Vocalist Denise Donatelli has produced a vibrant and zesty new CD with stellar musical direction by Geoffrey Keezer.  Each of the eleven tunes is an entity all of its own.  Starting with “It’s You or No One,” the core musicians--Keezer (piano), Peter Sprague (guitar), Hamilton Price (bass) and Jon Wikan (drums)--lock on immediately to the number.  The arrangements are pretty amazing and Donatelli has added several musicians on most of the other tracks.  This is probably among the best half-dozen to a dozen CDs of 2010!  In recent weeks it has been in the 2nd and 3rd spots on the jazz charts and continues to gain a large amount of air-play around the country. 

I have to agree with some other critics that “Don’t Explain” is one of the more vibrant and crisp arrangements I have heard.  It is truly soulful to the max and one that the listener can listen to many times over; it is also up for a Grammy award!  The title track, “When Lights Are Low,” is one of the best-ever renditions.  Donatelli sings it superbly and the jazz music is divine.  Tenor saxophonist Ron Blake adds the perfect sax back-up as well. 

Among my favorites were a groovy “Big Lie, Small World” with not only a great story told with the lyrics, but also terrific  music and back-up vocals to Donatelli’s wonderful singing.  Others were “I Wish I Were In Love Again” and Cedar Walton’s “Enchantment (Firm Roots)."  A nifty little Bossa number, “The Telephone Song,” is vivid and spicy, with neat lyrics.  See Denise Donatelli’s website: www.denisedonatelli.com and www.jazzdepot.com.  Highly recommended!! 

Reprinted with permission from L.A. Jazz Scene, January, 2011 issue. 

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