COMMENTS BY OWNERS OF THE ALBUM
"SUCH-A-BOUQUET"
---Jason Gabriel, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
--- Kim Mock, Regina, Saskatchewan
this woman can sing anything. If you have not yet had the privilege to hear this CD, do your ears
(and happy dancin' feet) a favor, and get yourself a copy! "
--- Jana Arnold, Regina, Saskatchewan
CD Review
Cindy McLeod, JazzElements.com
Canadian Jazz Vocal Debut CD Reviews
Dawn Alexis
Such-A-Bouquet
Indie/2005
‘Such-A-Bouquet’ is vocalist Dawn Alexis first release, with 17 original tracks in a variety of feels and styles composed, arranged and performed by the singer and the gifted assembly of players. Ranging from swing to funk, Latin to a march, there’s a lot of music packed into this 60 minutes.
There’s no doubt this woman can sing, there’s power, dimension, confidence and a whole lotta talent here. Her voice is full-throated and robust, with bang-on pitch and a big range. Showing great control yet with emotional abandon, Alexis is a natural, convincing vocalist who can deliver a song.
Although there are a number of jazz oriented feels, purists would bristle if one were to call it a jazz recording. Some tunes fit into that indescribable vein that someone like Tom Waits would occupy, other parts sit in a pop/rock vein. Still other enter the world of broadway, or a production show with a playful side. There are juicy tidbits thrown in as a four part vocal swing intro, and the 1:00 track ‘Foreboding’, where Alexis plays all the instruments in an eerie, tension building interlude. The swing track ‘Goin’ the Wrong Way’ features a great melody and the muted trumpet of Kevin Kasha. ‘Lullaby’ begins with an a capella performance, introducing Brendan Jacklin’s cello and Chris Jacklin’s flute part way through this compelling version. The title track ‘Such a Bouquet’ is Alexis’ lovely Latin composition, with the vocalist’s long lines sitting behind the beat in this spacious feel. Her long time accompanist Ken Jefferson appears throughout, and forms part of the superb rhythm section with alternate bassists Kris Craig and Gary Dunitz, and drummers Kelly Scobie (drums/bongos) and John Pain (drums/congas). Ken Burton (electric guitar) and Dave Chobot (bass) make an appearance on the funky rock track ‘Madness’ (which bears a resemblance to David Bowie’s ‘Fame’), and the horn section of Chris Jacklin, (sax/flute) and Kevin Kasha (trumpet) appear on a number of tracks.
This vocal recording may not comfortably sit in a jazz slot, but it is well worth adding to your collection, for Dawn Alexis is going places. We’ll be watching.
