Jordana Glasser
"See you on Mars"
www.JordanaGlasser.com
Music Connection Magazine - Club Review - May 23 2005
Jordana Glasser
Genghis Cohen
Hollywood
The Players: Jordana Glasser, keyboards, vocals; Chris Pinnick, guitar; Will MacGregor, bass.
Material: Jordana Glasser strings together an intriguing, at times whimsical, package for the singer/ songwriter crowd. Skirting around conventional song formats, Glasser lets her lyrics lead the way with lines like, "I like chasing butterflies in the Gemini sky." The verse-chorus-verse structure does pop up occasionally. But, she seems much more at home conveying the cathartic nature of her self-professed "painful songs," through a wealth of words set to moody piano melodies and sparse guitar picking.
Musicianship: Glasser wisely employs the seasoned skills of Pinnick and MacGregor. Achieving a loungy jazz feeling, Pinnick throws in a mix of clever runs and single-note leads that one imagines could dress up any combo of notes. And with MacGregor's solid low-end, the lack of percussion is easily overlooked. Of course, Glasser's vocals are front-and-center. A proficient keyboardist as well, her bluesy, passionate voice displays a range that is a treat.
Performance: While her focus was on heavy matters of the heart, Glasser's onstage demeanor could not have been more laid-back, and the balance worked. An impassioned artist, Glasser stepped back between songs to talk about Seinfeld , the weather, and a jealous pet cat. Then when the spotlight shifted back to her music, Glasser delivered. Not surprisingly, it was her more traditional tunes that garnered the most reaction, ending with an impromptu request for a song she hadn't played in years. Accordingly, she complied.
Summary: Jordana Glasser is another example of a talented songwriter drawing her own blueprint in the pop/folk scene. A delightful vocalist, Glasser's strength lies in her ability to write emotional lyrics that hit hard with folks who identify with her work. First-timers expecting standard fare may find her material challenging. A couple more hooks could go a long way in giving newbies a bit more to chomp on. Her talent deserves the attention.
-- Albert Vega (Music Connection Magazine)
Jordana's Art
Few musical artists dare to share as much of themselves as Jordana Glasser.
Meaningful messages, delivered through Jordana's soulful voice and
hauntingly playful piano, are rich in tone and prophetic in their imagery.
Her musical depth and poetic lyrics are featured on her debut album
"See you on Mars", and can be experienced live as she performs her original songs at clubs throughout Southern California.
Her Story:
Jordana started playing a little red toy piano at the age of 3yrs. And the rest is history! Although at 7 years old she took a few piano lessons focusing on Classical music, she unleashed her talent for expression. Her favorites include Bach, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.
Heavily influenced by the era of the songwriter/performer, her earliest musical memories are of hearing the likes
Of Carole King, Carly Simon, Burt Bacharach and The Carpenters, Cole Porter and George Gershwin waft through her childood home.
By the time she was 10 years old her Father introduced her to the music of Jackson Browne. It was then that she knew she wanted to be a songwriter. As a teenager her favorite artists included , Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, Laura Nyro,
Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles and of course Jackson Browne.
While critics and admirers alike have listed her sound and style akin to Carole King, Carly Simon, Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan, Jordana
Glasser's style and fervor are uniquely hers, and provide the listener with a personal tour through journeys of
love, loss and laughter. Her lyrics are semi-confessional, inspired by her own thoughts and feelings-speaking
volumes of the special bonds between people, of yearning, of soul searching and our place in time and history.
The Album:
"See you on Mars" is now available at Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Second Spin in
Sherman Oaks, Salzer's Records in Ventura and at Cdbaby.com/Jordana. For song clips and live performance schedules visit www.JordanaGlasser.com
The Gear:
Jordana Glasser performs with a Kurzweil Keyboard SP88X. Besides the sound of natural piano, her music includes traditional and tribal percussion beats ofter interwoven with a variety of subtle bass tones, orchestral arrangements and synthesized keyboards.
Reviews:
"Jordana's velvety, husky, smooth voice and flowing piano, beautiful and poignant lyrics, painted a picture of her
rich inner landscape and her performance felt personal, familiar and haunting... her songs are beautiful and you'll sing them all the way home..." ~All Access Magazine, 2003.
"From the emotional 'Man of my Dreams' to the soothing 'Rock Away' and the dreamy 'Churches', Jordana
sang from her heart and soul. At times her style is reminiscent of Carole King, Carly Simon and Tori Amos~ other times, on a path of her own devise." ~Sugarbuzz Hollywood Reporter, 2003.
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