On this disc, "Shakin', Not Stirred," the Swizzle Chicks sing a variety of infectious swing, jazz, cocktail nation, standards and pop tunes in close three-part harmony. This recording will have you snapping your fingers, singing along, and swaying in your chair. The album, two years in the making, features 12 original songs.
The tight vocals are reminiscent of the Andrew Sisters, but with a B-52s kick. The solo work performed here by each vocalist reveals a fine understanding of the mood and story of each song. Beth's "I'll Give You My Romance" is captivating, sultry and personal. Stephanie's ballad "Spring" (one of two pop tunes on this disc) grooves along in its trancelike mantra as her soulful, nuanced vocals build the emotional tension and release of the piece. Carrie's vocals simply gush with emotional, girlish infatuation in the intro to opening track "Let's Go" and again in "Alien Love Song." As an ensemble, this group works its considerable talent: the three-part vocal harmony is especially luscious and ear-pleasing.
This disc also features some of the finest jazz musicians in Portland, Oregon: Israel Annoh, Dave Captein, Dan Balmer, Eddie Parente, Kurt Deutscher, Brian Ward and Courtney Von Drehle to name just a few. A list of all the players, song lyrics, and background notes about each tune can be found at the Swizzle Chicks website at www.swizzlechicks.com.
A Note About the Singers. The three Chicks all share a strong, common bond: each has at one time lived in Las Vegas. Caught somewhere between the Baby Boomers and the Gen-Xers, these stage-savvy performers whose combined experience ranges from comedy to musical theatre to grand opera, navigate any stage with presence and high energy. They are also known to have been seen wearing matching outfits.
How do they do it? Beth, Carrie and Stephanie write their own music and lyrics, then work with great local jazz players to bring it all together. "We just love to sing together!" comments Stephanie, "I've never experienced such synergy and cooperation in a performance group. We are consistently in a state of mutual admiration and I feel so lucky to be singing with such talented women!"
Although this album doesn't include any covers, the Chicks sing plenty of them in the their live shows. Tunes such as "Dream a Little Dream," "Brazil," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "C'mon A My House," "Sentimental Journey," "Runnin' Wild," "Lullaby of Birdland" and "There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" have found their way into the repertoire, among many others.
One more word: eclectic. But regardless of style--fast swing, lullaby, rollicking polka, or tongue-in-cheek guitar-driven surf--this disc is all about beautiful, mellifluous singing. Although the writing embraces some old-fashioned flair and structure--notably in the swing tunes--this music is modern, fresh, uplifting and positively fun--these infectious tunes will wrap around you and will never let your listening pleasures go. Making fun, upbeat, beautiful music, the Swizzle Chicks are three-part harmony--with a twist!
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