Search - Jacqui Naylor :: Live At The Plush Room

Stunning Debut

Don A. Frascinella | The City By The Bay, USA | 08/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first attracted to Jacqui Naylor when I heard her on a local morning show. Seeing this gorgeous lady the first thing in the morning was not only one way to start the day, but then I heard her sing and I was hooked. I ran out and bought tickets to her Plush Room Show.Jacqui has a style that is close to jazz, but has some blues and cabaret as well, making her an artist than can appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Her voice at first sounds like a little girl, but she can fool you and get down waaaay loooowww. The highlight of this CD is "Ain't No Sunshine" which is not only true to Bill Withers' fine version but in many ways surposses the original. "I got the Sun in the Morning" is another highlight and is one she uses in her live shows to end on a high note. I also loved "It Could Happen to You". But really, all the songs on this CD are excellent and will give you a good idea of what it is like to hear her live.If you do hear her live, three songs not to miss are Pink Floyd's "Money" which she keeps true to the original - right down to the lyrics. "So Far Away" the Carole King song, is perforemd with heart and soul and her arrangement is better than the original. The showstopper is "I'm a Mean and Evil Woman" where she really lets herself go. Too bad none of these are on this CD but perhaps she'll find room for them in the next one.jacqui has teriffic stage presence as well. She is amiable and almost humble on stage and never fails to give acknowledgement to her quartet - who are pretty darn good when they are given the chance to do solos.The only thing better than listening to Jacqui Naylor's "Live at the Plush Room" is to see her in person."

Gettin Tired of Norah Jones...

qarmeelia | 09/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are really into jazz standards, I doubt you would like this. But if you are finally opening up to the nu jazz standards, this is the one. You may have heard the latest from the phenomena of Norah Jones who created the confusion of folksy-bluesy-country-kinda-jazz(whether or not you like her) but this is much stronger, deeper, sexier. "Ain't No Sunshine" sounds something out of Joan Osborne who sang "One of Us".
Well, take it or leave it but I love this lady. I haven't heard much of her but she has the ultimate momentum of becoming the next big thing.
Norah Jones has Eva Cassidy; Jacqui Naylor has Etta James."

Can't hear it enough

Fiona Aberson | Portland, Oregon USA | 04/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this record! Jacqui has that something that makes me feel better when I am feeling down...a certain honesty I think that comes through in her voice and her music. I heard there is a new recording soon to be out and can't wait to hear it. If "I Remember You", the single from it, is any indication of the vibe and the caliber of writing on that record...I'm there. She has a lot of soul and sings like an angel with an edge! I really appreciate the chances she takes with her music and feel that while I know she is a jazz singer, she sings standards in a really hip and interesting way. Her voice sounds a bit like Billie Holiday in that soothing kind of way sometimes but mostly she just sounds like her...like she is telling a story and no matter what kind of story she is telling...a standard, a rock cover or an original...she means it!

I also like that she tries to do good things with her music like helping to keep music in the schools and getting involved with artists against AIDS. I think that is really admirable and probably not easy to do in the entertainment business.

One more pet peeve of mine...for a live recording this is actually done quite well. I am a big jazz fan and I have a lot of live recordings where I love the music but the recording drives me crazy so I really appreciate the care that was taken in selecting these live tracks and putting them together in a way that really flows.

I can't listen to this CD enough and can't wait to hear what's next from this exceptional artist!"