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Beth Yeshaya, "Far Cry." A splendid debut by this underexposed local jazz chanteuse, who exudes understated personality on imaginative readings of well-known songs by Joni Mitchell, Dizzy Gilespie, Sting and others. Jon Bream, Star Tribune |
| t is wonderful to finally get the opportunity to hear Beth stretch out on her first CD. She approaches all of the songs on this recording with a powerful combination of spirit and joy, abandon and risk. At times she sounds like the late great Laura Nyro, but with a jazzier sensibility. I especially love her command of the vocalese tunes, phrasing complex passages with ease and style. Graced with dynamic arrangements by her multi-talented husband/producer Adi Yeshaya (and big brother Paul Stiller, especially on Beth's beautiful original 'Diamonds on Velvet'), she gets the chance to have some fun, take some chances and make some sweet music! -Peter
Eldridge, New York Voices |
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Jazz at a Glance Volume 147 Featured Artist: Beth Yeshaya Review: Although this is Beth Yeshaya's first solo CD, it doesn't sound like a debut. The singer exudes a feeling of maturity and experience. Yeshaya grew up in Minnesota and began her career in New England singing hotel venues. While attending Berklee, she met her husband, pianist Adi Yeshaya. The couple traveled to Adi's native Israel and Beth performed in some of Tel Aviv's jazz clubs. Moving back to Minnesota, she continued in music doing radio and TV work, background vocals for pop singer Gloria Gaynor and fronted the Adi Yeshaya Big Band. "Far Cry" was recorded live at an NPR studio in front of a small audience of invited guests. Adi later enhanced some tracks with added horns, reeds and cello. The idea behind the live audience was to introduce some warmth to the recording with applause and the tinkling of wine glasses. In fact, I didn't notice any clinking of glasses on the CD. The small crowd seems as fascinated as I was with the spell cast by this fine jazz singer. Beth handles the vocalese tracks with the ease of Annie Ross. Included in this eclectic collection are standards like "Night In Tunisia", "Angel Eyes", "My Funny Valentine" and the theme from "Black Orpheus." Beth adds two of her own compositions in the form of "Far Cry" and the beautiful "Diamonds On Velvet." Billy Strayhorn's legendary "Lush Life" is handled with the reverence it deserves.
Artist's Website: http://www.bysings.com |
