What a joy it is to hear a new singer who is simultaneously possessed of a beautifully melodic voice, a mastery of phrasing, exquisite diction and a sense of fun!  Carolyn Nelson’s new CD “Come A Little Closer” is an utter delight from start to finish – a treasure chest of tunes where each musical gem sparkles with a luster all its own.  From the swinging “I Don’t Know Enough About You” and “The Gypsy In My Soul” to the bebop trio which graces “Four”, there is something here for any fan of vocal jazz.  Contrast Ms. Nelson’s sultry and seductive rendition of Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right With Me” with the sheer playfulness with which she delivers another Porter classic, “Just One Of Those Things”.  Her dulcet tones and perceptive delivery transport the listener seamlessly from the innocent fun of “O Pato (The Duck)” through the sweetly alluring “I Didn’t Know About You” and on to a charming up-tempo version of Michel Le Grand’s “Dans Ses Yeux” (for which Ms. Nelson herself wrote the English lyrics). 

 The highlight of the recording is her rendition of “Too Close For Comfort”, in which Ms. Nelson flawlessly combines purity and sexiness into one irresistibly intoxicating musical cocktail.  She chases this with a romantic and passionate version of Henry Mancini’s “Two For The Road”, which leads into her slyly naughty “Hyde Side Blues”.  The recording ends with a very wistful version of Rodgers and Hart’s “Nobody’s Heart”.  If you find that that dreamy finale leaves you wanting more, just play the CD again, and join me in hoping that she releases another disc soon.

 John Segers,
Music Director
WUCF-FM 89.9 Orlando, FL
“Jazz and More”
http://wucf.org/home/

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