Album Notes

FACE TO FACE


"Face to Face" will please with every track bringing unique flavors. Latin, ballads and traditional tunes are presented as vocal/piano duets or standard combo mixes, but often as not bring New Orleans street spice or mandolin, ukelele and some instruments you've never heard before. Laura Blye's dynamic vocals are sweet, swinging or powerful and the mix with McGuire on piano is especially lovely on "My Funny Valentine" and "My Foolish Heart". And does Bob Dylan know what they did with "Moonlight"? in French? Critics call it "fresh and light" and the medley of "New Orleans" and "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" poignant. No wonder so many are calling "Face to Face" their new favorite album.

Laura Blye is unleashed in her first album as a feature vocalist. She is dramatic. Sweet. She can pluck at your heart or punch your gut. She rocks. Kelly McGuire on piano traces early influences from Bill Evans, Nat Cole and Charlie Christian with a background ranging from classical to trad to fusion. Be it sweet ballads, hot Dixie, or spicy Latin, his playing is sensitive. Tangible. Sensual. His arrangements capture their special vision because just "standard" is not enough.