein. I think the number of truly great singers of these classics is less than this number, and include Frank Sinatra and Nancy Lamott. Renee Olstead has a voice, style, and inner spirit that make me believe she will soon achieve this status. Her latest album, Skylark, demonstrate just what an incredible and indelible singer she is. Her takes on Skylark, Ain't We Got Fun, Hit The Road Jack, Stars Fell On Alabama, Lover Man, and My Baby Just Cares for Me are classic, and may well be the definitive versions of those songs.
This album has been held up for years, and I'm glad it has finally seen the light of day. We need at least an album a year in the future from Renee. I hope she avails herself of other producers in the future. While I think David Foster is a genius and a great mentor, Renee needs to share her talent with other arrangers in the future.
Free Music Review: Simply Stunning
Hit: 5 Stars
I just have to say that this album was one of the best I have heard in a very long time. It's simply stunning that this is an eighteen year old that is okay with singing songs of substance rather than be wearing tight, sleazy clothes and singing about sex and boys like her counterparts. I am a 25 year old who used to love the pop scene (Paris Hilton, Girlicious, etc.) but have found solace in other genre's like classical, jazz, and thanks to this album, will now be listening to more swing. I caught her self titled album as well and was captivated by the range and emotion in her voice at such a young age. This album and the previous will be on repeat on my MP3 player and I cannot wait for a third album. Talent like this must never stop because this is all we have left in an otherwise talentless society nowadays. Just a note to Renee: No matter who criticizes you never sell out; continue to release great remakes and originals and set the tone for others. You don't have to catch up to them, they have to discover you!Free Music Review: The Timeless Voice - Renee Olstead
Hit: 5 Stars
I shake my head and ask how can this young woman sing like that! All the tracks on the album are wonderful! Three stand outs are:
"Lover Man" is a musical roller coaster showing Renee's great range going from light soaring highs to gut hitting lows and everything in between.
"Stars Fell On Alabama" is a sweet dream of years gone past.
"My Baby Just Cares For Me" is fun and sassy. Renee "sure does" sing it great!
Than Renee "Stone Country's" (Please re-release this album!) us with three songs she co-wrote with David Foster with a country flavor:
"Hold Me Now, Midnight In Austin Texas (very bold, bluesy and flirty) and Nothing But The Blame" are great songs. NBTB really soars , you feel the emotion from this amazing young singer. Renee was 14 when she recorded her much loved self-titled CD released in 04; she was probably 16 or 17 when most of this album was recorded. So young, so talented.
Free Music Review: Yet another instant classic!
Hit: 5 Stars
I will admit that when it came to Renee Olstead's last self-titled cd I was a few years late in discovering it. But when I did it was like I couldn't put it down. It was the best vocal performance and arrangements I had heard in ages. I vowed to be one of the first to get every album she would release after that.
And here we are... SKYLARK! This body of work exceeded any expectation that I could have had. Renee's voice is one of timeless beauty. Such poise, such character, such depth, such soul, such passion, such style, such grace, such growth. Utterly amazing. Her renditions of songs like "Hit The Road Jack" and "Stars Fell On Alabama" have surpassed the originals in my opinion.
I wish Renee Olstead the best of luck with any endeavor she partakes on in her life. She deserves it all.
And in closing I would like to say to Renee... Thanks for the boogie ride!
-- J-Dub