Search - Holly Cole, Holly Trio Cole :: Girl Talk

An enjoyable taste of things to come

10/20/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Holly Cole's second album, "Blame it on My Youth," must have given fans of her debut, "Girl Talk," something of a start. The arrangements on Holly's first outing are far more safe and predictable. That's not to say that the consistent swing isn't enjoyable; "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "Melancholy Baby" are both given successful arrangements of running through the entire song as a ballad then speeding it up for a second go-around. "My Baby Just Cares for Me" is a delightful bass-and-vocal number, and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," besides Hank Williams being a unique choice for a jazz singer to cover, boasts a gorgeous vocal, stark arrangement, and a guest trumpet to help set the mood. For Holly's ballad prowess, look no further than the exquisite "My Foolish Heart" or "Talk to Me Baby." The title track is passable, as is the reworking of the Motown classic "Cruisin," but the vocal on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is a little too forceful and "Downtown" is a song so simple it didn't really need to be redone, not to mention that it doesn't play to Holly's considerable strengths. Additionally, Alert must have been a rather small label at the time, as the overall sound quality, on the title track particularly, is less than stellar. In comparison with later works that found Holly going out on musical limbs and balancing herself beautifully, "Girl Talk" seems a tepid exercise in playing it safe. Surely in 1990, though, the vocals and musicianship made for a fine debut. All in all it has enjoyable moments and makes you appreciate the winding road of Holly's artistry all the more."