Holiday Goodies for Your Ears!

More than a Wintersong, Emilie-Claire Barlow's Album Is a Delight to the Ears!

Emilie-Claire Barlow (Sailor Mars #2, Sailor Venus #2) is not only a
voice actress, but is also a critically acclaimed jazz singer! She
has been putting out albums since 1998, and her latest, an album full
of holiday tunes is one of her best!


It's full of cozy renditions of familiar favorites such as the
guitar-accompanied "Winter Wonderland" and the enchanting, flirty "Santa Baby". These are softer, jazz flavors that are unique to her style, with quite a range of scat-singing. "Sleigh Ride" is faster paced and features a flute along with some very high notes reached by Emilie-Claire. Last year's "Baby it's Cold Outside" featuring
Canadian Music Legend Marc Jordan is also on this album, and a delight to listen to. "Let it Snow" is softened featuring piano, bass and guitar and a few improvised lyrics. "Angel's Lullaby" is dramatic, with only a piano to accompany her, and her voice brings the dreamy lyrics to life! My second favorite track on the album is her wonderful rendition of the Charlie Brown classic, "Christmas Time is Here", the key change has added a different flavor to it, and her spin on this timeless classic is very notable. I especially like how the Bass and saxophone "sing" the tune in a solo, like the marshmallows atop a cup of the hot chocolate that is her voice .

The gems on this album lie in the other, lesser known tracks which were hits in the early 20th Century, and have been revived by Emilie-Claire. "What are you Doing New Year's Eve" was first written by Frank Loesser in the early 20th Century. He was a famous lyricist and composer and had composed five famous Broadway musicals, including "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". This song, was famous during the late 1940's , and has been covered by such greats as Diana Krall and Barry Manilow. Emilie-Claire's version begins with simply her voice and strings, but the wondrous tone in her voice pulls you in to listen a little longer and before you know it, you can feel the heartbreak of the character in the song. Irving Berlin was also a famous composer, who was the mind behind such hits as "White Christmas" and "Blue Skies" , also wrote "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", which has been performed by such greats as Billie Holiday. This tune is covered wonderfully by Emilie-Claire and her bright vocals will warm any cold soul in a Canadian winter. And last but not least is my favorite track on the album, the impressive "Little Jack Frost", which features her own style of vocalese, or "Emiliese" as she calls it, writing her own verse to fit in with a solo normally meant for an instrument!

"Winter Wonderland" is available at HMV stores across Canada or
online through either Amazon.ca or HMV.com , or for any of her fans
all around the world, it can be purchased online - at iTunes !

Puretracks also has "Baby, It's Cold Outside".