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"the
piano love song -
Carol Akerson with Bob Winter"
(Seaside Recordings)
Compact Disc SSCA 200
UPC 7963320-200-20
An intimate vocal/piano recording with pianist Bob Winter, featuring
an impressive array of originals and material by renowned songwriters.
Selections range from jazz to cabaret, from somber to humorous,
set in a refreshing variety of tempos and styles (including
one song in Portuguese and another in French). Bob Winter beautifully
complements Carol's soulful, sophisticated vocal interpretations.
Bob Winter, a featured pianist at Boston’s premier performance
venues for many years, is the pianist with the Boston Pops Orchestra
and Professor of Piano at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
"What
an album. Between Bob Winter's elegant piano stylings and Carol
Akerson's classy vocals, it's hard to choose which I like more.
I'll just have to listen to it again ..."
- Keith Lockhart, Conductor,
Boston Pops Orchestra
"This
is elegant and sophisticated singing and playing of the highest
caliber, the kind of immaculate work you'd expect to hear in
some upper class Manhattan night club."
- Jerome Wilson, © 1998
Cadence Jazz Records
"An
extraordinarily gifted singer."
- Ron Della Chiesa, The Jazz
Songbook, WGBH, MusicAmerica, WPLM & WBOQ
"The
choice of songs is flawless ... And the presentation ... not
much more could be hoped for. When Akerson wraps her warm, dreamy
voice around a lyric, the two become inseparable."
- Ed Symkus, The TAB
"Your
debut CD 'the piano love song' is a winner!!!"
- Al Ham, founder of "The
Music of Your Life", nationally syndicated radio service
"This
is a collaboration of class."
- Jack Simpson, "Jazz
on the Beach", Cocoa, Florida
"This
nice production fits the Cabaret series perfectly. Carol
is a wonderful ballad interpreter. My favorite is her
composition 'Paris Nights and Cognac Haze.' Nobody could improve
on a title and lyric like that."
- Jerry Atkins, KTXK-FM,
Texarkana, Texas
"We
aired your album 'the piano love song' and loved every minute
of it. Simply stated ... you're GOOD!"
- Bill Frisch, Make Believe
Ballroom, WSHR-FM, Lake Grove, New York
"Akerson
reveals the depth of her ability in many varied contexts.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable first outing."
- Jazz Canadiana
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"Duke
is the 1 -
A Tribute to Duke Ellington Featuring Carol Akerson"
(Baily
Boy Records)
Compact Disc BB 0429
UPC 6006657-437-26
A
collaborative tribute with all-star Boston jazz musicians. Carol
pays homage to Duke Ellington, one of her most profound musical
influences. Hear an unusual variety of vocal interpretations
and arrangements that sound fresh while honoring the music's
historical roots. Carol and her phenomenal musicians (Bob Winter-piano,
John Lockwood-bass, Jim Gwin-drums, Jon Wheatley-guitar and
co-arranger, Herb Pomeroy-trumpet and Mike Monaghan-tenor and
soprano saxophones, clarinet) explore an exciting range of improvisation,
instrumentation, moods, styles, textures, and timbres.
"This
is one of the tallest trees in the recent forest of Ellington
tributes."
- Bob Blumenthal, Boston
Globe Correspondent
"Akerson
has it all - diction, warmth, humor, and genuine style ...
Every tune shows fresh as a daisy ... " 
- Fred Bouchard, Downbeat
"I
feel [Carol Akerson] certainly ranks with the great ones ...
Listening to her new CD, 'Duke is the 1' I sat enthralled.
The warmth and sincerity of her delivery is compelling. I
found her performances of the Ellington classics absolutely
flawless ... Really, it doesn't get any better than this."
- Jack Ellsworth, WLIM
1580 AM, Patchogue, Long Island, New York
"She
[Akerson] has a clear, natural voice and unforced style, and
she delivers the lyrics with care and understanding.
The instrumentalists are used in an intelligently varied manner,
the core being the rhythm section, all of whom are fine, tuneful
and swinging ... Do try to hear this fine record ... "
- Bruce Crowther, Jazz
Journal International
"Akerson
is an excellent singer with a very good feel for the music
and the lyrics which comes through with unmatched clarity
in her delivery. This album is an easy one to recommend."
- Dave Nathan, Jazz News
"All
eighteen selections are tendered with ardent, luminous grace
and beauty. This collection is an unabashed delight
from beginning to end, offering, as it does, a perfectly realized
celebration of Duke Ellington."
- Johnny Adams, The Monterey
County Post & "And All That Jazz" - KNRY/KIEZ
Radio
"When
I received your CD, it didn't take ten seconds to realize
that this Duke tribute stands out. Well produced, great band,
superb arrangements and your vocal interpretations of Duke's
songs are PERFECT."
- Jim Stone, WLNZ 89.7
FM, Lansing, Michigan
"Great
new album and an absolutely refreshing new voice. I love this
album from top to bottom."
- Pat Goodhope, WJBR 1290
AM & WDOV 1410 AM, Delaware
"It's
a perfect fit for the sound of our jazz program, and I believe
it was the top vocal disc on our show this past month. Duke
would be proud of your interpretations of his music."
- Marty Scarbrough, KASU-FM,
State University, Arkansas
"If
you love Ellington, you can't help loving this CD."
- Melody "Mel" Lipton,
WDNA 88.9 FM, Miami, Florida
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