Search - Carolyn Leonhart :: Steal the Moon

Background vocalist for Steely Dan strikes gold on her own

J. Powell | New York, NY United States | 07/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Carolyn Leonhart on Steely Dan's summer 2000 tour (she's the "middle" vocalist) and enjoyed her solo on the band's "Dirty Work." When I found out she had an album of her own, I knew I had to buy it. When I found it was jazz, I REALLY knew I had to buy it.Carolyn Leonhart is an amazing talent, and those only introduced to her through Steely Dan may be amazed at her versatility. This CD really highlights her wonderful voice and tremendous phrasing. Some highlights are the musically complex "Nature Boy" which she sings without a hitch, the straight ahead "It Didn't Turn Out That Way" - a humorous Mose Allison tune which sounds like it was written for her, and her jazz-pop duet with pianist Rob Bargad on the title track. Her sultry bass-vocal duet with her bassist father Jay Leonhart - "Moonglow" - which closes out the album, is also a fun highlight. She is supported by some amazing musicians - Bargad (who also produced the album) is a tremendous songwriter and pianist, and augments her vocals perfectly. Her father plays a smokin' bass from beginning to end, and the legendary Jimmy Cobb (Miles Davis' drummer on Kind of Blue among others) plays drums on a few tracks, while Billy Drummond covers the drums on the rest.If you enjoy jazz vocalists, such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Krall, you will enjoy this album as well. It is my personal favorite jazz album of the year and one which hopefully will expose a new talent who can only get better as time goes by."

Steal the moon

Amelia Ray | San Jose, CA USA | 08/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"carolyn leonhart delivers an excellent eclectic vocal performance on this cd. her style oscillates between traditional and bop, but she is always precise.highlights include: it didn't turn out that way - with a vocal track reminiscent of early carmen mcrae and sarah vaughn; i've grown accustomed to her face - tender placement...makes you sit and weepwhile this cd does not truly reflect the extensive range of carolyn's skills, it is a fine choice in a line of introductory material from this talented vocalist. i look forward to hearing her future work."

Great smoky piano-bar jazz

John S. Harris | Memphis, TN | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you only know Leonhart from her work with Steely Dan, get ready to be blown away! This is wonderful piano-bar jazz, simple yet melodic arrangements, and superb musicianship. The title track, "Little Man", and "Yesterday's A Dream" are standouts, but there are no weak or filler tracks here. I'm not very knowledgeable about jazz, so I don't know how to compare this to other jazz artists to give you a frame of reference. But that doesn't mean I don't know wonderful music when I hear it. Beautiful record!"