Remember when you were a kid – and you bought that record and played it over and over again until your parents said, “Please! Turn that thing off, or pick something else!”
That’s the way I’m feeling today.
Reneé Olstead – Skylark (Reprise)Released – January 27, 2009
Okay, so I’m confused.
The note from Renee Olstead at her website says of this new disc, “We worked really hard to give u the best album we could, hope y’all like it as much as I loved making it 
”
Except Internet buzz says it was recorded two or three years ago, and slipped release dates in 2006 and 2007 for what “Radio Swiss Jazz” says was to, “fix, re-record old songs, and record new ones that…would better fit the CD’s track list.” A 2006 note at Ms. Olstead’s “MySpace” website says, “We’re in the FINAL FINAL stretch of the new album (we can’t wait to get it on shelves, but not til its PERFECT!)”
In the end, I guess it really doesn’t matter. You must buy this album. Do it now via iTunes, or later in a store if you want the liner notes. I couldn’t wait. Released at midnight, on the ‘pod by 6am. David Foster, who knows his way around female Adult Contemporary vocalists (Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross) arranges and produces.
The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra backs up Ms. Olstead, along with a raft of others – including Chris Botti on trumpet, and Mr. Foster on keyboards. Foster also wrote four of the tracks – three with Ms. Olstead, seamless alongside the classics.
My favorite was the high-powered “Thanks For The Boogie Ride,” with the orchestra at full tilt – and demanding to be played on large speakers with the amplifiers that go up to “11.” I did that when I got home this afternoon. But there isn’t a clunker on the set. I kidded about some of the lyrics being changed when a 14-year-old Ms. Olstead sang, “Midnight At The Oasis” five years ago. Frankly, I don’t care when she recorded this one – it’s a young woman at the throttle now, and she’s got the hammer down.
I listened on the way to work this morning, I listened at work, I listened on the way home, and I’m listening now.
Yeah, it’s that good.
Highest recommendation.
A few years ago, I heard an Irish girl group named, “Bellefire” late one night on BBC Radio 2. The song was “Say Something Anyway,” and as much as I liked it – it only peaked at #17 on the UK charts, although it did well in English-speaking places in the Far East. The group disbanded, but two of its members are still making solo music – and I’d invite you to go listen at MySpace. The first is Ciara Newell – and of the four tracks available there, I like “Cried A Little” best.
The other young woman from the group who’s still making music is Tara Lee, whose “One Way Ticket” is the best of the two tracks at her page.
Finally – Diana Krall’s new Brazilian-flavored album, “Quiet Nights” is due out March 31. And while I still think she’s a little unemotional in her singing, there’s no disputing the fact that she’s one of the names…because she’s very good…and yes, her stuff must be in your collection. The promotional video that her publicists at ”Shore Fire Media” have produced is a visually stunning piece of work.
And yeah. I’m looking forward to the disc.
We’ll leave with that. See you next time.
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Renee Olstead’s “Skylark” is an amazing album! Probably recorded when she was 16 or 17. Maybe Warner thought “Lover Man” and “Midnight in Austin Texas” were a little too adult for a 17 years old!(As if 19 is old)
My favorites of 13 outstanding tracks are the threesome of “lover Man”, “Stars Fell On Alabama” and “My Baby Just Cares For Me”.