Most people make records to share their talents, and abilities with the rest of the world. This album is not really about those things at all, this is more about someone else, in this case, a son.

Amazing jazz singer Nancy Donnelly and her husband recently received news that would bring most parents to their knees, the devastating diagnosis that their 6-year-old son Zachery was suffering from acute lymphoblastic Leukemia. The unimaginable pain and heartbreak of this was fuel for an album that will easily bring you tears with its honesty, openness and clarity. That, along with Donnelly’s spectacular, emotive voice.

Many star musicians grace this recording, Warren Bernhardt, Mark Shulman, Scott Petito and Chris Carey all contribute to this, as well as the entire Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, and all play exactly what is needed, nothing more, nothing less. But it’s Donnelly’s heart and soul that makes this record what it is.

At the beginning, Shulman’s dreamy guitar and Bernhardt’s majestic piano usher in “When Your Baby Smiles.” Donnelly’s powerful crystal clear voice takes it from there, with confidence and verve. The smooth-as-silk “Everyday Angels” falls into the lush and luxurious “The Answer Is Love,” soon comes the incredibly moving “He’s My Son,” a musical prayer, where God is begged, and the mother even offers to trade places in a heart wrenching moment. “With All Your Heart” is more or less a diary of discovery of a child’s illness, empowering and full of grace and spirit. “Quiet Place” is breathtaking(and what a jaw-dropping solo by Bernhardt!) while the classic George Harrison song “Here Comes The Sun” is a fitting closer, with it’s kids chorus (Albany Medical Center patients and family) and the festive sound of the Torres big band.


Lyrics From The Heart would be a brilliant CD even without the amazing back-story, knowing what generated it makes it even more moving and emotional. Out of the darkness of disease, an important courageous work of beauty and truth. Thank you Nancy Donnelly.

By DAVID MALACHOWSKI   (Reviewer)         Kingston Freeman 4 March 2011
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