Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
143 Records/Reprise
- Released: April 2005
- Rating: 8/10
- Cat.no.: 9362-48704-2
After a hesitant start, emerging Jazz singer Renee Olstead finally lets rip on knockabout standard Summertime.
From then on its cruise control on a sentimental journey of a superblyarranged covers album. As much as she may not like it, shes probably goingto join the ranks of Katie Melua in terms of branding. Thats were comparisonsend, as her range is much wider and more profound.Vocally shes a lightweight, but dont dismiss her, as she can cut it with thelikes of Clare Teal and show Amy Winehouse the door.
Pristine and clear as the driven snow: like a rollercoaster Olstead can riseand fall in an instant. Her male counterpart Michael Bubles similar effortson This Time sounds the poor relation in every way. Here, the chemistrybetween artist and song is very explosive – in the nicest possible way ofcourse.
She can let rip and tone it down like a past master – check her mesmerisingduet with singer-songwriter Peter Cincotti on Neil Sedakas Breaking Up IsHard To Do. Elsewhere she flirts with the lyrics and the listener e.g.A Love That Will Last as she do-wops her heart away.
Maria Muldaurs hit Midnight At The Oasis is done as straight cover- spot the difference? Given the right exposure (BBC Radio 2) this sexy younglady could be a huge star. The singing is as passionate as her red hair -so look out Olsteads gonna grab you quite soon.
Weblinks:Renee Olstead.com andReprise Records.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Summertime
2. Taking A Chance On Love
3. Is You Or Is You Aint My Baby
4. Someone To Watch Over Me
5. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
6. A Love That Will Last 7. Meet Me, Midnight
8. Sunday Kind Of Love
9. On A Slow Boat To China
10. What A Difference A Day Makes
11. Midnight At He Oasis
12. Sentimental Journey
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.